JEE Mains 2026 – Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Cutoff, Colleges & Preparation Guide

Complete Guide For JEE MAINS

What is JEE Mains

If you’re dreaming of studying at an NIT, IIIT, or even aiming for IITs — this is the exam that acts as a gate pass for you. JEE Main is your ticket to some of the most respected engineering institutes in the country.

One exam, many doors!

Crack JEE Main and you don’t just unlock NITs and IIITs — you also become eligible to appear for JEE Advanced, the only way into IITs (Not considering their BS, M.Tech, P.hD courses). Plus, many private universities also accept JEE Main scores.

Why is it important for students?

Because it’s not just about a college seat — it’s about setting the path for a career in tech, innovation, or even research. The competition is tough, but the rewards are worth it.

Past history of JEE Mains

When did JEE Main start?

JEE Main was first conducted in 2013. It replaced the old AIEEE (All India Engineering Entrance Examination) as part of a new system to simplify engineering admissions across India.

Who conducts it?

Initially, CBSE was in charge. But since 2019, the National Testing Agency (NTA) handles everything — from making the paper to organizing the exam smoothly across the country.

How is it conducted?

Earlier, the exam had both offline (pen-paper) and online (computer-based) modes. But now, it’s fully online, which makes it faster, more secure, and tech-friendly. Students appear from thousands of centers all over India — even some international ones!

Recent changes and evolution

More chances, less pressure!

Since 2021, JEE Main is conducted twice a year ( Mostly Jan & April )

Sometimes 4 times during COVID-19 period.
You can appear in one or both sessions, and your best score is considered. This gives students a second shot without wasting a year!

Registration is fully online

No more paperwork! Everything — from filling the form to downloading the admit card — is done through the NTA website. Fast, simple, and eco-friendly.

Format tweaks

The exam is now of 90 questions and only 75 to attempt (In total), with optional internal choices (e.g., attempt 5 out of 10 in numerical section) in each subject of paper.

Negative marking exists for MCQs, but not for numerical questions.

Difficulty level?

Still competitive, but more NCERT-focused than JEE Advanced. Questions test concepts, application, and smart problem-solving. Recent papers mix theory + real-world logic.

Photo & document rules updated

Upload with correct format (white background, clear face, no goggles ), and now with live photo capture sometimes during registration.

Eligibility criteria

👶 Age Limit

No age limit! Yup, anyone who passed Class 12 in the last 3 years or is currently appearing can apply — regardless of age. (But colleges may have their own age rules!)

🎓 Qualifying Exam

You must have passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. The third subject can be Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or Technical Vocational.

📊 Minimum Marks Required (Boards Eligibility)

👉 For IITs, NITs, IIITs & GFTIs, you need:

75% in Class 12 (or top 20 percentile of your board)
For SC/ST, only 65% is required.

Exam pattern and format

Attempts Allowed

You can attempt JEE Main for 3 consecutive years

Since it’s held twice a year, that means 6 total attempts

How many papers?

There are 2 main papers:

Paper 1 – for B.E./B.Tech (most common)

Paper 2A & 2B – for B.Arch & B.Planning (optional, only for those streams)

Let’s focus on Paper 1 (B.Tech):

Section	Subject	Questions	Marks
Section A	Physics	20 MCQs + 10 NAT (5 to attempt)	100
Section B	Chemistry	20 MCQs + 10 NAT (5 to attempt)	100
Section C	Mathematics	20 MCQs + 10 NAT (5 to attempt)	100
Total		75 Questions (25 per subject)	300

⌛ Duration: 3 hours

🖥 Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)

❌ Negative Marking:

MCQs: -1 for wrong answers

NATs (Numerical): No negative marking

📊 Difficulty Level:

Easier than JEE Advanced.
NCERT based organic and inorganic chemistry.
For Maths, Physics, Physical Chemistry you need more practice from other sources

Syllabus and chapter weightage

📌 Subjects for JEE Main Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech):

Physics
Chemistry
Mathematics

🧲 Physics

🧠 Concept-based + formula-driven

High-weightage chapters:

Mechanics (especially Laws of Motion, Rotational Motion)

Current Electricity & Magnetism

Electrostatics

Modern Physics

Thermodynamics

Waves & Oscillations

🧪 Chemistry

💥 Memory + logic combo (Physical + Organic + Inorganic)

Important chapters:

Mole Concept & Stoichiometry

Chemical Bonding

Thermodynamics

Coordination Compounds

Organic Reaction Mechanism

p-block & d-block elements

Biomolecules & Environmental Chemistry (often ignored!)

📐 Mathematics

🧠 Calculation-heavy, time-consuming

Scoring chapters:

Calculus (Definite Integration, Differential Equations)

Coordinate Geometry

Vectors & 3D

Complex Numbers

Probability & Statistics

Matrices & Determinants

Trigonometry (Basics & identities)

There’s no English or Logical Reasoning in Paper 1. Those are only part of Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning).

🏫 Popular Colleges Accepting JEE Main

JEE Main isn’t just an exam — it’s your golden entry pass to a wide range of engineering colleges across India. Here’s where your score can take you:

NITs – National Institutes of Technology

There are 31 NITs across India — known for solid academics, strong alumni networks, and government funding.

Example: NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, NIT Rourkela.

IIITs – Indian Institutes of Information Technology

These are focused on IT, CS, and electronics. Great for those targeting software & tech careers.

Example: IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Delhi, IIIT Allahabad.

GFTIs – Government Funded Technical Institutes

These are state-run or centrally funded colleges that also admit through JEE Main.

Example: Assam University, PEC Chandigarh, IIEST Shibpur.

Private Colleges that accept JEE Main

Many reputed private universities consider JEE Main scores for admission (sometimes alongside their own exams).

Example:

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham

Shiv Nadar University

UPES Dehradun

NIIT University.

Note:

IITs do NOT accept JEE Main scores. You need to clear JEE Advanced for them.

📈Previous Year Trends (Cutoff & Competition Level)

How competitive is JEE Main?

Every year, over 9–10 lakh students appear for JEE Main. Out of these, only around 2.5 lakh qualify for JEE Advanced. And even fewer make it to top NITs or IIITs.

General Category Cutoffs (Last Few Years)

Year	Qualifying Cutoff (General)
2025	93.1 percentile
2024	93.2 percentile
2023	90.7 percentile
2022	88.4 percentile

💡 SC/ST cutoffs are usually lower.

🎯 What marks should you aim for?

Target	Safe Marks (out of 300)
NIT (top branches)	180–220+
IIIT (CS branches)	170–210
GFTIs / Mid NITs	130–160

🔍 Remember: Percentile is based on relative performance, not raw score. So aim higher to be safe!

🧠 Difficulty level has been Balanced in recent years

Mostly NCERT-focused, with some tricky application-based questions.

Official Links

🌐 Official JEE Main Website: 👉 https://jeemain.nta.nic.in

📝 Registration Link (When Active): 👉 https://jeemain.nta.nic.in/ (Same site, link appears on homepage during registration window)

📅 NTA Official Website (for announcements): 👉 https://nta.ac.in

📂 Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs) + Answer Keys: 👉 https://jeemain.nta.nic.in/previous-year-question-papers/

Kaunsa Career Tips:-

🧠 1. Start with NCERT – Always!

Don’t jump to big books too soon. NCERT is the foundation for JEE Main – especially in Chemistry.

⏳ 2. Focus > Hours

Studying 10 hours a day means nothing if you’re not focused. Use the Pomodoro method or fixed-time blocks to stay consistent and fresh.

📊 3. Mock Tests = Gamechangers

Give 1 mock test/week in the beginning, then 3–4/week as the exam approaches. Analyze every test:

What went wrong?

Which subject is pulling you down?

Were silly mistakes avoidable?

📌 4. PYQs are gold

Practice the last 10 years of JEE Main PYQs. You’ll see patterns in question types and topic focus. They’re better than any random coaching module.

🚩 5. Don’t ignore these!

Numerical-type questions (NATs): no negative marking = free scoring

Easy chapters with high weightage: like Environmental Chemistry, Statistics, Semiconductors

Mental health & rest – burnout won’t help you crack anything!

📝 Final Words – From Team Kaunsa Career

At Kaunsa Career, we believe JEE Main is just one path — not the only one.

Yes, it’s a big exam. Yes, it opens amazing doors.
But your worth isn’t defined by one score — it’s defined by your effort, clarity, and smart choices.

👉 Whether you crack NITs or not…
👉 Whether you go for CSE or not…
👉 Whether your first attempt works out or not…

Your journey is still valid.
There are 100+ exams, 50+ streams, 1000+ careers — and one YOU.

Keep exploring. Keep improving. Keep believing.

We’re here to help — from first doubt to final seat.
📌 #SmartCareerStartsHere

🧠 Still figuring things out?
We’ve got you. From college comparisons to career paths — everything is simplified, honest, and student-first.

🚀 Kaunsa Career – For every student who wants direction, not pressure.