JEE Main 2026 – Complete Exam Information
Important Dates, Exam Pattern, Trends & Guidance
Important Dates
Registration Start Date
November 2025
Last Date to Apply
December 2025
Admit Card Release
January 2026
Exam Dates (Session 1)
January 2026
Exam Dates (Session 2)
April 2026
Result Declaration
February & May 2026
Key Exam Information
Exam Mode
- Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Conducted in multiple shifts
- Online mode only
Conducting Authority
- National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Official website: jeemain.nta.nic.in
- Helpline available during application
Eligibility Criteria
- Passed 10+2 with PCM
- Minimum 75% for General (65% for SC/ST)
- No upper age limit
- Indian nationals and foreign students eligible
Number of Attempts
- Unlimited attempts allowed
- Two sessions per year (January & April)
- Best score considered for ranking
Exam Pattern Overview
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Total Questions | 90 questions (30 per subject) |
| Questions to Attempt | 75 questions (25 per subject) |
| Total Marks | 300 marks (100 per subject) |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answer |
| Negative Marking | -1 for incorrect answer |
| Duration of Exam | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Question Types | 20 MCQs + 10 Numerical (5 to attempt) per subject |
Past Trends & Insights
Previous Years' Cut-off Range
General: 89-90 percentile
OBC: 73-75 percentile
SC: 53-55 percentile
ST: 44-46 percentile
Number of Candidates
Approximately 9-12 lakh candidates appear for each session
Total registrations exceed 13 lakh annually
Difficulty Level Trend
Physics: Moderate to Difficult
Chemistry: Easy to Moderate
Mathematics: Moderate to Difficult
Session Performance
Session 2 (April) historically shows slightly higher cut-offs
Best of two attempts considered for final ranking
Trend Analysis (2021-2025): Over the past 5 years, the exam difficulty has remained consistent with a balanced mix of conceptual and numerical problems. Physics and Mathematics sections tend to be more challenging, while Chemistry (especially Inorganic) offers scoring opportunities. The percentile-based ranking system ensures normalization across different sessions.