The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially clarified that the use of calculators – whether physical or virtual – will not be permitted in the Joint Entrance Examination JEE Main 2026. This announcement comes after the agency acknowledged a “typographic error” in its initial Information Bulletin that had led to confusion among candidates.
JEE Main 2026: No Calculator Allowed
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released a crucial clarification regarding the use of calculators in the upcoming JEE Main 2026 exams. Contrary to what was mentioned in the initial Information Bulletin, no calculator of any kind will be allowed during the examination. The agency has admitted to a typographic error in its earlier bulletin and has urged all candidates to refer to the revised version available on its official websites.
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
|---|---|
| Examination | JEE Main 2026 |
| Sessions | Session I: January 2026 Session II: April 2026 |
| Calculator Use | Not Permitted |
| Application Dates | 31st October to 27th November 2025 |
| Official Websites | www.nta.ac.in jeemain.nta.nic.in |
What Was the Confusion?
In the original Information Bulletin for JEE Main 2026, Appendix-VIII on Computer-Based Test (CBT) mentioned that an onscreen standard calculator would be available during the exam. This led many aspirants to believe that they would be allowed to use a virtual calculator.
However, in a public notice issued on November 2, 2025, the NTA clarified that this was a generic feature of the test platform and does not apply to JEE Main, where calculators have never been permitted.
NTA’s Clarification on Use of Virtual Calculator
The NTA has expressed regret for the error and the inconvenience caused to lakhs of JEE aspirants. The revised Information Bulletin has been uploaded on the official websites, and candidates are advised to download the updated version for accurate information.
JEE Main 2026 Important Dates
Here are the important dates for JEE Main 2026. The online application process for Session I has started and will continue till 27th November 2025. The examination will be conducted in two sessions across January and April 2026.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 31st October 2025 |
| Apply Online Starts | 31st October 2025 |
| Apply Online Last Date | 27th November 2025 |
| Session I Exam | 21st to 30th January 2026 |
| Session II Exam | 2nd to 9th April 2026 |
Also Read: JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Registration Begins, Check Important Details and Timelines