JEE Main 2026: NTA introduces virtual calculator for first time; how it will function in a CBT

For the first time, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has introduced an onscreen standard calculator for the Joint Entrance Examination - Main (JEE Mains 2026), allowing students to perform basic calculations. However, it has banned the use of physical calculators during the exam. JEE Main 2026 Form (OUT) LIVE

The JEE Mains exam will be conducted in two sessions – January and April. The NTA has started the registration process for the JEE Main session 1 exams on October 31 at jeemain.nta.nic.in. It has also revised the exam dates for session 2. According to the information brochure, the JEE Main session 1 exams will be conducted from January 21 to 30 and session 2 from April 2 to 9.

The NTA will conduct the JEE exams as a computer-based test (CBT) for BE and BTech papers, except for drawing test questions in BArch paper 2, which will be held in pen-and-paper offline mode. Candidates will have to attempt this section on an A4-size drawing sheet.

Is calculator allowed in JEE Mains 2026?

Both JEE Main paper 1 and paper 2 will have two sections – section A will have multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and section B will contain questions whose answers are to be filled in as a numerical value. There will be negative marking for incorrect answers in both section A and B.

Up until this year, the NTA JEE Main exam neither had an onscreen calculator nor allowed candidates to carry one. However, the NTA, in a major change in exam pattern has announced the launch of a CBT calculator, an onscreen standard calculator, which will have functions for square root, percentage, and more.

However, candidates are not allowed to carry a physical calculator to the exam centre. Those found in possession of a calculator during the exam will be barred from the exam, and such use will be considered as unfair means, which may lead to disqualification.