JEE Mains: JEE Main exam will not be the same in 2026? What will change, the new board will decide
JEE Main 2026: Major Changes Likely in Exam Rules and Normalization Policy, New Apex Board to Decide
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main), one of India’s biggest engineering entrance tests, may undergo significant changes in 2026 and 2027. The Ministry of Education has restructured the JEE Apex Board (JAB) to review policies, rules, and procedures for the upcoming sessions.
The move comes amid rising concerns from students regarding the normalization process, exam paper difficulty levels, and fairness across multiple shifts. With a newly constituted board, the focus will be on ensuring greater transparency and consistency in the way JEE Mains is conducted.
New JEE Apex Board Formed
According to the ministry’s notification, the JEE Apex Board will oversee policy-making for both JEE Main and JEE Advanced examinations. The final approval for eligibility rules, exam structure, and reforms will be given by this board.
The board will hold its first meeting soon, after which an official update on the exam schedule and revised rules for JEE Main 2026 will be released.
What Could Change in JEE Main 2026?
Currently, the JEE Main exam is conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across two sessions. While this system will continue, the normalization formula used to balance scores across shifts has been a matter of constant debate.
Students often complain that question papers in one shift are easier than another, leading to score disparities after normalization. As a result, two students with similar raw marks may end up with different normalized scores, raising fairness concerns.
The restructured board is expected to:
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Revisit the normalization formula and introduce a more transparent scoring system.
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Review the question paper-setting process to ensure uniform difficulty across all shifts.
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Address student feedback and grievances from previous exam sessions.
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Strengthen measures for exam transparency and fairness.
Key Concerns from Previous Exams
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Normalization Issues – Candidates have often argued that the existing formula does not reflect true performance levels.
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Question Paper Variations – With multiple shifts, some question papers are reportedly tougher, creating inequality among candidates.
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Standardization – Students have demanded a uniform level of difficulty to ensure equal opportunities.
These challenges are likely to be key discussion points in the board’s upcoming meetings.
Leadership and Structure of the New Board
The reconstituted JEE Apex Board will be headed by Professor S.K. Jain, former Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University (BHU). The 19-member board includes:
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Directors of IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, and NIT Rourkela.
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Chairman of CBSE.
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Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA) as Member Secretary.
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Representatives from the state governments of Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh.
The Education Ministry has emphasized that ensuring transparency and fairness in JEE Main will be the board’s top priority.
Why This Matters for Students
Every year, millions of students appear for JEE Main, hoping to qualify for NITs, IIITs, and other top engineering colleges, and ultimately for JEE Advanced, the gateway to IITs. Even small changes in the rules or scoring process can significantly impact outcomes.
With the new board reviewing policies, aspirants can expect:
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Clearer guidelines on eligibility and rules.
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More uniform question papers across all shifts.
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A fairer normalization system that reduces score fluctuations.
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Better transparency in the examination process.
Final Word
The JEE Main 2026 exam is set to be different from previous years, with potential reforms in normalization, question paper setting, and evaluation methods. The newly formed JEE Apex Board, under the leadership of Prof. S.K. Jain, will play a crucial role in shaping these changes.
While the final policies are yet to be announced, students preparing for JEE 2026 should stay updated through official notifications from the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The first board meeting is expected soon, after which the detailed schedule and revised rules for JEE Main 2026 will be shared with candidates.
