New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has opened the registration window for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 Session 1, scheduled to be held from January 21 to 30, 2026. Candidates seeking admission to undergraduate engineering programmes can now apply through the official website — jeemain.nta.nic.in — till November 27, 2025 (9 PM). The application fee payment window will remain active until 11:50 PM on the same day.
Two Sessions Announced for JEE Main 2026
According to the official schedule released by NTA, JEE Main 2026 will be conducted in two sessions — Session 1 in January 2026 and Session 2 in April 2026. While Session 1 will take place between January 21 and 30, the second session is expected from April 1 to 10, 2026. The city of examination will be announced in the first week of January 2026, and admit cards will be made available shortly after on the official NTA portal.
Medium of Examination and Format
The JEE (Main) 2026 will be conducted in 13 languages — English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu — to ensure linguistic inclusivity.
The test will consist of three subjects — Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics — and will follow a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format. Each subject will include both multiple-choice and numerical-type questions, continuing the pattern from previous years.
Eligibility Criteria and Application Process
There is no upper age limit for candidates appearing in JEE (Main) 2026. However, candidates must have completed or be appearing in their Class 12 (or equivalent) examination in 2024 or 2025 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
Applicants can register by visiting jeemain.nta.nic.in, clicking on “Apply for JEE (Main) 2026 Session 1”, and completing the online form with the required details. They must upload scanned copies of their photograph, signature, and relevant certificates, and pay the prescribed examination fee online.
Fee Structure and Key Updates
As per the NTA guidelines, the application fee varies based on category, gender, and the number of papers opted. The fee ranges approximately between INR 500 and INR 1000 for Indian centres, and higher for examination centres located outside India.
A new provision has been introduced this year — candidates can link and verify their Aadhaar details (name, date of birth, and address) to ensure accuracy and prevent mismatches between Aadhaar and academic records. NTA has also issued advisories for PwBD candidates, promising enhanced accessibility and exam support facilities.
Gateway to India’s Top Engineering Institutes
JEE (Main) is one of India’s most competitive entrance exams, serving as a gateway to premier engineering institutions, including the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs).
It also acts as the qualifying test for JEE (Advanced), the next level of examination required for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
Important Dates at a Glance
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration window | October 31 – November 27, 2025 |
| Fee payment deadline | November 27, 2025 (11:50 PM) |
| Announcement of exam city | First week of January 2026 |
| Admit card release | Second week of January 2026 |
| Session 1 exam dates | January 21 – 30, 2026 |
| Session 2 exam dates | April 1 – 10, 2026 |
JEE Main 2026 Paper System: Exam Pattern, Papers, and Marking Scheme Explained
New Delhi: The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), will follow a two-paper format similar to previous years — Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech aspirants and Paper 2 for B.Arch and B.Planning candidates. The test will be held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across multiple cities in India and abroad.
Overview of the Paper System
JEE Main 2026 consists of two main papers, each designed for different academic streams:
Paper 1 – B.E./B.Tech
For admission to undergraduate engineering programmes at NITs, IIITs, CFTIs, and as a qualifier for JEE Advanced (for IIT admissions).
Paper 2 – B.Arch/B.Planning
For admission to undergraduate architecture and planning programmes at institutes like SPA Delhi, NITs, and other architecture colleges.
JEE Main 2026 Paper Structure
| Paper | Programme | Subjects | Type of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | B.E./B.Tech | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | MCQs & Numerical Value Questions | 300 | 3 hours |
| Paper 2A | B.Arch | Mathematics, Aptitude, Drawing | MCQs + Drawing Test | 400 | 3 hours |
| Paper 2B | B.Planning | Mathematics, Aptitude, Planning-based Questions | MCQs + Numerical | 400 | 3 hours |
Detailed Pattern for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)
Each subject (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) has two sections:
Section A: 20 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) — all compulsory.
Section B: 10 Numerical-type questions, out of which any 5 are to be answered.
Marking Scheme:
+4 marks for each correct answer
−1 mark for each incorrect MCQ
No negative marking for numerical questions (Section B)
Total = 90 questions (75 to be attempted) = 300 marks
Paper 2A (B.Arch) Pattern
Mathematics – Part I (Computer-Based)
Aptitude Test – Part II (Computer-Based)
Drawing Test – Part III (Pen-and-Paper based)
⇒Total Marks: 400
⇒Marking Scheme: +4 for correct, −1 for incorrect (except drawing part).
Paper 2B (B.Planning) Pattern
Mathematics – Part I
Aptitude Test – Part II
Planning-based Questions – Part III
⇒All sections are Computer-Based
⇒Total Marks: 400
⇒Negative marking applies to MCQs only.
Exam Duration and Mode
Each paper is 3 hours long.
If a candidate opts for both Paper 2A (B.Arch) and 2B (B.Planning), the total duration will be 3 hours 30 minutes.
The exam will be conducted in 13 languages, including English, Hindi, and regional mediums.
Key Points to Remember
Candidates can appear in one or both sessions (January & April) — the best score will be considered for ranking.
Paper selection must be done during registration — candidates cannot switch later.
The test will be conducted in shift-wise mode (Morning & Afternoon sessions).
Candidates are advised to carefully choose paper codes, language medium, and exam centres while applying.
Purpose of Each Paper
Paper 1: For engineering aspirants (B.E./B.Tech)
Paper 2A: For architecture aspirants (B.Arch)
Paper 2B: For planning aspirants (B.Planning)
Official Advisory
NTA has urged candidates to fill their application forms carefully, verify details using Aadhaar, and retain copies of confirmation pages for future reference. The agency has also cautioned aspirants to rely only on official sources — jeemain.nta.nic.in and nta.ac.in — for authentic information, updates, and downloads.
Candidated can click on the link provided here to download the official notification related to the application process of JEE Main session 1