India · 2026 Edition · Updated 2026-04-06

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JEE Main 2026: Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Study Plan

JEE Main is the first-stage entrance exam for admission to NITs, IIITs, and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions. Also used for JEE Advanced eligibility. Conducted by NTA in multiple sessions.

Year: 2026
Subjects: 3
Topics: 81
Cost: Free

Tracked daily from https://jeemain.ntaonline.in. See 2026 calendar →

dates eligibility syllabus pattern strategy

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📋 Exam Pattern

90 MCQs (30 Physics, 30 Chemistry, 30 Mathematics), 3 hours, 300 marks — each correct answer gets 4 marks, 1 mark deducted for wrong answer. Each subject has 25 MCQs + 5 numerical questions (numericals are not negative-marked).

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Class 12 PCM stream with minimum 75% aggregate for general category (65% for SC/ST/OBC). Subject-wise minimum of 60% in each of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

Subjects & Topics Covered — 81 topics across 3 subjects

Physics

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28 topics · Units & Measurement· Motion in 1D· Motion in 2D + more

Chemistry

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28 topics · Some Basic Concepts· Atomic Structure· Chemical Bonding + more

Mathematics

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25 topics · Sets Relations· Trigonometry· Inverse Trig + more

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Frequently Asked Questions — JEE Main

Everything you need to know about JEE Main. Scroll down for the complete study guide.

What are the expected JEE Main 2026 exam session dates and when should I start registration?

Based on the standard NTA annual cycle, JEE Main 2026 Session 1 likely falls in January (typically last week of January) and Session 2 likely falls in April (typically second week). Registration for Session 1 usually opens in October–November of the preceding year. Aspirants should complete registration at least 2–3 weeks before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues. Keep valid email and mobile number active for OTP-based login on the NTA portal. Source: jeemain.nta.nic.in

What is the application fee structure for JEE Main 2026 and where do I pay it?

For JEE Main 2026, the application fee is approximately ₹1,000 for male candidates in the general category (₹800 for female candidates) per session, with additional charges for appearing in both Paper 1 and Paper 2. SC/ST/PwD candidates typically pay ₹500. Payment is made online through the official NTA portal using net banking, UPI, or debit/credit card. Do not pay through third-party agents—NTA does not authorize intermediaries for fee collection. Source: nta.ac.in

What is the age eligibility criterion for JEE Main 2026 and are there any relaxations?

Candidates appearing for JEE Main 2026 must have been born on or after October 2, 2001 (for general category). A 5-year age relaxation applies to SC/ST/PwD candidates, meaning their birth date must be on or after October 2, 1996. There is no upper age limit for attempting JEE Main, though candidates must have passed or be appearing in their Class 12 qualifying examination in 2026 or 2025. Verify your category certificate is valid before applying. Source: jeemain.nta.nic.in

What is the exam pattern and marking scheme for JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)?

JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 comprises 75 multiple-choice questions: 20 each in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Each correct answer awards 4 marks; each incorrect answer deducts 1 mark (negative marking). The exam is conducted online (computer-based) for English and Hindi mediums. Total duration is 3 hours (3 hours 20 minutes for PwD candidates). The medium of exam must be selected carefully during registration—this cannot be changed after submission. Source: nta.ac.in

How should I build a study plan for JEE Main 2026 given the revised syllabus?

Start by covering high-weightage chapters from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics based on the NTA-prescribed syllabus. Allocate 60% of study time to numerical-based chapters (Mechanics, Electrostatics, Organic Chemistry, Calculus) and 40% to theory-heavy chapters. Solve previous 5 years' JEE Main papers under timed conditions every fortnight. Join the official NTA Abhyas app for free practice tests. Do not rely solely on coaching material—supplement with NCERT Class 11–12 for conceptual clarity. Source: jeemain.nta.nic.in

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Related Exams by Pathway

Students preparing for JEE Main often also consider these exams for syllabus overlap or the next step in their journey.

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JEE Advanced

for top-tier engineering colleges

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CUET UG

shared physics & chemistry syllabus

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How to Prepare for JEE Main

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Exam Name	JEE Main
Country	🇮🇳 India
Subjects	Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
Total Topics	81
Official Source	https://jeemain.ntaonline.in
Last Updated	2026-04-06