JEE Main

JEE Main 2026 - Overview

Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) is a national-level entrance examination conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to Engineering & Technology programmes across India. The exam is conducted in online mode with a duration of 3 hours for a total of 300 marks . JEE Main is held twice a year. Currently, 11+ colleges in India accept JEE Main scores for admission. The next key date is JEE Main 2027 Session 1 - Registration Opens on 15 Jan 2027.

JEE Main Counselling Overview

Admission to NITs, IIITs, and Government-Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) through JEE Main scores is managed by JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority), a joint body comprising NTA, IITs, and NITs. For state engineering colleges, separate state-level counselling authorities operate (e.g., JAC Delhi, MHT-CET Cell Maharashtra, TANCET in Tamil Nadu).

State Counselling: For state-quota seats and state government colleges, apply separately to the respective state authority - e.g., OJEE (Odisha), UPSEE/AKTU (Uttar Pradesh), WBJEE Board (West Bengal) - using JEE Main scores as per each state's eligibility norms.

• Step 1 - Result & Score Declaration: NTA releases JEE Main Session 1 (January) and Session 2 (April) scores separately. The best of the two NTA Scores is used for merit ranking. JoSAA counselling begins after JEE Advanced results (for IIT seats) in June.
• Step 2 - JoSAA Registration: Eligible candidates register on the JoSAA portal (josaa.nic.in) using their JEE Main/Advanced application number and password. Registration is mandatory even if you only want NIT/IIIT seats.
• Step 3 - Choice Filling & Locking: Candidates fill and prioritise their preferred institute-branch combinations from over 100 participating institutes. The order matters - JoSAA allocates based on rank and preference order. Choices must be locked before the deadline; unlocked choices are auto-locked.
• Step 4 - Seat Allotment Rounds: JoSAA conducts 5-6 allotment rounds. After each round, candidates can accept the seat, float (retain current seat and compete for better options in the next round), or slide (same institute, better branch if available). Candidates who reject an allotted seat without withdrawing formally forfeit their spot.
• Step 5 - CSAB Special Rounds: After JoSAA rounds close, CSAB (Central Seat Allocation Board) conducts 2 additional special rounds specifically for vacant NIT and IIIT seats, targeting candidates from remote and rural areas and those who missed JoSAA.
• Step 6 - Document Verification (Online/Offline): Allotted candidates must upload documents including Class 10 & 12 mark sheets, JEE Main admit card & scorecard, category certificate (if applicable), PwD certificate, and passport-size photos. Some institutes require physical reporting for verification.
• Step 7 - Seat Acceptance Fee Payment: Pay the seat acceptance fee online (₹35,000 for General/OBC; ₹15,000 for SC/ST/PwD, adjustable against institute fees) within the stipulated window to confirm the allotment.
• Step 8 - Reporting to Institute: Physically report to the allotted institute with original documents before the deadline. Failure to report forfeits the seat and the acceptance fee.

JEE Main Important Dates

JEE Main 2027 Session 1 - Registration Opens

15 Jan 2027, Friday

JEE Main 2027 Session 1 - Examination

01 Apr 2027, Thursday

JEE Main 2027 Session 1 - Result Declaration

10 May 2027, Monday

JEE Main Important Dates

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Understanding the eligibility criteria is the first step towards preparing for Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main). The exam is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) at the national level for candidates seeking admission to Engineering & Technology programmes across India. Candidates must carefully verify that they meet all requirements before filling the application form to avoid rejection at a later stage.

JEE Main Application Fee

JEE Main 2026 Cutoff Scores

JEE Main cutoff is the minimum score required by candidates to qualify the examination and become eligible for the next stage of admission. The cutoff is determined by National Testing Agency (NTA) based on factors like total number of candidates, difficulty level of the paper, and availability of seats. The exam is conducted for a total of 300 marks. Candidates from reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD) generally have lower cutoff scores compared to the General category.

Cutoff Data Not Yet Available

JEE Main 2026 cutoff scores will be published after the results are declared. Check back for updates.

How JEE Main Cutoff is Determined

Difficulty Level

The overall difficulty of the question paper directly affects cutoff scores.

Number of Candidates

Higher participation generally leads to higher cutoff scores due to increased competition.

Available Seats

The total number of seats across participating institutes impacts how many candidates qualify.

Reservation Policy

Different cutoffs apply for General, OBC, SC, ST, and PwD categories as per government norms.

Top Colleges Accepting JEE Main 2026

A total of 11+ colleges and institutions across India accept JEE Main scores for admission to Engineering & Technology programmes . This includes 6 government and 5 private institutions. These colleges are spread across 8 states including Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, and more . The highest-rated institution is National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli with a rating of 4.50/5.

Important Points to Remember

Verify your eligibility well before the application deadline to avoid last-minute issues.

Keep all required documents (marksheets, certificates, ID proof) ready before starting the application.

Final-year students can usually apply provisionally - check the official notification for details.

Always refer to the official JEE Main website for the most up-to-date eligibility norms.

Top JEE Main Colleges - at a Glance