The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially announced the schedule for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) 2026, one of India’s most important engineering entrance tests for admission into B.E./B. Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning programs. This year, the JEE Main will be conducted in two separate sessions, January 2026 and April 2026, giving students the flexibility to appear in either or both attempts and improve their overall score.
Session 1: January 2026
Registration & Application
The JEE Main 2026 official notification and registration process began on October 31, 2025, allowing candidates to apply online through the official NTA JEE Main website (jeemain.nta.ac.in).
- The last date to complete the application and pay the exam fee was November 27, 2025.
- After submission, candidates were given a short correction window (December 1–2, 2025) to edit specific details in their application form.
City Intimation Slip & Admit Card
- Around 10 days before the exam, candidates received a city intimation slip to know the city allocated for their exam centre.
- The admit card (hall ticket) is released a few days before the exam and contains important information like exam dates, shift timings, and centre address.
Exam Dates
- The Session 1 exam is scheduled to be held from January 21 to January 29, 2026. These dates are spread over multiple days and shifts to accommodate lakhs of students.
- For Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), exams are conducted in multiple shifts — usually a morning session (9:00 AM–12:00 PM) and an afternoon session (3:00 PM–6:00 PM).
- Session 1 results are expected to be declared by mid‑February 2026.
Session 2: April 2026
Registration
- After the conclusion of Session 1, registration for Session 2 is slated to open in the last week of January 2026. Candidates planning to appear in the April session will need to apply again separately.
Exam Dates
- The Session 2 exam is tentatively scheduled from April 2 to April 9, 2026.
- Admit cards for Session 2 will be released about 3‑4 days before the exam on the official portal.
- Session 2 results are likely to be announced by April 20, 2026.
Important Points for Aspirants
- Two Attempts, Better Opportunity: JEE Main 2026 offers two separate exam windows. Candidates can appear in both, and the best score out of the two attempts will be considered for ranking.
- Exam Mode: The exam will be conducted in Computer‑Based Test (CBT) mode at designated centres across India.
- Documents to Carry: On exam day, candidates must carry:
- A printed copy of the admit card,
- A valid photo ID (such as Aadhaar/Passport/School ID),
- Passport‑size photographs as specified.
- Registration Details: Ensure that personal information (like Aadhaar details) exactly matches the documents to avoid application issues.
- Stay Updated: Students are advised to follow official notifications on jeemain.nta.ac.in for any changes in dates, city slip information, admit cards, and results.
Summary of Key Dates (2026)
Session 1 (January)
- Registration Start: October 31, 2025
- Registration End: November 27, 2025
- Correction Window: December 1–2, 2025
- City Intimation Slip: ~January 10, 2026
- Exam Dates: January 21–29, 2026
Session 2 (April)
- Registration Opens: Last Week of January 2026
- Exam Dates: April 2–9, 2026
Result Date: April 20, 2026