Joint Entrance Examination (Main) (JEE Main)

NTA had released JEE Main 2020 application form on September 3 at jeemain.nic.in. The last date to register for JEE Main 2020 was extended to October 10, 2019 and the last date to pay the application fee is October 11.  There are major changes in the registration process of JEE Main this year. National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct JEE Main 2020 January session in computer based mode from January 6 to 11 for admissions to various B.Tech/B.E. programmes offered by 31 NITs, 25 IIITs and 28 CFTIs. JEE Main 2020 will be held for 2 papers where Paper-I is for B.Tech admissions and Paper-II for B.Arch and B.Plan admissions. The admit card will be released on December 6, 2019. NTA will declare the JEE Main result on January 31, 2020. Also check the changes in JEE Main 2020 like exam centres, paper pattern, etc below

New Changes announced by NTA in JEE Main 2020:

• JEE Main Application Form 2020 involves input of personal and contact details with password of the candidate's choice unlike previous years when only basic details were input.
• Fee has increased across all categories and payment mode is now online only. There is no offline payment mode
• JEE Main 2020 exam centres have been reduced to 233. Last year they were 264 in India.
• A major change has been announced in the JEE Main 2020 exam pattern with reduction of number of questions, changes in marking scheme and total marks. Numerical questions have been introduced for Maths, Physics, Chemistry while Paper 2 has been clearly demarcated for B.Arch and B.Plan students.
• Total number of questions have been reduced to 75 from the earlier 90 questions for Paper 1. Negative marking has been removed for numerical questions such that 15 questions for 60 marks in Paper 1 have no negative marking.
• B.Arch applicants have to appear for drawing while B.Plan aspirants attempt questions on planning.

Candidates can appear twice for JEE Main 2020 -January and April. The JEE Main application form for April session will be available from February 7 to March 7 with download of the admit card from March 16. The JEE Main April session exam will be held from April 3 to 9 with result declaration on April 30. The better of the two scores will be used for the purpose of ranking as per the regulations laid by the authorities. States like Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand and Nagaland as well many other private universities and institutes use JEE Main ranks for admissions; however, admission criteria for these will be notified by the concerned authorities only.

All aspirants must adhere to the prescribed NTA JEE Main 2020 eligibility criteria. It includes guidelines for age, requisite academic qualifications, subjects studied in qualifying exam, pass percentage etc. The detailed JEE Main eligibility criteria to appear for the entrance exam are specified below

Age Criteria: There is no age limit for JEE Main 2020. 

Qualifying Examinations: Candidates must have passed class 12 or equivalent exam in 2018 or 2019. Candidates appearing for class 12 board examination in 2020 will be also eligible for JEE Main.

Subjects to be Qualified in Qualifying Examination: Candidates must have studied a minimum of 5 subjects which will be considered. They are Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Technical Vocational Subject, Language and any other subject. Candidates who have taken four subjects will not be eligible.

Number of attempts: All aspirants can appear twice in a year. Students can appear for JEE Main for three years consecutively therefore the total attempts allowed for each student will be six in three years

For JEE Main Paper II- Candidates applying for B.Arch programme must have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination with 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics individually and in aggregate. Diploma holders are not eligible for the entrance exam.

Qualifying Marks for Admission into IITs, NITs, IIITs and CFTIs: Gen/OBC candidates must have scored a minimum of 75% marks or should be in the top 20 percentile of their respective boards. Candidates belonging to SC/ST category must have minimum scores of 65% or be in the top 20 percentile of their boards.

Reservation Criteria

Note: Reservation for the NITs, IIITs and GFTIs will be as per the central list and not as per the state of eligibility.

Mode of Application : Online

Mode of Payment : Net Banking | Credit Card | Debit Card | Paytm | BHIM

JEE Main 2020 application form for January session was available in online mode from September 3 to October 10, 2019. The application form for Paper 1 and 2 was the same. Candidates could fill the application form either for Paper 1 or Paper 2 or for both. To fill the application form of JEE Main 2020, the candidates have to follow the given below steps:

Step 1: Registration- Candidates have to register first by entering personal and contact details. Next the password must be input as per the given specifications.On successful registration, the JEE Main 2020 application number is generated.

Password specifications are - It must have 8 to 13 characters with at least one Upper case, one lower case alphabet, one numeric value and one special character - [email protected]#$%^&*

Step 2: Fill JEE Main 2020 Application Form – Candidates have to enter the following details

• Examination Related Details: Paper appearing for (Paper 1 or 2 or both), choice of any 4 examination centres , preferred language for exam (English/ Hindi/ Gujarati). Next other details have to be entered as follows
• Academic details
• Guardian Income

Step 3: Upload Scanned Images of Documents – The third step is to upload the scanned images of the specified documents in the prescribed format and dimensions. 

Specifications of Scanned Documents

Step 4: Make Fee Payment- Candidates will have to pay the requisite fee of entrance exam either in online mode only

JEE Main 2020 Application Fees

Mode of Payment: Debit card/Credit card/Net Banking/ UPI and Paytm services. 

Step 5: Print out of Acknowledgement/ Confirmation Page: Once the application form is submitted, take 4 print out the acknowledgement page and keep it safely for future use.

Check Payment Status -

Candidates may login to see if their payment status is "OK". Only then can they print the confirmation page. The following steps have to be followed if the payment status is not "OK":

• In case of online payment:  This means that the transaction has been cancelled. While the amount will be refunded automatically within 7 to 10 days, candidates have to pay the fees once again.

JEE Main 2020 Correction Window- NTA will provide JEE Main 2020 application correction facility from October 14 to 20, 2019. During this time period, candidates can edit some of the prescribed information in their application form. In case of category change from reserved to general, the difference in fee must be paid online. However in case of a change from general to reserved category, there will be no refund of the difference in fee.

Application Fees

JEE Main Paper 1 Syllabus

JEE Main Paper 2 Syllabus

JEE Main 2020 preparation tips specify the steps to be followed by students wishing to crack the exam and taste success in it. Some of the preparation tips suggested by experts and toppers are

• Use the syllabus and study all topics thoroughly
• Understand and know the exam pattern well
• Prepare a study plan and adhere to it well
• Check and refer important books and topics recommended by experts and toppers
• Prepare short notes while studying to use as reference at the last minute
• Practice well by solving previous year sample papers
• Revise and analyze after each test
• Attempt JEE Main 2020 mock test to feel actual exam environment
• Revise regularly to avoid missing or forgetting any topic
• Go for small breaks to avoid monotony and tiredness
• Stay positive and be confident; avoid comparisons with others
• Keep healthy and fit

Important Topics to keep in mind during JEE Main preparation

Chapters in Physics with weightage 

Chapters in Mathematics with weightage  

Chapters in Chemistry with weightage 

Success Mantras of JEE Main Toppers:

Some of the JEE Main 2019 Topper interviews have been listed below to allow students to read about the success mantras of the students who have managed to beat all competition and crack the exam to reach the top in 2019.

JEE Main Paper 1 Exam Pattern

JEE Main 2020 Exam Pattern for Paper 1- NTA has detailed the exam pattern of JEE Main Paper 1 which is for the B.Tech aspirants. Familiarity with exam pattern is a mandatory factor in preparation as the exam is the toughest with more than 12 lakh students appearing for it. The JEE Main exam pattern for Paper 1 specifies the types of questions expected, number of questions, duration of exam, marking scheme and language of test etc. The details of the exam pattern of JEE Main Paper 1 are given below

JEE Main Exam Pattern (Paper 1)

* MCQs- Multiple Choice Questions
*NQs - Numerical Questions

JEE Main Paper 2 Exam Pattern

JEE Main 2020 Exam Pattern for Paper 2- Aspiring architects appearing for Paper 2 of JEE Main Paper must know the exam pattern well if they wish to crack the exam. The JEE Main exam pattern (Paper 2) has aptitude and mathematics in addition to drawing therefore its partly a computer based test and partly a pend and paper one. Exam Pattern of JEE Main Paper 2 details the types and number of questions asked, exam duration, marking methodology etc. Candidates can check the Paper 2 JEE Main exam pattern 2020 below.

 JEE Main 2020 Exam Pattern (Paper 2) for B.Arch

JEE Main 2020 Exam Pattern (Paper 2) for B.Plan

NTA has released JEE Main 2020 mock test from August 10 in online mode. Candidates can attempt JEE Main 2020 mock test using the link given on the JEE Main website or even NTA website. Candidates can access the mock test of JEE Main 2020 without the need for login credentials. Mock tests will be available for all both Paper I and Paper II. However, in case of Paper II, mock test for drawing section is not available. 

In addition, NTA has also started the registrations for offline mock tests too. Candidates can go to NTA website and use the download mock test link given there. After ownloading the mock test, candidates can practice the given questions in offline mode. 

Attempting mock test will enable candidates to be familiar with the exam pattern, examination mode, and importantly they will be able to analyze their preparation. Apart from this, attempting mock test will enable candidates to learn time management which plays a crucial part in the entrance exam.

The exam conducting authority has setup a countrywide network of Test Practice Centres (TPCs) for students of rural/urban areas. Accordingly to the officials, 2,697 TPCs have been established in various schools and engineering colleges with computer centres. To avail this facility, candidates will have to do online registration and visit these TPCs as per the slot allotted to them. The TPCs have a downloaded Computer Based Test (CBT) which is similar to the actual JEE Main 2020 exam. Also, authorities have developed an app which enables candidates to choose the nearest JEE Main mock test centres.

JEE Main Admit Card 2020 will be released by NTA from December 6 for the January exam while it can be downloaded from March 16 for the April session. Candidates will have to login using their application number, date of birth or password to download their admit card. Details like name, exam centre address, admit card number, roll number, timing of examination, paper appearing for, gender and more will be displayed on the admit card of JEE Main 2020. 

How to download the JEE Main 2020 admit card?

Candidates can download the JEE  Main admit card by two methods:

• Using their Application Number and Password
• Using their  Application Number and Date of Birth

However, before downloading the admit card candidates must check all the information furnished on it.  JEE Main 2020 admit card is an important identity document. Without admit card of JEE Main 2020 candidates will not be allowed to enter the examination hall. 

What to carry to the exam hall along with the admit card?

• A valid photo id proof (College/ School ID Card, Driving License, Passport) to the exam centre.
• A passport size photograph (same as in application form)
• PwD certificate if applicable

Details mentioned in Admit card of JEE Main 2020

• Name of Candidate
• Father's Name
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Category
• State of Eligibility
• Roll Number
• Paper for which appearing
• Application Number
• Exam Centre Name
• Exam Centre Address
• Date of Exam
• Timing of Exam (Shift)
• Photograph of Candidate
• Signature of Candidate
• Candidate's parent signature

Unable to download the Admit Card?

Candidates who are unable to download their admit card must call the helpline numbers from 10 am to 5 pm OR send an email to [email protected] giving their application number and also the confirmation page.

NTA will release the JEE Main 2020 answer key for Paper 1 after January 11 when the exam concludes. The answer key of JEE Main 2020 will carry the correct responses of the questions asked during the examination. The authorities will release the provisional answer key along with the objection facility before publishing the final answer key along with the result on January 31.  The recorded responses of all candidates will be released through candidate login for candidates to cross verify their answers.  Candidates will be able to calculate their probable scores with the help of JEE Main 2020 answer key. The answer key will be released separately for Paper 1 and 2.

Candidates can raise an objection to any of the answers specified in the JEE Main answer key. To challenge the answer key, candidates will have to fill the online application form and pay the processing fees of Rs.1000 per question. Candidates must note that challenge of answer keys will also be in online mode. The result of JEE Main 2020 will be compiled on the basis of the final answer keys. 

JEE Main 2020 result will be announced in online mode by the authorities on January 31 for Paper 1 and Paper 2 whereas for the April session the result will be declared on April 30.  Candidates will have to login using the application number and date of birth. To ensure equivalence in the difficulty levels of all shifts, the prescribed NTA normalization procedure wll be put to use to arrive the normalized scored for each of the three subjects and the total score which will be announced in the result of JEE Main

The rank will not be announced in January as the better of the two scores will be considered while assigning the rank to the students. The result will depict the following details

• Name of the candidate

• Roll number

• Date of birth

• Name of the candidate’s parents

• State code of eligibility

• Category and Nationality

• Subject-wise NTA scores

• Total NTA scores obtained in first attempt

The final result of JEE Main will be declared on April 30 where the scores of both the attempts or a single attempt will be released along with the rank allotted on the better of the two scores. The final result of JEE Main 2020 Paper 1 and Paper 2 will be announced separately.

JEE Main 2020 Rank List:

NTA will not release a separate merit list for JEE Main 2020. The rank of JEE Main 2020 for both the attempts with details of candidates who have qualified for JEE Advanced 2020 will be mentioned in the result /score card. 

In case of a tie, inter-se-merit guidelines will be used as given below

For JEE  Main 2020 Paper 1 - Tie between candidates obtaining equal total NTA scores in Paper 1, will be resolved as follows:

• NTA score in Mathematics
• NTA score in Physics
• NTA score in Chemistry
• Candidates older in Age
• If the resolution is not possible after this criterion, candidates will be given same rank

For JEE  Main 2020 Paper 2 - Tie between candidates obtaining equal total NTA scores in Paper 2 will be resolved as follows

• NTA score obtained in Mathematics
• NTA score obtained in Aptitude Test
• NTA score obtained in Drawing Test
• Candidates olderi n age
• If the resolution is not possible after this criterion, candidates will be given same rank

JEE Main 2020 Cut off - The minimum rank that fetches a seat in the NITs, IIITs or the GFTIs is the cutoff for JEE Main. Since JEE Main is the screening test for JEE Advanced, NTA releases the qualifying cutoff in JEE Main to appear in JEE Advanced. The cutoff will be different for each category, branch and institute. 

To understand and know the qualifying JEE Main cutoff to appear in JEE Advanced, check the table below.

Cutoff Trends of JEE Main                                                                                                                                                    

Mode of Counselling: Online

JEE Main 2020 counselling will be through Joint Seat Allocation Authority ( JoSAA) which is the conducting body for the common counselling for both JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Candidates have to register for JEE Main counselling 2020 through JoSAA in online mode from June 15. The counselling and seat allotment for JEE Main will be based on candidate’s merit, availability of seats and choice of institute and courses. Counselling for JEE Main through JoSAA will consist of two mock rounds followed by seven rounds.

JEE Main Counselling (as per JoSAA):

• Candidates need not pay any registration fee. 
• Registration is only allowed once at the start of the counselling process and is closed just after the conclusion of the mock round allotments. 
• Thereafter for every round after the allotment, candidates who are allotted seats must download the provisional seat allotment letter, pay the part seat acceptance fee and report to the nearest reporting centre as specified for verification of documents.
• Next they must take the freeze option if they wish to keep the seat and not participate further; float option if they wish to upgrade in the next rounds and slide if they like the institute but wish to upgrade to a better branch within the same institute.

After the last round is completed, candidates mut report to the institutes to complete their admission formalities by paying the balance fee and submitting the requisite documents to the allotted institute.