JEE Main: syllabus, exam pattern & eligibility

Joint Entrance Examination (Main). B.E./B.Tech admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs; eligibility for JEE Advanced (top ~2.5 lakh); B.Arch/B.Planning via Paper 2A/2B

Category
Engineering
Conducted by
National Testing Agency (NTA)
Level
UG entrance
Frequency
Twice a year (Jan + Apr sessions; best score counts)
Mode
CBT (Paper 2A drawing part on paper)
Languages
English, Hindi, Gujarati, +12 regional languages (incl. Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu)

Eligibility

Exam pattern

Paper 1 B.E./B.Tech

180 min · 75 questions · 300 marks

Paper 2A B.Arch

180 min · 82 questions · 400 marks

Paper 2B B.Planning

180 min · 100 questions · 400 marks

Syllabus

Physics

Units & measurements, Kinematics, Laws of motion & friction, Work, energy, power, Rotational motion, Gravitation, Properties of solids & fluids, Thermodynamics & kinetic theory, Oscillations & waves, Electrostatics, Current electricity, Magnetic effects & magnetism, EMI & AC, EM waves, Optics, Dual nature of matter, Atoms & nuclei, Semiconductor electronics, Experimental skills

Chemistry

Some basic concepts / mole concept, Atomic structure, Chemical bonding & molecular structure, Chemical thermodynamics, Solutions, Equilibrium (chemical & ionic), Redox & electrochemistry, Chemical kinetics, Periodic table & periodicity, s-, p-, d- and f-block elements, Coordination compounds, Basic principles & hydrocarbons (organic), Haloalkanes/haloarenes, alcohols, phenols, ethers, Aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, Amines & nitrogen compounds, Biomolecules, polymers, everyday chemistry, Practical chemistry / qualitative analysis

Mathematics

Sets, relations, functions, Complex numbers & quadratic equations, Matrices & determinants, Permutations, combinations, binomial theorem, Sequences & series, Trigonometry, Limits, continuity, differentiability, Differentiation applications, Integral calculus, Differential equations, Coordinate geometry (straight line, circle, conics), 3D geometry & vectors, Statistics & probability

Important dates (2026)

Selection process

Score/NTA percentile (best of sessions) -> JoSAA counselling for NIT/IIIT/GFTI; top ~2.5 lakh qualify for JEE Advanced

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Pricing

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Frequently asked questions

What is JEE Main?

JEE Main stands for Joint Entrance Examination (Main). B.E./B.Tech admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs; eligibility for JEE Advanced (top ~2.5 lakh); B.Arch/B.Planning via Paper 2A/2B. It is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA). Level: UG entrance.

Who is eligible for JEE Main?

Education: Passed/appearing Class 12 (PCM for B.Tech); no age limit. Age limit: None. Attempts: 3 consecutive years, 2 sessions each year. Nationality: Indian & foreign.

What is the exam pattern of JEE Main?

Paper 1 B.E./B.Tech: 180 minutes, 75 questions, 300 marks. Paper 2A B.Arch: 180 minutes, 82 questions, 400 marks. Paper 2B B.Planning: 180 minutes, 100 questions, 400 marks. Mode: CBT (Paper 2A drawing part on paper).

How often is JEE Main held?

Twice a year (Jan + Apr sessions; best score counts).

When is JEE Main held?

2026 cycle: Session 1 exam 2026-01-21 to 2026-01-30; Session 2 exam 2026-04-02 to 2026-04-08 (schedule window 1-10 Apr); Session 2 result 2026-04-20.

How are candidates selected through JEE Main?

Score/NTA percentile (best of sessions) -> JoSAA counselling for NIT/IIIT/GFTI; top ~2.5 lakh qualify for JEE Advanced.

Compiled from public sources, last checked 2026-09-25. Dates, fees and rules change, so confirm with the official website before you apply.