The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the Information Bulletin for JEE (Main) 2026, a must‐read for all engineering aspirants. This year brings crucial updates on exam centres, fee structure, paper patterns, city allotments, and more. Here’s your detailed breakdown of everything you need to know.

At a Glance

• Exam conducted in two sessions: Session 1 in January 2026, Session 2 in April 2026.
   

• Mode: Mostly Computer‐Based Test (CBT) with some offline elements for drawing in B.Arch.
   

• Fee, exam centres, schedules, city choices, documentation, and more—all set out clearly.
   

• Candidates must read the Bulletin carefully to avoid mistakes in application.
   

1. Conducting Body & Objective

The NTA is an independent, autonomous organisation set up under the Societies Registration Act (1860) by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Its mission: to conduct efficient, transparent, research-based, internationally standardised tests to improve equity and quality in education.
The JEE (Main) exam has been entrusted to NTA since 2019.

2. Exam Structure & Papers

Papers & Target Courses

• Paper 1 – B.E. / B.Tech programmes.
   

• Paper 2A – B.Arch (Architecture) programmes.
   

• Paper 2B – B.Planning (Planning) programmes.
  All papers are being held in two sessions (January + April 2026).
  Benefits: candidates get two opportunities, first-hand exam experience, ability to improve in second session.
   

Mode & Medium

• Paper 1: Fully CBT (Computer-Based Test).
   

• Paper 2A: Mathematics + Aptitude in CBT, Drawing part in offline (pen & paper) mode on A4 sheet.
   

• Paper 2B: All parts in CBT mode.
   

• Language: The papers will be available in 13 languages (English + Hindi + 11 regional languages). The English version prevails in case of any discrepancy.
   

Pattern (Highlights)

Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech):

• 3 sections: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry.
   

• Each subject: Section A (MCQs) + Section B (Numerical Value Questions).
   

• Total: 75 questions, 300 marks.
   

• Marking: +4 for correct, −1 for wrong (both MCQs & numerical).
   

• Tie‐breaking: based on subject‐wise NTA scores, fewer wrong answers, etc.
   

Paper 2A (B.Arch):

• Part I: Mathematics (25 questions)
   

• Part II: Aptitude (50 questions)
   

• Part III: Drawing Test (2 questions)
   

• Total: 77 questions, 400 marks.
   

• Offline drawing part included.
   

Paper 2B (B.Planning):

• Part I: Mathematics (25 questions)
   

• Part II: Aptitude (50 questions)
   

• Part III: Planning-Based Questions (25)
   

• Total: 100 questions, 400 marks.
   

Duration & Timing

• Paper 1, 2A, 2B (single): 3 hours for non‐PwD/PwBD candidates.
   

• For PwD/PwBD with scribe: extra compensatory time (20 minutes per hour).
   

• For combined papers (2A+2B) maybe 3 h 30 m.
   

• Shifts: 09:00–12:00 (or 12:30) & 15:00–18:00 (or 18:30) depending on paper.
   

3. Important Dates & Fee Structure

Session 1 (January 2026)

• Online Application Form: 31 October 2025 to 27 November 2025 (up to 9:00 PM)
   

• Last date for fee payment: 27 November 2025 (up to 11:50 PM)
   

• City Intimation Slip: First week of January 2026 (tentative)
   

• Admit Card: 3–4 days before exam
   

• Exam dates: Between 21 January 2026 and 30 January 2026
   

• Result declaration: By 12 February 2026
   

Session 2 (April 2026)

• Online Application: Last week of January 2026 onwards
   

• Fee payment last date: Will be notified later
   

• City Intimation Slip: Second week of March 2026 (tentative)
   

• Exam dates: Between 02 April 2026 and 09 April 2026
   

• Result declaration: By 20 April 2026
   

Fee Structure (for each session)

Single Paper (Paper 1 OR Paper 2A OR Paper 2B):

• General Male: ₹1,000 (India) / ₹5,000 (Outside India)
   

• General Female: ₹800 / ₹4,000
   

• Gen-EWS/OBC (NCL) Male: ₹900 / ₹4,500
   

• Gen-EWS/OBC (NCL) Female: ₹800 / ₹4,000
   

• SC/ST/PwD/PwBD Male or Female: ₹500 / ₹2,500
   

• Third Gender: ₹500 / ₹3,000
   

Combination of Papers (two or three papers):

• General/Gen-EWS/OBC Male: ₹2,000 / ₹10,000
   

• General/Gen-EWS/OBC Female: ₹1,600 / ₹8,000
   

• SC/ST/PwD/PwBD Male or Female: ₹1,000 / ₹5,000
   

• Third Gender: ₹1,000 / ₹5,000
  Processing charges & GST extra.
   

4. City Choice, Admit Card & Centres

Choice of Cities

• During application, candidates can pick up to 4 cities (in order of preference) from the list of exam cities (Appendix‐VI).
   

• Selection must be from State of present address or permanent address.
   

• NTA will try to allot one of the chosen cities but reserves the right to allot another city (due to low turnout or logistics).
   

• Once allotted, change of city/shift/is not permitted.
   

• For foreign candidates too, choice depends on present/permanent address.
   

Exam Centre & Admit Card

• E-Admit Card will be available on the NTA website.
   

• Candidate must bring printed Admit Card + photo ID + passport-size photo + Self-Declaration (if applicable).
   

• Reporting: Arrive at centre well in advance (roughly 2 hours before shift). Late entry after gate‐closing time will not be permitted.
   

• Gate closing times: ~07:00-08:30 AM for morning, ~01:00-02:30 PM for afternoon shift.
   

• Admit Card will not be sent by post. Duplication will not be done at centre.
   

• Candidate must check photograph, signature, personal details early; in case of discrepancy approach NTA helpline but still appear with issued card.
   

5. Fee Payment & Help‐Desk

Online Payment Procedure

After online registration and form fill‐up:

• Use Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
   

• Ensure the account/card is valid and has sufficient balance.
   

• Payment gateways: ICICI, HDFC, Canara, SBI. Service/processing charges and GST to be borne by the candidate.
   

• After payment, download the Confirmation Page. If status is not “OK” or Confirmation Page not generated, contact the relevant bank/payment gateway.
   

Helpline Contacts

• HDFC Bank: Email: pg.service@hdfcbank.com; Contacts: 9625622301 / 7838748226
   

• SBI: Email: sbi.00727@sbi.co.in; Contact: 1800112211 (also SMS: 8008202020)
   

• Canara Bank / BillDesk: Email: pgsupport@billdesk.com; other addresses as in Bulletin
   

• ICICI Bank / Worldline: Email: pgsupport.ind@worldline.com; Contact: 18602332332 (9 AM-6 PM)
   

6. CBT (Computer Based Test) & Exam Day Procedure

What to Expect in CBT

• Each candidate will log in using an allotted node/computer with their credentials.
   

• On login: Welcome screen shows candidate’s photograph, subject opted, instructions.
   

• Timer displayed (server based) and exam ends automatically when time is up.
   

• Question palette on the right shows the status of each question (answered, not answered, marked for review).
   

• Navigation: jump to any question, mark for review, clear response, save & next, etc.
   

• Language: Candidate can switch language via profile icon before or during exam (must match language opt‐in at registration). English version prevails if discrepancy.
   

• For numerical‐value questions: use on-screen virtual numeric keypad; answers must be integers (rounded off where applicable).
   

• Rough work: Use only the sheets provided at centre; write name & application number; hand over at end.
   

• Technical glitches: If computer/mouse fa