NIT Tiruchirappalli, Tamil NaduENGINEERING / YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
JEE Main
Build a future with possibilities.
Discover engineering pathways, understand the exam and begin building your shortlist.
A participating NIT; JEE Main also forms part of the qualification route to JEE Advanced.
Photo: Aruna · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Displayed with responsive cropping.UNDERSTAND THE BIGGER PICTURE
Your pathway, at a glance.
Gateway exam for NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutes; also the qualifying stage for JEE Advanced.
Know the requirements
Check the eligibility and exam-cycle information published by the conducting body.
Build your preparation
Use the official syllabus and paper pattern to guide your study plan.
Explore what follows
NITs, IIITs & other participating institutions. Selection depends on the applicable programme rules.
ELIGIBILITY
Who can take this exam?
Eligibility
Open to students who have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech); Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning) has its own subject-combination requirements, including Mathematics.
Academic requirements
Class 12 (or equivalent) pass with PCM for Paper 1; Paper 2 requires Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry (or equivalent) plus an aptitude/drawing component for B.Arch, or Planning-specific subjects for B.Planning.
APPLICATION
Make your application count.
Application process
Fully online registration and application through the NTA's official JEE Main portal; the exam is conducted across multiple sessions per year (typically two).
PATTERN
Know what you are preparing for.
Exam pattern
JEE Main has two papers — Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech (computer-based test) and Paper 2 for B.Arch/B.Planning (a mix of computer-based and drawing/aptitude sections). Paper 1 covers Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics with multiple-choice and numerical-answer-type questions.
Marking scheme
Multiple-choice questions have historically carried positive marks for a correct answer with negative marking for an incorrect one, while numerical-answer-type questions generally carry no negative marking — the exact mark values are confirmed afresh each cycle in NTA's official information bulletin.
SYLLABUS
Build your subject foundation.
Syllabus
Class 11-12 NCERT-aligned Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics for Paper 1; Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing for Paper 2 (B.Arch), plus Planning-specific topics for B.Planning.
PREPARATION
Prepare with a sense of direction.
Preparation strategy
An NCERT-first approach for concept clarity, followed by advanced problem sets in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with regular full-length mock tests under timed conditions given the multi-session computer-based format.
CHECK THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Dates, notices & documents.
No dated schedule is stored in this guide. This does not mean the organiser has not published one. Check the official portal for current application and examination dates.
A FEW THINGS YOU MIGHT WONDER
Good questions. Clearer answers.
Do I need to apply separately for each JEE Main session?
Yes. Candidates must submit a separate application for Session 1 and Session 2. If you miss Session 1, you can still apply once the Session 2 application window opens.
Can I appear in both JEE Main sessions?
Yes, it's optional — you may sit for one or both. If you appear in both, the better of your two NTA scores is used for the merit list/ranking.
Are calculators allowed in the JEE Main exam?
No. The use of calculators in any form is not permitted.
Can I cancel my JEE Main application after submitting it?
No. Once an online application is submitted successfully, it cannot be cancelled or withdrawn.
How do I get my JEE Main admit card?
Admit cards are not sent by post. You must download it from the official NTA website once released; for help, contact the NTA helpline (011-40759000 / 011-69227700) or jeemain@nta.ac.in.
Can I leave the exam hall early if I finish before time?
No. Candidates are not allowed to leave the examination centre before the test concludes.
Is the Category Certificate mandatory to upload during the application?
No. You enter the certificate number, date of issue, and issuing authority instead of uploading it; the actual certificate is produced later at document verification/admission.
KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN
