The JEE mains syllabus for Paper 1 has 14 units in mathematics, 20 in physics and 20 in chemistry, all drawn from class 11 and class 12 science. The National Testing Agency (NTA) publishes it with the information bulletin, and the same list applies to both sessions of the year.
This page gives you the exam pattern, the full unit list for each subject, the trimmed topics, the B.Arch and B.Planning papers in brief, and a two year study plan that follows how the paper is actually built.
Exam at a glance
Conducted by
National Testing Agency (NTA)Level
Class 11 and 12 physics, chemistry, mathsSessions
Two each year; best score countsMode
Computer based testPaper 1
75 questions, 300 marks, 3 hoursMarking
+4 right, minus 1 wrong, numerical questions includedOfficial website
JEE Main exam pattern at a glance
| Paper | Subjects and questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (B.E., B.Tech) | Physics, chemistry, maths: 25 each (20 MCQ + 5 numerical), 75 in all | 300 | 3 hours |
| Paper 2A (B.Arch) | Maths 25, aptitude 50, drawing 2 | 400 | 3 hours |
| Paper 2B (B.Planning) | Maths 25, aptitude 50, planning 25 | 400 | 3 hours |
In Paper 1, each subject has a Section A of 20 multiple choice questions and a Section B of 5 numerical value questions, all compulsory. A right answer earns 4 marks and a wrong one costs 1 mark in both sections, so guessing a number in Section B carries the same risk as guessing an option. The paper is offered in 13 languages, and Paper 2A's drawing part is done on paper while the rest is on screen.
NTA JEE mains syllabus for mathematics
Maths is the subject where the paper is usually longest to solve. The 14 units are:
- Sets, relations and functions
- Complex numbers and quadratic equations
- Matrices and determinants
- Permutations and combinations
- Binomial theorem and its simple applications
- Sequences and series
- Limits, continuity and differentiability
- Integral calculus
- Differential equations
- Coordinate geometry (straight lines, circles, conic sections)
- Three dimensional geometry
- Vector algebra
- Statistics and probability
- Trigonometry
Calculus and coordinate geometry together form a large share of the unit list, and they also link to many other chapters, so treat them as the backbone of your maths preparation.
Physics syllabus of JEE mains
Physics carries 20 units in the NTA list, running in roughly the same order as the NCERT books. To keep this readable we have grouped them by area:
| Area | What the units cover |
|---|---|
| Mechanics | measurement, errors and dimensions; motion in a line and in a plane; Newton's laws with friction; energy, work and power; rigid body rotation and torque; gravity, orbits and escape speed |
| Matter and heat | elasticity, fluids, viscosity and surface tension; heat, the laws of thermodynamics and heat engines; the kinetic picture of an ideal gas |
| Vibrations | simple harmonic motion, pendulums and springs; wave speed, sound, beats and standing waves |
| Electricity and magnetism | charges, fields, potential and capacitors; circuits, Kirchhoff's rules and cells; forces on moving charges, solenoids and magnetic materials; Faraday's law, LCR circuits and AC; the electromagnetic spectrum |
| Light | mirrors, lenses and prisms, then interference, diffraction and polarisation |
| Modern physics | photoelectric effect and de Broglie waves; Bohr's atom, radioactivity and nuclear energy; semiconductor diodes, special purpose diodes and logic gates |
| Lab skills | the standard school experiments: vernier callipers, screw gauge, pendulum, metre bridge, potentiometer and similar |
Expect a mix of formula based questions and conceptual ones on graphs, units and errors. The experimental skills unit means you should know how each standard practical works and what it measures.
Chemistry units in the JEE Main syllabus
Chemistry is split into three parts. Many students find it the quickest section to score in if the NCERT text is done well. Its 20 units, in plain words:
| Branch | What the units cover |
|---|---|
| Physical | mole concept and stoichiometry; structure of the atom and quantum numbers; how bonds form, shapes and hybridisation; energy changes, enthalpy and entropy; concentration, colligative properties; chemical and ionic equilibrium, pH; oxidation numbers, cells and Nernst equation; reaction rates and order |
| Inorganic | the periodic table and its trends; groups 13 to 18; transition and inner transition metals; complexes, their naming, isomerism and bonding |
| Organic | how organic compounds are purified and analysed; IUPAC naming, isomerism and reaction mechanisms; alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and aromatics; haloalkanes and haloarenes; alcohols, phenols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones and acids; amines and diazonium salts; carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and nucleic acids; tests and preparations from the practical list |
Topics NTA removed in the trimmed syllabus
NTA cut the syllabus in line with the rationalised NCERT books. Among the topics dropped were mathematical induction and mathematical reasoning in maths, communication systems in physics, and in chemistry states of matter, hydrogen, s block elements, environmental chemistry, polymers, surface chemistry, metallurgy and chemistry in everyday life. Some chapters were also shortened rather than removed.
B.Arch and B.Planning papers in brief
Paper 2A for B.Arch uses the same maths syllabus as Paper 1, plus an aptitude test on awareness of buildings, materials, textures and visualising 3D objects, and a drawing test of 2 questions on sketching and composition. Paper 2B for B.Planning keeps the maths and aptitude parts and adds 25 planning questions on general awareness of development, social science and map reading. Choose these papers only if your target course needs them.
A two year plan that follows the syllabus
- Class 11, first half: units and kinematics, laws of motion, basic concepts and atomic structure, sets, functions and trigonometry. These open up almost everything else.
- Class 11, second half: rotational motion, thermodynamics, bonding, equilibrium, hydrocarbons, sequences, permutations and straight lines. Start timed chapter tests.
- Class 12, first half: electrostatics, current, magnetism, solutions, electrochemistry, coordination compounds, calculus and vectors.
- Class 12, second half: optics, modern physics, organic compounds with oxygen and nitrogen, probability, 3D geometry. Begin full length papers every week.
- Before each session: revise formula sheets, solve past papers in 3 hour sittings and review every error.
Past papers are the best test of this plan; read our JEE Main previous papers guide for a routine.
Which books to use for JEE Main
Start with the NCERT physics, chemistry and maths textbooks for classes 11 and 12. They match the syllabus most closely, and for inorganic and organic chemistry the NCERT text is close to essential. Add one standard problem book for each subject for practice beyond the textbook exercises. Keep the official syllabus PDF beside you and tick each unit once you can solve mixed questions on it.
Before you register, confirm the age, attempt and class 12 rules on our JEE Main eligibility page, and study the scores that cleared the bar in past years on the JEE Main cut off page.
Frequently asked questions
Is the JEE Main syllabus the same as the CBSE syllabus?
It is close but not identical. Most units come from the NCERT books for classes 11 and 12, but JEE Main questions are deeper and a few topics differ from the board list. Use the NTA syllabus PDF as your final reference.
Is there negative marking for numerical questions in JEE Main?
Yes, under the current pattern. Both the multiple choice and the numerical value questions carry plus 4 for a right answer and minus 1 for a wrong one.
How many units does the JEE mains syllabus list?
NTA lists units rather than chapters: 14 in maths, 20 in physics and 20 in chemistry. Each unit can span one or more NCERT chapters.
Does JEE Main have a biology section?
No. Paper 1 tests physics, chemistry and maths only. Paper 2A and 2B test maths with aptitude, drawing or planning.
Is the JEE Advanced syllabus different?
Yes, JEE Advanced has its own syllabus set by the IITs, with some extra topics. See the JEE Advanced syllabus page.
Can the syllabus change between the two sessions?
Normally no. The syllabus released with the information bulletin applies to both sessions of that year.