Negative marking in JEE Main: The NTA has released the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern, along with information about the negative marking in JEE Mains, on its official site (idiom site) – jeemain.nta.ac.in. The official notice contains all the crucial information, such as the number of questions, the marking scheme, duration of the exam, subject-wise marks, and total marks.
According to the revised JEE Main 2026 pattern, the paper will have 75 questions in total – 25 each from Maths, Physics, and Chemistry – carrying a total of 300 marks. Candidates must carefully go through the marking scheme, especially the negative marking scheme, as understanding it is very important to improve their rank and final score. Let’s explore more!
Read More:
- JEE Main Total Marks 2026: Check Subject Wise Marking Scheme
- What is a Good NTA Score in JEE Main 2026?
Is there any Negative Marking in JEE Main 2026?
Yes, JEE Main 2026 will be conducted with a negative marking pattern. As per the new JEE Main 2026 pattern, NTA, there are 4 marks for each question. Students will receive +4 marks for every correct answer, but 1 mark will be deducted for each wrong response.
If a candidate chooses not to attempt a question, then no marks will be added or subtracted; the score for that question stays the same. Negative marking in JEE Main applies only to multiple-choice questions (MCQs). For the value-type questions, the rules might differ; therefore, we recommend checking the exam bulletin of that year to see the exact number of details required.
JEE Mains 2026 Marking Scheme Overview
| Description | Outcome on Scoring | Criteria | Description |
| Unanswered Question | No effect on total marks | If left blank | Unanswered Question |
| Correct Response (MCQs or Numerical) | Adds +4 to the total | When answered correctly | Correct Response (MCQs or Numerical) |
| Wrong Attempt in MCQs | Penalty of -1 mark | If answered incorrectly | Wrong Attempt in MCQs |
| Numerical Type (If negative marking is applicable) | -1 deducted | Only as per the specific question instructions | Numerical Type (If negative marking is applicable) |
Note: The negative marking for numerical questions in JEE Main depends on the official NTA rules for that specific year.
Check Out: JEE Main Marking Scheme 2026: Negative Marking Rules
JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026
1. JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026 for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)
As per the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern, Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech will include a total of 75 questions. The paper will have 25 questions, each from the Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry sections:
| Subjects | Section A Questions | Section B Questions | Marks Allocation |
| Chemistry | 20 MCQs | 5 Numeric Type | 100 Marks |
| Physics | 20 MCQs | 5 Numeric Type | 100 Marks |
| Mathematics | 20 MCQs | 5 Numeric Type | 100 Marks |
| Grand Total | 60 Objective Questions | 15 Numerical Questions | 300 Marks |
2. JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026 for Paper 2A (B.Arch)
Students can check the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern for Paper 2A (B.Arch) in the table given below. The B.Arch question paper will include a total of 77 questions, out of which 2 questions will be from the Drawing section.
| Component | Question Type & Count | Maximum Marks |
| Aptitude Test | 50 Objective-type Questions | 200 |
| Drawing Section | 2 Questions (Based on Sketching & Creativity) | 100 |
| Mathematics | 25 Questions – 20 MCQs + 5 Numerical-based | 100 |
| Total | 77 Questions in All | 400 Marks |
Check Out: JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026
3. JEE Main Exam Pattern for Paper 2B (B.Planning)
You can find a detailed look at the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern for Paper 2B (B.Planning) in the table below. The complete paper will have 100 questions, and the Planning section will carry 25 questions in total.
| Exam Section | Type & Count of Questions | Score Allocation |
| Planning Test | Total 25 Questions | 100 Marks |
| Mathematics | 20 MCQs + 5 Numerical Value Questions (Total: 25) | 100 Marks |
| Aptitude | 50 Questions (MCQ format) | 200 Marks |
| Complete Paper | 100 Questions from all sections combined | 400 Marks |
To comprehend the negative marking in JEE Main 2026, just (just in case definition) keep in mind: For every incorrect attempt, 1 mark will be charged, which is one-fourth of the marks allotted for a correct attempt. For every correct answer, you receive +4 marks, and for every wrong answer, -1 mark.
Strategies To Avoid Negative Marking in JEE Main 2026
- Read the Question Carefully – It’s easy to make mistakes when you misread a question or you just don’t get it. Reading slowly and concentrating in this way can help you precisely understand what’s being asked, thus minimizing silly mistakes, a key to avoiding the penalty for guessing.
- Try the Elimination Trick – Remove the clearly wrong options first. And then use logic and things that you’ve learned to make a smart decision. This makes your performance more accurate and secures you from wild guessing and losing marks because of the negative marking pattern.
- Trust Your First Answer – If you know your answer, don’t change it on random. Questioning without cause generally leads to a wrong answer in JEE Main and leads to unnecessary penalties in JEE Main due to negative marking.
- Practice Daily and Time management – If you solve a question regularly, it increases your accuracy, and you become faster. Practicing good time (race against time phrase meaning) management in the JEE Main 2026 exam minimizes the chances of rushing to answer the questions and making mistakes under pressure.
- Avoid Blind Guessing – Guessing at random leads to wrong choices most of the time.
- Only guess if you can confidently cancel out one or more wrong options. This lowers the risk of negative marking in JEE Main 2026.
- Look for Hints in the Question – While attending numerical and reasoning type questions, look for lead words or hints in the question. These clues can help you to the answer, and clear up confusion.
- Attempt Sure Questions First – Start with the ones you know well. It helps you collect marks early and keeps you calm. This is an intelligent method of studying and also minimizes any risk of losing marks under the JEE Main 2026 pattern.
- Don’t Go Too Fast at the End – An urge to finish 100% at the end tends to create errors. Leave a minute or two at the end to check over your answers, and don’t lose marks on careless mistakes.
- Know the Marking System Well – Keep the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern in mind always: +4 for correct and -1 for incorrect. This negative marking system can trip you up if you are not careful.
- Practice Mock Tests as a Real Exam – Prepare mock tests in exam exam-like environment. It keeps you grounded during the actual JEE Main and shows you how to keep panic levels low, removes you from guesswork, and helps you deal with the pressure.
Check Out: JEE Main 2026 Preparation Tips for Class 12th Students
JEE Main 2026 Preparation Tips
For JEE Main 2026, focus on building strong basics, managing your time well, revising often, and practicing with mock tests. Give attention to important chapters, know the syllabus in detail, and take (take with a grain of salt idiom synonym) care of your health.
Here’s a simplified step-by-step guide:
- Know the Full Syllabus: Go through the entire JEE Main 2026 syllabus, and understand question types and important topics.
- Understand Concepts Clearly: In Physics, Chemistry, and Math, try to understand all core concepts well, as many questions are based on basics.
- Stick to NCERT Books: Read NCERT books carefully for every subject because they are the main base for JEE Main questions.
- Make a Study Plan: Prepare a timetable that includes time for every subject and revision sessions.
- Focus on Important Topics: Give more time to high-weightage topics that carry more marks in the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern.
- Practice Regularly: Solve questions daily, and include JEE Main previous year papers and mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
- Manage Time Well: Practice solving papers with a timer to boost your accuracy under time pressure.
- Keep Revising: Make time every week to revise formulas, key points, and important reactions.
- Attempt Mock Tests: Give full mock tests often to understand the exam format and spot your weak points.
- Take Care of Yourself: Eat healthy food, sleep on time, and try to stay stress-free for better focus.
Also, always remember the negative marking in the JEE Main 2025 and JEE Main 2026 pattern. Try to avoid guesswork, as per the negative marking scheme, 1 mark is deducted for every wrong answer.
FAQs on Negative Marking in JEE Mains 2026
Q: Will there be negative marking in JEE Main 2026?
Ans: Yes, negative marking applies in JEE Main. You get 4 marks for each correct answer, but 1 mark is deducted for every wrong one. No marks are given or cut for unanswered questions. Knowing the negative marking scheme helps avoid losing marks due to silly mistakes or blind guessing.
Q: How is the marking scheme of JEE Main 2026?
Ans: As per the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern, 4 marks are awarded for correct responses and 1 mark is reduced for wrong answers in both Paper 1 and Paper 2. Unattempted questions get zero marks. Understanding this marking scheme is important to avoid unnecessary loss of marks.
Q: What is meant by one-fourth negative marking in JEE Main?
Ans: In a 1/4 negative marking scheme, one-fourth of the marks for a correct answer are cut for a wrong one. If a question carries 4 marks, 1 mark gets deducted for a wrong attempt. So, knowing this is key to handling negative marking in JEE Main 2026 wisely.
