NewsIMTSNTA has introduced an on-screen standard calculator for JEE Main 2026 for the first time. Students can now perform basic calculations during the computer-based test without physical calculators, which remain banned at exam centers. JEE Main 2026 registration began on October 31 at jeemain.nta.nic.in. The exam will be conducted in two sessions – January 21-30 and April 2-9, 2026. Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 will have MCQ sections and numerical value questions with negative marking for wrong answers. The BArch drawing test will be conducted in offline mode on A4 sheets. Today, candidates can access the virtual calculator with functions like square root and percentage during the exam. From January 2026, students must adapt to this new tool. Until now, calculators were not permitted in any form for JEE Main exams. (Updated 1 Nov 2025, 10:23 IST; source: link)
Virtual Calculator: A New Tool for JEE Main 2026
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has introduced an on-screen standard calculator for JEE Main 2026, marking a significant change in the exam format. For the first time, students will be able to perform basic calculations during the computer-based test without needing physical calculators, which continue to remain prohibited at exam centers. This virtual calculator will include essential functions such as square root and percentage calculations. The tool aims to help candidates solve numerical problems more efficiently during the examination. Until now, calculators were not allowed in any form for JEE Main, requiring students to perform all calculations manually.
Exam Schedule and Format Changes for 2026
JEE Main 2026 registration began on October 31 through the official website. The exam will be conducted in two sessions – January 21-30 and April 2-9, 2026. Both Paper 1 (B.Tech) and Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning) will feature multiple-choice questions and numerical value questions with negative marking for incorrect answers. While most of the exam remains computer-based, the B.Arch drawing test will still be conducted offline on A4 sheets. Students preparing for JEE Main 2026 will need to familiarize themselves with the new virtual calculator before the January session, as this tool will become an integral part of the testing environment.
Key Points
- NTA has introduced an on-screen standard calculator for JEE Main 2026 for the first time.
- JEE Main 2026 registration began on October 31 at jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- The exam will be conducted in two sessions – January 21-30 and April 2-9, 2026.
