JEE Main 2027: Exam Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Cutoff and Counselling

JEE Main 2027 is India’s largest engineering entrance exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in two sessions — Session 1 in January and Session 2 in April 2027. The exam is the gateway for admission to more than 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, and over 50 Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) across India, and also serves as the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced 2027, which determines admission to the 23 IITs. In 2026, more than 15.38 lakh unique candidates appeared across both sessions, and a similar or higher turnout is expected in 2027. As of August 2026, the JEE Main 2027 official notification has not been released; it is expected from NTA in October 2026, based on previous year patterns.

• Official Notification: JEE Main 2027 notification is expected to be released on jeemain.nta.nic.in in October 2026. In 2026, the Session 1 notification came out on October 28, 2025.
• Session 1 Registration: JEE Main 2027 Session 1 application form is expected to be available from November 2026. In 2026, the registration window was open from October 28 to November 22, 2025 — around 25 days.
• Session 1 Exam: JEE Main 2027 Session 1 Paper 1 is expected in the third or fourth week of January 2027. In 2026, it was held from January 21 to 29, 2026, across five days in two shifts each day.
• Session 2 Exam: JEE Main 2027 Session 2 Paper 1 is expected in the first week of April 2027. In 2026, Session 2 ran from April 2 to April 8, 2026, across multiple shifts.

What is JEE Main 2027?

JEE Main 2027 stands for Joint Entrance Examination (Main) 2027. NTA conducts it every year in two sessions — once in January and once in April — as the primary gateway for engineering aspirants in India. Qualifying JEE Main is mandatory for admission to undergraduate programs (B.E./B.Tech) at NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. The exam also serves as the screening test for JEE Advanced, which determines admission to all 23 IITs.

JEE Main has three papers. Paper 1 is for B.E./B.Tech aspirants and is the most popular. Paper 2A is for students applying to B.Arch programs, and Paper 2B is for B.Planning. All three papers are conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode, except the Drawing section in Paper 2A, which remains pen-and-paper.

You can appear in both sessions or just one. If you appear in both, NTA takes your better NTA score for the final All India Rank (AIR). This gives students two chances in the same cycle, which significantly reduces risk. JEE Main is also one of the few exams where a single registration cycle gives you two separate attempts to improve your score.

JEE Main 2027 Key Highlights

Source: NTA JEE Main Official Website

How Many Students Appeared for JEE Main in 2026?

In 2026, a total of 16,04,854 unique candidates registered across both sessions, and 15,38,474 of them actually appeared. Session 1 alone recorded 13,55,293 registrations with 13,04,653 appearing — a 96.26% attendance rate. Session 2 had 11,10,904 registrations and 10,34,330 appeared.

Out of all candidates, 8,61,343 registered for both sessions and 8,00,516 appeared in both. This shows that a very large share of serious JEE Main aspirants take both attempts every cycle to maximize their score and secure a better AIR. In 2027, similar or slightly higher participation numbers are expected as the engineering aspirant pool continues to grow.

JEE Main 2027 Important Dates

NTA has not released the JEE Main 2027 official schedule yet. The expected dates below are based on the 2026 cycle pattern and are subject to change once NTA releases the official notification. Keep checking jeemain.nta.nic.in for updates.

All JEE Main 2027 dates listed below are expected and tentative. The official schedule will be confirmed only after NTA releases the notification — expected in October 2026.

JEE Main 2027 Eligibility Criteria

Before you apply for JEE Main 2027, you should check all eligibility conditions carefully. Here are the main criteria set by NTA for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech). Paper 2A and 2B have additional or different subject requirements.

Class 12 Qualifying Exam Requirement

You should have passed Class 12 or an equivalent qualifying examination in 2025 or 2026. If you are appearing in Class 12 in 2027, you can also apply — you will need to submit your results when available. Students who passed Class 12 in 2024 or earlier are NOT eligible for JEE Main 2027.

Mandatory Subjects for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)

You must have Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects in Class 12. The third subject can be Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or any technical vocational subject. Without Physics and Math in Class 12, you cannot appear in Paper 1.

For Paper 2A (B.Arch), the required subjects are Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology. For Paper 2B (B.Planning), Mathematics is mandatory along with any two other subjects from Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or technical vocational subjects.

Minimum Marks in Class 12

NTA has restored the 75% marks requirement in Class 12 for admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. You need at least 75% aggregate in your Class 12 board exams to be eligible for seat allotment in these institutes. SC and ST candidates need at least 65%.

The 75% criterion is for NIT/IIIT/GFTI admission only — not for appearing in the exam. You can still appear in JEE Main 2027 with less than 75% marks in Class 12, but your rank will not be valid for NIT/IIIT/GFTI admission.

Age Limit

There is no age limit to appear in JEE Main 2027. NTA removed the upper age bar from JEE Main several years ago. Any student who has passed or is appearing in Class 12 can apply, regardless of their age.

Number of Attempts

You can appear in JEE Main for 3 consecutive years starting from the year of your first attempt. Both sessions in a single year count as ONE attempt year, not two. So if 2027 is your first year, you can also appear in 2028 and 2029. After three years, you are no longer eligible.

JEE Main 2027 Application Process and Fees

You can apply for JEE Main 2027 online only, at jeemain.nta.nic.in. There is no offline registration. The process is the same for both sessions, and you pay the fee separately for each session you want to attempt.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

• Step 1 — New Candidate Registration: Visit the official website and click on ’New Candidate Registration’. Enter your basic details (name, email, mobile) to create a login ID and password.
• Step 2 — Fill the Application Form: Log in and fill in your personal details, academic details, choice of paper (Paper 1, 2A, 2B, or a combination), and preferred exam cities (up to 3).
• Step 3 — Upload Documents: Upload a recent scanned passport-size photo (white background preferred), your signature, and Class 10 certificate. Upload category certificate if you fall under OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, or PwD.
• Step 4 — Pay the Application Fee: Pay online using a debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI/PayTM. The fee is non-refundable in all cases, even if you do not appear for the exam.
• Step 5 — Download Confirmation Page: After payment, download and save your confirmation page. You will need your application number for all future JEE Main processes — admit card download, result, counselling.

Register only on the official NTA website at jeemain.nta.nic.in. Do not use third-party websites that claim to submit the form on your behalf, as these are not authorized by NTA.

JEE Main 2027 Application Fee (Based on 2026 Pattern)

The fees below are based on JEE Main 2026. NTA may revise them for 2027. The fee shown is per session — if you apply for both sessions, you pay for each separately.

For exam centers outside India (UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, etc.), the fee is higher — around Rs. 5,000 for General category. NTA allows you to choose 3 preferred exam cities during registration. You should pick cities near your home to avoid last-minute travel disruptions.

Documents Required for JEE Main 2027 Registration

• Class 10 mark sheet or certificate (for date of birth proof)
• Class 12 mark sheet (for pass-out candidates) or school ID / enrollment letter (for appearing candidates)
• Scanned passport-size photograph (recent, white background)
• Scanned signature (on white paper)
• Aadhaar card or any other valid photo ID
• Category certificate — OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, or PwD (if applicable)

JEE Main 2027 Syllabus

The JEE Main 2027 syllabus is based on the NCERT Class 11 and Class 12 curriculum for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. NTA revised the syllabus in 2023 by removing some topics. That revised syllabus has been in use since JEE Main 2024 and is expected to continue for 2027 as well, unless NTA announces changes in the official notification.

You should always download the official NTA syllabus PDF when it is released for 2027 and not rely on older versions, since topics can be removed or added between cycles.

Physics Syllabus — Key Topics

• Units and Measurements; Kinematics; Laws of Motion
• Work, Energy and Power; Rotational Motion and Moment of Inertia
• Gravitation; Properties of Solids and Liquids (Elasticity, Surface Tension, Viscosity)
• Thermodynamics; Kinetic Theory of Gases; Oscillations and Waves
• Electrostatics; Current Electricity; Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism
• Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents; Electromagnetic Waves
• Optics (Ray Optics and Wave Optics); Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation
• Atoms and Nuclei; Semiconductor Devices and Simple Circuits

High-weightage Physics chapters: Electrostatics and Current Electricity, Mechanics (Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Rotational Motion), Modern Physics, and Optics typically carry the most questions in JEE Main Paper 1.

Chemistry Syllabus — Key Topics

• Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry; Structure of Atom; Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
• States of Matter; Thermodynamics; Equilibrium; Redox Reactions
• Hydrogen; s-Block Elements (Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals)
• p-Block Elements (Groups 13–18); d- and f-Block Elements; Coordination Compounds
• Organic Chemistry — Basic Principles and Techniques; Hydrocarbons; Haloalkanes and Haloarenes
• Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers; Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids; Amines
• Biomolecules; Polymers; Chemistry in Everyday Life; Environmental Chemistry

Mathematics Syllabus — Key Topics

• Sets, Relations and Functions; Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations
• Matrices and Determinants; Permutations and Combinations; Binomial Theorem
• Sequences and Series; Limits, Continuity and Differentiability (Differential Calculus)
• Applications of Derivatives; Integral Calculus (Indefinite and Definite Integrals)
• Differential Equations; Coordinate Geometry (Straight Lines, Circles, Parabola, Ellipse, Hyperbola)
• Vector Algebra; Three Dimensional Geometry; Trigonometry
• Statistics and Probability; Mathematical Reasoning

High-weightage Math chapters: Calculus (Differential + Integral) alone accounts for roughly 35–40% of Mathematics questions in JEE Main. Coordinate Geometry and Algebra are the next most important areas.

JEE Main 2027 Admit Card

NTA releases the JEE Main admit card separately for Session 1 and Session 2. You can download it from your official login on jeemain.nta.nic.in using your application number and password. NTA does not send admit cards by post — the only way to get it is online.

For JEE Main 2027, the Session 1 admit card is expected in January 2027 — usually 7 to 10 days before the exam begins. In 2026, the Session 1 admit card was released on January 18, 2026, for exams starting January 21, 2026. The Session 2 admit card is expected in late March or early April 2027.

Before the admit card, NTA releases a City Intimation Slip. The slip tells you your exam city — it comes out a few days before the admit card. Once the slip is out, you can plan your travel and accommodation. You cannot change your exam city after the correction window has closed.

What to Carry on JEE Main 2027 Exam Day

• Printed Admit Card: Must be on A4 paper — photocopies are not allowed
• Original Photo ID: Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, voter ID, or driving licence
• Passport-size photograph: Same photo as uploaded in the application form
• Category / PwD certificate: If applicable (check your admit card for exact document list)

Mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth earphones, calculators, and all electronic devices are strictly prohibited inside the exam hall. Carry only the allowed documents listed on your admit card to avoid being barred from the exam centre.

JEE Main 2027 Answer Key

NTA releases the JEE Main provisional answer key for Paper 1 within a few days after the last exam shift of each session. For 2027, the Session 1 provisional answer key is expected in late January or early February 2027, and the Session 2 answer key in mid-to-late April 2027.

After the provisional answer key is published, NTA opens an objection window — usually 2 to 3 days — where you can challenge specific answers by paying Rs. 200 per question online. If your objection is accepted, the answer is revised in the final key and your fee is refunded. If rejected, the fee is not returned. NTA then releases the Final Answer Key before or along with the result, and all scores are calculated using only the final key.

• Provisional Answer Key: Released a few days after the last exam date for each session
• Objection Window: 2–3 days to challenge answers online (Rs. 200 per question)
• Final Answer Key: Released just before or along with the result; used for score calculation

In 2026, NTA revised some answers in the Session 2 paper after reviewing objections before declaring the final result on April 20, 2026. Reviewing the answer key carefully before the objection window closes can help you recover marks if NTA has made an error.

Top Colleges Accepting JEE Main 2027 Score

JEE Main 2027 score is accepted for admission across more than 900 engineering institutes in India. This includes all 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, and more than 50 GFTIs — totalling around 67,000+ seats in these central institutes alone. Many state government colleges and private engineering institutes also accept JEE Main scores for their B.Tech programs. Here are some of the most sought-after colleges.

Top NITs Accepting JEE Main 2027

Top IIITs Accepting JEE Main 2027

Apart from these, top GFTIs like IIEST Shibpur (West Bengal), BIT Mesra (Jharkhand), PEC University of Technology (Chandigarh), and Assam University of Science and Technology also accept JEE Main scores. Many state-level universities and private colleges across India use JEE Main scores as part of their admission criteria, expanding your options well beyond NITs and IIITs alone.

JEE Main 2027 Preparation Tips

JEE Main 2027 will be held in January and April 2027. If you are in Class 11 right now (August 2026), you have more than a year to prepare. If you are in Class 12, Session 1 is roughly 5 months away. Here are focused, practical tips to help you maximize your JEE Main 2027 score.

Build Your Foundation with NCERT First

The JEE Main syllabus is directly derived from NCERT Class 11 and Class 12 textbooks. For Chemistry — especially Inorganic and theory-heavy Organic chapters — NCERT alone is often sufficient to get full marks. For Physics and Mathematics, NCERT builds the foundation but additional practice books are needed for numerical problem-solving. Never skip NCERT examples and exercises.

Subject-wise Strategy

• Physics: Focus on Mechanics (Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Rotational Motion), Electrostatics, Current Electricity, and Modern Physics — these areas carry the most questions. Solve numericals daily. Understand formulas with their derivations rather than memorizing them blindly, so you can apply them in new situations.
• Chemistry: Split your preparation into three parts. Physical Chemistry needs consistent numerical practice (Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Electrochemistry). Organic Chemistry requires knowing reaction mechanisms — draw them out step by step. Inorganic Chemistry is best covered through NCERT and concise revision tables for s-, p-, d-, and f-block elements.
• Mathematics: Calculus (Differential + Integral) is the single biggest scoring area in JEE Main — master it first. Then focus on Coordinate Geometry and Algebra. Practice a large volume of problems in these topics to build both speed and accuracy. Mathematics requires regular timed practice far more than reading theory.

Mock Tests and Previous Year Papers are Non-Negotiable

You should solve JEE Main previous year papers from 2018 onwards — especially since NTA took over and introduced the current pattern. NTA also releases official free mock tests on its website that simulate the exact CBT interface. This is crucial because the real exam environment feels different from paper-based practice. In the last 3 months before the exam, attempt at least 2 full-length mock tests every week under timed conditions.

Section B Strategy: Zero Negative Marking is Your Advantage

Section B (Numerical) has no negative marking. This means you should always attempt all 5 numerical questions in each subject, even when you are not fully confident. A calculated guess or a partially worked-out solution can earn you 4 marks for free. Many students skip Section B numericals — which is a mistake. Spending focused time on Section B calculations can add 20 to 40 marks to your total, which can lift your percentile significantly.

Track Your Weak Areas and Revise Regularly

Make short revision notes for formulas, reaction mechanisms, and key theorems. Revise them every week, not just before the exam. After each mock test, identify the topics where you consistently lose marks. Spend additional time on those weak areas instead of re-practicing topics you already handle well. Balanced preparation across all three subjects is essential — even a weak performance in one subject can drag your percentile down noticeably because each subject’s NTA score contributes to your overall NTA score.