Is JEE Main 2026 Online or Offline? Know Exam Mode, Pattern & Key Details

Is JEE Main 2026 Online or Offline? Know Exam Mode, Pattern & Key Details

Chintakuntla Sai GnanUpdated on 18 Dec 2025, 06:04 PM IST

Is JEE Main 2026 Online or Offline: The National Testing Agency has officially not announced whether to conduct JEE Main 2026 online or offline. The parliamentary standing committee has submitted a report in parliament suggesting that NTA should conduct the JEE Main exam from CBT to pen and paper mode to improve from repeated disruptions in the exam. According to a recent news report, the Parliamentary panel on education gave an example of how UPSC and CBSE exams are being held offline without any paper leakage. The report highlighted how 12 questions were withdrawn from JEE Mains 2025 question paper because of errors in the final answer key. Read the article below to know more about Is JEE Main 2026 will be conducted online or offline.

Is the JEE Mains Exam Online or Offline in 2026?

Is JEE Main 2026 Online or Offline? Know Exam Mode, Pattern & Key Details
Is JEE Main 2026 Online or Offline?

As per the latest updates, the authority has officially not announced shifting the JEE Main 2026 exam mode from a computer-based test to paper mode. Candidates have to get ready to appear for the JEE Mains 2026 exam in online mode only. The parliamentary panel has just suggested that the government take a move to conduct all entrance exams of NTA in offline mode. The panel has mentioned the failures and errors in various exams conducted by NTA like JEE Main, CSIR NET, UGC NET, NEET UG, and CUET.

JEE Mains 2026 Exam Mode

Here is the present JEE Main exam mode which will be conducted online. The parliamentary panel wants to change the below exam mode from online to offline.

Exam

Exam Mode

JEE Main 2026 B.E / B.Tech

Online exam

JEE Main 2026 for B.Arch

Online + Offline

JEE Main 2026 for B.Planning

Online

Will NTA Conduct JEE Mains 2026 Exam in Offline mode?

The authority is going to conduct session 1 of the JEE Mains exam 2026 from January 21 to 30, while session 2 is scheduled from April 2 to 9, 2026. As of now, no official update has been given by NTA on the JEE Main exam mode. The parliamentary panel did not mandate offline; instead, it just suggested. The government is yet to take a final decision on the panel's proposal.

Why Is the JEE Mains Online Exam Mode Changing to Offline ?

The Parliament education panel has identified the repeated errors with the online exams conducted by NTA. Previously, exams like JEE Main, NEET UG, and CSIR NET have faced technical errors during online exams. These errors have led to the withdrawal of questions, answers from the question paper, which negatively impacted students' performance. This JEE Main exam mode issue came into a big discussion when the problems were highlighted by students themselves.

How the JEE Main 2026 Offline Exam Mode Impacts Students

If the authority conducts the JEE Main 2026 exam in offline mode, then the chances of technical errors will be reduced. The JEE Main aspirants from rural areas may find it easy as they all appear exam in a traditional offline mode. The wrong bubbling on the OMR sheet would lead to losing a mark, though the candidate attempts it correctly. Shifting from one question to another would be difficult in offline than online. The declaration of results would also take more time for offline as OMR sheets need to be scanned. There is a lot of logistics required to conduct an offline exam for printing question papers, OMR sheets, transferring OMR answer sheets physically, etc.

What JEE Mains 2026 Candidates must do in this Online-Offline Issue?

The JEE Main 2026 applied candidates must be in preparation, irrespective of whether the JEE Main exam will be conducted in online or offline mode. Stay calm and follow the suggestions below to be stress-free in this matter.

  • Focus on attempting the JEE Main exam in whichever mode it is.

  • Remember that a change in exam mode won't have a greater impact on candidates' performance.

  • Regularly visit the official website of JEE Main for the latest updates.

  • As the exam is coming near, so chances of changing the exam mode to offline are very less.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is the JEE Main 2026 exam in online or offline mode?
A:

As of the latest notification, the JEE Main 2026 exam will be conducted in online mode.

Q: Will NTA change the JEE Main 2026 exam mode from online to offline?
A:

The authority will announce about change of exam mode on the official website. However, as the JEE Main exam is near, the chances of shifting exam mode to offline is very less.

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Questions related to JEE Main

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to JEE Main ?

Good Evening,

Yes, you are eligible for both JEE Mains and Advanced, as you completed your 12th with physics, chemistry and biology. Moreover, you passed mathematics in 2025, which makes you fit the eligibility criteria of both exams.

Aspirant, I would like to inform you that Careers360 recently launched a free mock test series for JEE students. The last date of registration is 8th January, 2026. Enroll and solve chapter wise question papers and improve you concept and assess your learning. The link to the mock test series is attached herewith. https://learn.careers360.com/test-series-jee-main-free-mock-test/

Best regards.


Hello,
Since the NTA conducts exams in Tamil, these official papers will have a Tamil language option. Kindly check the following link to get the question papers.
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/jee-main-question-papers
I hope this helps you.

Hello there,

Understanding and solving different question papers is one of the best practice for the preparation specially when it comes to JEE mains. It gives you proper understanding of the exam pattern, important topics to cover and marking scheme.

Here is the link attached from the official website of Careers360 which will provide you with the link of previous year question papers on chemistry in PDF format. Hope it helps!

https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/jee-mains-chemistry-questions-in-last-year-exam-premium

thank you!

Good Morning, Candidate,

The 30-day study plan for JEE is now available on the website of Careers360. The link is attached herewith.

https://engineering.careers360.com/download/ebooks/jee-main-study-plan-30-days

There is an option for free download, which will help to proceed further.

Careers360 would like to inform you that you can have an opportunity to analyse your in-depth performance. Careers360 is conducting a free all-India online JEE mock test series on 11th January. It will provide you with a proper question pattern with chapter-wise questions and answers.

Registration is closed on 8th January. Registered and assessed your learning.

Thank You


Hello,

Yes, you can be eligible , but it depends on how you passed Mathematics.

JEE Main
You are eligible if:

  • You passed Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics.

  • Mathematics was passed as a full subject from NIOS.

  • NIOS is a recognized board.

  • Having two marksheets is allowed.

You are not eligible if:

  • Mathematics was taken only as an improvement or additional without passing it as a full subject.

MHT-CET
You are eligible if:

  • You passed Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics.

  • Mathematics from NIOS is shown as a passed subject.

  • NIOS is recognized for Maharashtra admissions.

  • Mathematics was passed before the admission year.

You are not eligible if:

  • Mathematics is not shown as a passed subject.

Important

  • Mathematics must be a separate and passed subject.

  • Keep both marksheets during counselling.

Always check the current year information brochure before applying.

Hope it helps !