The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main examination phase will start from Tuesday and end on Friday. It is an eligibility test for the JEE Advance paper conducted for admission into the various IITs (Indian Institute of Technology), NITs (National Institute of Technology) and universities recognised by state governments. According to the eligibility criteria, the candidate should have secured at least 75% marks in the Class 12 or be in the top 20 percentile in the Class 12 examination conducted by the respective Boards. For SC/ST candidates, the qualifying marks is 65%. This year, the Mains examination is being conducted in four sessions:

  1. February 23-26, 2021
  2. March 15-18, 2021
  3. April 27-30, 2021
  4. May 24-28, 2021

According to the National Testing Agency, 6,61,781 candidates have opted to sit in the first of the JEE (Main)-2021. 

Also Read| JEE Main 2021: Exam guidelines, dress code | All you need to know

Pattern of Examination: In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pattern of the examination has been changed a little. This year, the JEE main papers will have two sections-Section A and Section B. Section A will have multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and Section B will have 10 questions and candidates will be required to attempt only 5 questions (these questions will have numerical answers). There will be no negative marking for section B. Total time for completing the paper will be three hours (4 hours for differently-abled candidates). Students will be required to attempt only 75 questions. There will be 90 questions, with 30 questions each for Physics, Maths and Chemistry. Every correct answer would fetch a candidate +4 marks and -1 for every wrong answer. The paper would be out 300 marks.

Also read: Here are some last minute tips for JEE aspirants

Important Guidelines to follow on the day of the Exam: The admit card is provisional subject to being verified or cancelled as per the eligibility conditions.

All candidates must mandatorily go through the handheld metal detector checking at the entrance of the exam centre.

Candidates will be allowed to carry the following items only:

1. Transparent water bottle

2. Hand sanitiser (50 ml)

3.  A Ballpen

4. Admit Card with Self Declaration (undertaking) downloaded from the official website

5. Additional passport size photograph for the attendance sheet

6. Valid ID Proof must be original

7. Mask and Gloves

As per the new National Education Policy, this year the JEE Mains exam will be conducted in Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu in addition to Hindi and English. The exam will be a Computer-Based Test. Only the drawing test for BArch. will require candidates to carry their own stationery materials, including geometry box, pencil, eraser to write the exam in offline mode.