The National Testing Agency (NTA) has revised the JEE Main 2026 registration fee for different categories of candidates. The JEE Main application form will be released online, and candidates will need to pay the prescribed fee while filling out the form. The application fee depends on the number of papers chosen, the category of the candidate, gender, and whether the candidate selects an exam centre in India or abroad.
JEE Main 2026 Registration Fee New Changes
For the 2026 session, the General male candidates applying for a single paper have to pay INR 1000, while EWS and OBC-NCL male candidates must pay INR 800. The registration fee for female candidates is INR 800, whereas third-gender candidates are required to pay INR 500. Candidates from SC/ST/PwD categories also need to pay INR 500.
Those appearing at exam centres outside India will pay significantly higher fees. For example, General male candidates appearing for a single paper outside India have to pay INR 5000, while female candidates from the same category must pay INR 4000.
It is important to note that the JEE Main 2026 registration fee is non-refundable, so candidates should carefully review their details before making the payment.
JEE Main 2026 Application Fee – Detailed Structure
The fee for JEE Main varies depending on the category, gender, and location of the examination centre. The table below provides a complete breakdown of the registration fee for candidates:
| Papers | Category | Gender | Fee in India (INR) | Fee Outside India (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Paper (B.E./B.Tech or B.Arch or B.Planning) | General / EWS / OBC-NCL | Male | 1000 | 5000 |
| Female | 800 | 4000 | ||
| Third Gender | 500 | 3000 | ||
| SC / ST / PwD | Male | 500 | 2500 | |
| Female | 500 | 2500 | ||
| Third Gender | 500 | 3000 | ||
| Two Papers (Any combination: B.E./B.Tech + B.Arch / B.E./B.Tech + B.Planning / B.E./B.Tech + B.Arch + B.Planning / B.Arch + B.Planning) | General / EWS / OBC-NCL | Male | 2000 | 10000 |
| Female | 1600 | 8000 | ||
| Third Gender | 1000 | 5000 | ||
| SC / ST / PwD | Male | 1000 | 5000 | |
| Female | 1000 | 5000 | ||
| Third Gender | 1000 | 5000 |
Note: GST and applicable processing charges must also be paid by candidates.
How to Register and Pay JEE Main 2026 Application Fee?
The entire registration process for JEE Main 2026 is online. Candidates must follow these steps carefully:
- Registration: Begin by entering personal details such as name, contact information, and date of birth. Create a secure password for the account.
- Filling the Application Form: Enter academic details like Class 12 qualification, subjects studied, and state code of eligibility. Candidates must also choose their preferred exam centres and exam medium.
- Uploading Documents: Upload scanned copies of a recent passport-size photograph and signature according to the specifications provided by NTA.
- Fee Payment: Pay the application fee online using debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI, or PayTM.
Once the payment is successful, candidates must download the confirmation page as proof of submission. If the confirmation page is not generated, the application process will remain incomplete.
Modes of Payment
The JEE Main 2026 application fee can be paid only through online methods. The following options are available:
- Debit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Rupay)
- Credit Card (Domestic and International)
- Net Banking
- Unified Payment Interface (UPI)
- PayTM Wallet
Offline payment methods such as cash deposit or demand draft are not accepted.
Transaction Charges for JEE Main 2026 Application Fee
Apart from the application fee, candidates may also incur transaction or processing charges depending on the mode of payment. These charges are set by the banks and payment gateways. Some examples are:
- Net Banking: Around ₹4–₹5 per transaction + GST.
- Debit Cards: No charges for payments up to ₹2000; beyond that, 0.5% of the fee + GST.
- Credit Cards: 0.4% of the transaction value + GST.
- International Cards: Between 1.5%–3.5% of the transaction value + GST.
- UPI/PayTM: Free for transactions up to ₹2000, but additional charges may apply above this limit.
Candidates should check transaction charges before making payment to avoid surprises.
How to Check JEE Main 2026 Fee Payment Status?
After making the payment, candidates can check whether it was successful by logging into the official JEE Main portal:
- Click on the “Check Payment Status” option.
- If the transaction was successful, the status will show as “OK”.
- Download and print the confirmation page immediately.
If the payment status is not confirmed, it means the transaction failed. In such cases, candidates will need to repay the fee. The earlier amount will be refunded automatically within 7 working days.
JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Although the official eligibility criteria for 2026 are yet to be released, they are expected to be similar to the previous year. Candidates can refer to the likely conditions below:
- Candidates must have passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025, or be appearing in 2026.
- There is no upper age limit to apply for JEE Main.
- No minimum percentage is required in Class 12 for appearing in the exam.
- Subject requirements:
- B.E./B.Tech: Physics, Mathematics, plus one subject from Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or Technical Vocational subject.
- B.Arch: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- B.Planning: Mathematics only.
- B.E./B.Tech: Physics, Mathematics, plus one subject from Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or Technical Vocational subject.
Candidates fulfilling these criteria are eligible to apply for JEE Main 2026.
Important Points to Remember
- The JEE Main 2026 registration fee is non-refundable, so details must be filled carefully.
- Candidates outside India pay a much higher fee compared to those in India.
- Payment can only be made through online methods.
- A confirmation page must be downloaded after successful payment.
FAQs on JEE Main 2026 Registration Fee
Q1. What is the JEE Main 2026 registration fee for General male candidates?
General male candidates applying for one paper in India must pay INR 1000.
Q2. Do female candidates have to pay less fee?
Yes, all female candidates, regardless of category, need to pay INR 800 for one paper in India.
Q3. What is the JEE Main 2026 fee for SC/ST candidates?
SC/ST and PwD candidates need to pay INR 500 for a single paper in India.
Q4. How much fee do candidates outside India have to pay?
General male candidates outside India must pay INR 5000 for a single paper, while female candidates need to pay INR 4000.
Q5. Can the JEE Main registration fee be refunded if I don’t appear for the exam?
No, the fee is strictly non-refundable, irrespective of the circumstances.
Q6. What should I do if my payment fails?
If the payment fails and no confirmation page is generated, candidates must repay the fee. The failed transaction amount will be refunded within 7 days.
Q7. Which is the best mode of payment for JEE Main fee?
All modes are valid, but UPI or debit card are often preferred since they have lower transaction charges compared to credit cards or international gateways.
Q8. Do I need to pay extra charges apart from the application fee?
Yes, transaction or processing charges plus GST may apply depending on the payment method used.
The JEE Main 2026 registration fee has been revised by NTA, with different fee structures for candidates based on category, gender, and exam centre location. Since the fee is non-refundable, candidates must ensure that all details are entered correctly before making the payment. Successful payment and confirmation page generation are mandatory for completing the application process. With proper planning and careful submission, candidates can avoid errors and proceed smoothly toward appearing for the JEE Main 2026 exam.
