JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern Changes: New Marking Scheme & Paper Format

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern Changes: New Marking Scheme & Paper Format

Team Careers360Updated on 08 Jan 2026, 03:37 PM IST

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern Changes: NTA has released the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern on the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. There are no changes in the JEE Main exam pattern 2026. JEE Main 2026 exam will be held in CBT mode. The JEE Main 2026 exam paper pattern consists of three papers: Paper 1 for B.E./B. Tech, Paper 2A for B.Arch, and Paper 2B for B.Plan. JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 includes Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with 75 mandatory questions. Paper 2A consists of 77 questions from Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing. Paper 2B will have 100 questions from Mathematics, Aptitude, and Planning sections. The JEE Main 2026 session 1 BTech will be conducted from January 21, 22, 23, 24 to 28, 2026. Also, the JEE Main 2026 session 1 BArch is scheduled on January 28, 2026.

LiveJEE Mains Admit Card 2026 LIVE: NTA to issue exam hall ticket soon for BTech, BArch, BPlan;test timings, rulesJan 10, 2026 | 2:07 PM IST

Students who have passed Class 12 or equivalent in 2024, 2025, or appearing in 2026 with subjects Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or Technical Vocational subject, are eligible to appear for the JEE Mains 2026.

Notably, there is no age limit for JEE Main, but institutes might have their own. Candidates can attempt for JEE for up to 3 consecutive years, that is 2024, 25, 26.

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This Story also Contains

  1. JEE Main Exam Pattern Changes 2026
  2. JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026
  3. JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) Exam Pattern
  4. JEE Main 2026 Paper 2A (B.Arch) Exam Pattern
  5. JEE Main 2026 Paper 2B (B.Plan) Exam Pattern
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern Changes: New Marking Scheme & Paper Format
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern Changes

The JEE Main 2026 is a national-level entrance test conducted to offer admission in engineering and architecture courses in top colleges and institutions in India. In this article, Careers360 will discuss JEE Main exam details like pattern changes over the years and JEE Main expected changes, and the actual exam pattern.

JEE Main Exam Pattern Changes 2026

The NTA has not announced any changes for the 2026 exam pattern so far. However, there were some notifiable changes made last year year. Below is a table consisting of the exam pattern changes made in 2025:

CriteriaJEE Main 2024JEE Main 2025Chages Highlighted

Section A (Paper 1)

20 MCQs per subject (PCM)

20 MCQs per subject (PCM)

No changes

Section B (Paper 1)

10 numerical questions (5 to be answered, choice)

5 numerical questions (all mandatory)

Removal of 5 optional questions

Paper 2A Maths (B.Arch)

10 numericals (5 to be answered, choice)

5 numericals (all mandatory)

Removal of 5 optional questions

Paper 2B Maths (B.Plan)

10 numericals (5 to be answered, choice)

5 numericals (all mandatory)

Removal of 5 optional questions

Negative Marking (Numerical)

Not applicable

Applicable (-1 for incorrect answer)

Negative marking introduced

Total Questions (Paper 1)

90 questions (75 to be answered)

75 questions (all are mandatory)

Reduced number of questions

Total Marks (Paper 1)

300

300

No change

JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026

The JEE Main exam pattern for 2026 has been released on the official website. The exam pattern consists of 2 papers- Paper 1 and Paper 2A and 2B. The exam is conducted for 3 hours in computer-based mode. Candidates can check the exam pattern below which is paper-wise and in detail:

JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) Exam Pattern

SubjecySection A (MCQs)Section B (Numerical Value Questions)

Total Questions per Subject


Marks per Subject


Total Marks

Mathematics

20

5

25

100


Physics

20

5

25

100


Chemistry

20

5

25

100


Total

60

15

75

300

300

JEE Main 2026 Paper 2A (B.Arch) Exam Pattern

Section

Question Type

Number of Questions

Marks

Exam Mode

Mathematics

20 MCQs + 5 Numerical

25

100

Computer-Based Test

Aptitude Test

Multiple Choice Questions

50

200

Computer-Based Test

Drawing Test

Drawing Questions

2

100

Pen-and-Paper (Offline)

Total


77

400


JEE Main Syllabus: Subjects & Chapters
Select your preferred subject to view the chapters

JEE Main 2026 Paper 2B (B.Plan) Exam Pattern

Section

Question Type

Number of Questions

Marks

Exam Mode

Mathematics

20 MCQs + 5 Numerical

25

100

Computer-Based Test

Aptitude Test

Multiple Choice Questions

50

200

Computer-Based Test

Planning Based Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

25

100

Computer-Based Test

Total


100

400


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What subjects does Paper 1 consist of?
A:

The Paper 1 consists of subjects of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with total marks being 300.

Q: What are the major changes made in the JEE Main 2026 paper?
A:

The authority has not made any changes to the JEE Main 2026 paper pattern so far. 

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Questions related to JEE Main

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to JEE Main ?

Hello aspirant,

I'm so glad you are preparing JEE Mains. Mostly cover all the topics well to perform well in the exam and mainly focus on weightage topics. The most important topics in mathematics for JEE  includes

Calculus: limits, continuity, Differentiation, Integration,Area.

Algebra:Complex Numbers, Binomial Theorem, permutations and combinations, Matrices

Hello,

For jee mains 2026 class 11th and 12th maths are equally important. Below, a link to the ebook of jee mains 11th amd 12th maths notes and formula book.

Here is the link:

https://engineering.careers360.com/download/ebooks/jee-main-maths-important-formulas

Hope this will help you!

Thank you.

HELLO,

Your final category will be General - EWS for both the attempts if you have successfully changed it during the correction window of session 2 , then it will become your final category that will be used to evaluate your results and used during counselling.

By any chance if

Hello,

Maths important chapters and topics may includes (focus)  high weightage areas like Calculus (Limits,Continuity, Differentiability, Integration,AOD), Algebra (Complex  Numbers, Quadratic equations,P&C, Matrices, Binomial Theorem, Sequences and Series), Coordinate Geometry,3D Geometry,and Vector Algebra, and also covering topics like Sets, Relations, Functions,and  Trigonometry.

For more information,go through the following link

Maths

Hello aspirant,

You can ask any type of questions regarding JEE Mains. JEE mains is a national compitition exam. You have to prepare well to perform well in the exam. Here we are to guide you,instruct you, helps you and suggests you. We will answer you for any kind of