JEE Main 2026 Exam – Session 2 Admit Card (Expected Soon), Exam Dates April 2–8, Session 1 Result Declared | Official Website Updates

JEE Main 2026 Exam – Complete Overview

JEE Main 2026 Session 2 – Latest Updates (April Attempt)

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has revised the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 exam dates. The earlier schedule (April 2–9) has been updated to April 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, 2026. The city intimation slip for Session 2 was officially released on March 21, 2026, and candidates can download it from jeemain.nta.nic.in using their application number and password.

Session 2 Key Dates at a Glance

Important Points for Session 2 Candidates

The exam runs in two shifts daily — Morning: 9 AM–12 Noon and Afternoon: 3 PM–6 PM. Over 10 lakh candidates are expected to appear in Session 2. The session 2 result will carry the final All India Rank (AIR) for all candidates (using the best of the two sessions). The top 2.5 lakh qualifiers become eligible for JEE Advanced 2026 on May 17, 2026.

The city intimation slip informs candidates of their allotted exam city and date but is not a valid entry document. Only the official admit card (with exact centre address and shift timing) is required at the exam hall. NTA helpline: 011-40759000 (10 AM – 5 PM).

JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Result – Declared on February 16, 2026

The NTA declared the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 result on February 16, 2026. Candidates can download their scorecards from jeemain.nta.nic.in using their application number and password. The result displays subject-wise percentile scores and overall NTA percentile — not the All India Rank (AIR), which will be published after Session 2 in April.

Session 1 Highlights

JEE Main 2026 Marks vs Percentile (Based on Session 1 Trends)

Note: Percentile varies shift-wise. Scores in a tough shift yield higher percentile at lower marks. NTA normalises scores across shifts.

JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates – Session 1 & Session 2 (Complete Schedule)

Session 1 (January) – Completed

Session 2 (April) – Upcoming

What is JEE Main 2026?

JEE Main 2026 is India's premier national-level undergraduate engineering entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It is the gateway for admission to B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning programmes at NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs across India. JEE Main also serves as the qualifying test for JEE Advanced 2026, the sole route to admission at the 23 IITs.

In 2026, over 13.5 lakh candidates registered for Session 1 alone, making it one of the most competitive engineering entrance exams globally. The exam tests Class 11 and 12 concepts in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics through a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format, with the Drawing test for B.Arch conducted offline.

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before applying for JEE Main 2026, candidates must verify that they meet all eligibility conditions. The key criteria include academic qualifications, nationality, and age. Category-wise relaxations are available.

Academic Qualification

Candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2024, 2025, or 2026, with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects along with Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or a technical vocational subject. The following are also eligible:

• Candidates in the final year of 10+2 or equivalent examination.
• Students from the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) with a minimum of five subjects.
• 3-year diploma holders are also eligible for JEE Main.
• Candidates from the Joint Service Wing of NDA (two-year course).

Minimum Marks Requirement for Admission (Not for Appearing)

Note: The 75% criteria applies only for admission to NITs, IIITs, IITs, and GFTIs — not for appearing in JEE Main.

Age & Nationality

• Age Limit: There is no upper age limit to appear in JEE Main 2026.
• Nationality: Indian citizens, OCI, PIO, and foreign nationals are eligible.
• Number of Attempts: A candidate can attempt JEE Main for a maximum of 3 consecutive years (from the year of passing Class 12).

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

JEE Main 2026 is conducted in CBT mode and comprises three papers. A major new addition for 2026 is the on-screen calculator, available for the first time to all candidates.

Paper 1 – B.E./B.Tech (Most Attempted)

Paper 2A – B.Arch

Paper 2B – B.Planning

Marking Scheme Summary

• MCQ: +4 for correct answer, –1 for incorrect answer, 0 for unattempted.
• Numerical Answer Type (NAT): +4 for correct, no negative marking.
• Duration: 3 hours (Paper 1 & 2B) | 3 hours 30 minutes (Paper 2A).
• New in 2026: On-screen calculator available for all candidates.

JEE Main 2026 Application Form & Registration

The JEE Main application form is available exclusively in online mode at jeemain.nta.nic.in. NTA does not accept offline forms. Session 1 registration ran from October 31 to November 27, 2025. Session 2 registration closed on February 25, 2026.

New Registration Features in JEE Main 2026

NTA introduced several digital enhancements for 2026 to improve security and accuracy:

• Live Webcam Photograph: Candidates must capture a real-time photo via laptop/PC webcam. A separate scanned passport-size photo (80% face visible, white background, no mask) is also required.
• Aadhaar-Based Auto-Fetch: Personal details (name, DOB, gender, address, photo) are auto-populated from the UIDAI database via Aadhaar authentication, reducing data-entry errors.
• Non-Aadhaar Identity Proof: Candidates verifying via non-Aadhaar routes must upload a valid ID (PAN, Passport, or School ID).
• Enhanced Accessibility Mode: Improved interface for PwD candidates with better screen-reader support and navigation.

Steps to Fill JEE Main Application Form

1. Visit jeemain.nta.nic.in and click "Apply Online".
2. Complete new registration with basic details (name, DOB, email, mobile, category).
3. Fill academic details, course preference, and exam centre choices.
4. Capture live photo via webcam and upload scanned passport-size photo and signature.
5. Verify identity via Aadhaar (auto-fetch) or upload valid ID proof.
6. Pay the application fee online (Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, Paytm) or via Bank Challan (offline).
7. Submit and download the confirmation page.

Documents Required

• Scanned passport-size photograph (white background, 80% face visibility)
• Live webcam photograph (captured during registration)
• Scanned signature
• Class 10 certificate (proof of date of birth)
• Aadhaar card or other valid ID proof
• Category certificate (if applicable – SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD)

JEE Main 2026 Admit Card – Session 2 (Expected Soon)

The JEE Main Session 2 admit card is expected to be released between March 29 and April 1, 2026 — approximately 3–4 days before the exam begins on April 2. Candidates can download it from jeemain.nta.nic.in using their application number and password.

The admit card is the only valid entry document at the exam hall. The city intimation slip (released March 21) is not a substitute. Candidates must bring a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid photo ID on exam day.

Details on the JEE Main Admit Card 2026

• Candidate's name, father's name, category
• Application number and roll number
• Allotted exam date and shift (Morning/Afternoon)
• Exam centre name, address, and reporting time
• Exam duration and important instructions
• Candidate photograph and signature

How to Download JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Admit Card

1. Visit jeemain.nta.nic.in.
2. Click on "JEE Main Session 2 Admit Card 2026".
3. Enter your Application Number and Password/Date of Birth.
4. The admit card will appear on screen. Verify all details.
5. Download and print at least two copies.
6. In case of discrepancy, contact NTA at 011-40759000 immediately.

JEE Main 2026 Expected Cutoff (Category-wise)

The JEE Main cutoff is the minimum percentile required to qualify for JEE Advanced 2026. The official cutoff will be declared by NTA along with the Session 2 result on April 20, 2026. Based on Session 1 data and expert analysis, here are the expected cutoffs:

Expected Cutoff 2026 (for JEE Advanced Qualification)

JEE Main Cutoff Trend (General Category)

Note: Only the top 2.5 lakh JEE Main qualifiers are eligible for JEE Advanced 2026. Admission cutoffs for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs are published separately after JoSAA counselling.

JEE Main 2026 Syllabus (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)

The JEE Main 2026 syllabus is based on the NCERT curriculum of Classes 11 and 12 for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The syllabus remains consistent with the previous year. Below are the most important high-weightage topics:

High-Weightage Physics Topics

• Electrostatics & Current Electricity – Coulomb's Law, Capacitors, Kirchhoff's Laws, Ohm's Law
• Modern Physics – Photoelectric effect, Bohr's model, Radioactivity, Atomic spectra
• Mechanics – Newton's Laws, Work-Energy-Power, Rotational Motion, Gravitation
• Optics – Ray optics, Wave optics, Interference, Diffraction
• Magnetic Effects of Current – Biot-Savart Law, Ampere's Law, Electromagnetic Induction
• Thermodynamics – Laws of thermodynamics, Ideal gas laws, Kinetic theory
• Waves & Sound – Simple Harmonic Motion, Doppler effect

High-Weightage Chemistry Topics

• Organic Chemistry – General Organic Chemistry, Hydrocarbons, Reaction mechanisms, Named reactions
• Chemical Bonding – VSEPR theory, Hybridisation, Molecular orbital theory
• Equilibrium – Chemical equilibrium, Ionic equilibrium, pH and buffer solutions
• Coordination Compounds – IUPAC nomenclature, Isomerism, Crystal field theory
• Electrochemistry – Nernst equation, Electrolysis, Batteries
• Atomic Structure – Quantum numbers, Electronic configuration, Periodic properties
• Chemical Kinetics – Rate laws, Half-life, Activation energy

High-Weightage Mathematics Topics

• Calculus – Limits, Differentiation, Integration, Differential Equations
• Coordinate Geometry – Straight lines, Circles, Parabola, Ellipse, Hyperbola
• Algebra – Complex Numbers, Quadratic Equations, Sequences & Series, Binomial Theorem
• Matrices & Determinants – Properties, Inverse, Cramer's Rule
• Probability & Statistics – Conditional probability, Bayes' theorem, Mean/Variance
• Vector & 3D Geometry – Dot/Cross product, Lines, Planes in 3D
• Trigonometry – Identities, Inverse trigonometric functions, Heights and Distances

JEE Advanced 2026 – Pathway After JEE Main

JEE Advanced 2026 will be conducted by IIT Roorkee on May 17, 2026 (Sunday). It is the gateway to admission in all 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Registration for eligible candidates opens on April 23, 2026.

JEE Advanced 2026 Key Details

To qualify for JEE Advanced, candidates must: (1) be among the top 2.5 lakh in JEE Main, (2) have passed Class 12 in 2025 or 2026, (3) be within two consecutive attempts, and (4) not have previously accepted an IIT seat.

JoSAA Counselling 2026 – NIT, IIIT & GFTI Admissions

The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) conducts the centralised counselling and seat allotment for admissions to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and IITs. JoSAA 2026 is expected to begin in June 2026, after JEE Advanced results. Six main rounds of seat allotment are conducted, followed by CSAB special rounds for vacant seats.

Sample Admission Cutoffs (General – Open Category, JoSAA 2025 Round 1)

IITs admit students exclusively via JEE Advanced. The above data is from JoSAA 2025 Round 1 and will be updated for 2026 after counselling begins.

JEE Main 2026 Mock Test – Practice for Session 2

With Session 2 just days away (April 2–8), taking full-length mock tests is the single most effective preparation strategy. NTA offers official mock tests at nta.ac.in. Aakash provides comprehensive mock test series that mirror the latest exam pattern, including the new on-screen calculator interface.

For Session 2 aspirants, a focused final sprint using mock tests, previous year papers, and chapter-wise revision is strongly recommended. Analyse shift-wise difficulty trends from Session 1 to calibrate your strategy.

JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Preparation Tips (Last-Minute Strategy)

With Session 2 beginning on April 2, here is a focused strategy for the remaining days:

• Analyse Session 1 Patterns: Review which topics were most frequently asked in JEE Main 2026 Session 1 (January shifts) and prioritise those chapters in revision.
• Revise NCERT Thoroughly: Especially for Chemistry – Physical, Inorganic, and Organic chapters must be crystal clear. Many direct questions come from NCERT examples and exercises.
• Solve Previous Year Papers: Practice the last 5 years' papers (2020–2025) in timed conditions. Pay attention to question type distribution between MCQ and NAT.
• Take Full-Length Mocks Daily: Simulate exam conditions with the 3-hour time block. Target at least one full mock daily in the week before your exam date.
• Manage Negative Marking: Attempt NAT questions first if unsure – no negative marking. Be strategic about skipping MCQs where you cannot eliminate at least 2 options.
• Focus on High-Weightage Chapters: In Maths – Calculus and Coordinate Geometry. In Physics – Electrostatics and Modern Physics. In Chemistry – Organic reactions and Chemical Bonding.
• Use the On-Screen Calculator Wisely: Practice using a basic on-screen calculator so you are familiar on exam day. Don't rely on it for simple arithmetic — it costs time.
• Sleep and Health: Avoid last-minute all-nighters. A well-rested brain outperforms a fatigued one. Sleep 7–8 hours before your exam day.

Top IITs in India 2026 (Ranked by NIRF)

Important Study Materials & Resources for JEE 2026

JEE Main 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)