The initial JEE Main 2026 booklet stated that an ‘on-screen standard calculator’ would be available for use during the Computer-Based Test (CBT), which caused a misunderstanding.
According to the statement, candidates may perform “addition, subtraction, division and multiplication… the calculator includes functions for square root, percentage, etc.” using the basic calculator.
NTA has now clarified that the “use of calculators in any form is not permitted in this examination” in a public notification released on Sunday night, stating that the reference to the on-screen calculator solely applies to its generic test platform and “does not apply to JEE (Main).”
“NTA regrets the typographic error in the Information Bulletin of JEE(Main) 2026 and for the inconvenience caused to the candidates,” the official statement read.
The updated information bulletin is available on the agency’s website, and applicants are advised to download it.
The statement aims to eliminate any uncertainty for students preparing for one of the most challenging engineering entrance exams in the nation. Aspirants and coaching centres had drawn attention to the disparity earlier this week, prompting the agency to take immediate action.
The announcement emerges as JEE Main 2026 registrations are underway. The application window for Session 1 opened on October 31 and will remain open until November 27.
There will be two exam sessions for JEE Main 2026: Session 1 from January 21 to 30, 2026, and Session 2 from April 2 to 9, 2026. The results for Session 1 will be declared on February 26.
About the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main
The JEE Main is held every year between January and April. There are 75 questions on Paper 1 (BE/B.Tech), which is entirely computer-based and worth 300 points. Paper 2B (B.Plan) comprises solely CBT with roughly 100 questions, while Paper 2A (B.Arch) consists of both CBT and pen-and-paper sketching parts for 400 marks.
Each right response earns candidates four marks, while each incorrect multiple-choice response results in one mark being deducted. PwD (person with a disability) candidates are given 20 extra minutes for every hour of the exam.
