
The JEE Main 2026 Registration is completed, and the exam will be held in 2 sessions, Session 1 from 21st to 30th January 2026, and JEE Main Session 2 will be held from 2nd April 2026 to 9th April 2026.
As around 1.5 months are left for Session 1, you should focus more on revision of NCERT Concepts, important formulas and high-weightage topics in all subjects. From now on, you should at least do 2-3 full-length mock tests per week, along with practising the previous-year papers to focus on conceptual clarity and problem-solving speed.
More than 14.5 lakh candidates are expected to appear in JEE Main 2026, which shows an increase in overall registration.
In JEE Main 2025, 13,11,544 candidates registered for the January session, from which 12,58,136 actually appeared, and in both sessions, 14,75,103 unique candidates appeared.
Check:
The JEE Main 2026, conducted by NTA, is for admission to NITs, IITs, and GFTIs and as a qualifying exam for JEE Advanced. The JEE Main Exam will be held in a CBT mode, except for the Drawing section of Paper 2A (B.Arch).
Check this video by @collegedunia to know complete detailed information about JEE Main 2026.
Check:
The NTA has announced some major changes in the JEE Main 2026 to reflect a strong shift towards digital modernisation, more transparency in the exam, and inclusivity.
Also Read: How to crack JEE Main 2026?
Ques. Will JEE Main 2026 be the toughest?
Ans. Yes, JEE Main 2026 is very likely to be tougher than the previous years (2025-2022) because:
Ques. Is 75% compulsory for JEE Main?
Ans. No, 75% is not compulsory to appear for the JEE Main exam; as per the NTA’s official statement, there is no minimum percentage to appear for the JEE Main exam.
Whereas, to get admission through JEE Main in NITs/IIITs/CFTIs (for general/OBC/EWS), you will be required to have either 75% or to be in the top 20 percentile, and for the SC/ST category, the candidates should have 65%.

In this Article, we have discussed about JEE Main 2026, including the City Intimation Slip, Exam Dates, Syllabus, Preparation, and Cutoff.
The JEE Main Exam is conducted in 13 languages, which include Hindi, English, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati and more.
JEE Main scores are valid for admission to 31 NITs, 25 IIITs, 28 GFTIs, and numerous state/private engineering colleges across India
A total of 62,000 seats are offered by JoSAA in IITs, NITs, IIITs and other GFTIs.
Each correct answer adds +4 marks, with a negative -1 marking for each wrong answer.
With a score in the 95+ percentile, you can get admission in the top NITs, around 98–99.9+ percentile for high-demand CS/IT Branches.
The Marks Normalisation will be applied in multiple shifts, which ensures fairness in the ranking of different slots.
You can apply for both or any 1 session, and in case of improvement, the best score will be considered for counselling.
The NTA has released important dates for JEE Main 2026 in the information brochure, which includes dates for city intimation slip, admit card, answer keys and result as well.
| Event | Session 1 (Jan 2026) | Session 2 (Apr 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Application Start Date | October 31, 2025 (Over) | Last week of January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply / Fee Payment | November 27, 2025 (till 9-11:50 PM) (Over) | (Expected) by the end of February / early-March 2026 |
| Form-Correction Window | December 1–2, 2025 | After Session-2 registration — exact dates to be announced |
| City Intimation Slip Release | First week of January 2026 | Around late March / early April 2026 (tentative) |
| Admit Card Release | 3–4 days before exam date | Same — 3–4 days before the respective exam date |
| Exam Dates | January 21–30, 2026 | April 2–9, 2026 (some sources mention April 1–10) |
| Answer Key & Result (Session 1) | Expected early February 2026 | Result for Session 2 — to be declared after exams, likely mid-April 2026 |

Source: jeemain.nta.nic.in
Check:
The JEE Main City Intimation Slip is a pre-exam notice that is released by NTA for JEE Main 2026.
What the City Intimation Slip Contains & What It Does Not
| Info on Slip | Details |
|---|---|
| Candidate Information | Application number, name, father’s name, DOB, category, PwD status, medium of question paper |
| Allotted Test City | Name of the city where your exam centre will be located |
| Exam Date | The date on which you are scheduled to appear for the exam (Session & date) |
| What’s Not Included | Exact exam centre name & address, exam time/shift — these will come only on the Admit Card |
The “JEE Main City Intimation Slip” is released by NTA to inform about the allotted city and the exam date, including the full centre address, along with shift timings, with the admit card.
Also, Check: JEE Main Admit Card
The JEE Main Exam is conducted in around 323 exam centres in India and international cities, as per the cities selected during the registration process.
You should appear only at the exam centre which is mentioned on the admit card, including full address, reporting time and exam-day instructions.
Ques. Will I get to choose my exam centre for JEE Main 2026? I heard something about Aadhaar-based allocation rather than centre preference?
Ans. No, as per the new rule of JEE Main 2026, the candidates can not select their exam centr;, now the exam centres will be allotted on the basis of the address mentioned on the candidate’s Aadhaar Card.
You should update your Aadhaar address and details well before registration to avoid last-minute glitches, as your city might be automatically assigned based on your Aadhaar address.
Confused with new Aadhaar rules & on-screen calculator? Get the free 7-page “JEE Main 2026 Registration New Rules Explained” PDF + Checklist
Drop Your WhatsApp NumberThe previous year's analysis of the JEE Main registration data (2025 -2024) reveals some clear trends in the candidates' registration.
| Year | Session | Registered | Appeared | Attendance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Session 1 (Jan-2025) | 1,311,544 | 1,258,136 | ~ 95.93 % |
| Session 2 (Apr-2025) | 1,061,840 | 992,350 | ~ 93.50 % (approx) | |
| 2024 | Session 1 (Jan-2024) | 1,221,624 | 1,170,048 | ~ 95.85 % |
| Session 2 (Apr-2024) | 1,179,569 | 1,067,959 | ~ 90.55 % | |
| 2023 | Session 1 (Jan-2023) | 860,064 | 823,967 | ~ 95.75 % |
| Session 2 (Apr-2023) | 931,334 | 883,367 | ~ 94.78 % | |
| 2022 | Session 1 (June 2022) | 872,970 | 769,604 | ~ 88.16 % |
| Session 2 (July 2022) | 622,034 | 540,242 | ~ 86.88 % |
| Year | Students Appeared in Session 1 | Students Appeared in Session 2 | % of Students Reappearing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1258136 | 992350 | 79% |
| 2024 | 8,43,000 | 6,75,000 | 80% |
| 2023 | 8,60,000 | 7,00,000 | 81% |
| 2022 | 8,72,000 | 7,12,000 | 82% |
| 2021 | 6,20,000 | 5,40,000 | 87% (highest) |
| 2020 | 9,34,000 | 7,80,000 | 83% |

Also Read
Ques. When to apply for JEE Main 2026?
Ans. The registration for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 is expected to start in the first week of November 2025, you can apply till the last week of November 2026 for JEE Main session 1.
While for the Session 2 the registration will begin in 1st week of Feb 2026 till last week of Feb 2026.
| Registration Start | Registration End | Session |
| First week of November 2025 | Last week of November 2025 | Session 1 (Jan 2026) |
| First week of February 2026 | Last week of February 2026 | Session 2 (April 2026) |
Ques. Can I apply for both sessions in JEE Main 2026?
Ans. Yes, you can apply for both the sessions of JEE Main 2026, the highest of your two scores will be considered. You can also apply for only 1 session.
To apply for both JEE Main sessions you will need to:
Ques. What if I face registration errors like “Same Credentials Found”?
Ans. If you are facing the registration errors like “Same Credentials Found” during JEE Main 2026 registration the it means that an account has been already registered under same email address or mobile number.
Then you need to
Ques. What papers (Paper 1 / 2A / 2B) can I select, and can I change them later?
Ans. In JEE Main 2026, there are 3 different papers: Paper 1 (for B.E./B.Tech aspirants), Paper 2A (for B.Arch aspirants), and Paper 2B (for B.Plan aspirants). You can choose one or more out of these papers as per your preference or desired course of study.
Yes, you can modify your paper selections during the application correction window. The JEE Main Correction window provides you with the facility of:
Ques. Do I need to carry original documents on exam day or registration day?
Ans. Yes, you need to carry the original documents on both the registration day (during the application process) and the exam day (at the exam center) of the JEE Main 2026.
For the Registration Day (Application Process)
As the JEE Main registration is an online process, you dont need to physically present original documents during the registration process, but you must have the following original documents with you:
At the JEE Main Exam Center
On the day of JEE Main exam you must carry the following original documents with you for entry into the exam centre.
Ques. What if fee payment is deducted from bank, but form shows “failed” or “pending”?
Ans. If the JEE Main application Fees have been deducted from your bank account but your application status shows “Failed” or “Pending”, then follow these steps to resolve the issue:
JEE Main 2026 will be conducted in 2 sessions, Session 1 (January) and Session 2 (April).
Based on 2025 trends, nearly 70% of students who appeared in both sessions improved their percentile in Session 2, thanks to better preparation and strategic adjustments.
Session 1: Early Attempt Advantages
Session 2: The Improvement Window
The NTA will release the JEE Main exam pattern 2026 on its official website for all 3 papers: Paper 1 (BE/BTech), Paper 2A (BArch), and Paper 2B (BPlan). As per the previous year’s JEE Main exam pattern, the exam will be conducted in the CBT mode for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) and Paper 2B (B.Planning), whereas Paper 2A will be in hybrid mode (Computer-Based Test with Offline Drawing Test).

Source: JEE Main Official Brochure
| Section | Type | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | MCQs & Numerical Value Questions | 25 (20 MCQs + 5 NVQs) | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect | 100 | Yes |
| Chemistry | MCQs & Numerical Value Questions | 25 (20 MCQs + 5 NVQs) | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect | 100 | Yes |
| Mathematics | MCQs & Numerical Value Questions | 25 (20 MCQs + 5 NVQs) | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect | 100 | Yes |
| Total | 75 | 300 |
| Section | Type | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | MCQs & Numerical Value Questions | 25 (20 MCQs + 5 NVQs) | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect | 100 | Yes |
| Aptitude | MCQs | 50 | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect | 200 | Yes |
| Drawing | Descriptive (Offline) | 2 | 50 per question | 100 | No |
| Total | 77 | 400 |
| Section | Type | No. of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | MCQs & Numerical Value Questions | 30 (20 MCQs + 10 NVQs) | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect | 120 | Yes |
| Aptitude | MCQs | 50 | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect | 200 | Yes |
| Planning | MCQs | 25 | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect | 100 | Yes |
| Total | 105 | 400 |

JEE Main PYQ is an important part of preparation. Solving JEE Main PYQs can help candidates to understand the type and level of questions asked in JEE Main examination. Candidates can go through the table below to check the JEE Main PYQs chapter-wise PDF.
| JEE Main 2025 Exam Date | JEE Main 2025 Question Paper | JEE Main 2025 Solution PDF |
| JEE Main 2025 Jan 22 Shift 1 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 Jan 22 Shift 2 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 Jan 23 Shift 1 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 Jan 23 Shift 2 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 Jan 24 Shift 1 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 Jan 24 Shift 2 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 Jan 28 Shift 1 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 Jan 28 Shift 2 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 Jan 29 Shift 1 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 Jan 29 Shift 2 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 Jan 30 Shift 1 B.Arch Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 April 2 Shift 1 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 April 2 Shift 2 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 April 3 Shift 1 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 April 3 Shift 2 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 April 4 Shift 1 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 April 4 Shift 2 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 April 7 Shift 1 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 April 7 Shift 2 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 April 8 Shift 2 Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 April 9 B.Arch Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 April 9 B.Planning Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
| JEE Main 2025 April 9 B.Arch & B.Planning Question Paper | Download PDF | Check Solutions |
Ques. Do PYQs help predict what will be asked in the exam?
Ans. Yes, solving PYQs is a highly impactful strategy for JEE Main Preparation, as they will help you identify the trends of the previous years' exams and offer valuable insights into the exam’s structure and recurring topics.
Ques. Is it okay to use apps/websites for PYQs instead of books?
Ans. Yes, using apps and websites to solve PYQs for JEE Main can be highly beneficial, especially when integrated effectively into your preparation Strategy.
Analysis of JEE Main papers from 2025 to 2023 shows around 65–70% of questions come from a few key topics across all subjects.
| Chapter | Approx. Questions* | Approx. Weightage* |
|---|---|---|
| Current Electricity | ~3 questions | ~9.9% |
| Modern Physics | ~2–3 questions | ~6.6%–9% |
| Optics (Ray/Wave) | ~2–3 questions | ~8%–9% |
| Heat & Thermodynamics | ~2–3 questions | ~8%–10% |
| Electrostatics | ~2 questions | ~9.9% |
| Magnetism & Magnetic Effects | ~2 questions | ~6.6% |
| Work, Energy & Power / Rotational Dynamics | ~2 questions | ~6.6% |
| Waves & Oscillations | ~1–2 questions | ~5%–7% |
| Units, Dimensions & Errors | ~1 question | ~3% |
| Gravitation & Properties of Matter | ~1–2 questions | ~5% |
| Chapter | Approx. Questions* | Approx. Weightage* |
|---|---|---|
| Coordination Compounds | ~3 questions | ~9.9% |
| p-Block Elements | ~3 questions | ~9.9% |
| Some Basic Concepts in Chemistry | ~2 questions | ~7.8% |
| Chemical Thermodynamics | ~2 questions | ~6.9% |
| General Organic Chemistry (GOC) | ~2 questions | ~6.6% |
| Redox Reaction & Electrochemistry | ~2 questions | ~6.1% |
| Hydrocarbons / Organic Compounds Containing Oxygen | ~2 questions | ~5.3% |
| d- & f-Block Elements | ~2 questions | ~5.3% |
| Atomic Structure | ~2 questions | ~4.6% |
| Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure | ~2 questions | ~4.4% |
| Chapter | Approx. Questions* | Approx. Weightage* |
| Algebra (Matrices, Determinants, Quadratic Equations) | ~7–8 questions | ~39.4% |
| Calculus (Integration, Differentiation, Differential Equations) | ~6–7 questions | ~30.7% |
| Coordinate Geometry | ~3–4 questions | ~9.9% |
| Sets, Relations & Functions | ~2 questions | ~7.8% |
| Complex Numbers & Quadratic Equations | ~1 question | ~6.9% |
| Sequence & Series | ~2 questions | ~7.3% |
| Matrices & Determinants | ~2 questions | ~7.1% |
| Statistics & Probability | ~1 question | ~6.3% |
| Binomial Theorem & Applications | ~1 question | ~4.2% |
| 3D Geometry | ~1–2 questions | ~5.3% |
The JEE Main syllabus 2026 will be officially announced on the official website of NTA. The JEE Main syllabus 2026 will cover the topics of the NCERT Class 11 and 12 curriculum.
The JEE Main syllabus generally includes topics from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
| JEE Main Syllabus 2026 Paper-wise | Download PDF |
|---|---|
| JEE Main Paper 1 (B.E/B.Tech) Syllabus 2026 | Download PDF |
| JEE Main Paper 2A (B.Arch) Syllabus 2026 | Download PDF |
| JEE Main Paper 2B (B.Planning) Syllabus 2026 | Download PDF |
| Subject | Detailed Topics |
|---|---|
| Physics |
|
| Chemistry |
|
| Mathematics |
|
| Section | Detailed Topics |
|---|---|
| Mathematics |
|
| Aptitude Test |
|
| Drawing Test |
|
| Section | Detailed Topics |
|---|---|
| Mathematics |
|
| Aptitude Test |
|
| Planning-Based Questions |
|
Want to know exactly which NIT & branch you’ll get with your current mock score? Drop your WhatsApp number
Get Report NowAs per the previous year's analysis of the JEE Main syllabus, it shows a clear distribution across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, highlighting both high-priority and moderately important chapters.
| Chapter | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Ray Optics | 13.26% |
| Electrostatics | 10.74% |
| Modern Physics | 5.00% |
| Heat and Thermodynamics | 12.00% |
| Current Electricity | 12.00% |
| Fluid Mechanics & Properties | 8.00% |
| Rotational Motion | 8.00% |
| Waves & Sound | 4.00% |
| Magnetism & EMI | 4.00% |
| Other Topics | 13.00% |
| Chapter | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Chemical Bonding | 8–10% |
| Thermodynamics | 6–7% |
| Equilibrium | 4–8% |
| Atomic Structure | 3–4% |
| Chemical Kinetics | 3–4% |
| Solutions & Colligative Properties | 3–4% |
| Chapter | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Coordination Compounds | 6–8% |
| p-block Elements | 4–6% |
| d-block & f-block Elements | 4–6% |
| Classification of Elements | 2–3% |
| Chapter | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Hydrocarbons | 8–10% |
| Alcohols, Phenols, Ethers | 4–6% |
| Aldehydes, Ketones | 4–6% |
| Organic Compounds Containing Nitrogen | 4–6% |
| Biomolecules & Polymers | 2–4% |
| Chapter | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Coordinate Geometry | 10–12% |
| Calculus (Limits, Derivatives, Integrals) | 12–14% |
| 3D Geometry & Vectors | 6–8% |
| Matrices & Determinants | 5–7% |
| Probability & Statistics | 5–6% |
| Complex Numbers | 4–5% |
| Sequence & Series | 4–5% |
| Quadratic Equations | 3–4% |
| Permutations & Combinations | 3–4% |
| Trigonometry | 3–4% |
No, the JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) Main syllabus for 2026 is not cut down. The syllabus is the same as last year, which was already cut down by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in 2024. The NTA has made no further announcement for the 2026 exam.
The syllabus of the JEE Main exam aligns with the NCERT topics for Class 11 and 12. The syllabus contains subjects of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Some of the topics were taken out of the syllabus in 2024, but those are still applicable for 2026.
For 2026, candidates need to concentrate their preparation on the current syllabus that consists of the topics taught in last year's reduced syllabus.
| Subject | Excluded Topics | Percentage of Reduction |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Magnetism in Matter, Parts of Vector Theory | 5% |
| Mathematics | Selected subtopics in Three-Dimensional Geometry | 3% |
| Chemistry | Polymers' polymerisation methods and Everyday chemicals. | 4% |
Ques. Is the S Block in JEE Main 2026?
Ans. No, the s-block elements are not included in the JEE Main syllabus 2026. The NTA has made some revisions to the JEE Main Syllabus aligning it more closely with the NCERT curriculum by removing some of the sections from Chemistry:
Ques. What is the 80/20 rule for JEE Main?
Ans. The 80/20 rule also known as the Pareto Principle, which a strategic approach to JEE Main preparation that focus on the most impactful topics to maximize your score effectively.
The 80/20 rule suggests that 20% of your efforts like mastering high-weightage topics, can provide 80% of your results.
Variation in the level of difficulty across different shifts was observed in the January 2025 session of JEE Main. The ratings ranged between 5.8 to 8.4. Shift 1 held on 28 January was identified as the toughest. But from the table below, it can be seen that Shift 2 on 22 January was the most balanced exam. These differences highlight the significance of proper shift selection and its impact on the performance of candidates, especially considering the normalisation process.
| Date | Shift | Overall Difficulty (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Jan | Shift 1 | 6.5 |
| 22 Jan | Shift 2 | 5.8 |
| 23 Jan | Shift 1 | 6.8 |
| 23 Jan | Shift 2 | 6.2 |
| 24 Jan | Shift 1 | 6.0 |
| 24 Jan | Shift 2 | 5.9 |
| 28 Jan | Shift 1 | 8.4 (Toughest) |
| 28 Jan | Shift 2 | 7.1 |
| 29 Jan | Shift 1 | 7.0 |
| 29 Jan | Shift 2 | 6.0 |

For the JEE Main 2026 session 1, it is expected that a balanced, slightly difficult paper will be maintained across Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry. On the basis of the analysis of JEE Main 2024 and 2025, candidates can expect similar patterns of questions, moderate change in shift difficulty, and a proper focus on topics covered in Class 12.
While preparing for JEE Main 2026, candidates can expect the following based on the trend analysis:
| Subject | Expected Difficulty Level | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Moderate | Conceptual clarity, numerical problems from Mechanics, Modern Physics, and Thermodynamics. |
| Chemistry | Easy | Direct NCERT-based Inorganic Chemistry, straightforward Organic, and Physical Chemistry numericals. |
| Mathematics | Tough | Lengthy and time-consuming problems from Algebra, Calculus, and Coordinate Geometry. |
| Overall | Moderate to Difficult | Strong time management and multi-chapter integration questions are expected. |
| Criteria | JEE Main 2024 (Session 1) | JEE Main 2025 (Session 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Difficulty | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate; slightly easier overall |
| Most Difficult Shift | Jan 30 – Shift 2 | Jan 28 – Shift 1 (Rated 8.4/10) |
| Mathematics | Tough, lengthy problems | Toughest again; required time + concept clarity |
| Physics | Moderate; mix of numerical/theory | Moderate; formula + concept balanced |
| Chemistry | Easy; NCERT-based | Easiest; largely theory-based |
| Question Type Trends | Assertion-Reason, Match-the-Following | Assertion-Reason, Concept-based Direct Questions |
| Syllabus Focus | Class 11 & 12 balanced | More weight to Class 12 chapters |
| Time Management Need | Needed for lengthy Math | Crucial, especially for Mathematics |
| Student Feedback | Chemistry was scoring; Math was hard | Chemistry was predictable & easiest; Math most challenging |

To score well in JEE Main 2025, candidates need a structured approach, focusing on key concepts, solving practice papers, and effective time management. Some expert tips to prepare are given below:
| Tip | Key Focus | Recommended Hours/Day |
|---|---|---|
| Understand Syllabus & Pattern | Prioritize high-weightage topics for efficiency. | 1-2 hours |
| Time Management | Create and follow a subject-wise schedule. | 5-6 hours |
| Solve Previous Papers | Practice past questions to identify patterns. | 1-2 hours |
| Practice Mock Tests | Simulate exam conditions to boost accuracy. | 2-3 hours (weekly tests) |
| Daily Revision | Reinforce key concepts and improve weak areas. | 1 hour |
Ans. JEE Main is conducted twice every year in January and April sessions. As per the JEE Main rules for the number of attempts, a candidate can appear for JEE Main 6 times. Students can appear for JEE Main 2 times each year in 3 consecutive years.
| Particulars | Details |
| Total Number of Attempts Allowed | 6 |
| Number of Consecutive Years | 3 |
| Number of Attempts Each Year | 2 |
In JEE Main, the qualifying cutoff refers to the lowest NTA percentile that a candidate needs to score so that they can be eligible for JEE Advanced. The qualifying cutoff varies each year, and it depends on the difficulty level of the exam as well as the process of normalisation. Furthermore, the top 2.5 lakh rank holders across all categories who are able to clear the cutoff become eligible to get registered for JEE Advanced.
| Category | Cutoff Percentile (2025) | Cutoff Percentile (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 93.10 | 90.77 |
| EWS | 80.38 | 75.62 |
| OBC-NCL | 79.43 | 73.61 |
| SC | 61.15 | 51.97 |
| ST | 47.90 | 37.23 |
| PwD | 0.008 | 0.001 |

Also Read
JEE Main Cut off 2025The NTA will release the JEE Main Result session-wise. The Result of the JEE Main session 1(January) is expected to be released in February 2026, and of the JEE Main session 2 (April) is expected in Late April 2026 on its official website.
| Item | Details / Expected Dates |
|---|---|
| Sessions | JEE Main 2026 will be in two sessions: Session-1 (January) and Session-2 (April). |
| Result Dates | Session-1 result is expected to be announced in February 2026. Session-2 result is expected in April 2026. |
| How to access result | Online via the NTA JEE Main official portal (jeemain.nta.nic.in). You’ll need your application number / date of birth / password. The result/scorecard will show subject-wise scores, total/NTA score, All India Rank or percentile as applicable |
| What the Result / Scorecard shows |
|
| Cutoff / Qualifying Percentile | The qualifying percentile (for e.g. being eligible for JEE Advanced, or general qualifying) is expected to be roughly 93-94%ile for General category, based on trend. |
The JEE Main seat matrix 2026 is expected to provide around 42,000-43,000 seats across the NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, increased to 60,000 with IITs included.
| Institute Type | Expected Total Seats (2026) | General | OBC-NCL | SC | ST | EWS | PwD (across all) | Key Quota/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NITs (31) | 24,500 – 25,000 | 11,000 | 6,800 | 3,600 | 2,000 | 1,800 | 1,000 | 50% Home State, 50% Other State |
| IIITs (26) | 9,800 – 10,000 | 4,400 | 2,700 | 1,200 | 600 | 800 | 300 | All India Quota |
| GFTIs (38) | 7,800 – 8,000 | 3,600 | 2,000 | 900 | 500 | 700 | 250 | All India Quota |
| IITs* (for JEE Advanced) | 18,200 (for reference) | 8,200 | 4,800 | 2,800 | 1,500 | 1,400 | 500 | Based on JEE Advanced (not JEE Main) |
| Category | NITs | IIITs | GFTIs |
| General (Open) | 45% | 45% | 46% |
| OBC-NCL | 27% | 27% | 25% |
| SC | 15% | 12% | 12% |
| ST | 8% | 6% | 6% |
| EWS | 7% | 8% | 8% |
| PwD (within each) | 5% horizontal | 5% horizontal | 5% horizontal |
The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) manages the online counselling process at IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other Government Funded Technical Institutions (GFTIs). This means that if a candidate meets the qualifying mark of JEE Main 2025, they may participate in online counselling for admission at NITs, IIITs, or GFTIs.
| Counseling Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration | Starts post-JEE Main results. Register at josaa.nic.in to participate. |
| Choice Filling | Fill and prioritize preferred courses and institutes. |
| Mock Seat Allotment | Two mock rounds help refine choices based on initial trends. |
| Seat Allotment Rounds | Multiple rounds allocate seats based on rank and category. |
| Freeze Option | Accept the allotted seat without further participation in the next rounds. |
| Float Option | Retain the current seat while being considered for higher preferences in the next rounds. |
| Slide Option | Retain the current institute but seek an upgrade to a preferred course within the same institute. |
| Seat Acceptance Fee | Fee: General/OBC ₹35,000; SC/ST/PwD ₹15,000, payable online. |
| Document Verification | Submit and verify required documents for admission confirmation. |
| Dual Reporting | Report twice if switching between seat categories like NITs and IITs. |
| Withdrawal Option | Withdraw admission within deadlines to exit the process |
Also Read
Ques. What is the date of JEE Mains 2026?
Ans. The JEE Mains 2026 dates are yet to be released, but based on the last 3 years' pattern, it is expected that session 1 will be on the 2nd or 3rd week of January 2026, while session 2 will be on the 1st or 2nd week of April 2026. The JEE Main 2026 notification is expected in November 2026.
Ques. Who will set the JEE Mains in 2026?
Ans. As in all previous years, the National Testing Agency (NTA) will set up and conduct JEE Mains 2026 in all sessions and centres. NTA is responsible for releasing the official notification, conducting both the sessions, publishing answer keys and declaring results.
Ques. What is the plan for JEE 2026?
Ans. JEE 2026 exam will have MCQs and numerical value questions for all three subjects i.e., Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. It will be a Computer-Based Test (CBT). Paper 1 (B.E/B.Tech) will have 90 questions. Paper 2A (B.Arch) and Paper 2B (B.Planning) will have their own specific formats with drawing and planning questions. The duration of the exam will be 3 hours.
Ques. How many sessions are there in JEE Mains 2026?
Ans. JEE Main 2026 will be in two sessions:
Ques. Will JEE 2026 be tough?
Ans. The difficulty level of JEE Main varies each year and across shifts. Based on previous years’ analysis:
Ques. Which IIT makes the toughest paper?
Ans. While JEE Main is conducted by NTA, JEE Advanced, which is used for admission into IITs, is prepared by one of the IITs on a rotational basis. As per the records, IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi are known for making tougher JEE Advanced papers, but there is no official pattern indicating that one IIT consistently makes the toughest paper.
Ques. What is the age limit for JEE in 2026?
Ans. There is no upper age limit for JEE Main 2026. However, candidates must have:
Ques. Can I crack JEE Mains in 6 months?
Ans. Yes, cracking JEE Main in 6 months is possible with focused preparation. Here are some tips:
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.






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Lastly, you need to stay optimistic as this journey you have embarked on is tough and requires a lot of determination and motivation. Take care of your health, both physical and mental.
You need to have a higher rank if you want a decent NIT and a good branch. Here is an estimated list of cutoffs for a few reputed NITs.
| Institute | Estimated Cutoff (General category) |
| NIT Warangal | 1000 - 7000 |
| NIT Trichy | 500 - 5000 |
| NIT Surathkal | 300-5000 |
| NIT Jaipur | 1200-8000 |
| NIT Allahabad | 500-10000 |
These are approximate opening and closing ranks and the cutoff for these institutes varies each year.
NCERT books can help a lot to prepare for JEE Mains Chemistry. But it is not sufficient.
Inorganic Chemistry is the most scoring part. And for this section, NCERT books are a must. In past years there were questions directly from NCERT. But read your class notes and textbooks as well.
For Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, NCERT isn’t enough. You need to practice a lot, in order to have a good command of these sections. For these sections, go through the NCERT, make notes for important sections and solve practice series.
The easiest way to score above 200 in JEE Main is to score more than 95+ in Chemistry. It is the easiest section and involves less calculation. For, preparation go through the NCERT books thoroughly. Go through the previous years' question papers as well, the mark distribution almost remains the same.
Mathematics is scoring too but it takes longer to finish the section. For mathematics, practice as much as you can. Solve coaching materials, Arihant book series, NCERT, and previous year’s questions.
The physics section is often unpredictable. You can follow NCERT, HC Verma to prepare for Physics.
If you prepare well, Mathematics and Physics section should fetch you more than 110+ marks put together. This is the easiest way to score above 200 in JEE Main.
Here are some of the scoring and important chapters for JEE Main examination.
Physics JEE Main Important Topics:
Chemistry JEE Main Important Topics:
Mathematics JEE Main Important Topics:
To score well in JEE Main, concentrate on the topics you have a good command of rather than the topics you haven’t covered.