The National Testing Agency (NTA) will hold the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 from January 21 to 30, 2026 . This national exam helps students get admission to undergraduate B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning courses across India. Students taking the exam are often curious about the minimum marks needed in each subject to achieve a good percentile. For the Physics section in Paper 1 (BE/BTech), students generally need to score around 55 marks to reach the 90 percentile. The exam will be fully online, using a computer-based test (CBT) method.
Understanding the JEE Main Physics Section
Physics is one of the three main subjects in the JEE Main 2026 Paper 1, along with Chemistry and Mathematics. This section is very important for a student's overall score. Here are some key facts about the Physics section:
- The Physics section has 25 questions that students must answer.
- Each correct answer gives 4 marks, making the total marks for Physics 100 .
- Physics makes up one-third (33.33%) of the total JEE Main paper, which is worth 300 marks.
Minimum Marks for 90 Percentile in Physics
To achieve a 90 percentile specifically in the Physics section, students should aim for a score of 55 marks or more . This is an approximate target, as the exact marks can change each year based on how difficult the exam is and how many students take it. Scoring well in Physics helps improve the overall percentile in JEE Main.
| Goal | Marks in Physics (Approx.) |
| 90 Percentile in Physics | 55+ marks |
What Does an Overall 90 Percentile Mean?
While 55+ marks are needed for a 90 percentile in Physics alone, getting an overall 90 percentile in JEE Main means a total score of about 120 to 125 marks from all three subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Maths). This total score can vary based on the exam's difficulty. An overall 90 percentile usually places a student with an All India Rank (AIR) between 1,00,000 and 1,50,000 .
Achieving a 90 percentile score in JEE Main is often enough to qualify for the JEE Advanced exam, which is needed for admission to Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). It also opens doors to good state-level Engineering Colleges and can help students get into newer or less competitive branches at some National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs).
How to Prepare for JEE Main 2026 Physics
To score well in the Physics section, students need a clear understanding of concepts, regular practice, and smart study methods. Here are some simple tips:
- Understand Concepts: Do not just memorize formulas. Try to understand why and how things work in Physics.
- Practice Questions: Solve many practice questions from different topics. This helps in applying what you have learned.
- Study Important Topics: Some chapters often carry more weight in the exam. For 2026, topics like Modern Physics and Current Electricity are important. Spend enough time on these.
- Use NCERT Books: The NCERT Textbooks are a very important resource. Students should read them thoroughly for strong basic knowledge.
- Practice with Mock Tests: Take full-length mock tests regularly. This helps you get used to the computer-based exam and manage your time better.
Key Dates for JEE Main 2026 Session 1
Students should remember these important dates for the upcoming JEE Main 2026 Session 1:
- Exam Dates: January 21 to January 30, 2026
- Exam Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT) only
It is important for all students to stay updated with official announcements from NTA regarding exam schedules and other details.
