The JEE Main 2026 examination, organised by the NTA or National Testing Agency, is the entry ticket to the best engineering colleges in the country, for lakhs of students in India. It provides admission to NITs, IIITs and GFTIs as well as JEE Advanced for IIT admission. Just like last year, this year we will have two sessions: January and April. Here, check out the JEE Main 2026 exam dates as well as important events.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Overview and Highlights
| Exam Particulars | Exam Details |
| Release of JEE Main 2026 Notification | 31st October 2025 |
| JEE Main 2026 Registration Starts | October 2025 last week – Session 1
January 2026 first week – Session 2 |
| JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates | January last week – Session 1
April first week – Session 2 |
| Mode of Exam | Computed-Based Test (CBT)
Pen and paper-based test (PBT) for Drawing section in BArch |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours for BTech/ BArch/ BPlan
3.5 hours for BArch and BPlanning both 4 hours for PwD candidates |
| No. of Papers and Total Marks | Paper-1: BE/BTech (300 marks)
Paper-2A: BArch (400 marks) Paper-2B: B.Planning (400 marks) |
| Total Questions | BE/BTech: 75
BArch: 77 BPlanning: 100 |
| Marking Scheme | 4 for each correct response
1 mark will be deducted for each incorrect response No marks for unattempted questions |
JEE Main 2026 Key Dates and Important Events
The table highlights the dates and events:
| Events | Session 1 Dates | Session 2 Dates |
| Application Form Online Submission | 31st October 2025 to 27th November 2025 | Last week of January 2026 – March 2026 (Tentative) |
| Display of Admit card | 3 days before the actual date of the examination | 3 days before the actual date of the examination |
| Exam Date | Between 21 – 30 January 2026 | Between 02 – 09 April 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key with OMR & Responses | February 2026 | April 2026 |
| Result Declaration (Cut-off, Scorecard) | By 12 February 2026 | By 20 April 2026 |
JEE Main 2026 Notification Release Date and Details
JEE Main 2026 notification is out on 31st October 2025, by the NTA containing details like eligibility, fee, syllabus, pattern and other instructions.
Download it and highlight the key points and mark any changes since the previous year. A little patience in this is worth a lot of trouble later on.
JEE Main 2026 Registration Dates and Application Process
The registration process for Session 1 may begin from October 2025 till December 2025. Further, Session 2 may start around late January or early February 2026.
Keep things ready before the portal opens: scanned photos, signature, and ID proof. It sounds boring, but registering early avoids those dreaded “server busy” errors on the last day.
The entire process of the JEE Main 2026 application form is entirely online. The process is as follows:
- Visit the website https://jeemain.nta.nic.in/. You can find Registration for JEE(Main)-2026 Session-1. Click on that.
- Now, follow the instructions as displayed on the screen and complete the application form.
- Ensure that you have all the necessary documents. Process the application with a valid contact number and email ID.
- Fill in all the necessary Personal details as stated.
- Now, upload the required documents in the format asked.
- After that, you must pay the necessary fees.
- Before confirming, check all the information and then proceed.
- After that, save and print the application for future use.
JEE Main 2026 Application Correction Window Details
After the closing of registration, NTA reopens a brief correction window, usually for 2–3 days. This is the final opportunity to correct Typos, update details and choose your exam city. Match every detail on the JEE Main application form. It could even be the smallest things, such as a mispronounced name could trouble you.
JEE Main 2026 Admit Card Release Date and Instructions
Admit cards for Session 1 will be available by the third week of January 2026. The Session 2 ones will follow in April. The moment it’s out, download it and check your name, photo, and exam centre carefully. If something doesn’t look right, contact NTA immediately. Print two-three copies and keep them safe. You’ll need one for the exam and maybe another for counselling later.
JEE Main 2026 Examination Dates — Session 1 and Session 2
The tentative JEE Main exam dates are:
- Session 1: 21 to 30 January 2026
- Session 2: 02 to 09 April 2026
JEE Main 2026 Answer Key, Response Sheet, and Objection Window
NTA releases the provisional answer key within a day or two after the exams. For session-I, the Answer Key will be available by February 2026.
You can contest your answers that you think are incorrect by paying a small fee for every question. After reviewing objections, the final answer key gets released. Comparing both helps you estimate your score and mentally prepare for what’s coming in the results.
JEE Main 2026 Result Date and Scorecard Information
Results for Session 1 are anticipated in February 2026 and results for Session 2 in April 2026. The JEE Main 2026 scorecard will have the following details:
- Application number
- Candidate’s name
- Guardian’s name
- Category
- Gender
- Nationality
- Subject-wise NTA score
Here’s the thing: NTA doesn’t give you raw marks. You’ll get a percentile score, which is normalised across sessions. In case you took both exams, the better score out of the two is used as your final ranking basis. Top rankers shall advance to the JEE Advanced 2026 – the next level towards IITs.
JEE Main 2026 Counselling Process and Seat Allocation
You need to register at JoSAA portal to choose your colleges and branches. This is when the college seat race begins. During this process, candidates must present several important documents like:
- JEE Main Admit Card and Scorecard
- Class 10 and 12 Marksheet and Passing Certificate
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Domicile Certificate (if applicable)
- Passport-size Photographs
- Photo Identity Proof
You will have to apply at the JoSAA portal, select your colleges and branches, and pass through several rounds of seat allotment.
JEE Main 2026 Preparation and Exam-Day Tips for Students
Preparing for JEE Main is not just about solving endless questions. It’s about how you’re using your time and energy every day. Here is how to make your preparation count:
- Keep a simple routine. Don’t overload yourself with marathon study hours. Three focused sessions a day work better than forcing yourself for 10 hours straight.
- Mix subjects wisely. Studying one subject all day can make your brain dull. Rotate between Physics, Chemistry, and Math.
- Start with NCERT. Especially for Chemistry. It’s your base. Once you’re confident, move to standard books like H.C. Verma or Cengage.
- Solve daily. Even 25–30 quality questions a day sharpen accuracy and confidence.
- Take mock tests. Begin with one every two weeks, then increase the frequency as you progress. Review your mistakes honestly. That’s where you’ll improve.
- Stay calm on exam day. Go to bed early, eat lightly and don’t cram. Answer the questions out of order.
JEE Main 2026 Important Instructions and Official Guidelines
Little mistakes can turn costly. So read the rules properly before you walk into the exam hall.
- Download your admit card early. Don’t wait till the last minute.
- Carry the essentials only. Admit card, photo ID, and any specific documents mentioned on the admit card. Nothing else.
- Avoid banned items. No watches, wallets, pens, calculators, or digital devices. The center provides what you need.
- Dress simply. Choose comfortable clothes without metal accessories.
- Reach the center early. Visit the location a day before if possible to avoid last-minute panic.
- Read all on-screen instructions. Once you sit, take a breath and read carefully before starting.
- Keep calm inside. Verification and setup can feel tense, but focus on your paper once it begins.
Best Strategy to Plan Around JEE Main 2026 Exam Schedule
JEE Main 2026 will take place in two sessions: January and April.
- Use the first session as practice. Don’t see it as the final exam. Identify your weak areas.
- Keep April as your booster. Work on improving accuracy and timing.
- Till January: focus on completing the syllabus.
- January to March: shift towards mock tests and revision.
- Set weekly targets. For example, complete Coordinate Geometry this week, Thermodynamics next. Small wins matter.
- Balance board exams. Use overlap wisely. NCERT-based prep will help in both board and JEE exams.
- Keep one rest day. Your mind needs to recharge too.
JEE Main 2026 Timeline — Month-by-Month Preparation Plan
- January–March 2025: Start your base. Build strong fundamentals from NCERT. Try to use formulae and reactions in outline form when you make notes.
- April–June 2025: Switch to the next level of questions. Frequently solve the PYQ(Previous year Questions). You’ll begin to see patterns — areas that recur every year. Don’t miss mock tests. Analyse them like exams. Create a “mistake log” — be sure to write down every idea or formula you missed on the test.
- July–September 2025: Practise speed and accuracy. Time your tests. Attune yourself to transitioning seamlessly between sections.
- October–December 2025: Final revisions. Don’t add new material now. Stay with what you already know. Reduce mock tests to once a week in order to maintain the rhythm.
- January 2026: First attempt. Stay calm, trust your prep.
- February–March 2026: Review your performance. Fill in any gaps.
- April 2026: Second attempt. Apply all that you’ve learned.
FAQs
1. When will JEE Main 2026 registration begin?
Session 1 registration has already started in October 2025, while Session 2 will likely begin in January 2026.
2. Can I appear in both sessions of JEE Main 2026?
Absolutely. Many students do. The NTA will count your best score between the two.
3. Which are the best resources for JEE Main preparation?
NCERT textbooks are always the best. Besides that, Aakash Institute offers structured programmes and test series. Pair them with official NTA mock tests, and you’ll be set.
