Hello, aspiring engineers! If you're reading this, you're likely one of the millions of students in India gearing up for one of the most competitive exams in the country: the Joint Entrance Examination (Main), or JEE Main. As of November 3, 2025, the buzz around JEE Main 2026 is electric—registration for Session 1 kicked off on October 31, 2025, and it's already live on the official NTA website.
Whether you're a Class 12 student dreaming of IITs, NITs, or top private colleges, or someone looking to improve your score from a previous attempt, this comprehensive blog post is your one-stop resource. We'll dive deep into everything from eligibility and registration steps to fees, exam patterns, and pro tips to avoid common pitfalls.
1. Important Dates for JEE Main 2026: Mark Your Calendar Now
Timing is everything in JEE prep, and missing a deadline can derail your plans. NTA has released the tentative schedule for both sessions.
Session 1 (January 2026)
| Event | Date / Deadline |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Starts | October 31, 2025 (already live!) |
| Last Date for Application Submission | November 27, 2025 (up to 9:00 PM IST) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | November 27, 2025 (up to 11:50 PM IST) |
| Correction Window | Likely in early December 2025 |
| Exam City Intimation Slip | First week of January 2026 |
| Exam Dates | January 21 to 30, 2026 (CBT mode) |
| Final Result Declaration | By February 12, 2026 |
Session 2 (April 2026)
- Online Registration Starts: Last week of January 2026 (expected)
- Last Date for Application: To be notified (expected early March)
- Exam Dates: April 1 to 10, 2026 (tentative)
2. Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?
The NTA has imposed no age limit for JEE Main 2026. However, your year of passing Class 12 is the primary determinant for eligibility.
Educational Qualifications
- Year of Passing: Candidates must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2024, 2025, or be appearing in 2026. Candidates who passed before 2024 are not eligible.
- Mandatory Subjects (for B.E./B.Tech): Physics and Mathematics + one from Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Technical Vocational subject.
- Attempts: A maximum of three consecutive years (from the year of passing Class 12) are allowed. Since the exam is held twice a year, this means up to six attempts over three years.
Admission Criteria (for NITs, IIITs, CFTIs)
To gain admission to these premier institutes, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Secure a minimum of 75% aggregate marks in the Class 12 board examination.
- OR Be in the top 20 percentile of successful candidates in your respective Class 12 board examination.
- (For SC/ST/PwD candidates, the minimum requirement is 65% in Class 12).
3. Reservation Policies and Quota Breakdown
The reservation policy for JEE Main 2026 follows the Government of India's rules:
| Category | Reservation Quota |
|---|---|
| GEN-EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 10% |
| OBC-NCL (Other Backward Classes - Non-Creamy Layer) | 27% |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 15% |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 7.5% |
| PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) | 5% (horizontal reservation) |
4. Exam Pattern and Scheme
JEE Main is conducted in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, except for the Drawing Test in B.Arch.
Paper 1: B.E./B.Tech (Total 300 Marks)
- Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics.
- Questions per Subject: 30 Questions (20 MCQs + 10 Numerical Value).
- Questions to Attempt: 75 Questions total (20 MCQs + 5 Numerical from each subject, totalling 25 questions per subject).
- Marking Scheme: +4 for a correct answer, -1 for an incorrect MCQ (No negative marking for Numerical Value Questions).
Paper 2A: B.Arch | Paper 2B: B.Planning
- Total Marks: 400 marks each.
- Components: Includes Aptitude, Drawing Test (offline mode for B.Arch), and Planning-based questions.
5. Step-by-Step Online Registration Process
The entire application process is strictly online. Follow these five crucial steps:
New Candidate Registration:
Visit the official website: jeemain.nta.nic.in. Click on the 'New Candidate Registration' link. Provide your personal details (Name, DOB, Mobile Number, Email ID). Use Aadhaar/DigiLocker verification to streamline the process. A system-generated Application Number will be provided. Note it down and create a secure password.
Fill the Detailed Application Form:
Log in with your Application Number and Password. Enter all personal, academic (Class 10 & 12 details), and parental information. Select the Exam Paper(s) (Paper 1, 2A, or 2B), the preferred language, and choose four exam city preferences in order of priority.
Live Photo Capture & Document Upload:
This is a new security measure. You must capture a live photograph using a webcam or mobile camera (by scanning a QR code). Then, upload the scanned copies of your recent Passport Size Photo (10–200 KB) and Signature (4–30 KB) as per the specifications. Upload Category/PwD Certificates, if applicable, in the PDF format (50–300 KB).
Application Fee Payment:
Review the form and proceed to payment. Pay the non-refundable examination fee online using Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. The fee structure varies by category, gender, and paper selection (see table below).
Download Confirmation Page:
The application is complete only after successful fee payment and the generation of the Confirmation Page. Download and print at least two copies of this page for future correspondence and record-keeping.
6. Application Fees (Per Session)
The application fee is non-refundable and must be paid online. The fees listed below are for a single paper (B.E./B.Tech or B.Arch or B.Planning) with examination centres in India.
| Category | Gender | Fee for One Paper (In INR) | Fee for Multiple Papers (In INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | Male | ₹1,000 | ₹2,000 |
| General / OBC-NCL / GEN-EWS | Female | ₹800 | ₹1,600 |
| GEN-EWS / OBC-NCL | Male | ₹900 | ₹2,000 |
| SC/ST/PwBD / Third Gender | All | ₹500 | ₹1,000 |
(Fees for candidates choosing centres outside India are significantly higher.)
7. Required Documents
- Aadhaar Card/DigiLocker ID: For identity verification.
- Scanned Passport Photo: (10 KB to 200 KB, JPG/JPEG) - Recent, coloured, with 80% face visible against a plain white background.
- Scanned Signature: (4 KB to 30 KB, JPG/JPEG) - Signature in blue/black ink on white paper.
- Category Certificate: (50 KB to 300 KB, PDF) - EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwBD (if applicable).
- Class 10 Certificate: (DOB proof).
- Valid Mobile Number and Email ID: Essential for all NTA communication.
8. Pro Tips for Flawless Registration
- Act Now: Apply immediately! The NTA server often slows down significantly in the final week leading up to the November 27th deadline.
- Check Aadhaar: Ensure your Name, Date of Birth, and Gender on your Aadhaar card exactly match your Class 10 certificate. Discrepancies can lead to problems during e-KYC.
- Correct Details: The details you enter, particularly your category, gender, and PwD status, determine your fee and eligibility. They are hard to change later.
- Download Everything: Print the Confirmation Page and the Proof of Fee Payment and save them digitally.
9. Syllabus Overview and Clarifications
The NTA has confirmed that the syllabus will primarily align with the Class 11 and 12 NCERT curriculum. Aspirants must download the full, officially notified syllabus from the NTA website. Crucial Clarification: NTA has also issued an advisory clarifying that an on-screen calculator is NOT permitted for the JEE Main 2026 exam, reversing a previous mention in the bulletin.
10. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q. Can I apply for both January and April sessions now?
A. Yes. You can register for one session, or both sessions simultaneously, using the same application number during the current Session 1 registration window.
Q. What if I miss Session 1?
A. Session 2 (April) is your backup. You can apply again in the Session 2 registration window (expected in late January/early February). The best score will be used.
Q. Is the 75% marks criterion compulsory to appear for JEE Main?
A. No. There are no minimum marks required to appear for the JEE Main exam itself. The 75% or top 20 percentile rule is for admission to NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs only.
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