JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026: Complete Guide, Process, Dates, Eligibility & Application Details

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 is one of the most important entrance exams in India for engineering aspirants. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), JEE Main serves as the gateway for admission into NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and also acts as the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced 2026, which opens doors to prestigious IITs.
If you’re planning to appear for JEE Main 2026, it’s crucial to understand the exam pattern, important dates, eligibility criteria, application process, and preparation tips. This complete guide covers everything you need to know.
🔹 JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026
NTA conducts JEE Main in two sessions (January & April 2026) to give students multiple chances. The exam is conducted in online computer-based mode (except Drawing Test for B.Arch).
Paper-Wise Exam Pattern
1. B.E./B.Tech (Paper 1)
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
- Total Questions: 90 (75 to be attempted)
- Marks: 300
- Marking Scheme: +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect
- Duration: 3 hours
2. B.Arch (Paper 2A)
- Mode: Mathematics & Aptitude (CBT) + Drawing Test (Offline)
- Total Marks: 400
- Subjects: Mathematics (100), Aptitude (200), Drawing (100)
3. B.Planning (Paper 2B)
- Mode: CBT
- Subjects: Mathematics, Aptitude, Planning
- Total Marks: 400
🔹 JEE Main 2026 Important Dates (Tentative)
- JEE Main 2026 Session 1 (January Attempt)
- Application Form Release: November 2025
- Exam Dates: January 2026
- JEE Main 2026 Session 2 (April Attempt)
- Application Form Release: February/March 2026
- Exam Dates: April 2026
- Result Declaration: Within a few days after the exam
🔹 JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility requirements.
- Age Limit: No specific age limit, but candidates must have passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025, or appearing in 2026.
- Qualification: Passed/appearing in 10+2 with Physics & Mathematics (mandatory) along with Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Technical Vocational Subject.
- Minimum Marks: No minimum marks required, but for admission in NITs/IIITs/GFTIs, candidates must score at least 75% (65% for SC/ST) or be in the top 20 percentile of their board.
- Attempts: A candidate can appear for JEE Main for three consecutive years.
🔹 JEE Main 2026 Application Process
The JEE Main 2026 application form will be available on the NTA official website (jeemain.nta.ac.in).
Steps to Apply:
- Registration: Create an account with personal details.
- Fill Application Form: Enter educational and contact details.
- Upload Documents: Recent photograph, signature, category certificate (if applicable).
- Fee Payment: Pay online via debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI.
- Confirmation Page: Download and save for future reference.
🔹 JEE Main 2026 Preparation Tips
- Understand the syllabus thoroughly – focus on NCERT fundamentals.
- Practice previous year papers & mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
- Time management is key – learn to attempt high-weightage questions first.
- Take both sessions – this gives you two chances and increases your score potential.
✅ Final Thoughts
The JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026 has been designed to test candidates’ problem-solving, speed, and accuracy. With the right preparation strategy and awareness of the exam process, eligibility, important dates, and application details, aspirants can maximize their chances of securing admission to India’s top engineering colleges.
JEE Main 2026 exam pattern
Describes the official structure of the 2026 exam, including section-wise distribution of marks and time duration.
NTA JEE Main exam pattern 2026
Highlights the exam format released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for 2026.
JEE Main 2026 question paper pattern
Explains how the JEE Main 2026 question paper is divided into Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics sections with multiple-choice and numerical-based questions.
JEE Main 2026 paper pattern
A general keyword that focuses on the exam’s structure, number of papers, and mode of exam (online/offline for drawing).
JEE Main 2026 marking scheme
Covers details about how marks are awarded (+4 for correct answers) and deducted (-1 for wrong answers) in JEE Main 2026.
JEE Main 2026 exam format
Provides an overview of the format in which the exam is conducted (computer-based test for B.Tech, B.Planning and partly offline for B.Arch).
JEE Main 2026 paper structure
Explains how questions are distributed among subjects, their difficulty level, and weightage.
JEE Main 2026 subjects and marks
Focuses on subject-wise distribution of marks: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics for B.Tech, and additional aptitude/drawing for other papers.
JEE Main exam scheme 2026
Another variation that explains the official scheme of JEE Main 2026, including attempts, duration, and evaluation process.
- What is the JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026?
A common search query by students looking for details on the exam format. - How many questions in JEE Main 2026?
Focused keyword answering the exact number of questions asked in the exam (90 in Paper 1, 75 to attempt). - 2026 exam pattern for B.Tech
Describes Paper 1 structure specifically for engineering aspirants. - 2026 exam pattern for B.Arch
Explains Paper 2A pattern with mathematics, aptitude, and drawing sections. - 2026 exam pattern for B.Planning
Focuses on Paper 2B structure including planning-related questions. - 2026 computer-based test pattern
Describes the online CBT mode for 2026 and how students must attempt the test digitally.