JEE B.Arch Exam 2026

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main Paper 2A is the gateway for students aspiring to pursue Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) programs in India's premier institutes. Below are the key highlights for the 2026 session:

• Exam Name: JEE Main Paper 2A (B.Arch)
• Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
• Exam Level: National Level
• Frequency: Twice a year (Session 1 & Session 2)
• Mode of Exam: Mathematics & Aptitude (Computer Based Test); Drawing (Pen & Paper mode)
• Courses Offered: Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch)
• Official Website: jeemain.nta.nic.in

Based on previous cycles, the tentative schedule for JEE B.Arch 2026 is as follows:

• Session 1 Registration: November 2025 to December 2025
• Session 1 Exam Date: Last week of January 2026
• Session 2 Registration: February 2026 to March 2026
• Session 2 Exam Date: First/Second week of April 2026
• Result Declaration: May 2026
• Counselling Starts: June 2026

JEE B.Arch is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the NTA for admission to undergraduate architecture programs. It specifically targets seats in National Institutes of Technology (NITs), School of Planning and Architecture (SPAs), and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs). It evaluates a candidate's mathematical skills, architectural aptitude, and drawing capabilities.

The full form of JEE B.Arch is Joint Entrance Examination for Bachelor of Architecture. It is formally known as JEE Main Paper 2A to distinguish it from Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) and Paper 2B (B.Planning).

Over the last decade, the JEE B.Arch exam has evolved significantly. Key changes include:

• Transition from a single annual exam to a biannual (two-session) format.
• Shift of the Mathematics and Aptitude sections from offline OMR sheets to Computer Based Testing (CBT).
• Increased weightage on 3D visualization and analytical reasoning in the Aptitude section.
• Strict implementation of the NATA/JEE requirement for all COA-approved architecture colleges.

To be eligible for JEE B.Arch 2026, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Qualifying Exam: Must have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination.
• Mandatory Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) are compulsory in Class 12.
• Minimum Marks: For admission to NITs/SPAs/CFTIs, candidates usually need at least 75% marks (65% for SC/ST) in Class 12, or be in the top 20 percentile.
• Age Limit: There is no age limit for appearing in JEE Main.
• Year of Passing: Candidates who passed Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or appearing in 2026 are eligible.

The application process is entirely online via the NTA portal:

1. Registration: Create a profile using email ID and mobile number.
2. Form Filling: Enter personal details, educational qualifications, and choice of exam cities.
3. Document Upload: Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, and category certificates (if applicable).
4. Fee Payment: Pay the application fee using Net Banking, Credit Card, Debit Card, or UPI.
5. Confirmation Page: Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.

The exam consists of three primary subjects:

• Mathematics: Focuses on analytical and numerical problem-solving.
• General Aptitude: Tests awareness of persons, places, buildings, materials, and 3D visualization.
• Drawing: Evaluates the ability to sketch scenes, objects, and designs with correct proportions and perspective.

The syllabus for 2026 is divided into three parts:

• Mathematics: Sets, Relations, Functions, Complex Numbers, Quadratic Equations, Matrices, Determinants, Trigonometry, Calculus, and Statistics.
• Aptitude: Awareness of architectural environment, visualizing 3D objects from 2D drawings, analytical reasoning, and mental ability.
• Drawing: Sketching of urban scenes, landscape, 2D/3D compositions, and transformation of forms.

The exam structure for Paper 2A is as follows:

• Mathematics: 20 MCQs + 10 Numerical Value Questions (attempt any 5) - 100 Marks.
• Aptitude: 50 MCQs - 200 Marks.
• Drawing: 2 Questions to be attempted on a drawing sheet - 100 Marks.
• Total: 82 Questions | 400 Marks.
• Duration: 3 Hours (4 hours for PwD candidates).

The admission journey follows these steps:

1. Qualify for JEE Main Paper 2A.
2. Obtain a valid NTA score and All India Rank (AIR).
3. Participate in the centralized counselling process (JoSAA/CSAB).
4. Seat allocation based on rank, category, and college preferences.
5. Document verification and reporting to the allotted institute.

Major participating institutes include:

• National Institutes of Technology (NITs): Calicut, Hamirpur, Patna, Raipur, Rourkela, Tiruchirappalli, etc.
• School of Planning and Architecture (SPAs): New Delhi, Bhopal, and Vijayawada.
• GFTIs: Birla Institute of Technology (BIT) Mesra, Mizoram University, etc.

Results are released in the form of an NTA Scorecard. The scorecard includes:

• Section-wise NTA scores (Mathematics, Aptitude, Drawing).
• Total NTA Score (Percentile).
• All India Rank (AIR) and Category Rank.
• The better of the two scores (if the candidate appeared in both sessions) is considered for the final rank list.

Post-result, candidates have several options:

• JoSAA Counselling: Apply for seats in NITs and SPAs.
• NATA: Many state-level and private colleges require the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) scores.
• State Counselling: Apply for state government engineering and architecture colleges using JEE scores.

The JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) conducts the counselling:

• Registration: Candidates log in to the JoSAA portal.
• Choice Filling: List out preferred colleges and branches in order of priority.
• Mock Allotment: Helps candidates understand their chances.
• Seat Allotment: Multiple rounds of seat allocation.
• Freeze/Float/Slide: Options to accept or upgrade seats.

The cut-off is the minimum percentile required to qualify for counselling. It varies yearly based on difficulty and number of applicants. For top SPAs and NITs, a percentile above 98 is typically required for General category students. Separate cut-offs are released for SC, ST, OBC-NCL, and EWS categories.

For queries related to the exam, candidates can reach out to:

• Address: First Floor, NSIC-MDBP Building, Okhla Industrial Estate, New Delhi, Delhi 110020.
• Helpline Number: 011-40759000 / 011-69227700
• Email: jeemain@nta.ac.in