JEE Main Exam

JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has outlined the JEE Main 2026 eligibility criteria on its official website. Candidates must carefully check these conditions before applying. In general, students who have passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025, or are appearing in 2026, are eligible to apply for the exam.

The eligibility criteria cover key factors such as educational qualification, required subjects, age limit, number of attempts, and nationality. There is no age limit for appearing in JEE Main, but candidates can attempt the exam for three consecutive years after passing Class 12.

To be eligible, candidates must have studied Physics and Mathematics, along with one additional subject like Chemistry/Biology/Technical Vocational subject in Class 12 or equivalent.

Overall, understanding these eligibility rules is important to avoid rejection during the application process and to ensure you meet all requirements set for JEE Main 2026.

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility - Overview

A quick overview of the key eligibility rules provides a clear snapshot of application eligibility and the number of attempts allowed for JEE Main 2026.

JEE Main Age Limit 2026

There is no upper or lower age limit for JEE Main 2026. Anyone who has passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025, or is appearing in 2026, can apply, no matter their age. However, some institutes such as NITs, IIITs, and other colleges may have their own age rules for admission.

Nationality Criteria

Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals can apply for JEE Main. Nationality is not a restriction, but admission to institutes like NITs and IIITs may follow different quotas or schemes for international candidates.

No. of Attempts in JEE Main

The National Testing Agency (NTA) allows candidates to appear for JEE Main for three consecutive years, starting from the year they pass Class 12 or appear for the exam. Since JEE Main is conducted twice every year (January and April sessions), this allows a maximum of six attempts in total.

For example, if a student passes Class 12 in 2026, they can attempt JEE Main in 2026, 2027, and 2028, with two chances each year. There is no age limit, but candidates must meet the Class 12 eligibility year criteria to use all available attempts.

JEE Advanced Number of Attempts Allowed

Candidates can appear for the JEE Advanced exam a maximum of two times in two consecutive years. This means a student gets only two chances within the eligibility window after completing Class 12 or its equivalent. For example, if a candidate appears for JEE Advanced in the first eligible year, they can attempt it once more in the following year. No candidate can appear for JEE Advanced more than two times. These two attempts must be in back-to-back years, as per the official eligibility rules that have remained the same over the years.

Marks Eligibility Criteria

For admission to top engineering institutes through JEE Main, candidates must also meet the Class 12 marks criteria set by the authorities at the time of admission (not for appearing in the exam). General category candidates are required to secure at least 75% marks in Class 12 or be in the top 20 percentile of their respective board exams. For candidates belonging to SC/ST categories, the minimum requirement is 65% marks in Class 12 or top 20 percentile.

It is important to note that this marks criterion is mainly applicable for admission into institutes such as NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs. A candidate can still appear for JEE Main even if they do not meet this percentage requirement, but admission will depend on fulfilling this condition at the time of counselling.

JEE Main Class 12 Subject Requirements

For JEE Main, the Class 12 subject combination varies depending on the course a candidate is applying for. The National Testing Agency (NTA) specifies different academic requirements for B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Plan programmes to ensure students have the right foundational knowledge.

• For B.Tech (Paper 1): Candidates must have studied Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, along with at least one additional subject such as Chemistry, Biology, or a Technical Vocational subject.
• For B.Arch (Paper 2A): Candidates should have completed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as core subjects.
• For B.Plan (Paper 2B): The key requirement is Mathematics in Class 12, along with passing the qualifying examination.

State Code of Eligibility for JEE Main

The State Code of Eligibility in JEE Main refers to the state from which a candidate has passed their Class 12 (or equivalent) examination. This code is important for seat allocation under the Home State and Other State quota in institutions like NITs, IIITs, and other CFTIs.

It is crucial to understand that the state code is not based on your place of birth, residence, or domicile. Instead, it depends strictly on the location of the board or institution from where you completed your qualifying exam.

For example, if a student studies and passes Class 12 from Delhi but lives in Bihar, their state code of eligibility will be Delhi.

In specific cases:

• NIOS candidates should select the state based on the location of their study centre.
• If a candidate passes Class 12 in one state and later appears for improvement in another, the original passing state will be considered.
• Students who complete Class 12 from Nepal or Bhutan must choose their state code based on the permanent address in their passport.
• OCI/PIO candidates who pass Class 12 from India follow the same rules as Indian students, while those studying abroad are generally considered under the Other State/All India quota.

Choosing the correct state code is essential, as it directly affects admission opportunities under different quotas.

 

JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026

National Testing Agency conducts JEE Main 2026 as the entrance exam for admission to NITs, IIITs, and other GFTIs across India. This page explains the JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026 for Paper 1 (BTech), Paper 2A (BArch), and Paper 2B (BPlan), including question distribution, total marks, and the marking scheme.

JEE Main 2026 will be held in two sessions — January and April. The latest pattern remains the same as the 2025 format, with no new structural changes announced by NTA. All Section B questions continue to be compulsory, and negative marking applies to both MCQs and numerical value questions.

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern for BTech (Paper 1)

Paper 1 is for students applying to B.E./B.Tech courses and includes Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The paper contains 75 compulsory questions carrying a total of 300 marks.

The exam is conducted completely in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. Each subject has equal weightage and is divided into two sections. Section A contains multiple-choice questions, while Section B contains numerical value questions.

From 2025 onward, all questions in Section B became compulsory. Earlier, candidates could choose a limited number of numerical questions, but that option is no longer available in the current pattern.

The exam duration is 3 hours for all candidates. Every correct answer carries four marks, while one mark is deducted for every incorrect response, including numerical value questions.

Paper 1 Subject-wise Pattern

Marking Scheme for Paper 1

Students should pay attention to negative marking in Section B. Numerical value questions now follow the same marking rule as MCQs, which means wrong answers also attract a penalty of one mark.

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern for BArch (Paper 2A)

Paper 2A is for B.Arch admissions and includes Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing sections. The Mathematics and Aptitude sections are online, while the Drawing Test is conducted offline using pen and paper.

This paper has a total of 77 questions carrying 400 marks. Candidates appearing only for Paper 2A get 3 hours to complete the exam. Those taking both Paper 2A and Paper 2B together receive 3 hours 30 minutes.

The Mathematics section follows the same structure used in Paper 1, with MCQs and numerical value questions. The Aptitude section tests spatial understanding, visualization, and architectural awareness. The Drawing section checks sketching ability, perspective, and design sense.

NTA provides drawing sheets at the exam centre for the offline portion. Candidates cannot attempt the Drawing Test on a computer.

Paper 2A Subject-wise Pattern

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern for BPlan (Paper 2B)

Paper 2B is designed for students who want admission to B.Planning courses. The exam is held completely in online mode and includes Mathematics, Aptitude, and Planning-Based Questions.

The paper contains 100 questions carrying a total of 400 marks. Candidates get 3 hours to complete the exam.

There is no Drawing Test in Paper 2B. Instead, the third section focuses on planning-related MCQs. These questions are usually based on topics such as city planning, transport systems, public spaces, maps, and basic design awareness.

Mathematics is divided into two parts. Section A contains MCQs, while Section B includes numerical value questions. Both sections are compulsory under the latest pattern.

JEE Main Syllabus 2026

The National Testing Agency (NTA) releases the JEE Main Syllabus 2026 on its official portal, jeemain.nta.nic.in , covering Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics for Paper 1 along with subject-specific topics for Paper 2A and Paper 2B. The syllabus remains unchanged from 2025 and continues to follow the NCERT Class 11 and 12 curriculum for all three papers.

JEE Main Syllabus 2026 for BTech (Paper 1)

Paper 1 includes Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, all based on the NCERT Class 11 and 12 syllabus framework released by NTA. Each subject carries 100 marks, making the paper worth 300 marks in total. The syllabus combines conceptual theory with application-based numericals. Section A mainly contains MCQs and contributes nearly 80% of the marks, while Section B focuses on numerical value questions and contributes the remaining 20%.

Mathematics Syllabus for JEE Main 2026

The JEE Main Mathematics syllabus tests conceptual clarity, logical application, and calculation speed across Algebra, Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, and related units. Calculus alone contributes the highest weightage in the Mathematics section.

NTA lists 14 active Mathematics units for JEE Main 2026. Many students over-focus on Calculus, but Algebra and Coordinate Geometry together also contribute a large share of questions.

Physics Syllabus for JEE Main 2026

The JEE Main Physics syllabus tests conceptual understanding and numerical problem-solving across Class 11 and 12 topics, ranging from Mechanics to Modern Physics. Physics is divided into Section A for theory-based questions and Section B for numerical and experimental skills. Mechanics contributes nearly 25–30% of Physics questions based on past paper analysis by multiple exam analysts. Current Electricity, Electrostatics, and Modern Physics also carry strong weightage in recent papers.

Chemistry Syllabus for JEE Main 2026

The JEE Main Chemistry syllabus covers physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry, combining numerical problems, conceptual application, and factual recall. All three sections receive balanced coverage in the examination pattern.

Chemistry is often considered the most scoring section because many questions are direct and NCERT-based. Organic chemistry contributes heavily to reaction-based questions, where mechanism understanding matters more than memorisation alone.

JEE Main 2026 Paper 2A (B.Arch.) Syllabus

The Drawing Test is conducted offline on drawing sheets at the exam centre.

JEE Main 2026 Paper 2B (B.Planning) Syllabus

JEE Main Group Test

Prepare for JEE Main with your friends, compete in real time, and understand your performance beyond just a score. Emeasure Box brings collaborative learning, competitive testing, AI-powered analysis, Time Bonus, and a Prize Pool together in one Group Test experience.

What is a JEE Main Group Test?

A JEE Main Group Test is an online test that you can take with your friends, classmates, or study group. Everyone attempts the same test and can compare their performance through a live leaderboard.

You can host a test for your group or join one hosted by another participant. The test can be scheduled for a specific date and time, giving everyone a common opportunity to practise and compete.

With Emeasure Box, Group Tests bring together:

• JEE Main test practice with friends
• Collaborative learning and peer comparison
• Live leaderboard and performance tracking
• Speed and accuracy analysis
• Time Bonus for fast and correct answers
• AI-powered Deep Analysis
• Prize Pool created from participant enrolment fees
• Result challenge within 24 hours
• Prize amount credited to your Emeasure Box wallet

How does the JEE Main Group Test work?

A JEE Main Group Test lets you prepare, practise, and compete with your friends or study group in the same online test. You can host or join a test, schedule it, attempt it with other participants, and compare your performance on the leaderboard.

Every Group Test has a Prize Pool. The enrolment fees paid by participants are converted into the Prize Pool, which is distributed according to the prize and ranking rules of the test.

Host or join a test

You can host a Group Test for your study group or join a test hosted by another participant. If someone invites you, you can use the shared invitation link and Group Test code to join.

Schedule the test

Choose a date and time for your Group Test and share it with your friends or study group. The test must be scheduled at least 5 minutes before its start time, giving participants time to join and get ready.

Join and attempt the test

Once the test starts, participants attempt the questions within the specified duration and according to the test rules. Focus on solving accurately while making efficient use of your time.

Compete on the leaderboard

After joining the test, you can compare your performance with other participants through the leaderboard. Your score, accuracy, speed, and ranking show how you performed in the group.

Compete for the Prize Pool

The enrolment fees paid by participants form the Prize Pool for the Group Test. Your final performance and ranking determine your prize according to the published prize rules.

Receive your prize

After the results are declared, the prize is processed according to the test rules. If there is no challenge, the prize amount is credited to your Emeasure Box wallet 24 hours after the results are declared.

If a result is challenged, the prize amount is credited after the review process is completed.

Why choose Emeasure Box for JEE Main Group Tests?

Emeasure Box makes JEE Main practice more interactive by bringing your friends, competition, rewards, and AI-powered performance analysis into one testing experience.

Learn and practise together

Prepare with your friends instead of always testing alone. Attempt the same test, compare different approaches, and discuss mistakes after the test.

Compete with your study group

See how you perform against your peers on the live leaderboard. Use your position as a benchmark and set a new target for your next test.

Get AI Deep Analysis

Go beyond your final score. AI Deep Analysis helps you understand your speed, accuracy, attempts, and solving behaviour, so you can identify what to improve next.

Earn Time Bonus for fast and correct answers

Answer correctly within the qualifying time to become eligible for Time Bonus according to the test rules. It encourages you to solve efficiently while maintaining accuracy.

Challenge your result when needed

Think there is an issue with your result? You can challenge it within 24 hours after the result is declared. The result is reviewed before the prize is released.

How does Group Test help improve JEE Main preparation?

Group Tests turn regular practice into a more focused and competitive learning experience. You can practise with friends, manage your time, compare your performance, and use your results to improve your next test.

Improve speed, accuracy, and time management

Timed practice helps you understand how quickly and accurately you solve questions. It also helps you recognise when to spend more time on a question and when to move on.

Compare your progress with peers

The leaderboard shows how your performance compares with other participants taking the same test. Use it as a benchmark to track your progress and set new targets.

Learn from different approaches

Your friends may solve the same question differently. Discussing solutions and mistakes after the test can help you discover new approaches and learn from your peers.

Build a regular testing habit

Scheduling tests with your study group gives you a fixed time to practise. Regular Group Tests can make JEE Main practice more consistent and engaging.

JEE Main Group Test vs regular mock test

A regular mock test is useful for individual practice and self-assessment. A Group Test adds collaborative learning, peer competition, performance analysis, and a Prize Pool to the testing experience.

The Group Test does not replace individual study or regular practice. It adds a collaborative and competitive way to test your JEE Main preparation.

How to join an Emeasure Box Group Test?

Joining a Group Test is simple. If you have received an invitation from your study group, use the shared link and follow the joining process.

Step 1: Open the invitation and enter the code

Click the invitation link shared with you, enter the 8-digit Group Test code, complete the required payment, and join the test.

Step 2: Check the test details

Before joining, review the information provided for the test, such as:

• Test name
• Exam and paper
• Test date and time
• Duration
• Number of participants
• Enrolment fee
• Prize and test rules

Step 3: Attempt the test

Be ready at the scheduled time and attempt the questions within the specified duration.

Focus on solving accurately while managing your time effectively.

Step 4: Check your result and analysis

After the test, check your score, leaderboard position, and available performance analysis.

You can also review your prize status and the applicable result challenge rules.

How to host a Group Test with friends?

Turn your regular study group into a testing group by hosting a shared test and inviting your friends.

Step 1: Select the JEE Main test

Choose the appropriate JEE Main test or paper available for your Group Test.

Step 2: Set the test schedule

Select the date and time when your group will attempt the test. The test must be scheduled at least 5 minutes before the start time.

Step 3: Configure the test

Set the participant limit and enrolment fee for your Group Test.

Step 4: Invite your friends

Share the Group Test invitation and 8-digit code with your classmates, friends, or study group so they can join.

Step 5: Attempt and compare

Once the test begins, everyone attempts the test according to the same rules. Afterward, use the leaderboard and available analysis to compare performance and identify areas for improvement.

Why does collaborative learning matter for JEE Main preparation?

JEE Main preparation can become repetitive when every test is taken alone. Collaborative learning gives you an opportunity to prepare with others, exchange ideas, and learn from different approaches.

Prepare together

Set a common testing schedule with your study group and work towards the same preparation goal.

Compare different approaches

Two students may solve the same question in different ways. Comparing approaches can help you discover new ways to think about a problem.

Discuss mistakes

After a Group Test, discussing incorrect or unattempted questions can help you understand mistakes and learn from your peers.

Keep each other accountable

Scheduled Group Tests give everyone a fixed time to practise and make testing a shared activity.

Turn preparation into a shared experience

Group testing adds interaction to your regular preparation. You can practise, compete, review your performance, and learn together.

Start your JEE Main Group Test on Emeasure Box

Ready to test your JEE Main preparation with your study group?

Host or join a JEE Main Group Test on Emeasure Box, invite your friends, compete on the leaderboard, analyse your performance, and compete for the Prize Pool.

Practise together. Compete fairly. Analyse your performance. Prepare better for JEE Main.