Complete guide to JEE Main & JEE Advanced 2026 — eligibility, exam pattern, cutoffs, and winning strategies for aspiring engineers.
Two-stage national engineering entrance examination
Key dates for JEE Main and JEE Advanced 2026
Who can appear for JEE Main and JEE Advanced 2026
Paper structure, subjects, duration and total marks
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer Based Test |
| Duration | 3 Hours | PwD: 4 Hours |
| Section A | MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) |
| Section B | Numerical Value Questions |
| Total Questions | 75 |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Paper | Subjects | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Physics, Chemistry, Maths | 3 Hours |
| Paper 2 | Physics, Chemistry, Maths | 3 Hours |
| Total Duration | 6 Hours | |
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer Based Test |
| Both Papers | Compulsory — must attempt both |
| Question Types | Single correct, Multi-correct, Integer, Matrix |
| Total Marks | ~360 (varies yearly) |
| Paper | For Course | Subjects | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 2A | B.Architecture | Maths + Aptitude + Drawing | 400 | 3 hrs |
| Paper 2B | B.Planning | Maths + Aptitude + Planning | 400 | 3 hrs |
How marks are awarded and deducted
| Section | Type | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|
| Section A | MCQ | –1 per wrong |
| Section B | Numerical | Usually none |
| Question Type | Correct | Partial | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Correct MCQ | +3 / +4 | — | Yes |
| Multiple Correct MCQ | +4 | Possible | Yes |
| Integer Type | +3 / +4 | — | No |
| Match the Following | Varies | Possible | Some |
Languages in which the question paper is available
What the result contains and when it is declared
| Session | Result Declaration |
|---|---|
| Session 1 | February 2026 |
| Session 2 | April / May 2026 |
Score Card Includes:
| Activity | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Result Declaration | June 2026 |
| Rank List Published | Same Day |
| JoSAA Counselling | June – July 2026 |
Minimum percentile required to qualify for JEE Advanced eligibility
| Category | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 93+ | 93.23 | 90.78 |
| EWS | 80+ | 81.32 | 75.62 |
| OBC-NCL | 79+ | 79.67 | 73.61 |
| SC | 61+ | 60.09 | 51.97 |
| ST | 47+ | 46.69 | 37.23 |
| PwD | 0.007+ | 0.0018 | 0.0013 |
Minimum 12th board marks required for IIT admission
| Category | Minimum Class 12 Criteria |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | Top 20 percentile in respective board OR minimum 75% aggregate |
| SC / ST / PwD | Minimum 65% aggregate marks |
Keep these ready before filling the application form
Proven tips to crack JEE Main and JEE Advanced
NCERT textbooks (Class 11 & 12) are the foundation of JEE preparation. 60–70% of JEE Main questions are directly or indirectly based on NCERT concepts. Master every line before moving to advanced books.
Previous Year Questions (PYQs) reveal the most important topics, question formats, and difficulty level. Solve the last 10 years of both JEE Main and Advanced papers — at least twice each.
Take full-length mock tests every week under real exam conditions — timed, no distractions. Analyse your mistakes after each test. Mocks build speed, accuracy, and exam temperament.
Allot fixed daily hours per subject. Physics needs concept clarity, Chemistry needs revision, Mathematics needs daily practice. Maintain a study log and revise weak areas every weekend.
Don't wait — every day of preparation counts. Apply at the official NTA portal and begin your path to India's top engineering institutions.