IIT JEE Main 2026 Key Exam Pattern Changes Introduced and What to Expect?

NTA is likely to release the JEE Mains 2026 exam notification by the first week of November 2025. The JEE Main notification 2026 will comprise details on the JEE Mains paper pattern, syllabus, eligibility, scope and more. Last year, the authorities implemented major changes to the JEE Mains exam pattern. Here’s what students can anticipate this year.

NTA releases the JEE Mains exam pattern in its information bulletin, format revamped last year

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the JEE Mains exam in two sessions, in January and April. The authority will release a detailed notification in this regard on the website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. While the official notification is awaited, students preparing for the exam must be aware of the changes introduced in the previous year that are likely to continue this time as well.

Major Changes Introduced in JEE Mains Question Paper

In 2025, NTA revised the structure of the JEE Main question paper format. The JEE Main exam paper was trimmed from 90 to 75 questions, evenly spread across three subjects. As per the latest JEE exam pattern, each subject has a total of 25 questions divided into two sections. Section A with 20 MCQs and Section B with 5 numerical questions.

This move has no impact on the marking scheme. But it does leave students with fewer options to choose from. A candidate will be awarded (+4) marks for every correct answer and (-1) mark for incorrect responses, applicable to both MCQs and numerical questions. The total duration of the exam continues to be 3 hours, conducted as a computer-based test (CBT). 

While the overall difficulty level is expected to remain similar, candidates may notice subtle changes in question distribution across topics, depending on the finalised syllabus. Aspirants are advised to prepare according to the JEE Mains 2026 exam pattern, as NTA has not indicated any major structural modifications for 2026 so far.

Check out: Are Big Changes Expected in JEE Advanced 2026? Outcome of Recent IIT Council Meeting Held after 2 Yrs

Key Highlights to Remember for JEE Main 2026

With the exam being a crucial gateway to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, and also serving as a qualifier for the JEE Advanced exam for IIT admission, aspirants must begin structured preparation early to adapt to the revised format.