Today marks a monumental day for lakhs of aspiring engineers across India and abroad. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially announced the scores for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main – 2026 Session 1, specifically for Paper 1 (B.E. / B. Tech.). This declaration, made on 16 February 2026, opens the door to prestigious engineering institutions for countless dedicated students.
The JEE (Main) is a critical stepping stone, and your performance in this session is a testament to your hard work and perseverance. The NTA conducted this highly anticipated examination with meticulous planning and execution, ensuring a fair and transparent process for all participants.
The JEE (Main) – 2026 Session 1 for Paper 1 (B.E. / B. Tech.) was a massive undertaking. It was successfully administered by the NTA across 658 examination centres in 326 cities, which notably included 15 cities outside India. This wide reach ensured accessibility for a diverse group of candidates.
Out of a staggering 13,55,293 registered candidates, an impressive 13,04,653 appeared for the examination, reflecting a high participation rate of 96.26%. These figures underscore the immense competition and the coveted nature of engineering admissions in India. The examination was held in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode, offering a modern and efficient evaluation system. To cater to India's linguistic diversity, the test was made available in 13 languages, including Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
Furthermore, the NTA extended its global reach by conducting the examination in 15 international cities. These included Manama, Doha, Dubai, Kathmandu, Muscat, Riyadh, Sharjah, Singapore, Kuwait City, Kuala Lumpur, Lagos, West Java, Washington, Munich, and Abu Dhabi. This initiative significantly benefited Indian diaspora students aspiring to pursue higher education in engineering.
The NTA Scores are not simply raw marks or percentages. They are normalized scores calculated across multi-shift papers, reflecting the relative performance of all candidates within a particular shift. This robust system ensures fairness by transforming raw marks into a scale ranging from 100 to 0 for each shift. The NTA Score of a candidate is determined using the following formula:
NTA Score = 100 x (Number of candidates appeared in the 'Shift' with raw score EQUAL TO OR LESS than the score of the candidate in the Shift) / Total number of candidates who appeared in the 'Shift'
It is crucial to understand that your NTA Score is a percentile score, not an absolute percentage of marks. This unique methodology helps in accurately ranking candidates who appeared in different shifts with varying difficulty levels.
The NTA has provided comprehensive data on the gender and category-wise distribution of both registered and appeared candidates. This detailed breakdown offers valuable insights into the demographic profile of JEE Main aspirants.
Congratulations to the exceptional candidates who achieved a perfect NTA Score of 100 in Paper 1 (B.E. / B. Tech.). Their hard work and dedication have truly paid off, setting a benchmark for excellence. Here’s a look at some of these top performers:
Here are the top performers across various categories and genders, showcasing talent from different regions and backgrounds.
Maintaining the integrity of the examination is paramount for the NTA. It is important to note that the NTA Scores of 68 candidates have not been declared. This decision was made after these individuals were found to be indulging in Unfair Means practices or discrepancies during identity verification. The NTA remains committed to upholding the fairness and sanctity of the examination process.
JEE Main is not just another exam; it's the gateway to a transformative career in engineering and technology. Securing a good score in JEE Main Session 1 is crucial for several reasons:
This declaration is more than just a score; it's an affirmation of your potential and a stepping stone towards a bright future. Whether you achieved your target score or are looking to improve, remember that this is just one part of your journey. The dedication you show now will define your professional trajectory for years to come.
This notice is about the declaration of results, not the application process. However, checking your results correctly and understanding the next steps is crucial for your admission journey. Here's a guide on how to check your JEE (Main) 2026 Session 1 Scores and what to do next:
www.nta.ac.in or https://jeemain.nta.nic.in). Always ensure you are on the authentic NTA website to avoid phishing scams.Always verify all details on the official government website before submitting your application.