JEE Main 2026 registration begins soon at jeemain.nta.nic.in: Check marking scheme and exam pattern

The National Testing Agency ( NTA ) is all set to open the registration window for JEE Main 2026, one of the most important engineering entrance exams in India. Aspiring candidates from across the country will have the opportunity to apply online at jeemain.nta.nic.in. While the exact dates for the registration are yet to be officially announced, it is expected to begin in October 2025.

The exam will be conducted in two sessions, in January and April 2026, allowing students to appear in one or both sessions for better chances of scoring higher. With thousands of seats available in premier institutes like NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, candidates must understand the eligibility criteria, registration process, exam pattern, and marking scheme to ensure a smooth application process.
Exam pattern and marking scheme for JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 – B.E./B.Tech

The B.E./B.Tech exam will be conducted entirely online as a computer-based test (CBT). The duration of the exam is 3 hours, covering three subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Each subject has 25 questions, making a total of 75 questions for 300 marks. Candidates earn 4 marks for every correct answer, while 1 mark is deducted for each incorrect response. Unanswered questions receive 0 marks.

Paper 2A – B.Arch

For B.Arch aspirants, the exam combines online testing and an offline Drawing section. The exam lasts 3 hours and includes Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing sections. There are 77 questions in total, with a maximum score of 400 marks. The marking scheme awards 4 marks for correct answers and deducts 1 mark for incorrect answers, while unanswered questions are not penalised.

Paper 2B – B.Planning

The B.Planning exam is a computer-based test of 3 hours, with sections on Mathematics, Aptitude, and Planning. It contains 100 questions, totalling 400 marks. Correct answers carry +4 marks, wrong answers incur a -1 penalty, and unanswered questions score 0.
Eligibility criteria for JEE Main 2026Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility requirements:

• Academic Qualification: Candidates should have passed or be appearing in the Class 12 or equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
  
• Age Limit: There is no age limit for appearing in JEE Main 2026.
  
• Institute Requirements: Candidates must meet the eligibility norms of participating institutes to secure admission.

Candidates must also have updated documents such as Aadhaar, UDID (for PwD), and category certificates (EWS/SC/ST/OBC-NCL) to avoid discrepancies.