IIT-JEE (JEE Main & JEE Advanced): Complete Examination Architecture, Syllabus & Pattern

📌 Selection & Testing Architecture Overview

• Conducting Authority: National Testing Agency (NTA – JEE Main) & IIT Board (JEE Advanced)

• Target Admissions: B.E., B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning programs across IITs, NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs

• Mode of Examination: Computer-Based Test (CBT) for all papers (Drawing test in B.Arch is conducted in Offline Pen-and-Paper mode)

• Number of Selection Tiers: 2 Tiers (Tier 1: JEE Main Screening & Tier 2: JEE Advanced IIT Selection)

• Language of Question Paper: English, Hindi, and 11 Regional Indian Languages

• Official Portals: jeemain.nta.nic.in and jeeadv.ac.in

⚡ Direct Syllabus & Official Resources

📊 Official Scheme of Examination (Exam Pattern)

Tier 1: JEE Main (B.E. / B.Tech Paper 1)

JEE Main serves as the entry test for NITs/IIITs and the screening test to qualify top rankers for JEE Advanced.

• Total Exam Duration: 3 Hours (180 Minutes)

• Negative Marking Penalty: +4 Marks awarded for every correct answer; -1 Mark deducted for every incorrect response across both MCQs and Numerical Value Questions. Unattempted questions receive zero penalty.

*Candidates attempt 5 out of 10 numerical questions in Section B for each subject.

Tier 2: JEE Advanced (For Top ~2,50,000 JEE Main Qualifiers)

JEE Advanced determines final merit ranks for admission into undergraduate engineering programs across all 23 IITs.

• Format: Mandatory 2 Papers (Paper 1 & Paper 2) on the same examination day.

• Duration: 3 Hours for Paper 1 + 3 Hours for Paper 2.

• Question Types: Multiple-Choice (Single & Multiple Correct Options), Numerical Value, Matching Types, and Integer Types.

• Marking Scheme: Variable marking layout (including partial marking and negative marking rules detailed on the front page of individual test booklets).

🧠 Core Topic-Wise Syllabus Breakdown (NCERT & Higher Application Baseline)

1. Physics

• Mechanics: Units and Measurements, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work, Energy and Power, Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Mechanics of Solids and Fluids.

• Thermal & Molecular Physics: Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory of Gases, Heat Transfer, Thermal Expansion.

• Waves & Oscillations: Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM), Wave Motion, Sound Waves, Doppler Effect.

• Electromagnetism: Electrostatics, Capacitance, Current Electricity, Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction (EMI), Alternating Currents (AC), Electromagnetic Waves.

• Optics & Modern Physics: Ray Optics, Wave Optics, Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation, Atoms and Nuclei, Semiconductor Electronics, Experimental Physics.

2. Chemistry

• Physical Chemistry: Some Basic Concepts in Chemistry, Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure, Chemical Thermodynamics, Solutions, Equilibrium (Ionic & Chemical), Redox Reactions, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Surface Chemistry.

• Inorganic Chemistry: Classification of Elements and Periodicity, $p$-Block, $d$-Block, and $f$-Block Elements, Coordination Compounds, Extraction of Metals (Metallurgy), Environmental Chemistry.

• Organic Chemistry: Purification and Characterization of Organic Compounds, Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry, Hydrocarbons, Organic Compounds Containing Halogens, Oxygen, and Nitrogen, Polymers, Biomolecules, Chemistry in Everyday Life.

3. Mathematics

• Algebra: Sets, Relations, and Functions, Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations, Matrices and Determinants, Permutations and Combinations, Mathematical Induction, Binomial Theorem, Sequences and Series.

• Calculus: Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability, Application of Derivatives, Indefinite and Definite Integrals, Differential Equations.

• Coordinate Geometry: Cartesian System, Straight Lines, Circles, Conic Sections (Parabola, Ellipse, Hyperbola).

• Vectors & $3\text{D}$ Geometry: Vector Algebra, Three-Dimensional Geometry ($3\text{D}$).

• Trigonometry & Statistics: Trigonometric Functions and Equations, Inverse Trigonometric Functions, Statistics, Probability, Mathematical Reasoning.

🛡️ Mandatory Eligibility Parameters & Rules

• Educational Qualification: Must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 / equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as core compulsory subjects.

• JEE Advanced Attempt Limits: A candidate can attempt JEE Advanced a maximum of two times in two consecutive years starting from the year of first appearing in the Class 12 board examination.

• 75% Criteria for IIT/NIT Admissions: To secure final seat allocation in IITs, NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs, candidates must achieve a minimum of 75% aggregate marks in Class 12 (or be in the top 20 percentile of their respective board). (Relaxed to 65% for SC/ST candidates).