JEE Main 2026: NTA Launches Virtual Calculator for CBT - Complete Details

The NTA JEE Mains 2026 application form has been released, and registration for the Session 1 exam will remain open until November 27th. This year, the NTA has made some changes to the registration process.

For the first time, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has introduced an on-screen standard calculator for the Joint Entrance Examination – Main (JEE Mains 2026), which includes obtaining data for the application process from candidates' Aadhaar cards.

A major update has been made to the computer-based exam. Now, candidates will receive an on-screen calculator. However, the use of physical calculators is prohibited during the exam.

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The JEE Mains exam will be conducted in two sessions – January and April. The NTA began the registration process for the JEE Main Session 1 exam on October 31st at jeemain.nta.nic.in. The exam dates for Session 2 have also been revised. According to the information brochure, the JEE Main Session 1 exam will be held from January 21 to 30 and the Session 2 exam will be held from April 2 to 9.

NTA will conduct the JEE exam for BE and BTech as a computer-based test (CBT), except for the drawing test questions in BArch Paper 2, which will be conducted in pen-and-paper offline mode. Candidates will have to solve this section on an A4-sized drawing sheet.

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Key changes made by NTA in JEE Main 2026

1. Virtual/On-Screen Calculator

• Available on the computer screen
• Used for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
• Includes square root and percentage functions
• Available throughout the exam period
• Helps speed up calculations

2. Aadhaar-Based Registration Process

• Retrieving data directly from Aadhaar card
• New update to the registration process

3. Screen Magnifier

• Facility to magnify any part of the screen
• Zoom for a better view by moving the cursor

4. Accessibility Features

• Dark Mode/Light Mode: Facility to switch during the exam
• Font Size Control: Option to enlarge or reduce text
• Cursor Trail: Enable cursor trail and choose size

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Are calculators allowed in JEE Main 2026?

Both JEE Main Paper 1 and Paper 2 will have two sections – Section A will contain multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and Section B will contain questions for which answers must be filled in as numerical values. There will be negative marking for incorrect answers in both Sections A and B.

Until this year, the NTA JEE Main exam did not have an onscreen calculator, nor were candidates allowed to carry one. However, in a major change to the exam pattern, the NTA has announced the launch of an onscreen standard calculator, the CBT Calculator, which will have functions for square root, percentage, and other calculations.

However, candidates are not permitted to carry physical calculators into the exam center. Those carrying calculators during the exam will be disqualified, and such use will be considered unfair means and may result in disqualification.

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