The JEE (Main) fee has more moving parts than candidates expect: it depends on your category, your gender, which papers you choose and where your centre is — and it is paid separately for each session. The fee table is set afresh in each year's Information Bulletin from the National Testing Agency (NTA). This page reproduces the latest one, from the JEE (Main) 2026 Bulletin, alongside the Myndaq JEE Main course. For what the exam covers, see the JEE Main syllabus.
One paper — Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech.), 2A (B.Arch.) or 2B (B.Planning)
Fee per session, centres in India / centres outside India:
- General — male ₹1,000 / ₹5,000; female ₹800 / ₹4,000
- Gen-EWS / OBC (NCL) — male ₹900 / ₹4,500; female ₹800 / ₹4,000
- SC / ST / PwD / PwBD — male ₹500 / ₹2,500; female ₹500 / ₹2,500
- Third gender — ₹500 / ₹3,000
A candidate applying for B.E./B.Tech. alone pays from this table.
Two or more papers
For Paper 1 with Paper 2A, Paper 1 with Paper 2B, all three papers, or Paper 2A with Paper 2B — fee per session, India / outside India:
- General / Gen-EWS / OBC (NCL) — male ₹2,000 / ₹10,000; female ₹1,600 / ₹8,000
- SC / ST / PwD / PwBD — male ₹1,000 / ₹5,000; female ₹1,000 / ₹5,000
- Third gender — ₹1,000 / ₹5,000
Adding a second paper doubles the fee for a General male candidate, so apply for B.Arch. or B.Planning only if you would take a seat through them.
Per session, not per year
JEE (Main) runs in two sessions. The Bulletin describes applying for Session 1 and paying its fee, then — using the same application number — applying and paying again for Session 2 during its own window. You can also register only for Session 2. So a General male candidate sitting Paper 1 in both sessions from an Indian centre pays ₹2,000 across the year. Sitting both is optional; if you do, the better of your two NTA scores is used.
What you pay on top
- Processing charges and GST are paid by the candidate, as applicable, to the bank or payment gateway, on top of the examination fee.
- Answer-key challenges cost ₹200 per question, non-refundable, paid online during the window NTA announces when it displays the provisional answer keys. Only paid challenges through the official link are considered.
How to pay
- Online only — credit card, debit card, net banking or UPI.
- The Confirmation Page is the proof. If it is not generated after payment, the transaction is treated as cancelled: contact the bank or gateway, and pay again if needed. NTA reconciles multiple payments after the final result and refunds the extra amounts.
- One application only. The Bulletin says multiple application forms will not be accepted and lead to cancellation of the result, and that candidates who fill more than one are treated under unfair-means rules.
- Corrections are allowed only in certain fields, during a correction window NTA notifies.
Choosing your category and papers correctly
Two choices on the form decide your fee, and both have consequences beyond it:
- Category. The fee is lower for Gen-EWS, OBC (NCL), SC, ST and PwD/PwBD candidates, but the category you declare must be one your documents support at counselling. Claiming a category to save a few hundred rupees is a false saving if it cannot be proved later.
- Papers. The Bulletin allows several combinations — Paper 1 with 2A, Paper 1 with 2B, all three, or 2A with 2B. Each combination is priced as a two-paper fee, so pick only what you would actually use.
A realistic budget
- Paper 1, one session, General male, India: ₹1,000 plus gateway charges.
- Paper 1, both sessions, General female, India: ₹1,600.
- Paper 1 + 2A, both sessions, General male, India: ₹4,000.
- Paper 1, both sessions, centre outside India, General male: ₹10,000.
Add ₹200 for each answer-key challenge you file.
The next session's fees
The figures above are from the JEE (Main) 2026 Bulletin. NTA sets the fee again in each new Bulletin; when the next one is published, its table replaces these. The JEE (Main) website refused automated access when this page was checked, so we could not confirm whether a newer Bulletin had been posted there — check it before you pay.
Quick answers
What is the JEE Main application fee?
For Paper 1 at an Indian centre, per session: General ₹1,000 (male) / ₹800 (female); Gen-EWS/OBC (NCL) ₹900 / ₹800; SC/ST/PwD/PwBD ₹500; third gender ₹500 — from the JEE (Main) 2026 Bulletin.
Do I pay the JEE Main fee twice for two sessions?
Yes. The fee is per session; you pay again when you apply for Session 2.
Is the JEE Main fee higher for two papers?
Yes. Paper 1 plus 2A or 2B costs ₹2,000 per session for a General, Gen-EWS or OBC (NCL) male candidate at an Indian centre.
How much is the JEE Main fee for centres outside India?
₹5,000 per session for a General male candidate taking one paper; ₹4,000 for a General female candidate.
What does it cost to challenge the JEE Main answer key?
₹200 per question challenged, non-refundable.
