The JEE Main 2026 registration count has reached an unprecedented milestone, marking the highest participation ever recorded for a January session. The National Testing Agency (NTA) opened the online registration window for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 on 31 October 2025 and closed it on 27 November 2025. As per the latest official figures, around 14.5 lakh students have registered for JEE Main 2026 Session 1, surpassing last year’s numbers and signalling a major rise in engineering aspirants nationwide.
This exceptional surge indicates increasing enthusiasm among students for engineering and architecture courses across NITs, IIITs, CFTIs and other prestigious institutions. With the exam scheduled in two sessions—January and April 2026—the final unique candidate count is expected to cross 15–17 lakh, making JEE Main 2026 one of the largest entrance examinations ever conducted in India.
In this article, we break down the total registrations, year-wise trends, impact on competition, and what aspirants should do next.
JEE Main 2026 Registration: Record-Breaking Numbers
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 registration has officially crossed 14.5 lakh candidates, the highest ever recorded for a January session. Last year, Session 1 witnessed around 13.1 lakh registrations. This year’s numbers mark an increase of more than one lakh candidates even before the second session registrations begin.
As per experts, total registrations across both sessions may exceed 15–17 lakh unique candidates, indicating a historic peak in participation.
Why Are Registrations Increasing?
Several factors are contributing to the spike in registrations:
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Growing interest in engineering and architecture careers.
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Increased number of repeaters aiming for better percentile or AIR.
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Wider awareness and access to online preparation resources.
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Stronger participation from Class 12 appearing and passed-out candidates.
Year-Wise JEE Main Registrations vs Students Appeared
The table below presents a clear comparison of the number of students who registered vs those who appeared for JEE Main over the last few years. This trend helps students understand attendance patterns and gauge the level of competition they may face.
JEE Main Registration & Appearance Trends
| Year | Session | Registered Students | Students Appeared | Unique Registered (Both Sessions) | Unique Appeared (Both Sessions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* | January | 14,50,000 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | January | 13,11,544 | 12,58,136 | 15,39,848 | 14,75,103 |
| April | 10,61,840 | 9,92,350 | |||
| 2024 | January | 12,21,624 | 11,70,048 | 14,76,557 | 14,15,110 |
| April | 11,79,569 | 10,67,959 | |||
| 2023 | January | 8,60,064 | 8,23,967 | 11,62,398 | 11,13,325 |
| April | 9,31,334 | 8,83,367 |
*2026 data is based on Session 1 registrations only.
Key Insights From Previous Years
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Attendance rates remain consistently high, around 95–96%.
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The number of unique candidates taking both sessions shows a yearly increase.
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2025 saw approximately 14.75 lakh students appearing for JEE Main in total, one of the highest so far.
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The steep jump in 2026 indicates even tougher competition.
Will Higher Registrations Affect JEE Main Percentile?
A common doubt among students is whether increased registrations lower percentiles. The answer is no, because percentile is a relative score, not an absolute one. Percentile depends on how well a candidate performs compared to others who appeared in the same shift.
However, higher registrations indirectly impact the competition level.
How Increased Registrations Influence Percentile Trends
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More students mean higher competition, especially among top performers.
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Securing a 95+ percentile may get slightly tougher with a larger aspirant pool.
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Cut-offs for qualifying (NTA score) and college admissions are expected to rise.
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Students scoring average or slightly above-average marks may see sharper rank drops.
Experts predict that qualifying percentiles for top NITs could rise further in 2026 due to the record volume of candidates.
How Higher Registrations Affect JEE Main Aspirants
High registration numbers create an exam environment where every mark becomes crucial. Here is how the surge impacts preparation and competition:
1. Increased Competition
More candidates mean greater competition for limited seats in NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs.
2. Higher Cut-Off Scores
Cut-offs are likely to go up, particularly for popular branches like CSE, ECE, and Mechanical Engineering.
3. Lower Margin for Error
Even one or two mistakes can cause a significant rank drop when lakhs of students are attempting the paper.
4. Stronger Need for Speed & Accuracy
Solving the paper within the 3-hour limit requires exceptional time management and precision.
5. More Emphasis on Revision & Mocks
Students must practise multiple full-length mock tests to become comfortable with exam pressure and timing.
JEE Main 2026: Total Registrations So Far
As of now, around 14.5 lakh students have already registered for JEE Main 2026 Session 1. With Session 2 registration yet to begin, the final number is expected to be significantly higher.
Expected Final Registration Count
| Category | Estimated Count |
|---|---|
| Session 1 Registrations | 14.5 lakh |
| Expected Session 2 Additions | 1–2.5 lakh |
| Predicted Total Unique Registrations | 15–17 lakh |
This projection makes JEE Main 2026 the most competitive edition ever.
What Should Aspirants Do Now That JEE Main 2026 Registration Is Over?
The registration process is complete, and now is the crucial time for exam-focused preparation. With JEE Main 2026 Session 1 scheduled from 21 to 30 January 2026, aspirants should follow the steps below:
1. Download Admit Card/Exam City Slip
As soon as NTA releases the exam city slip or admit card, verify:
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Personal details
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Photograph & signature
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Exam centre & address
Report any discrepancies immediately.
2. Revise High-Weightage Topics
Focus more on chapters frequently asked in previous years across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
3. Attempt Full-Length Mock Tests
Use NTA’s Mock Test Portal or reliable test series to practise regularly. Analyse every mock and maintain an error log.
4. Strengthen Time Management
Practice completing each section within the ideal time frame to avoid last-minute pressure.
5. Prepare Formula Sheets
Maintain organised notes with formulas, important reactions, derivations, and shortcuts for quick revision.
JEE Main 2026 has witnessed an all-time high registration count, with 14.5 lakh students applying for Session 1 alone. With the second session yet to occur, the total number of unique candidates is likely to reach 15–17 lakh, setting a new benchmark in the exam’s history. This massive rise underscores the growing interest in engineering careers and hints at a more competitive year for aspirants.
To stay ahead in this intense competition, students must remain consistent with revision, practise mock tests regularly, and focus on smart strategies. With the right preparation and discipline, aspirants can achieve their target percentiles and secure admission to top engineering institutes.
JEE Main 2026 Registrations FAQs
1. How many students registered for JEE Main 2026 Session 1?
Around 14.5 lakh students registered for JEE Main 2026 Session 1, making it the highest number of registrations ever recorded for a January session. This marks a significant rise compared to previous years.
2. Will JEE Main 2026 see more registrations in Session 2?
Yes, Session 2 registrations typically add another 1–2.5 lakh candidates. Experts predict that the total unique registrations for JEE Main 2026 may reach 15–17 lakh, creating the largest-ever participation in the exam’s history.
3. Does a higher number of registrations affect the JEE Main percentile?
Percentile scores are calculated relatively and do not directly decrease due to more registrations. However, a larger aspirant pool increases competition, meaning scoring high marks becomes more challenging and cut-offs may rise.
4. Will JEE Main 2026 cut-offs be higher due to increased registrations?
Cut-offs are expected to rise because of the larger number of candidates. With more students scoring in similar ranges, qualifying scores for top NITs and IIITs may be higher compared to previous years.
5. What should students do now that JEE Main 2026 registrations are over?
Students must now focus on:
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Downloading and verifying the admit card once released
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Strengthening revision of high-weightage topics
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Attempting full-length mock tests
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Improving accuracy and time management
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Maintaining formula sheets and error logs for quick revision
