Session 1: 21–30 January 2026 | Session 2: 1–10 April 2026
Quick headline facts (must-know)
- Session 1 exam window: 21–30 January 2026.
- Session 2 exam window: 1–10 April 2026.
- Registration: Session 1 registration opened end-October 2025 (form live on the NTA site). Apply within the announced window.
- Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT) for most papers (check official brochure for special tasks like B.Arch drawing requirements).
Note: All date claims and scheduling details are taken from NTA notifications and the official JEE(Main) portal — always verify on jeemain.nta.nic.in before acting.
What changed / what’s new for 2026 (short)
NTA published a formal advisory and information bulletin confirming two sessions in 2026 (January & April), with published application timelines and exam structure. Coaching portals and education sites summarized registration windows, correction-window dates and increased test city coverage — but always cross-check any summary with the official NTA bulletin.
Complete timeline checklist (actionable — copy this)
- Register promptly: Create a profile and register on the official portal (jeemain.nta.nic.in) as soon as the registration window opens.
- Submit application + fee: Complete the form and fee payment during the published window (Session 1 window was announced Oct–Nov 2025 for this cycle).
- Watch correction window: NTA often opens a short correction window — act fast if you need to correct data.
- City intimation / mock tests / admit card: Download city intimation and the admit card only from the official site when released; take provided mock tests to familiarise with CBT format.
- Exam day rules: Reach the centre early, carry ID proof and follow the centre instructions. External calculators are usually not allowed — follow the NTA instructions about virtual calculators.
- Answer key & result: NTA releases provisional answer keys, accepts challenges for a short window, and later publishes final results.
Exam pattern & important pointers (concise)
Papers: Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), Paper 2A (B.Arch), Paper 2B (B.Planning). Most parts are CBT. Confirm distribution and Section A/B rules in the official brochure.
Tip: Always download and read the latest NTA information bulletin to confirm Section-wise question counts, negative marking (if any) and allowed materials.
I want to prepare for examination.
JEE Main 2026 — Syllabus overview
Syllabus largely follows Class 11 & 12 NCERT topics for Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics. Below is a condensed, high-utility breakdown to help planning and revision.
Physics — Key topic areas
| Area | Typical chapters / concepts |
|---|---|
| Mechanics & Motion | Physical World & Measurement; Kinematics; Laws of Motion; Work, Energy & Power; Rotational Motion; Gravitation; Properties of Solids & Liquids |
| Thermodynamics & Heat | Thermodynamics; Kinetic Theory of Gases; Properties of Matter |
| Waves & Oscillations | Oscillations; Waves |
| Electricity & Magnetism | Electrostatics; Current Electricity; Magnetism & Magnetic Effects of Current; Electromagnetic Induction; AC; EM Waves |
| Optics & Modern Physics | Optics; Dual Nature of Matter; Atoms & Nuclei; Electronic Devices |
| Practical / Experimental | Measurement techniques; experiments with circuits, pendulum, optics, etc. |
Chemistry — Key topic areas
- Physical Chemistry: Basic Concepts, Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics & Kinetics, Equilibrium, Electrochemistry.
- Inorganic Chemistry: Periodicity, p/d/f block elements, coordination compounds, molecular structure.
- Organic Chemistry: Fundamentals, hydrocarbons, halogens, oxygen/nitrogen compounds, functional groups, reaction mechanisms, biomolecules.
Mathematics — Key topic areas
- Sets, Relations & Functions; Complex Numbers; Quadratic Equations
- Matrices & Determinants; Permutations & Combinations; Binomial Theorem; Sequences & Series
- Limits, Continuity & Differentiability; Integral & Differential Calculus
- Coordinate Geometry (2D & 3D), Vector Algebra; 3D Geometry; Trigonometry; Statistics & Probability
How to use the two-session system to your advantage (prep strategy)
- Plan two peaks: Treat Session-1 (Jan) as your first high-intensity attempt. Use feedback to improve for Session-2 (Apr).
- Mock + analyse: After every mock, record mistakes in a “fault diary” and prioritise the top 20% topics that cause 80% of errors.
- Revision windows: Build a January revision list (formula sheet, 50 most common problems). For April, design a remedial plan that targets weaker chapters plus timed full tests.
- Admit card & test centre: Preview test centre route one week earlier; keep ID and backup printouts ready.
FAQ (short)
- Q: Are dates final?
- A: NTA published the schedule in its advisory and information bulletin; treat the NTA site and its PDFs as primary sources. If NTA revises dates, the revised schedule supersedes other reporting.
- Q: When will admit cards be released?
- A: NTA releases admit cards closer to each session. Download admit card and city intimation only from the official portal.
- Q: Can I appear in both sessions?
- A: Yes — candidates may appear in one or both sessions. Check eligibility & fee rules in the official NTA brochure.