JEE Main 2026: Admit Card, Exam Dates, Syllabus & Eligibility
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JEE Main 2026: Admit Card, Exam Dates, Syllabus & Eligibility
Every year, it is estimated that 1.5 million students from all over India participate in JEE Main, which is considered one of the most competitive as well as one of the most important engineering entrance examinations in the country. If you aspire to pursue a degree from premier engineering colleges like NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutions, JEE Main is the very first and most important step to accomplish your dream.
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This comprehensive guide by EduNext covers everything you need to know about JEE Mains 2026, including eligibility, exam pattern, colleges, preparation strategy, and post-result options.
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Whether you are a Class 11 student, Class 12 student, or a drop-year aspirant, the article helps you prepare in a structured, organized, and confident manner.
What is JEE Main?
JEE Main i.e. Joint Entrance Examination Main, is a major national-level engineering entrance test which is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA). Two major functions of the examination are:
- Admission to undergraduate engineering programs (B.Tech/B.E.) in NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs
- Eligibility screening for JEE Advanced which is necessary for IITs admission
JEE Mains is accepted by almost all central and state-level engineering colleges in India.
JEE Main Admit Card 2026 Download
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the JEE Main admit cards session 1 on 17th January, 2026.
Candidates are able to download their admit cards only after logging in to the official JEE Main website by application number and date of birth or password. Once logged in, the Download Admit Card link will show up on the dashboard.
Official Website: jeemain.nta.nic.in
JEE Main Admit Card Details
The following information is typically available on the JEE Main admit card:
- Candidate's name in full
- Roll number and application number
- Exam centre location and city
- The date and shift time of the exam
- Time of the candidates reporting
- Major instructions for the exam day
JEE Main Exam Dates 2026
JEE Main 2026 will be conducted in two sessions:
- Session 1 (January): January 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, and 29, 2026
(Paper 1 on first four dates, Paper 2 on January 29) - Session 2 (April): Expected to be in early April, around April 2nd to 9th, 2026
| Event | Session 1 (January 2026) | Session 2 (April 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Dates | 21 January 2026 – 29 January 2026 | 02 April 2026 – 09 April 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key & Response Sheet Release | February 2026 | April 2026 |
| Final Answer Key Release | February 2026 | April 2026 |
| Result Declaration (Scorecard & Cut-off) | By 12 February 2026 | April 2026 |
| Counselling Process (JoSAA & State Counselling) | July / August 2026 | July / August 2026 |
📌 Related Read: About CMAT Exam 2026
JEE Mains Syllabus 2026
JEE Main Syllabus is announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) every year. In 2026, some topics have been updated in the syllabus for JEE Mains in comparison to the JEE Main 2025 exam and all the changes were updated on the official website. Candidates must be aware of the latest JEE Main 2026 syllabus.
| Subject | Key Important Chapters |
|---|---|
| Physics | Physics & Measurement, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work–Energy–Power, Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Properties of Solids & Liquids, Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory of Gases, Oscillations & Waves, Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetic Effects of Current, EMI & AC, Electromagnetic Waves, Optics, Dual Nature of Matter, Atoms & Nuclei, Electronic Devices, Communication Systems, Experimental Skills |
| Chemistry | Physical: Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics, Solutions, Equilibrium, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Surface ChemistryOrganic: Basic Principles, Hydrocarbons, Halo/Oxygen/Nitrogen Compounds, Biomolecules, Polymers, Chemistry in Everyday LifeInorganic: Periodic Table, s-Block, p-Block (13–18), d & f Block, Coordination Compounds, Metallurgy, Environmental Chemistry |
| Mathematics | Sets & Functions, Complex Numbers, Matrices & Determinants, Permutations & Combinations, Mathematical Reasoning & Induction, Limits–Continuity–Differentiability, Integral Calculus, Differential Equations, Coordinate Geometry, 3D Geometry, Vector Algebra, Binomial Theorem, Sequences & Series, Trigonometry, Statistics & Probability |
JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026
The JEE Main 2026 exam pattern has been released by the NTA, providing essential details for candidates preparing for the exam. Understanding the JEE Main exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation, as it outlines the total questions in JEE Mains, the time duration, and the marking scheme.
| Aspect | Paper 1 – B.E./B.Tech | Paper 2A – B.Arch | Paper 2B – B.Planning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-Based Test) | Mathematics & Aptitude: OnlineDrawing Test: Offline (Pen & Paper) | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | Mathematics, Aptitude Test, Drawing Test | Mathematics, Aptitude Test, Planning-based Questions |
| Total Duration | 3 Hours | 3 Hours | 3 Hours |
| Total Marks | 300 Marks (100 per subject) | 400 Marks | 400 Marks |
| Number of Questions | Physics – 25Chemistry – 25Mathematics – 25 | Mathematics – 25 (20 MCQs + 5 NVQs)Aptitude – 50Drawing – 2 | Mathematics – 25 (20 MCQs + 5 NVQs)Aptitude – 50Planning – 25 |
| Numerical Value Questions (NVQs) | 5 per subject (all compulsory) | 5 in Mathematics (all compulsory) | 5 in Mathematics (all compulsory) |
| Question Types | 20 MCQs + 5 Numerical Value Questions per subject | MCQs (Math & Aptitude) + Drawing Tasks | MCQs + Numerical Value + Planning-based Questions |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answer−1 for incorrect answer | +4 for correct answer−1 for incorrect answer0 for unattempted | +4 for correct answer−1 for incorrect answer0 for unattempted |
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria
NTA has announced the JEE Main 2026 eligibility criteria for the January and April Sessions. Candidates must review the eligibility criteria before preparing to check their eligibility for the exam. With JEE Main 2026 scheduled to take place in January and April, applicants must thoroughly study the eligibility criteria outlined in the official JEE Main information bulletin.
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | No age limit prescribed by NTA for JEE Main 2026. Candidates must, however, meet any age criteria set by the institutes they apply to. |
| Year of Passing Class 12 | Candidates must have passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025, or be appearing in 2026. |
| Minimum Marks Required | No minimum percentage is required in Class 12 to appear for JEE Main 2026. |
| Eligibility for NITs, IIITs & CFTIs (via JoSAA) | • General/OBC/EWS: Minimum 75% marks in Class 12• SC/ST: Minimum 65% marks in Class 12 OR must be in the top 20 percentile of the respective board |
| Subjects for B.E./B.Tech | Must have studied Physics and Mathematics, along with any one of the following: Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or a Technical Vocational Subject |
| Subjects for B.Arch | Must have studied Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry in Class 12 |
| Subjects for B.Planning | Must have studied Mathematics in Class 12 |
| Number of Attempts | Candidates can appear for 3 consecutive years (2024–2026) with 2 attempts per year, totaling 6 attempts |
| Domicile Requirement | No domicile is required to appear for JEE Main 2026. Domicile is applicable only for state quota seats |
| Nationality | Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and Foreign Nationals are eligible |
| Accepted Boards | Any recognized Central Board, State Board, NIOS, or equivalent recognized board |
📌 Related Read: Colleges Accepting CMAT Score
JEE Mains Counselling
At EduNext, we provide more than just exam preparation:
- Personalized college shortlisting
- Counseling for JoSAA & state admissions
- Rank-based admission strategy
- Guidance for droppers & repeaters
We believe in educating students so they can make engineering admission choices that are both wise and worry-free.
JEE Mains FAQs
Q1. Can I sit for JEE Mains more than once after Class 12?
Yes, you can take it 6 times in 3 years.
Q2. Is JEE Mains mandatory for engineering?
If you want to get into the top government colleges, then yes.
Q3. Is coaching necessary for JEE Mains?
No, but structured guidance helps.