JEE Main & Advanced 2026: Exam Date, Syllabus, Pattern & Top IIT/NIT Cutoffs

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is the flagship engineering entrance exam in India, serving as the gateway to the world-renowned Indian Institutes of Management (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and other premier engineering institutions like IIITs and GFTIs.

If your dream is to pursue B.Tech from a top-tier Indian engineering college, JEE is the ultimate challenge.

Here is a comprehensive guide to JEE 2026 for engineering aspirants:

Exam Structure: Main vs. Advanced

The JEE is conducted in two distinct stages:

1. JEE Main: The first stage, conducted twice a year (usually in January and April). It is the qualifying criteria for JEE Advanced and the primary entrance for admission to NITs, IIITs, and many state government colleges.
2. JEE Advanced: Only the top ~2.5 lakh qualifiers of JEE Main are eligible to sit for JEE Advanced, which is the sole gateway to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

JEE Main 2026: Overview

• Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
• Mode of Exam: Computer Based Test (CBT)
• Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
• Total Questions: 90 Questions (30 per subject)
  • Candidates need to attempt only 75 questions (25 per subject).
• Total Marks: 300 Marks
• Marking Scheme:
  • +4 for every correct answer
  • -1 for every incorrect MCQ
  • 0 for unattempted or incorrect Numerical value questions (check latest NTA guidelines for updates on negative marking for numericals).

JEE Advanced 2026: Overview

• Conducting Body: One of the seven zonal IITs on rotation.
• Mode of Exam: Computer Based Test (CBT)
• Exam Pattern: Two compulsory papers (Paper 1 & Paper 2) of 3 hours each. Both papers happen on the same day.
• Questions: A mix of MCQs, Multiple Correct Option MCQs, Numerical value, and Matching list type questions.

Top Engineering Colleges Accepting JEE Scores

1. IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur (Through JEE Advanced)
2. NIT Trichy, NIT Surathkal, NIT Warangal (Through JEE Main)
3. IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Bangalore, IIIT Delhi (Through JEE Main)
4. BITS Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad (Note: BITS has its own exam, BITSAT, but some categories use JEE scores for direct admission).
5. DTU & NSUT, Delhi (Through JEE Main & JAC Delhi Counselling)

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. When will JEE Main 2026 be held?

JEE Main 2026 Session 1 is expected in late January 2026, and Session 2 is expected in early April 2026.

2. Can I get an IIT with JEE Main score?

No, you must qualify for JEE Advanced to be eligible for admission to any Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

3. What is the 75% rule in JEE?

Candidates must usually secure at least 75% marks in their Class 12 Board exams (65% for SC/ST) or be in the top 20 percentile of their respective boards to be eligible for NIT/IIT admissions.

4. How many attempts are allowed for JEE Advanced?

Candidates can attempt JEE Advanced a maximum of two times in two consecutive years.

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