JEE Main 2026 has been conducted successfully across two sessions — Session 1 from January 21 to 29, 2026 and Session 2 from April 2 to 9, 2026 — with more than 16 lakh unique candidates appearing nationwide. The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and serves as the primary gateway to B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning admissions at NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and other centrally funded technical institutions, as well as the qualifying test for JEE Advanced 2026. JoSAA 2026 counselling concluded all 5 rounds by July 16, 2026, completing seat allotment across 67,323 available seats at IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
- JEE Main 2027 Session 1 Registration: NTA is expected to release the JEE Main 2027 notification in October/November 2026. For JEE Main 2026, Session 1 registration opened on October 31, 2025 — aspirants preparing for 2027 should watch jeemain.nta.nic.in closely.
- CSAB 2026 Special Rounds: Vacant NIT/IIIT/GFTI seats from JoSAA 2026 are being filled through CSAB 2026 special rounds. CSAB typically wraps up by October — check csab.nic.in for the latest schedule and remaining seat availability.
- JEE Main 2027 Session 1 Exam: Expected in January 2027. JEE Main 2026 Session 1 ran January 21–29, 2026 across 319 cities — giving 2027 aspirants a clear benchmark for preparation timelines.
- JEE Main 2027 Session 2 Exam: Expected in April 2027. JEE Main 2026 Session 2 was held April 2–9, 2026. With roughly 6 months to the next Session 1, this is the critical preparation window for 2027 aspirants.
What is JEE Main 2026?
JEE Main 2026 — short for Joint Entrance Examination Main 2026 — is the national-level engineering entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It is the most widely attempted engineering entrance exam in India, with more than 16 lakh candidates appearing each year. The exam tests candidates in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics at Class 11 and 12 level.
JEE Main 2026 serves two key purposes. First, it is the qualifying exam for admissions to B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning programmes at 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, 39 GFTIs, and several other state government-funded institutions. Second, the top 2.5 lakh scorers in JEE Main are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced, which grants admission to the 23 IITs.
NTA conducts JEE Main in two sessions every year — Session 1 in January and Session 2 in April. You can appear in one or both sessions; NTA considers the best of your two NTA Scores for merit ranking. The exam is held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across cities in India and select international locations.
JEE Main 2026 introduced several important changes. All 5 numerical value questions in Section B are now compulsory — the earlier option to attempt 5 out of 10 has been removed. Negative marking of -1 now applies to wrong answers in Section B as well. The in-exam virtual calculator has also been discontinued. These changes reward thorough preparation and reduce the scope for guessing.
JEE Main 2026: Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Number of Sessions | 2 (Session 1: January, Session 2: April) |
| Session 1 Dates | January 21–29, 2026 |
| Session 2 Dates | April 2–9, 2026 |
| Total Unique Candidates (Both Sessions) | 16,04,854 registered; 15,38,468 appeared |
| Paper 1 Duration | 3 hours |
| Paper 1 Total Marks | 300 |
| Subjects (Paper 1) | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Total JoSAA 2026 Seats | 67,323 (IITs + NITs + IIITs + GFTIs) |
| JEE Advanced 2026 Qualifying Cutoff (General) | 93.41 percentile |
| Official Website | jeemain.nta.nic.in |
JEE Main 2026: Important Dates
All events in the JEE Main 2026 calendar have been completed as of October 2026. The full timeline is listed below in chronological order, from the earliest event to the most recent.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 Registration Opens | October 31, 2025 | (Over) |
| Session 1 Registration Closes | November 27, 2025 | (Over) |
| Session 1 Exam Dates | January 21–29, 2026 | (Over) |
| Session 2 Registration Opens | February 1, 2026 | (Over) |
| Session 1 Result — Paper 1 (B.Tech) | February 16, 2026 | (Out) |
| Session 1 Result — Paper 2A / 2B | February 24, 2026 | (Out) |
| Session 2 Registration Closes | February 25, 2026 | (Over) |
| Session 2 Exam Dates | April 2–9, 2026 | (Over) |
| Session 2 Result — Paper 1 (B.Tech) | April 20, 2026 | (Out) |
| Session 2 Result — Paper 2A / 2B | May 5, 2026 | (Out) |
| JEE Advanced 2026 Exam (IIT Roorkee) | May 17, 2026 | (Over) |
| JEE Advanced 2026 Result | June 1, 2026 | (Out) |
| JoSAA 2026 Registration Opens | June 2, 2026 | (Over) |
| JoSAA 2026 Round 1 Seat Allotment | June 13, 2026 | (Out) |
| JoSAA 2026 Round 5 (Final) Seat Allotment | July 16, 2026 | (Out) |
Source: jeemain.nta.nic.in
JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria
You should check the JEE Main 2026 eligibility carefully before applying. NTA disqualifies candidates who do not meet the criteria, even after the exam is over.
Age Limit
There is no age limit for JEE Main. You can apply at any age as long as you meet the academic qualification criteria.
Academic Qualification
- You must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2026.
- Candidates who passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025 are also eligible.
- Candidates who passed in 2023 or earlier are not eligible for JEE Main 2026.
- You must have studied Physics, Mathematics, and at least one of Chemistry / Biology / Biotechnology / Technical Vocational subject in Class 12.
- For Paper 2A (B.Arch), Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics are all compulsory in Class 12.
- For Paper 2B (B.Planning), only Mathematics in Class 12 is required as the minimum.
Number of Attempts
You can attempt JEE Main a maximum of 3 consecutive years after passing Class 12. Each year has two sessions; appearing in both sessions in a single year counts as one attempt year.
Nationality
Indian citizens are eligible. NRIs, PIOs, OCIs, and foreign nationals can also apply. Candidates from Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, and Meghalaya need state-issued domicile certificates if they do not have Aadhaar.
Minimum Marks in Class 12
NTA does not set a minimum percentage in Class 12 for appearing in JEE Main. However, NIT admissions require at least 75% aggregate in Class 12 (or being in the top 20 percentile of the respective board). SC/ST candidates need 65%. You should also check individual institute rules.
JEE Main 2026 Application Process
The JEE Main 2026 application process was fully online at jeemain.nta.nic.in. NTA introduced stricter verification steps in 2026, including mandatory Aadhaar/DigiLocker eKYC, live photo capture, and APAAR ID submission. Here are the steps candidates followed:
- Step 1 – New Registration: Create a new account on the JEE Main portal using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Step 2 – eKYC / Aadhaar Verification: Complete Aadhaar-based eKYC. This was mandatory for all candidates in 2026.
- Step 3 – Fill Application Form: Enter personal details, academic details, exam paper choice, exam city preferences, and category details accurately.
- Step 4 – Live Photo Capture: Upload a live photo taken via webcam or mobile camera. Scanned copies of photos were not accepted in 2026.
- Step 5 – Upload Documents: Upload Class 10 marksheet, Class 12 marksheet (if passed), and category certificate if applicable.
- Step 6 – Pay Fees: Pay the non-refundable application fee online via credit card, debit card, UPI, or net banking.
JEE Main 2026 Application Fees
| Category | Paper 1 or 2 Only | Both Paper 1 & 2 |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC-NCL (India) | ₹1,000 | ₹2,000 |
| General / OBC-NCL (Outside India) | ₹5,000 | ₹10,000 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Transgender (India) | ₹500 | ₹1,000 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Transgender (Outside India) | ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 |
Note: Female candidates in all categories pay the same reduced fee as SC/ST/PwBD/Transgender category.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern
The JEE Main 2026 exam pattern had key changes from 2025. You should be aware of these — especially the removal of optional questions in Section B and the introduction of negative marking for numerical questions.
Paper 1 — B.E. / B.Tech
| Particulars | Physics | Chemistry | Mathematics | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A (MCQ) — Questions | 20 | 20 | 20 | 60 |
| Section B (Numerical) — Questions | 5 | 5 | 5 | 15 |
| Total Questions | 25 | 25 | 25 | 75 |
| Marks — Correct Answer | +4 | +4 | +4 | — |
| Marks — Wrong Answer | -1 | -1 | -1 | — |
| Total Marks | 100 | 100 | 100 | 300 |
Key change in 2026: All 5 numerical questions in Section B are compulsory — there is no longer a choice of 5 out of 10. Wrong answers in Section B now carry -1 negative marking. The in-exam virtual calculator has also been removed.
Paper 2A — B.Arch
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics (MCQ + Numerical) | 25 | 100 |
| Aptitude Test (MCQ) | 50 | 200 |
| Drawing Test | 2 | 100 |
| Total | 77 | 400 |
Paper 2B — B.Planning
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics (MCQ + Numerical) | 25 | 100 |
| Aptitude Test (MCQ) | 50 | 200 |
| Planning-Based Questions (MCQ) | 25 | 100 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
The exam duration for all papers is 3 hours. For PwBD candidates with certain disabilities, 4 hours are given. The exam is available in English, Hindi, and 13 regional languages.
JEE Main 2026 Syllabus
The JEE Main 2026 syllabus covers Class 11 and Class 12 topics in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. NTA released a revised syllabus aligned with the National Curriculum Framework 2023, removing some topics from the earlier version. Always use the official NTA-released syllabus PDF for preparation — third-party syllabi may be outdated.
Physics (Key Topics)
- Class 11: Units and Measurement, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work-Energy-Power, Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Properties of Solids and Fluids, Thermodynamics, Oscillations and Waves
- Class 12: Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction, AC Circuits, Optics, Dual Nature of Radiation, Atoms and Nuclei, Semiconductor Devices
Chemistry (Key Topics)
- Class 11: Basic Concepts, Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, States of Matter, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Redox, s-Block, p-Block Elements, Hydrocarbons, Environmental Chemistry
- Class 12: Solutions, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, d and f Block Elements, Coordination Compounds, Haloalkanes, Alcohols, Aldehydes and Ketones, Carboxylic Acids, Amines, Biomolecules, Polymers
Mathematics (Key Topics)
- Class 11: Sets, Relations and Functions, Trigonometry, Complex Numbers, Permutations and Combinations, Binomial Theorem, Sequences and Series, Straight Lines, Conic Sections, Limits and Derivatives
- Class 12: Matrices and Determinants, Continuity and Differentiability, Applications of Derivatives and Integrals, Differential Equations, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Probability
Source: NTA JEE Main Official Website
JEE Main 2026 Admit Card
The JEE Main 2026 admit card was released separately for both sessions on the official NTA portal. Candidates downloaded it by logging in with their application number and date of birth.
- Session 1 Admit Card: Released in mid-January 2026, approximately 3–4 days before the exam start date.
- Session 2 Admit Card: Released in late March 2026, approximately 3–4 days before Session 2 exam dates.
- The admit card carried the candidate’s name, roll number, exam date, shift, exam centre address, reporting time, and photograph.
- Candidates had to carry a printout of the admit card along with one valid government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, etc.) to the exam centre.
- NTA also released a city intimation slip around 10–12 days before the admit card, so candidates could know their exam city in advance and make travel plans.
For JEE Main 2027, the Session 1 city intimation slip is expected in early January 2027, and the admit card in mid-January 2027 — following the same pattern as 2026.
JEE Main 2026 Result
NTA has declared both Session 1 and Session 2 results for JEE Main 2026. The results include each candidate’s NTA Score (percentile), subject-wise scores, and All India Rank (AIR). For the final AIR, NTA picks the best NTA Score across both sessions.
- Session 1 Paper 1 Result: Declared on February 16, 2026
- Session 1 Paper 2A / 2B Result: Declared on February 24, 2026
- Session 2 Paper 1 Result: Declared on April 20, 2026
- Session 2 Paper 2A / 2B Result: Declared on May 5, 2026
NTA uses a percentile normalization method to compute scores across multiple shifts. Your NTA Score reflects the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or below you in that session and shift.
How to Check JEE Main 2026 Result
- Go to jeemain.nta.nic.in and click on the result or scorecard link.
- Enter your application number and date of birth to log in.
- Your scorecard shows the NTA Score (overall and subject-wise) and your category-wise rank.
- Download and save the scorecard — it is required for JoSAA counselling and direct college admissions.
JEE Main 2026 Toppers (Session 2)
In JEE Main 2026 Session 2, 26 candidates achieved a perfect NTA Score of 100 (100th percentile) in Paper 1. Multiple candidates scored 100 percentile in individual subjects. The highest raw score recorded in Session 2 Paper 1 was a perfect 300 out of 300.
JEE Main 2026 Cutoff for JEE Advanced
The JEE Main 2026 cutoff for JEE Advanced qualification was released alongside the Session 2 result on April 20, 2026. Only candidates meeting this cutoff among the top 2.5 lakh were eligible to register for JEE Advanced 2026.
| Category | JEE Main 2026 Qualifying Percentile | JEE Main 2025 Qualifying Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| General / UR | 93.41 | 89.75 |
| EWS | 82.42 | 75.62 |
| OBC-NCL | 80.92 | 74.91 |
| SC | 63.92 | 54.01 |
| ST | 52.02 | 44.05 |
| UR-PwBD | 0.0023 | 0.0013 |
The General category cutoff rose from 89.75 percentile in 2025 to 93.41 percentile in 2026 — a jump of nearly 3.7 percentile points. This rise is due to a higher number of top-range scorers and a more competitive Session 2 paper. The rise across all categories signals a tougher qualifying bar for JEE Advanced 2026 compared to 2025.
Note: This cutoff is only for JEE Advanced eligibility. The admission cutoff (closing rank) for specific NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs is different and is set by JoSAA counselling rounds.
Source: jeemain.nta.nic.in
JEE Main 2026 Marks vs Rank / Percentile
Your JEE Main score is expressed as an NTA Score (percentile), not a raw marks rank. This NTA Score is used to determine your All India Rank (AIR). The table below gives an approximate marks vs percentile mapping for JEE Main 2026 Paper 1, based on Session 2 data.
| Marks (out of 300) | Approx. NTA Score (Percentile) | Approx. AIR (General Category) |
|---|---|---|
| 285–300 | 99.9+ | 1–100 |
| 265–284 | 99.5–99.9 | 100–600 |
| 240–264 | 98.5–99.5 | 600–2,200 |
| 220–239 | 97.0–98.5 | 2,200–5,000 |
| 200–219 | 95.0–97.0 | 5,000–12,000 |
| 180–199 | 92.0–95.0 | 12,000–25,000 |
| 160–179 | 87.0–92.0 | 25,000–50,000 |
| 140–159 | 80.0–87.0 | 50,000–90,000 |
| 120–139 | 70.0–80.0 | 90,000–1,50,000 |
| 100–119 | 55.0–70.0 | 1,50,000–2,50,000 |
These figures are approximate estimates based on Session 2 Paper 1 data. The actual AIR depends on the exact number of candidates who appeared in each shift and session. NTA’s normalization formula accounts for difficulty variation across shifts.
To qualify for JEE Advanced 2026 in the General category, a candidate needed at least 93.41 percentile — which corresponds roughly to 200+ marks in Paper 1, depending on the session and shift difficulty.
JEE Main 2026 Registration Statistics
JEE Main 2026 saw strong participation across both sessions, with total unique registrations crossing 16 lakh — reflecting the growing number of students targeting engineering admissions each year.
| Statistic | Session 1 (January) | Session 2 (April) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered | 13,55,293 | 11,10,904 |
| Appeared | 13,04,653 | 10,34,330 |
| Attendance Rate | ~96% | ~93% |
- Total unique candidates registered across both sessions: 16,04,854
- Total unique candidates who appeared: 15,38,468
- Candidates appearing in both sessions: approximately 8 lakh
- 26 candidates achieved a perfect 100 NTA Score in Session 2 Paper 1
Session 1 traditionally draws more candidates since many students want an early attempt before final board exams. Session 2 sees slightly lower numbers as some candidates are satisfied with their Session 1 score. The overall attendance rate stayed high at around 95%, showing strong commitment from registered candidates.
JEE Advanced 2026
JEE Advanced 2026 was conducted by IIT Roorkee on May 17, 2026. It is the second stage exam for IIT admissions, with 18,951 B.Tech seats across 23 IITs on offer through JoSAA 2026 counselling.
- Conducting Institute: IIT Roorkee
- Exam Date: May 17, 2026
- Registered: 1,87,389 candidates
- Appeared: 1,79,694 candidates
- Result Declared: June 1, 2026 (10:00 AM IST)
- Total Qualified: 56,880 candidates (including 10,107 female candidates)
- Topper: Shubham Kumar — scored 330 out of 360 marks
- General Category Qualifying Marks: 92 out of 360 (with minimum 8 marks per subject)
To be eligible for JEE Advanced 2026, a candidate needed to be among the top 2.5 lakh in JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 — requiring at least 93.41 percentile in the General category. The 2.5 lakh eligibility quota includes seats reserved across all categories combined.
Source: jeeadv.ac.in
JoSAA 2026 Counselling
JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) 2026 managed admissions to all IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs using JEE Main and JEE Advanced 2026 scores. All 5 rounds of seat allotment are now complete. Candidates who got seats through JoSAA completed institute reporting and document verification between July and August 2026.
JoSAA 2026 Round-Wise Schedule (Completed)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| JoSAA Registration Opens | June 2, 2026 |
| Mock Seat Allotment 1 | June 8, 2026 |
| Mock Seat Allotment 2 + Choice Locking | June 10, 2026 |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment | June 13, 2026 |
| Round 2 Seat Allotment | June 30, 2026 |
| Round 3 Seat Allotment | July 6, 2026 |
| Round 4 Seat Allotment | July 10, 2026 |
| Round 5 (Final) Seat Allotment | July 16, 2026 |
JoSAA 2026 Total Seats
| Institute Type | Number of Institutes | Total Seats (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| IITs | 23 | 18,951 |
| NITs | 31 | 25,162 |
| IIITs | 26 | 11,518 |
| GFTIs | 39 | 11,692 |
| Total | 119 | 67,323 |
JoSAA 2026 added 4,470 new seats compared to JoSAA 2025 (which had 62,853 seats). The increase came mainly from new programmes added at NITs and IIITs. Any vacant seats remaining after all 5 JoSAA rounds moved to CSAB 2026 special rounds for further allotment.
Top Colleges Accepting JEE Main 2026 Score
JEE Main 2026 score is accepted by more than 1,800 engineering colleges across India. The most sought-after institutions are the NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs that admit through JoSAA. Below are some of the top institutions and their approximate JoSAA 2026 closing ranks for B.Tech Computer Science Engineering (General category, Other State quota, Round 5) for reference.
| Institute | Programme | Approx. Closing Rank (JoSAA 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| NIT Trichy | B.Tech CSE | ~2,500–4,500 |
| NIT Warangal | B.Tech CSE | ~3,000–5,500 |
| NIT Surathkal | B.Tech CSE | ~3,500–6,000 |
| NIT Calicut | B.Tech CSE | ~4,500–7,500 |
| NIT Rourkela | B.Tech CSE | ~5,500–9,000 |
| MNIT Jaipur | B.Tech CSE | ~5,000–8,500 |
| NIT Allahabad (MNNIT) | B.Tech CSE | ~6,000–10,000 |
| IIIT Hyderabad | B.Tech CSE | ~500–1,500 |
| IIIT Delhi | B.Tech CSE | ~2,500–5,000 |
These are approximate closing ranks for reference. Actual figures vary by quota (Home State vs Other State), gender pool, and category. Check josaa.nic.in for the official JoSAA 2026 opening and closing rank data.
Beyond NITs and IIITs, JEE Main score is accepted by state technical universities such as DTU and NSUT in Delhi, UPTU-affiliated colleges, and many private engineering colleges that conduct direct JEE Main score-based admissions.
Preparation Tips for JEE Main 2027
If you are targeting JEE Main 2027, the complete 2026 question papers and answer keys are now available — giving you a clear picture of the expected difficulty level and question distribution. Use this cycle’s data to plan your preparation smartly.
Key Changes to Prepare For in 2027
- All Section B numericals are compulsory: Since 2026, all 5 numerical questions in Section B must be attempted — there is no choice. Prepare every numerical topic without gaps; you can no longer skip difficult chapters and compensate elsewhere.
- Negative marking on numericals: A wrong numerical answer costs -1 mark. Do not guess on Section B — only attempt questions you are confident about.
- No virtual calculator: Practise mental arithmetic and avoid calculator dependency during preparation. Speed in arithmetic is a competitive advantage in Paper 1.
Subject-wise Strategy
- Mathematics: Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, and Algebra together carry the highest weightage. Aim to solve at least 50 problems per major topic. Each question in Paper 1 must be solved in under 3 minutes on average — speed and accuracy both matter.
- Physics: Mechanics and Electrostatics are consistently high-weight chapters. Understand the concept before jumping to problem practice. Numerical problems in Physics demand quick formula recall under time pressure.
- Chemistry: Organic and Physical Chemistry together make up around 70% of marks. NCERT is non-negotiable for Inorganic Chemistry — most questions come directly from NCERT text and reactions. Do not skip NCERT for any Chemistry topic.
Study Schedule
- Finish the full JEE Main syllabus by November 2026. Use December–January for revision and full-length mock tests.
- Attempt at least 20 full-length CBT-mode mock tests before Session 1.
- Review every mock test in detail — identify time-wasting patterns, silly mistakes, and topic gaps.
- A good Session 1 score gives you a safety net; plan your Session 2 target based on Session 1 results.
FAQs
Ques. What is the JEE Main 2026 cutoff for JEE Advanced?
Ans. The JEE Main 2026 cutoff for JEE Advanced was 93.41 percentile for the General category. Other categories: EWS — 82.42, OBC-NCL — 80.92, SC — 63.92, ST — 52.02, UR-PwBD — 0.0023. The top 2.5 lakh candidates across all categories were eligible to register for JEE Advanced 2026.
Ques. How many attempts are allowed in JEE Main?
Ans. You can appear in JEE Main for a maximum of 3 consecutive years after passing Class 12. Each year has two sessions (January and April). Attempting both sessions in a single year counts as one attempt year — not two.
Ques. What are the new changes in JEE Main 2026 exam pattern?
Ans. JEE Main 2026 had three major changes compared to 2025:
- All 5 numerical questions in Section B are now compulsory (no choice of 5 out of 10).
- Negative marking of -1 now applies to wrong answers in Section B numericals.
- The in-exam virtual calculator has been removed.
Ques. Is there negative marking in JEE Main 2026?
Ans. Yes. Section A (MCQ) carries -1 for wrong answers. From 2026, Section B (Numerical) also carries -1 for wrong answers — this is a new change from the previous pattern. Unanswered questions carry 0 marks in both sections.
Ques. How many seats are there in NITs through JEE Main 2026?
Ans. JoSAA 2026 had 25,162 seats at 31 NITs. In total, JoSAA 2026 offered 67,323 seats across IITs (18,951), NITs (25,162), IIITs (11,518), and GFTIs (11,692) — an increase of 4,470 seats compared to JoSAA 2025.
Ques. How many students appeared for JEE Main 2026?
Ans. A total of 15,38,468 unique candidates appeared across both sessions of JEE Main 2026. Session 1 had 13,04,653 candidates appear and Session 2 had 10,34,330. Around 8 lakh candidates appeared in both sessions.
Ques. Can I appear in both sessions of JEE Main?
Ans. Yes. You can appear in both Session 1 (January) and Session 2 (April) in the same year. NTA considers your best NTA Score across both sessions for the final All India Rank. Both sessions together count as one attempt year out of your 3 allowed years.
Ques. What is the minimum score to get into NIT through JEE Main?
Ans. There is no single minimum score for all NITs — it depends on the NIT, branch, category, and quota. For a top NIT like NIT Trichy CSE in General category (Other State quota), you typically need an AIR below 3,000–4,500. For less competitive branches at newer NITs, an AIR of 50,000–80,000 may be sufficient. Check JoSAA’s official round-wise data for exact closing ranks.
Ques. When will JEE Main 2027 registration start?
Ans. JEE Main 2027 Session 1 registration is expected to open in October/November 2026. JEE Main 2026 Session 1 registration opened on October 31, 2025. Watch the official NTA portal jeemain.nta.nic.in for the official 2027 notification.
Ques. Is NCERT enough for JEE Main Chemistry?
Ans. NCERT is essential for JEE Main Chemistry. For Inorganic Chemistry, most questions come directly from NCERT text, reactions, and tables — NCERT alone is largely sufficient here. For Physical and Organic Chemistry, supplement NCERT with additional problem practice. Do not skip NCERT for any Chemistry topic, regardless of how advanced your other study material is.
Ques. What is the JEE Main paper pattern for B.Arch?
Ans. JEE Main Paper 2A for B.Arch has 3 sections: Mathematics (25 questions, 100 marks), Aptitude Test (50 MCQs, 200 marks), and Drawing Test (2 questions, 100 marks) — total 77 questions for 400 marks. The Drawing Test is conducted in pen-and-paper mode, while Mathematics and Aptitude are in CBT mode.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is based on official notifications from the National Testing Agency (NTA) and JoSAA. Dates, cutoffs, and statistics are subject to change as per official announcements. Always refer to the official websites jeemain.nta.nic.in and josaa.nic.in for the most current and accurate information.
















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Found 1016 Comments
The JoSAA 2026 category-wise top 20 percentile cutoff scores for various educational boards are officially compiled and published on the JoSAA portal (josaa.nic.in) during the active counseling cycle. They are made available alongside the business rules or just before the first seat allotment round begins.
With a Home State SC category rank of 10,421, you cannot get admission to the premier branches at NIT Surathkal, as its core closing ranks usually wrap up around 6,600. However, you can secure lower branches like Mining or Metallurgy in Special CSAB rounds, or look at other Tier-2 NITs.
With an EWS rank around 1,59,774 and female quota, admission to top NITs and IIITs is very unlikely through JoSAA. However, some lower-demand branches in newer GFTIs or seats available through CSAB special rounds may still be possible. Check the official JoSAA cutoff database and counseling rounds carefully before finalizing choices.
If you are using the CollegeDunia college predictor for the admissions, enter your CRL (Common Rank List) rank unless the portal specifically asks for a category rank. For EWS, OBC, SC, or ST candidates, some predictors provide a separate field for category rank. Use the rank type requested by the portal to get the most accurate prediction.
For JEE Main counselling (like JoSAA or CSAB), you must enter your General Rank (CRL) in the form, even if you belong to a reserved category. The portal automatically detects and applies your Category Rank based on your certificate to allocate seats under your specific category quota.
For JoSAA Counselling, General category students need to qualify JEE Main cutoff percentile to participate for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. A 50 percentile student may not qualify for top colleges through JoSAA, but can still explore private colleges or state counselling options where admission chances are comparatively better.
With 92.11 percentile in JEE Main 2026 and OBC-NCL category, you may expect lower/mid GFTIs for CSE/ECE through JoSAA/CSAB, especially in later rounds. Possible options include Assam University, Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, and some Northeast institutes. CSE chances are limited; ECE/electrical-related branches are comparatively more achievable.
With a 92.13 percentile, OBC rank 40652, and CRL 122213, mechanical in top NITs is difficult. You may get chances in newer NITs like NIT Agartala, NIT Meghalaya, NIT Mizoram, NIT Arunachal Pradesh or NIT Uttarakhand under home state or OBC quota, in lower branches or allied engineering.
For JEE Main, top 20 percentile means your board marks must be within the top 20% of your board or meet minimum marks (75% general and 65% reserved). Improvement exams are accepted; best marks are considered. Admission to NITs and IIITs depends on meeting these eligibility criteria.
With an 88.03 percentile in the OBC-NCL category, securing a seat in a top-tier NIT is challenging. However, you have a chance at North-Eastern NITs (like Mizoram or Nagaland) or newer NITs through Home State quota or spot rounds (CSAB) for branches like Civil or Metallurgical Engineering.
With a 97th percentile in JEE Main 2026 (estimated rank 32,000–35,000), you have excellent chances for core branches in mid-tier NITs and tech branches in several IIITs. According to previous cutoff trends, the options include NIT Nagpur (Mechanical/Civil), NIT Jalandhar (Electrical), and NIT Raipur (IT/Electrical). You can also target IIIT Pune, IIIT Kota, and IIIT Sri City for ECE or newer specialization tracks. Additionally, PEC Chandigarh and BIT Mesra remain strong contenders for various engineering disciplines at this percentile level
JEE Main is used for admission to undergraduate engineering and architecture courses in India. It is the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced, required for IITs, and is accepted by NITs, IIITs, and many government and private colleges for B.Tech, B.E, and B.Arch admissions.
The number of mocks offered is mentioned below:
The Collegedunia JEE Mains test series offers online mock tests, chapter-wise and full-syllabus practice with instant scorecards and detailed solutions based on the latest pattern, which can help in timed practice and performance tracking.
You can check here for the JEE Main Question Paper 2025 - Download JEE Main Previous Year Question Paper with Solutions and Answer key.
The mock tests on Collegedunia (for exams such as JEE Main, NEET, CUET, CAT, etc.) are available for free online, offering instant access and downloadable PDF options, allowing you to practice without incurring any fees. These free tests help you track performance and improve your preparation
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You can check here for the JEE Main Mock Test- Attempt Free Chapterwise-test, Sectional-test, and Full-length test.
As a beginner, start with chapter-wise or sectional mock tests first to build basics, then move to full-length CUET mocks that simulate the real exam pattern. Use Collegedunia’s free mocks & PDFs, practice weekly, check your mistakes, and improve gradually to manage time and accuracy.