NTA Clarifies: No Calculator Allowed During JEE Main 2026 Exam
Just two days after announcing the availability of an onscreen calculator for JEE Main 2026, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially clarified that no calculator—onscreen or physical—will be allowed during the examination.
The clarification came late Sunday night after confusion arose from a “typographic error” in the earlier version of the JEE Main 2026 information bulletin.
NTA’s Clarification
In its latest notice, the NTA stated that while its generic test platform includes an onscreen calculator feature, it does not apply to JEE Main.
“The use of calculators in any form is not permitted in this examination,” the NTA said.
“The mention of an onscreen standard calculator in Appendix-VIII of the Information Bulletin was a typographic error.”
The agency has since uploaded a revised version of the Information Bulletin on its official website and expressed regret for the confusion caused.
Application Process and Exam Schedule
The online application process for JEE Main 2026 began on October 31, 2025, and will remain open until November 27, 2025.
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Session 1: January 21–30, 2026
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Result Declaration: February 26, 2026
About JEE Main Exam
JEE Main is conducted twice a year—in January and April—for admission to undergraduate engineering and architecture programs.
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Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech): Computer-Based Test (CBT), 75 questions, 300 marks
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Paper 2A (B.Arch): CBT + pen-and-paper drawing section, 400 marks
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Paper 2B (B.Plan): Fully CBT, approximately 100 questions
Each correct answer earns 4 marks, and 1 mark is deducted for each wrong response.
Candidates with disabilities (PwD) receive 20 minutes of extra time per hour of exam duration.
In 2025, around 14.75 lakh students appeared for JEE Main, compared to 14.15 lakh in 2024.
Note:
The NTA’s clarification brings an end to the confusion surrounding calculator use in JEE Main 2026. Candidates are urged to download the revised bulletin from the official website and prepare accordingly—without expecting any calculator access during the exam.
“NTA regrets the typographic error and the inconvenience caused to candidates,” the agency stated.
