JEE Main 2027: Karnataka candidates to have 16 expected exam cities

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the schedule for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2027 Session 1, with examinations slated for January 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, and 30, 2027. A buffer date of January 31, 2027, has also been designated for Session 1. This examination serves as the primary gateway for admission to undergraduate engineering programs in institutions such as National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other centrally funded technical institutes across India and other countries.

For candidates from Karnataka, 16 cities are expected to be available as examination centres, allowing aspirants to choose up to four preferences. The NTA aims to support accessible exam centres for candidates nationwide, though administrative and logistical reasons may lead to the allotment of a different city than preferred. The JEE Main 2027 notification is anticipated in November 2026, with online application submissions for Session 1 opening in the first week of November 2026 and closing in the first week of December 2026.

JEE Main 2027 Examination Structure and Marking

The JEE Main exam is primarily administered in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format for all papers, with the exception of the Drawing Test (Paper 2A) for B.Arch aspirants, which is a pen-and-paper (offline) test. Each paper has a duration of 3 hours (180 minutes) and comprises Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Numerical Value Questions (NVQs). The syllabus is based on NCERT Class 11 and Class 12 curricula for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with Aptitude and Drawing sections included for B. Arch and B. Planning papers.

The marking scheme for the examination awards +4 marks for each correct answer. For incorrect MCQs, there is a negative marking of -1 mark, while unattempted questions receive 0 marks. Notably, there is no negative marking for Numerical Value Questions. The exam is offered in 13 languages, including English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.

Eligibility Criteria and Admission Requirements

Candidates must have passed or be appearing in their Class 12 or equivalent examination in 2025, 2026, or 2027 to be eligible for JEE Main 2027. There is no age limit for appearing in the examination. Aspirants can attempt the JEE Main exam for three consecutive years following their Class 12 passing year. For admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, candidates are required to secure a minimum of 75% marks in their Class 12 or equivalent examination (65% for reserved categories) or be placed in the top 20 percentile of their respective board.

Physics and Mathematics are compulsory subjects for B.E./B.Tech aspirants, along with Chemistry or other specified vocational subjects. The NTA will employ a standard normalisation process for results due to the examination being conducted in multiple shifts. The JEE Main also serves as the qualifying stage for JEE Advanced, which is necessary for admission to Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

Expected Exam Cities for Karnataka Candidates

Based on previous examination cycles, Karnataka candidates are expected to have access to 16 cities for their JEE Main 2027 examination centres. In 2024, the JEE Main exam was conducted across 19 centres in Karnataka. The NTA will make efforts to allot exam cities based on candidate preferences, which can be selected during the application process. Candidates can choose up to four cities based on their present and permanent addresses.

The JEE Main 2026 exam was held in 323 cities in India and 16 cities internationally. In the previous year, the JEE Main 2027 exam (referring to the 2026 cycle in the context of the facts provided) was conducted in 300 cities in India and 25 cities abroad. The NTA’s decision regarding the allotment of the exam city and centre will be final. The table below lists the JEE Main exam centres available in Karnataka for the 2024 examination, indicating the range of cities typically offered to candidates from the state.

Key Dates for JEE Main 2027 Session 1

The National Testing Agency has provided a tentative schedule for the JEE Main 2027 examination, with the notification for Session 1 expected in November 2026. Registration for Session 1 will commence in the to start week of November 2026, and the deadline for application submission and fee payment is the initially week of December 2026. An application correction window will be available in the first to second week of December 2026. Candidates will receive their advance city intimation slip in the second week of January 2027, followed by admit card availability in the third week of January 2027.

The Session 1 exams are scheduled from January 22 to 30, 2027. Provisional answer keys are expected by February 4, 2027, with results announced in the second week of February 2027. The counselling process for admissions is anticipated to begin in May/June 2027. Candidates are advised to monitor the official NTA website, jeemain.nta.nic.in, for the formal notification and detailed information bulletin.

Further reading

• JEE Main 2027: Apply this week; exams begin January 22
• DSU 2027: Apply for UG/PG with JEE Main, CAT, COMEDK UGET scores
• JEE Main application form: eligibility, dates and how to apply Next step
• JEE Advanced 2026: Register by April 23; Aim for top 120 rank for IIT Delhi CSE
• COMEDK UGET 2027 registration to open in early February for BE/BTech admissions Applications open
• JEE Main: complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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