JEE Main
What is JEE Main, how is Paper 1 set and marked, and who is eligible to sit it?
JEE Main is the national engineering entrance test run by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Paper 1 is for B.E./B.Tech admission at NITs, IIITs, other centrally funded technical institutions and participating state institutions. It also decides who can sit JEE Advanced, the exam for the IITs. Paper 2A is for B.Arch and Paper 2B for B.Planning. Everything below comes from NTA's JEE (Main) 2026 Information Bulletin.
This page may be out of date. It was due for a re-check on 31 December 2026. Confirm every rule with the official source before acting on it.
The 2026 exam cycle is over. When we checked jeemain.nta.nic.in on 30 September 2026, NTA had not yet published the 2027 bulletin. The rules above are from 2026 and may change for 2027.
Exam at a glance
- Conducted by
- National Testing Agency (NTA), since 2019[1]
- Papers
- Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), Paper 2A (B.Arch), Paper 2B (B.Planning)[1]
- Sessions
- Two a year. Your best NTA score of the two counts, and you do not have to sit both.[1]
- Paper 1 mode
- Computer Based Test (CBT) only[1]
- Paper 1 duration
- 3 hours (4 hours for PwD/PwBD candidates eligible for a scribe)[1]
- Languages
- 13: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu[1]
- Age limit
- None for the exam itself. Institutes can set their own.[1]
Paper 1: 300 marks, 100 for each subject
Paper 1 questions by section type
| Subject | Section A (MCQ) | Section B (numerical) | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 | 5 | 100 |
| Physics | 20 | 5 | 100 |
| Chemistry | 20 | 5 | 100 |
| Total | 60 | 15 | 300 |
75 questions in all. In Section B you type a whole number on the on-screen keypad, rounded to the nearest integer.[1]
| Response | Marks |
|---|---|
| Correct (or most appropriate) answer | +4 |
| Incorrect answer | −1 |
| Unanswered, or marked for review with no answer | 0 |
Raw scores are converted to NTA scores (percentiles), subject by subject and in total.[1]
There is no age limit. For the 2026 exam, you were eligible if you passed Class 12 (or an equivalent) in 2024 or 2025, or were appearing for it in 2026. If you passed in 2023 or earlier, you could not sit JEE Main 2026.
The passing year is the year your result was first declared as a pass. If you improve your marks later, the improvement attempt does not count as a new passing year.[1]
- The final 10+2 exam of any recognised Central or State board, such as CBSE or CISCE
- An Intermediate or two-year Pre-University exam from a recognised board or university
- The Senior Secondary exam of NIOS, with at least five subjects
- A diploma of at least three years recognised by AICTE or a State board of technical education
- The Higher Secondary Certificate Vocational exam
- The final exam of the two-year Joint Services Wing course at the National Defence Academy
- GCE A-level, the Cambridge High School Certificate or the IB Diploma
- Any Indian or foreign board exam that AIU recognises as equivalent to 10+2 (a Class 12 from outside India or an unlisted board needs an AIU equivalence certificate)
- BOSSE, Sikkim
Source[1]
Clearing JEE Main is not enough for a seat in the NIT+ system (NITs, IIEST, IIITs and other centrally funded institutes that admit through JoSAA/CSAB). You also need at least 75% aggregate in five subjects in Class 12, or 65% for SC, ST and PwD candidates. If you fall short, being in the top 20 percentile of successful candidates of your own board, in your category, also qualifies.
For programmes filled on the Paper 1 rank, your Class 12 must include Physics, Mathematics, a language, one of Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology or a technical vocational subject, and one more subject.[1]
Seats at NITs, IIITs and other CFTIs are allotted on your JEE Main All India Rank through JoSAA and CSAB counselling. A state can make its own rank list for its engineering colleges.
The top 2,50,000 successful candidates in Paper 1, across all categories, qualify to sit JEE Advanced, the entrance exam for the IITs.[1]
Tips and tricks
- Check the year your Class 12 pass result was first declared. An improvement attempt later doesn't give you a new passing year.[1]
- You don't have to sit both sessions, and your best NTA score counts. If session 1 goes well, you can spend the gap on your board exams.[1]
- Watch your Class 12 aggregate over five subjects as closely as your JEE score. NITs, IIITs and other CFTIs need 75% (65% for SC, ST and PwD) or a place in your board's top 20 percentile.[1]
- If an IIT is the goal, Paper 1 is the one that matters: only its top 2,50,000 candidates can register for JEE Advanced.[1]
- If your home state fills its engineering seats from JEE Main, read that state's own rank list rules as well.[1]
Questions people ask
Is there an age limit for JEE Main?
No. NTA sets no age limit for the exam. The institute you apply to may have its own age rule, so check its admission notice too.[1]
Do I have to take both sessions?
No. You can take one session or both. If you take both, NTA uses your better NTA score for the merit list.[1]
Is there negative marking in the numerical questions?
Yes. In the 2026 bulletin, a wrong answer loses one mark in both Section A (MCQs) and Section B (numerical answers).[1]
Can I sit JEE Main with a three-year diploma?
Yes. NTA's list of qualifying exams includes a diploma of at least three years recognised by AICTE or a State board of technical education. The admitting institute's own rules still apply.[1]
Is 75% in Class 12 compulsory for JEE Main?
Not to sit the exam. The 75% rule (65% for SC, ST and PwD), or a place in your board's top 20 percentile, applies to admission to NITs, IIITs and other CFTIs through JoSAA and CSAB.[1]
Connected pages
- Admits to · DegreeB.Tech / B.E.How long a B.Tech takes, the Class 12 subjects and marks NITs ask for, which entrance exam gets you in, and where the degree leads. Sourced from NTA and AICTE.
- Part of pathway · PathwayAfter Class 12 Science (PCM)What Physics, Chemistry and Maths in Class 12 open up: B.Tech, B.Arch and B.Planning through JEE Main, B.Sc through CUET (UG), and the rules for each.
- Next exam · ExamJEE AdvancedWho can sit JEE Advanced, the age and attempt limits, how the two papers are ranked, the Class 12 rule for IIT seats and the 2026 fee, from the brochure.
- Related · ExamNATAHow NATA is set and scored, who can sit it, the Class 12 rule for B.Arch admission and how scores are used, from the Council of Architecture's 2026 brochure.
- Related · PathwayArts (Humanities) after Class 10The humanities, arts and skill subjects CBSE offers in Class 11, the CLAT route to law, and which entrance exams a pure Arts combination closes.
- Entrance exam for · PathwayCommerce after Class 10The Class 11 commerce subjects CBSE offers, the Maths vs Applied Maths choice, and how ICAI lets you register for CA Foundation right after Class 10.
- Entrance exam for · PathwayScience after Class 10Which Class 11 science subjects keep JEE Main and NEET (UG) open, from the official bulletins, plus the CBSE subject rules to check before you choose.
- Entrance exam for · PathwayAfter Class 12 Arts (Humanities)What Class 12 Arts (Humanities) opens up: BA through CUET (UG), five-year law through CLAT, CA Foundation from any stream, and B.Planning if you have Maths.
- Entrance exam for · PathwayAfter Class 12 CommerceAfter Class 12 Commerce: CA Foundation and its four-month rule, B.Com and BBA through CUET (UG), law through CLAT, and B.Planning with Maths.
- Entrance exam for · DegreeB.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture)B.Arch in India: the Council of Architecture's 45% rule, NATA or JEE Main Paper 2A, the 5-year course with practical training, and registration.
- Related · ExamCUET (UG)CUET (UG) subject list, the five-subject limit, 50 questions in 60 minutes, +5/−1 marking, who can sit it and how admission works, from NTA's 2026 bulletin.
Official and partner links
- Official bodyJEE (Main) official website (NTA)
- CounsellingJoSAA seat allocation
Sources
- JEE (Main) 2026 Information Bulletin, National Testing Agency. Sections 1.3, 2.1–2.5, 3.1–3.3, 5.8. Accessed 30 September 2026.
- JEE (Main) official website, National Testing Agency. Accessed 30 September 2026.
Found an error or a newer rule? Tell us through the corrections page. Updated 8 October 2026.