JEE Main 2026: Registration Live Updates, Exam Dates, Syllabus Changes, and NTA Advisory
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is preparing to open the online registration window for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026, which is the primary gateway for admission to undergraduate Engineering (B.E./B.Tech), Architecture (B.Arch), and Planning (B.Plan) programs at NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and other premier institutions across India. Visit: https://jeemain.nta.nic.in/
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is preparing to open the online registration window for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026, which is the primary gateway for admission to undergraduate Engineering (B.E./B.Tech), Architecture (B.Arch), and Planning (B.Plan) programs at NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and other premier institutions across India. This news is crucial for all engineering and architecture aspirants planning their academic calendar.
Key Dates and Examination Structure (Tentative)
The JEE Main 2026 exam is scheduled to be held in two sessions to offer candidates two opportunities to achieve a better score:
- Session 1 (January 2026): Registration is expected to begin in October 2025. The exam dates are tentatively scheduled for January 2026 (e.g., January 22 to 30).
- Session 2 (April 2026): Registration will likely commence in February 2026, with the exam tentatively scheduled for April 2026 (e.g., April 2 to 9).
The final, confirmed dates will be announced by the NTA on the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. Students are highly advised to monitor the official portal regularly for all announcements.
Exam Pattern and New Changes
The exam structure remains consistent, with Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech, Paper 2A for B.Arch, and Paper 2B for B.Planning.
| Exam Paper | Subjects | Total Questions | Maximum Marks | Mode | Marking Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | 75 (20 MCQs + 5 Numerical each) | 300 | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
| Paper 2A (B.Arch) | Mathematics, Aptitude, Drawing | 77 | 400 | CBT (Maths, Aptitude) + Offline (Drawing) | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
| Paper 2B (B.Planning) | Mathematics, Aptitude, Planning | 100 | 400 | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
Important New Changes in Paper 1:
While the overall pattern is similar, recent years have seen a reduction in the syllabus for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, aligning it more closely with the rationalized NCERT curriculum. Aspirants must check the official JEE Main 2026 Information Bulletin for the final, revised syllabus. A crucial update for the B.E./B.Tech. exam is the requirement to attempt all 5 numerical-based questions in Section B of each subject, removing the internal choice that was previously available in some instances.
NTA Advisory on Document Preparation
The NTA has released a key advisory urging all candidates to verify and update their Aadhaar Card, UDID Card (for PwD candidates), and Category Certificates (EWS/SC/ST/OBC-NCL). This step is critical to prevent discrepancies during the online application process. The NTA has activated a demo registration link on demo.nta.nic.in for aspirants to familiarize themselves with the online form-filling process. This proactive measure aims to reduce errors and ensure a smoother registration for all candidates.
The NTA also clarified recent confusion, assuring aspirants that the advisory is purely for document verification and does not relate to the city or centre allotment process, meaning candidates should still be able to select their preferred exam cities when the application form goes live.
Eligibility and Documents Checklist
Aspirants must have passed or be appearing for the Class 12 or equivalent examination with the required subjects. There is no age limit for JEE Main. However, candidates must be appearing in their Class 12 exam in 2026 or have passed it in 2024 or 2025. The minimum marks criteria (75% or top 20 percentile in Class 12) is primarily for admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
Key Documents to keep ready:
- Valid Aadhaar Card
- Scanned Photograph and Signature (in specified size/format)
- Class 10th and 12th Marksheets/Certificates
- Category/PwD Certificate (if applicable, must be updated)
For regular updates follow Only Education News and keep an eye on the official NTA website. You can find more details on your engineering career path here: Engineering Entrance Exams.