JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Session 2 Updates, City Slip, Admit Card & Latest News

JEE Mains 2026 is a national-level entrance examination organised by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for candidates seeking admission to undergraduate programs in engineering and architecture. The JEE Main 2026 exam will primarily be conducted in a computer-based format, except for the Drawing section of Paper 2, which will be administered in a pen-and-paper format. The exam comprises two distinct papers:

• Paper 1: This paper is designed for admission to BE/BTech courses and includes questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics based on the Class 11 and 12 curriculum.

• Paper 2: This paper caters to admissions in BArch and BPlan courses. It is further divided into two parts: Paper 2A, which focuses on BArch and includes Mathematics, an Aptitude Test, and Drawing; and Paper 2B, which is designed for BPlan and contains Mathematics, an Aptitude Test, along with planning-related questions.

JEE Main 2026 Highlights

The JEE Mains 2026 exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), will be held in two sessions — one in January and another in April 2026.

Here’s a quick overview of the important details, including application dates, exam schedule, and paper structure.

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria- Who Can Apply?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official JEE Mains 2026 eligibility criteria for students planning to appear in the exam. Before filling the application form, candidates must go through the detailed eligibility conditions, such as educational qualification, age limit, number of attempts, and required subjects.

Below are The Key Requirements for JEE Main 2026

• Nationality: Candidates must be Indian citizens. Foreign Nationals, NRIs, PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin), and OCIs (Overseas Citizens of India) are also eligible to apply.

• Educational Qualification: Students who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2024, 2025, or 2026 are eligible.

• Age Limit: There is no age limit for appearing in the JEE Main 2026 exam. However, candidates must satisfy the age criteria of the institute they seek admission.

• Number of Attempts: Candidates can appear in JEE Main for three consecutive years from the year they pass Class 12.

• Minimum Marks: There is no minimum percentage requirement in Class 12 to appear for JEE Main.

• Exam Boards: The qualifying examination must be from a recognised Central or State Board (CBSE, ICSE, NIOS, or State Boards).

• JEE Main 75% Marks Rule: The 75% marks rule is not applicable for appearing in the JEE Main exam. However, to secure admission into NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, candidates must score at least:

• 75% marks in Class 12 (for the General category) or

• 65% marks (for SC/ST category)

For Complete Details, Click on: JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria

JEE Mains 2026 Syllabus Released – Check Subject-Wise Topics for Physics, Chemistry and Maths

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official JEE Main 2026 Syllabus PDF for all three papers – B.E./B. Tech (Paper 1), B.Arch (Paper 2A), and B.Planning (Paper 2B).

The JEE Main syllabus is based on Class 11 and 12 NCERT topics, so students must prepare thoroughly from the NCERT textbooks for strong fundamentals.

Candidates can download the JEE Main 2026 syllabus PDFs for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from the links below or the official NTA website.

JEE Main Maths Syllabus JEE Main Physics Syllabus JEE Main Chemistry Syllabus

JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 Syllabus (B.E./B.Tech)

JEE Main 2026 Paper 2A Syllabus (B.Arch)

JEE Main 2026 Paper 2B Syllabus (B.Planning)

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern: Paper-Wise Question Distribution, Marks & Duration

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the updated JEE Main 2026 exam pattern for all three papers — Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), Paper 2A (B.Arch), and Paper 2B (B.Planning).

The exam will be held in online (Computer-Based Test) mode, and the total duration for each paper is 3 hours.

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern for B.E./B.Tech (Paper 1)

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern for B.Arch (Paper 2A)

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern for B.Planning (Paper 2B)

For Complete Details, Checkout: JEE Main 2026 Exam Centers

JEE Main 2025 Question Paper PDF – Download Shift-Wise Papers with Solutions

Candidates can download the JEE Main Question Paper for all shifts of the January session from the table provided below. Additionally, the JEE Main 2024 question paper for the April session is also available. Candidates are encouraged to download these PDFs to aid their preparation for the upcoming exams.

JEE Main January 2025 Shift-wise Question Paper with Solutions (Memory Based)

Vedantu provides JEE Main January 2025 Shift-wise Question Papers with Solutions for 22, 23, 24, 28, and 29 Jan, utilising memory-based questions gathered from students who appeared for the exam.

JEE Main 2025 Question Papers with Answer Key: April Session

JEE Main 2024 Question Papers with Answer Key – January–February Session

JEE Main 2024 Question Paper PDF with Solutions - Session 2 (April)

JEE Main 2026 Mock Test

Candidates preparing for the exam can practise these mock tests, which are designed to closely mirror the actual JEE Main exam format. This allows candidates to assess their performance and preparation in a realistic setting.

You can try the JEE Main Mock Test Series provided by Vedantu and learn more about the exam pattern:

JEE Main 2026 Application Form Dates Fees and Documents

The National Testing Agency released the JEE Main 2026 application form in two phases for Session 1 and Session 2.

The Session 1 application process was conducted earlier, while the Session 2 application form is currently available for candidates who wish to appear in the April examination.

For JEE Main 2026 Session 2, candidates can submit the application form online from 1 February to 25 February 2026 through the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in. The last date for fee payment is also 25 February 2026. Candidates who appeared in Session 1 can apply for Session 2 using their existing login credentials, while new candidates must complete fresh registration.

During the application process, candidates are required to fill in their personal academic and examination details, upload the necessary documents, and pay the examination fee online.

Application Fee

• General Category: ₹1000

• OBC Female: ₹800

• SC ST PwD: ₹500

Documents Required

• Recent passport-size photograph

• Signature

• Class 10 mark sheet or certificate

• Category or PwD certificate (if applicable)

JEE Main 2026 Application Form Important Dates

For Complete Details, Checkout: JEE Main 2026 Application Form

JEE Main 2026 Admit Card - Release Date Download Steps and Exam City Slip

The National Testing Agency releases the JEE Main 2026 admit card separately for each session on the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in. For Session 2, the admit card is issued after the release of the city intimation slip, ahead of the April examination scheduled between 2 April and 9 April 2026. Candidates appearing for Session 2 must download the admit card specifically for that session, allowing candidates to download it using their application number and password or date of birth.

The admit card contains essential details such as the candidate’s name roll number exam date and time exam centre address paper details and exam-day instructions. Candidates must carefully verify all information printed on the admit card and immediately contact the NTA helpdesk in case of any discrepancy.

What to Carry to the JEE Main 2026 Exam Centre

• A printed copy of the JEE Main 2026 admit card preferably in colour

• One valid photo identity proof such as Aadhaar PAN Passport or Voter ID

• One passport-size photograph same as the one uploaded in the application form

How to Download JEE Main 2026 Admit Card

1. Visit the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in

2. Click on the link for JEE Main 2026 Admit Card for the relevant session

3. Log in using your application number and password or date of birth

4. Download and print the admit card for exam-day use

For Complete Details, Click on: JEE Main 2026 Admit Card

JEE Main 2026 Exam City Intimation Slip

Before issuing admit cards, the NTA will publish the exam city intimation slip, showing the exam date and city allotted to the candidate.

This slip is not the admit card and can be downloaded using the same login credentials.

Steps to Check Exam City Allotment:

1. Visit jeemain.nta.nic.in

2. Click on “Advance City Intimation for JEE Main 2026”

3. Log in with your application number and password

4. Download and print the city intimation slip

Check Complete Details, Click on:  JEE Main 2026 City Intimation Slip 

JEE Main 2026 Exam Preparation Tips

• Understand the JEE Main syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly and focus on high-weightage topics.

• Create a structured study plan that gives enough time for each subject and follow it consistently.

• Practice regularly by solving mock tests and previous years’ question papers.

• Focus on understanding core concepts rather than memorising formulas or facts.

• Use NCERT books as your main resource along with reliable reference materials.

• Revise topics frequently to strengthen retention and recall.

• Maintain a healthy routine with proper sleep, nutrition, and short study breaks.

• Join study groups to discuss concepts and learn from peers.

• Ask for help from teachers or mentors whenever you face difficulties.

• Stay confident, positive, and motivated throughout your preparation journey.

Also Check About that: JEE Main 2026 Exam Preparation Tips

JEE Main 2026 Answer Key – Download PDF, Challenge Process & Final Key Release

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the JEE Main 2026 Answer Key PDF on its official website within 2–3 days after the exam concludes. Initially, a provisional answer key is published, allowing candidates to challenge any discrepancies by paying a fee of ₹200 per question within the specified window.

After evaluating all challenges, the NTA releases the final answer key, which is used to calculate the JEE Main result and scores. Along with the answer key, candidates can also access their response sheet and question paper PDF through the JEE Main login portal.

How to Download the JEE Main 2026 Answer Key

1. Visit the official website – jeemain.nta.nic.in

2. Click on the ‘JEE Main 2026 Answer Key’ link

3. Log in using your application number and password/date of birth

4. View the answer key, response sheet, and question paper

5. Download and print the PDF for reference

Answer Key Challenge Process

• Candidates can challenge the provisional answer key online using their JEE Main login credentials.

• A non-refundable fee of ₹200 per question must be paid to submit an objection.

• NTA experts will review all objections before releasing the final answer key.

• The final answer key is binding and will be used to compute the JEE Main 2026 results.

For Complete Details, Click on: JEE Main Answer Key 2026

JEE Main 2026 Result – Scorecard Download, Cutoff Percentile & JoSAA Counselling Details

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will announce the JEE Main 2026 Result around February 12, 2026, about 10 days after the exam concludes. Candidates can download their scorecard from the official website — jeemain.nta.nic.in — using their application number and date of birth/password.

The scorecard will display the candidate’s normalised percentile scores in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and the overall aggregate percentile. Along with the results, NTA will also release the cutoff percentile and the list of toppers. Candidates scoring above the JEE Main 2026 cutoff will become eligible for JEE Advanced.

How to Check JEE Main 2026 Result

1. Visit the official website – jeemain.nta.nic.in

2. Click on the JEE Main Result 2026 link

3. Log in using your application number and password/date of birth

4. View and download your scorecard

5. Take a printout for future reference

➡️ For Complete Details Check: JEE Main Result 2026

➡️To Predict Your Rank, Please Click: JEE Main Rank Predictor

JEE Main 2026 Cutoff – Category-Wise Qualifying Percentile & Previous Year Trends

The JEE Main cutoff 2026 will be announced along with the Session 2 results in April 2026.

It is the minimum percentile candidates must score to qualify for JEE Advanced. Cutoff scores vary each year and across categories.

For Complete Details, Click: JEE Main 2026 Cutoff

🎯 Note: There is no minimum score to pass JEE Main. Admissions to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs are based on All India Rank (AIR), while the cutoff is only for JEE Advanced eligibility.

JEE Main Counselling 2026 (JoSAA) – Registration, Process, Dates & Seat Allotment

The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) will conduct JEE Main and JEE Advanced counselling for admission to 23 IITs, 31 NITs, IIEST Shibpur, 26 IIITs, and 38 GFTIs.

Only candidates qualified in JEE Main or JEE Advanced are eligible to participate.

What Is the JoSAA 2026 Counselling Process?

1. Registration: Log in at JoSAA using JEE Main or JEE Advanced credentials.

2. Choice Filling: Select preferred colleges and courses.

3. Seat Allotment: JoSAA allocates seats based on rank and preferences.

4. Seat Confirmation & Reporting: Pay the seat acceptance fee, upload documents, and confirm admission by selecting Freeze/Float/Slide options.

🗓️ JoSAA 2026 schedule will be announced in June 2026 after the release of JEE Main Session 2 results.

For Complete Details Click: JoSAA 2026 Counselling

List of Top IITs in India

Explore the elite educational landscape of India's premier engineering institutions with this curated list of top-ranking IITs. These institutes represent the pinnacle of technical education, offering unparalleled academic excellence and research opportunities. Discover the leading IITs, their locations, and the positions they hold in the realm of engineering education across the country.

Read Vedantu’s page on Top IITs in India and find out the best National Institute for you according to their rankings and the cut-offs.

What are The Books for JEE Main 2026?

Here are some highly recommended books for JEE Main 2026 preparation, recommended and used by JEE Main topper students.

Conclusion

The JEE Main 2026 examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency, is a national-level entrance test for admission to NITs IIITs and GFTIs, and for eligibility to appear in JEE Advanced. The exam is conducted in two sessions, with Session 1 held from 21 January to 29 January 2026 and Session 2 scheduled between 2 April and 9 April 2026.

As per the latest updates, the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 response sheet was released on 4 February 2026, allowing candidates to review the answers recorded during the examination. Along with this, the provisional answer key was published and the challenge window remained open from 4 February to 5 February 2026. These official documents help candidates verify their responses and understand their performance before the declaration of results.

Candidates should continue to rely only on official notifications issued by NTA for updates related to the response sheet answer key admit card and results, and ensure they carefully follow the prescribed guidelines at every stage of the JEE Main 2026 process.

Important Study Materials Links for JEE Exams