The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced 2026, the gateway to undergraduate programmes at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), will be held on May 17, 2026, with IIT Roorkee organising the exam in computer-based test mode. Media reports suggest that something new may be tested this year, with IIT Kanpur preparing a pilot set of aptitude-based questions after seeking approval from IIT Roorkee, which is responsible for conducting the exam this year.
The proposed model, discussed within the IIT Council and the Joint Admission Board, aims to explore a more adaptive testing format that evaluates reasoning ability and conceptual understanding rather than rote learning, potentially shaping the future structure of the IIT entrance examination.
Candidates who clear the test will be eligible for admission to engineering, science and architecture programmes offered by IITs and IISc Bengaluru.
The major change for 2026 is the organising institute, with IIT Roorkee taking charge of conducting the exam. The organising IIT changes annually among the IITs.
JEE ADVANCED 2026: EXAM SCHEDULE AND PATTERN
The exam will consist of two papers, both mandatory for candidates.
JEE Advanced 2026 schedule
Date: May 17, 2026 (Sunday)
Paper 1: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Paper 2: 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Candidates must appear in both papers, each lasting three hours. The questions in both papers will cover the three core subjects.
COURSES OFFERED THROUGH JEE ADVANCED
The examination serves as the basis for admission to several undergraduate programmes offered by IITs, including:
- 4-year programmes: B.Tech, B.S.
- 5-year programmes: B.Arch
- Dual degrees: B.Tech–M.Tech, B.S.–M.S., B.Tech–MBA, B.S.–MBA
Integrated master’s programmes: M.Tech, B.S.–M.S.
JEE ADVANCED 2026: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Candidates must meet the following conditions to appear in JEE Advanced 2026:
Must be among the top 2,50,000 candidates in the JEE Main 2026 B.E./B.Tech paper
Must be born on or after October 1, 2001
Five-year relaxation in age limit for SC, ST and PwD candidates
Can attempt the exam only twice in two consecutive years
Must have appeared for Class 12 for the first time in 2025 or 2026
Must not have accepted admission to an IIT earlier
JEE ADVANCED 2026: ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AFTER QUALIFYING
Candidates who qualify JEE Advanced will be eligible for IIT admission if they meet either of the following conditions:
Minimum 75% marks in Class 12 board exam
65% for SC, ST and PwD candidates
or
Must be among the top 20 percentile of successful candidates in their respective Class 12 board examination.
Seat allocation will be conducted through the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counselling process.
REGISTRATION FEES
CBT centres in India
Female candidates (all categories): Rs 1600
SC, ST and PwD candidates: Rs 1600
All other candidates: Rs 3200
FOREIGN CANDIDATES
SAARC countries: USD 100
Non-SAARC countries: USD 200
The examination will be conducted in selected cities and towns across India and in a few foreign countries. Candidates can choose their preferred exam city while registering online on the official portal.
WHAT REMAINS UNCHANGED FROM LAST YEAR
While the organising institute changes every year, the core structure of the exam remains largely unchanged compared with 2025.
Key aspects unchanged
Two papers, both compulsory
Computer-based test format
Three subjects: Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics
Eligibility based on top 2.5 lakh JEE Main candidates
Admission through JoSAA counselling
If approved by IIT Roorkee, a new set of questions designed by IIT Kanpur will be used to pilot an adaptive, aptitude-focused testing model for JEE Advanced.
