The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Mains 2026, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is one of the most competitive entrance exams for engineering aspirants in India. With over 10–12 lakh students appearing every year, the exam serves as the gateway to prestigious institutes such as NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and IITs (through JEE Advanced).
As per recent updates, the NTA is expected to announce the official JEE Mains 2026 Session 1 and Session 2 schedule soon, and it will be aligned with the CBSE Board Exam 2026 timetable. This synchronization aims to minimize exam clashes for Class 12 students preparing for both board exams and JEE Mains.
JEE Mains 2026 – Key Highlights
Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
Exam Name: Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Mains 2026
Purpose: Admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs + eligibility for JEE Advanced
Mode of Exam: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Sessions: Two (Session 1 and Session 2)
Exam Frequency: Twice a year, giving candidates flexibility
Official Website: jeemain.nta.ac.in
JEE Mains 2026 Expected Exam Schedule
Although the official notification is awaited, NTA is likely to follow the CBSE Board Exam 2026 calendar to avoid overlap.
Session 1 (January 2026): Expected in the second to third week of January 2026, after the completion of major CBSE Class 12 exams.
Session 2 (April 2026): Expected in the first or second week of April 2026, after the CBSE board exams conclude.
📌 Final dates will be announced on the official NTA website once the CBSE timetable is released.
Why Align JEE Mains 2026 with CBSE Exams?
Many students preparing for JEE Mains are also CBSE Class 12 board aspirants. Conducting the exam in line with the board timetable helps:
Avoid exam clashes between board practicals/written exams and JEE Mains.
Provide enough preparation gap after board exams.
Reduce stress levels for students juggling both exams.
Ensure fairness, since CBSE is followed by a majority of engineering aspirants.
JEE Mains 2026 – Exam Pattern
Understanding the exam pattern is key to preparation.
Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech – for NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, JEE Advanced eligibility)
Mode: Computer-Based Test
Duration: 3 hours
Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
Total Questions: 90 (30 from each subject)
Questions to Attempt: 75 (25 from each subject)
Marking Scheme: +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted
Total Marks: 300
Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning – for architecture courses)
B.Arch: Mathematics (Part I), Aptitude (Part II), Drawing Test (Part III)
B.Planning: Mathematics (Part I), Aptitude (Part II), Planning-based Questions (Part III)
Mode: Partially CBT + Drawing test on paper
JEE Mains 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification:
Must have passed Class 12 or equivalent exam in 2024, 2025, or appearing in 2026.
Core subjects: Physics, Mathematics, and one from Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Technical Vocational Subject.
Age Limit:
No age restriction for appearing in JEE Mains.
Number of Attempts:
Maximum 6 attempts across 3 consecutive years (2 attempts per year).
Institution-specific Eligibility:
For NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs: 75% marks in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST) or top 20 percentile in respective boards.
Syllabus for JEE Mains 2026
The JEE Mains 2026 syllabus will likely be the same as 2025, covering NCERT-based topics from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (Class 11 & 12).
Physics: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Optics, Electricity & Magnetism, Modern Physics
Chemistry: Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry
Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, Probability, Trigonometry
📌 NTA may issue a revised/condensed syllabus if CBSE introduces changes for 2026.
Preparation Tips for JEE Mains 2026
Follow NCERTs First: Build a strong base with NCERT textbooks, especially for Chemistry.
Solve Previous Year Papers: Helps in understanding question patterns.
Mock Tests: Attempt full-length mock tests to improve time management.
Focus on Weak Areas: Analyze mistakes and work on topics where accuracy is low.
Balance Boards + JEE: Since the exam will follow CBSE, integrate board preparation with JEE syllabus.
Expected Difficulty Level
Based on trends:
Mathematics: Toughest section, requiring practice and speed.
Physics: Moderate, conceptual with numerical problems.
Chemistry: Easiest, mostly NCERT-based factual and theoretical questions.
Importance of JEE Mains 2026
Gateway to IITs: Qualifying JEE Mains is mandatory for JEE Advanced.
Direct Admissions: Used for NITs, IIITs, GFTIs.
State Engineering Colleges: Many states use JEE Mains scores instead of their own entrance exams.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When will JEE Mains 2026 Session 1 be conducted?
➡️ Likely in January 2026, after CBSE Class 12 major exams.
2. Will JEE Mains 2026 clash with CBSE board exams?
➡️ No, NTA will release the schedule in sync with CBSE timetable to avoid clashes.
3. How many attempts can I take for JEE Mains 2026?
➡️ Two attempts in 2026 (January & April sessions).
4. What is the qualifying percentage for NIT/IIIT admissions?
➡️ 75% in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST) or top 20 percentile in respective boards.
5. What is the mode of JEE Mains 2026?
➡️ Entirely Computer-Based Test (CBT), except for Drawing in B.Arch.
