The JEE Main Exam Center 2026 is one of the most awaited engineering entrance exams for students aspiring to secure admission into NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and IITs (through JEE Advanced). Every year, lakhs of students appear for the exam, and one of the crucial aspects during the application process is choosing the exam center. Along with this, candidates must also understand the eligibility criteria and the cut-off marks required for admission.

In this article, we cover the state-wise JEE Main 2026 exam centers and provide insights on the eligibility criteria and expected cut-off.

JEE Main 2026 Exam Centers – State-Wise List

NTA (National Testing Agency) releases the state-wise list of JEE Main exam centers every year to ensure students can choose the most convenient location. Candidates can select up to four preferences while filling the application form.

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Here’s a simplified state-wise distribution of expected exam centers for JEE Main Exam Center 2026:

1. North India

• Delhi NCR: Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad
• Uttar Pradesh: Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Agra, Bareilly, Meerut
• Haryana: Ambala, Hisar, Karnal, Panipat
• Punjab: Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala
• Rajasthan: Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Kota, Ajmer

2. South India

• Karnataka: Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubli
• Tamil Nadu: Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Salem
• Kerala: Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kollam
• Telangana: Hyderabad, Warangal, Karimnagar
• Andhra Pradesh: Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Tirupati

3. East India

• Bihar: Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur
• Jharkhand: Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad
• Odisha: Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur
• West Bengal: Kolkata, Durgapur, Siliguri, Asansol

4. West & Central India

• Maharashtra: Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Nashik
• Gujarat: Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara
• Madhya Pradesh: Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior
• Chhattisgarh: Raipur, Bhilai, Durg

5. North-East India

• Assam: Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Silchar
• Manipur: Imphal
• Meghalaya: Shillong
• Tripura: Agartala
• Nagaland: Kohima
• Arunachal Pradesh: Itanagar
• Mizoram: Aizawl

👉 Note: NTA will release the official exam center city list in the JEE Main Exam Center 2026 information bulletin.

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, candidates must meet the eligibility conditions:

1. Age Limit – No specific age limit. Candidates who passed Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or appearing in 2026 are eligible.
2. Educational Qualification –
   • Must have passed Class 12 or equivalent exam with Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry/Biology/Technical Vocational Subject.
3. Number of Attempts – A candidate can attempt JEE Main for three consecutive years.
4. Qualifying Marks – Candidates need to score at least 75% in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST) or be in the top 20 percentile of their board.

JEE Main 2026 Expected Cut Off

The cut-off marks for JEE Main vary every year depending on the difficulty level, number of candidates, and available seats. Below is the expected category-wise qualifying cut off for JEE Main 2026:

👉 These are qualifying cut-offs for eligibility to appear in JEE Main Exam Center 2026. For admission into NITs/IIITs, the cut-off ranks will be higher depending on the branch and category.

Key Tips for Students

• Choose exam centers wisely – Pick the nearest city to avoid travel stress.
• Meet eligibility conditions – Ensure Class 12 marks and subject combinations are correct.
• Track official updates – Regularly check the NTA website for latest announcements.
• Prepare for higher cut-offs – Aim for at least 95+ percentile if targeting top NITs and IIITs.

🔑 JEE Main 2026 Preparation Tips for Students

Preparing for JEE Main Exam Center 2026 requires smart planning, consistent effort, and the right strategy. Here are some effective preparation tips:

1. Understand the Syllabus & Exam Pattern

• Focus on Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as per the NCERT syllabus.
• Check the weightage of chapters from previous year papers.
• Prioritize high-scoring topics like Coordinate Geometry, Organic Chemistry, Electrostatics, and Modern Physics.

2. Make a Realistic Study Plan

• Divide your time into daily, weekly, and monthly targets.
• Dedicate 6–8 hours of effective study daily.
• Keep time for revision and practice tests.

3. NCERT First, Then Advanced Books

• NCERT is the foundation — complete it thoroughly.
• Use reference books like H.C. Verma (Physics), R.D. Sharma (Maths), and O.P. Tandon (Chemistry).

4. Practice Mock Tests & PYQs

• Solve previous 10 years’ JEE Main question papers.
• Take online mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
• Analyze mistakes and revise weak areas.

5. Time Management During Exam

• Don’t spend more than 2–3 minutes on a tough question.
• Attempt easy and moderate questions first, then move to difficult ones.

6. Focus on Conceptual Clarity

• Avoid rote learning; understand the logic behind formulas.
• Make short notes and formula sheets for quick revision.

7. Maintain Good Health

• Sleep at least 6–7 hours daily.
• Eat healthy and stay hydrated.
• Take short breaks to refresh your mind.

8. Revision Strategy

• Revise important formulas, reactions, and theorems regularly.
• Use flashcards or mind maps for quick memorization.
• In the last month, focus more on practice and revision than new topics.

1. JEE Main 2026 Application Form

The JEE Main 2026 application form will be released online by NTA. Students can select their preferred exam centers, upload documents, and pay the fees while filling the form.

2. JEE Main 2026 Exam Date

NTA will announce the JEE Main 2026 exam date in two sessions – January and April. Candidates must track the official website to stay updated on schedule and shifts.

3. JEE Main 2026 Syllabus

The JEE Main syllabus 2026 will be based on NCERT Class 11 & 12 topics of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Students must focus on high-weightage chapters for better scores.

4. JEE Main 2026 Admit Card

The admit card is a mandatory document for entry to the exam center. It contains details like exam date, shift, center city, and roll number.

5. JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates must have passed Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or be appearing in 2026 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. There is no age limit for the exam.

6. JEE Main Cut Off 2026

The cut-off marks are the minimum scores required to qualify for JEE Advanced and for admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. Cut-offs vary category-wise and institute-wise.

7. JEE Main 2026 Result

The result of JEE Main 2026 will be declared in percentile format. The best score out of both sessions will be considered for final ranking.

8. JEE Main Preparation Tips 2026

Students must follow a structured study plan, practice mock tests, revise NCERT thoroughly, and manage time effectively to secure top ranks.

❓ JEE Main 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When will the JEE Main 2026 application form be released?

The JEE Main 2026 application form will be released by NTA in the first week of November 2025 for Session 1. Candidates can apply online, choose their exam centers, and pay the fees through the official website.

2. What are the JEE Main 2026 exam dates?

The JEE Main 2026 exam dates will be held in two sessions – January 2026 (Session 1) and April 2026 (Session 2). The detailed schedule will be announced by NTA in the official notification.

3. What is the eligibility criteria for JEE Main 2026?

Candidates must have passed Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or be appearing in 2026 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. There is no age limit for appearing in JEE Main.

4. How to download JEE Main 2026 admit card?

The JEE Main 2026 admit card will be available for download on the official NTA website. Students can log in using their application number and password/date of birth to get their JEE Main Exam Center 2026 admit card, which contains the exam center city, exam date, and shift details.

5. What is the expected JEE Main 2026 cut off?

The expected JEE Main 2026 cut off percentile is around 90–92 for General category, 75–78 for OBC-NCL, 60–65 for SC, and 55–60 for ST. These cut-offs may vary depending on exam difficulty and number of candidates.

6. What is the syllabus for JEE Main 2026?

The JEE Main 2026 syllabus includes topics from NCERT Class 11 and Class 12 in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Students should give more attention to high-weightage chapters JEE Main Exam Center 2026 like Organic Chemistry, Electrostatics, and Coordinate Geometry.JEE Main Exam Center 2026

7. How to prepare effectively for JEE Main 2026?

For effective JEE Main preparation 2026, students should:

• Complete NCERT books first.
• Solve previous year papers and take mock tests.
• Revise formulas and important concepts regularly.
• Follow a structured study timetable with proper time management.

8. How will the JEE Main 2026 result be declared?

The JEE Main 2026 result will be declared online JEE Main Exam Center 2026 in the form of a scorecard with percentile scores. The best of both sessions will be considered for the final ranking JEE Main Exam Center 2026 and admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.

Conclusion

The JEE Main 2026 exam centers will be spread across all major states and cities in India, providing accessibility to students nationwide. Aspirants must ensure they fulfill the eligibility criteria and aim to score well above the expected cut-off to secure admission JEE Main Exam Center 2026 into their dream engineering colleges. Staying updated with official announcements and preparing strategically will be the key to success in JEE Main 2026.