NEW DELHI: Barely a day after opening the application window for JEE (Main) 2026, the National Testing Agency (NTA) was forced to issue a clarification following confusion over whether candidates could use calculators in the exam.
In a public notice issued on November 2, the agency stated categorically that calculators are not permitted in the Joint Entrance Examination (Main), describing the earlier reference to an on-screen calculator in its information bulletin as a “typographical error.”
The now-revised bulletin, first uploaded on October 31, had mentioned that candidates would have access to an online standard calculator during the computer-based test (CBT). The line immediately set off a wave of speculation across schools and coaching centres, many of which began briefing students about the supposed change in exam rules.
However, NTA officials clarified that the mention was an inadvertent copy from guidelines of other exams where calculators are permitted. “It was an unintentional error while adapting general instructions from certain postgraduate exam bulletins,” said an official aware of the matter.
According to sources, the ministry of education intervened soon after the discrepancy was flagged and sought a report from NTA. The agency subsequently withdrew the earlier version and uploaded a corrected bulletin, along with an apology for the confusion caused.
“Use of calculators is strictly prohibited in JEE (Main),” the NTA’s fresh notice reaffirmed, adding that all references to the contrary had been removed.
The JEE (Main) 2026 Session 1 registration process began on November 1 and will mark the first implementation of the Aadhaar-based e-KYC verification system recommended by the Radhakrishnan Committee on NTA reforms.
In a public notice issued on November 2, the agency stated categorically that calculators are not permitted in the Joint Entrance Examination (Main), describing the earlier reference to an on-screen calculator in its information bulletin as a “typographical error.”
The now-revised bulletin, first uploaded on October 31, had mentioned that candidates would have access to an online standard calculator during the computer-based test (CBT). The line immediately set off a wave of speculation across schools and coaching centres, many of which began briefing students about the supposed change in exam rules.
However, NTA officials clarified that the mention was an inadvertent copy from guidelines of other exams where calculators are permitted. “It was an unintentional error while adapting general instructions from certain postgraduate exam bulletins,” said an official aware of the matter.
According to sources, the ministry of education intervened soon after the discrepancy was flagged and sought a report from NTA. The agency subsequently withdrew the earlier version and uploaded a corrected bulletin, along with an apology for the confusion caused.
“Use of calculators is strictly prohibited in JEE (Main),” the NTA’s fresh notice reaffirmed, adding that all references to the contrary had been removed.
The JEE (Main) 2026 Session 1 registration process began on November 1 and will mark the first implementation of the Aadhaar-based e-KYC verification system recommended by the Radhakrishnan Committee on NTA reforms.
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