JEE Advanced 2026 Details – Dates, Syllabus, Eligibility, Exam Pattern

Engineering aspirants across India consider the JEE Advanced exam as the ultimate gateway to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Known for its high level of difficulty and intense competition, JEE Advanced not only tests a student’s conceptual understanding of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics but also evaluates problem-solving ability, speed, and accuracy. Every year, thousands of talented students from across the country aim to secure a rank that could change the course of their academic and professional journey. The 2026 edition of JEE Advanced continues this legacy, offering a challenging and fair platform for the brightest minds to enter the top engineering institutions in India.

What is JEE Advanced?

The Joint Entrance Examination – Advanced (JEE Advanced) is India’s elite national-level engineering entrance exam, which serves as the second stage of admission into the undergraduate engineering and technology programmes of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and some other participating institutes. Aspirants first appear in the JEE Main exam; only the top-ranked candidates from JEE Main qualify to sit for JEE Advanced. The exam assesses deep conceptual understanding, speed, problem-solving ability, and accuracy in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

JEE Advanced 2026 Highlights

• Exam name: Joint Entrance Examination – Advanced 2026

• Conducting body: One of the IITs in rotation; for 2026, the expected organising institute is IIT Roorkee

• Level: National, undergraduate engineering admission

• Frequency: Once a year

• Mode of exam: Computer-based test (CBT) for both papers

• Language: English and Hindi (and possibly other regional languages as specified)

• Papers: Two compulsory papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2); both must be attempted

• Duration per paper: 3 hours each (total ~6 hours in one day)

• Registration & eligibility: Based on performance in JEE Main and fulfilling other criteria (age, prior qualification, number of attempts)

• Tentative exam date: May 2026

• Official website: The exam’s official portal remains “jeeadv.ac.in”

Important Dates for JEE Advanced 2026 (Tentative)

The following timeline is indicative based on historical trends:

• Release of information brochure: Expected around December 2025

• Registration opening: Expected around April 2026 for Indian nationals

• Last date for registration / fee payment: Likely early-to-mid May 2026

• Admit card release: A few days before the exam

• Exam day: Typically in May 2026—Paper 1 in the morning, Paper 2 in the afternoon

• Provisional answer key display & objection window: Late May 2026

• Result & rank list publication: Expected around first week of June 2026

Eligibility Criteria for JEE Advanced 2026

Aspirants must satisfy several broad eligibility conditions for JEE Advanced 2026:

1. Performance in JEE Main:Only candidates who rank among the top in JEE Main (B.E./B.Tech paper) are eligible to register for JEE Advanced. Category-wise reservation is applied for eligibility.

2. Age Limit:For the general category, candidates must be born on or after a specified date (often October 1 of a certain year). For SC/ST/PwD candidates, a relaxation of up to five years is typically allowed.

3. Number of Attempts: Candidates are generally allowed a maximum of two attempts in consecutive years for JEE Advanced.

4. Qualifying Examination (Class 12 or Equivalent): Candidates must have passed the Class 12 (or equivalent) examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, and in the required year (e.g., 2025 or 2026). Those who appeared for Class 12 earlier may not be eligible.

Additional Notes

• Candidates who have already taken admission into an IIT are usually not eligible to appear again

• Foreign nationals/OCI/PIO may have separate registration windows or criteria

• Full eligibility details will be published in the official brochure of JEE Advanced 2026

Application / Registration Process

The expected registration process:

1. Appear in JEE Main 2026 and secure requisite rank

2. Register online on the official JEE Advanced portal once shortlisted

3. Fill in personal details, educational background, category, and exam city preferences

4. Upload required documents: scanned photograph, signature, category certificate (if applicable), ID proof

5. Pay the application fee online (recent years: ₹1,600 for Female/SC/ST; ₹3,200 for other categories for Indian nationals; subject to 2026 confirmation)

6. Download and retain the confirmation page

7. On exam day, bring the printed admit card and valid photo identity proof

8. After the exam, the institute releases candidate responses, provisional and final answer keys, and the result

JEE Advanced Exam Pattern and Structure

While final details will be provided in the brochure, the expected structure for JEE Advanced 2026:

• Two compulsory papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2

• Each paper lasts 3 hours, conducted in CBT mode

• Each paper covers three subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics

• Question types: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Numerical Value Type Questions (NVTs), Matching/Matrix-type questions, Paragraph-type questions in some sections

• Marking scheme may vary and is published in the official brochure

• Tentative timings: Paper 1 in the morning, Paper 2 in the afternoon

Candidates need to balance speed, accuracy, and careful selection of questions due to negative marking in some sections.

JEE Advanced Syllabus Outline

The syllabus covers topics from Class 11 and Class 12 in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics:

Physics

Units & Measurements; Motion in a Plane; Newton’s Laws; Mechanical Properties of Solids & Fluids; Oscillations & Waves; Electrostatics; Current Electricity; Magnetism; Electromagnetic Induction; Optics; Modern Physics

Chemistry

Physical Chemistry (Mole Concept, Thermodynamics, States of Matter); Inorganic Chemistry (Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, Coordination Compounds); Organic Chemistry (Functional Groups, Hydrocarbons, Biomolecules)

Mathematics

Algebra (Quadratic Equations, Sequences & Series, Complex Numbers); Calculus (Limits, Continuity, Differentiation, Integration); Coordinate Geometry; Vectors & 3D Geometry; Probability & Statistics

The syllabus generally does not change significantly from year to year, so aspirants can begin preparation using the previous year’s framework.

Participating Institutes and Seat Availability

• Number of seats in IITs for BTech/Integrated courses has been around 18,000

• Only a small fraction of JEE Main aspirants progress to JEE Advanced

• Admission after results is conducted through a joint seat allocation process based on rank, choice filling, and category

Preparation Strategy and Tips

• Start early: Build a steady preparation routine

• Understand exam pattern and syllabus: Plan revision cycles and mock tests

• Focus on fundamentals: Conceptual clarity is more important than rote memorization

• Practice previous years’ papers and mock tests: Familiarity with question formats and timing is crucial

• Time management and accuracy: Balance speed and correctness

• Analyse performance: Identify weak topics and revise them regularly

• Simulate exam conditions: Practice full-length tests in timed conditions

• Maintain health and mindset: Adequate sleep, exercise, and breaks are important

• Stay updated: Monitor official announcements for changes in eligibility, pattern, or dates

Counselling, Results and Admissions Flow

1. The conducting IIT publishes candidate responses and provisional/final answer keys

2. Results and rank lists are released

3. Qualified candidates participate in the joint seat allocation process for IITs and other institutes

4. After seat allotment, candidates complete admission formalities

Key Changes and What to Watch for in 2026

• The conducting IIT for 2026 (expected IIT Roorkee) may issue specific guidelines

• Exact dates for registration, exam, answer key release, and results may shift slightly

• Any changes in number of attempts, age criteria, seat matrix, or question types should be monitored

• New exam centre options or language mediums may be introduced

Why JEE Advanced Matters?

• Opens the gateway to the IITs, known for strong engineering education, research, and placements

• Qualifying demonstrates academic excellence and problem-solving capability

• Offers career opportunities in technology, research, and entrepreneurship

• Develops skills in logical thinking, speed, accuracy, and conceptual understanding