Check the latest JEE Main exam pattern 2026 including changes, paper structure for B.Tech, B.Arch, B.Plan, total marks, question distribution, marking scheme, and negative marking details.
Table of Contents
The JEE Main exam pattern 2026 is yet to be released by the National Testing Agency. There were some major changes introduced in the JEE Main exam pattern last year. The optional questions in section B were discontinued in both paper 1 and paper 2, and you must attempt all the questions in section B.
JEE Main 2026 exam will be conducted as a computer-based examination in designated exam centers. The JEE Mains paper pattern for paper 1 (B.E/B.Tech) includes three sections: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The total marks in JEE Mains for paper 1 is 300, and the total questions in JEE Mains paper 1 is 75.
JEE Main paper 2 A (B.Arch) contains three sections: Aptitude, Drawing, and Mathematics. JEE total mark for paper 2 A is 400, and the total number of questions asked is 77. The exam will be conducted online for the Aptitude and Mathematics papers, but the Drawing paper will be held in pen and paper mode.
Read More: JEE Main Exam Day Guidelines 2026
Changes in JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026
The NTA might revise the JEE Main exam pattern 2026, the information about the same will be released along with the information brochure. However, the NTA has released the revised JEE Main exam pattern by discontinuing the optional question in section B in both paper 1 and paper 1. Students are now required to answer all 5 mandatory NVT questions in section B last year.
What Is the Exam Pattern for JEE Main 2026?
JEE Main exam pattern 2025 for the B.E/B. Tech courses will comprise 75 multiple-choice questions worth 300 marks. Paper 2A (B.Arch) will have 77 questions for 400 points, whereas paper 2B (B.Plan) will have 100 MCQs with JEE Mains marks of 400.
In addition to Hindi, English, and Gujarati, the JEE Main 2025 exam will be conducted in 13 languages: Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
The JEE Main exam pattern 2025 includes two sections. Section A will consist of 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Section B will have 5 Numerical Value Type questions, which are mandatory. The students will not have any options available in section B.
Check This: JEE Main Exam Centres
JEE Main Paper 1 Exam Pattern 2026 for B.E./B.Tech
The JEE Main paper 1 will be held as a computer based test for 300 marks. Tabulated below is the revised JEE Main paper 1 exam pattern:
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Mode of Exam |
Online |
|
Subjects Covered |
Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
|
Exam Duration |
3 hours or 180 minutes 4 hours for PwD |
|
No. of Questions Asked |
75 (25 from each subject) |
|
Question Pattern of JEE Main |
Mathematics: 25 (20 MCQs+ 5 NVTs) |
|
Maximum Marks |
300 |
|
JEE Main Negative Marking |
Candidates will be given +4 for each right answer and -1 for each wrong in both sections A and B |
Read More: JEE Main Exam Day Dress Code
JEE Main Paper 2 Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights for B.Arch
JEE Main exam pattern highlights for B. Arch (paper II - A) includes the following as mentioned below.
|
Mode of Exam |
For Mathematics: Online For Drawing: Pen and Paper Based Test |
|
Subjects Covered |
Mathematics, Aptitude Test, Drawing |
|
Exam Duration |
3 hours | 180 minutes |
|
No. of Questions Asked |
Mathematics: 25 Aptitude Test: 50 Drawing: 2 |
|
No. of Questions to be Attempted |
Mathematics: 25 Aptitude Test: 50 Drawing: 2 |
|
Type of Questions |
Mathematics: Multiple Choice Questions (20)+ Numerical Value Questions (5) |
|
Maximum Marks |
400 |
JEE Main Paper 2B Exam Pattern 2026 Highlights for B.Arch
JEE Main paper pattern highlights for B. Arch (paper II - B) are tabulated below.
|
Conducted for |
B.Arch. Admissions |
|
Mode |
Online (CBT) & Offline (PBT) for Drawing Paper |
|
Exam Duration |
3 Hours |
|
Subjects |
Mathematics, Aptitude, Drawing |
|
Type of Questions |
|
Check This: JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026
What Is the Marking Scheme for JEE Main 2026?
In JEE Main paper 1, you must answer 75 questions in total, +4 marks will be given for every right answer and -1 will be deducted for every wrong answer.
The detailed marking scheme of JEE Mains for BE and B.Tech 2026 courses is detailed below:
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Total No. of Questions to Answer |
75 (25 from each section) |
|
Marks per Question |
+4 |
|
Negative Marking |
-1 (Inapplicable for descriptive/numerical based questions) |
|
Unattempted Questions |
Option Discontinued |
|
Sectional Distribution of Marks |
100 Marks per Section |
|
JEE Main Total Marks |
300 |
Check This: JEE Main Reservation Criteria
Is There Negative Marking in JEE Main 2026?
Yes, for every wrong answer, 1 mark will be deducted as per the JEE Main exam pattern. The negative marking applies in JEE Main 2026 for both MCQs and numerical value questions. However, there is no negative marking for unattempted questions.
Since there is negative marking, students should avoid random guessing. Attempt only those questions where you are confident after elimination or calculation to avoid losing marks.
Conclusion
The JEE Main exam pattern 2026 remains largely similar to previous years, with multiple-choice and numerical-based questions forming the core. While B.E./B.Tech aspirants must focus on Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, B.Arch and B.Plan candidates need to prepare for Aptitude, Mathematics, and either Drawing or Planning sections. Understanding the exam structure, question distribution, and marking scheme is the first step toward effective preparation.
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