If you are trying to understand how many students appeared in JEE Main, January 28 provides the most complete picture so far. It brings together attendance from all major exam days: January 21, 22, 23, 24, and 28.
This page breaks down:
- Official cumulative numbers
- JEE Main 2026 session 1 attendance
- Day-wise growth in participation
- What record turnout actually means for aspirants
All figures shared below are based on official NTA updates.
How Many Students Appeared in JEE Main 2026 Till January 28?
As per the official data released by NTA:
- Total candidates appeared in JEE Main 2026: 13,00,368
- Overall attendance percentage: 96.26%
- Exam days covered: January 21, 22, 23, 24, and 28
- Total shifts for Paper 1 (BE/BTech): 10 shifts
This means that over 13 lakh students appeared in JEE Main Session 1 alone, making it the highest-ever turnout for a January session.
When students ask how many students appeared in JEE Main, this figure now stands as the official cumulative count for Session 1 (Paper 1).
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Students Appeared: A Record-Breaking Trend
The JEE Main 2026 session 1 students appeared count clearly shows a steady rise over the years.
To put things in perspective:
- In 2024, around 11.7 lakh students appeared in January
- In 2025, the number increased to 12.58 lakh
- In 2026, it crossed 13 lakh
This rise confirms:
- Growing seriousness among aspirants
- Increased trust in JEE Main as the primary engineering entrance exam
- Higher participation from repeaters and droppers
With such high JEE Main 2026 session 1 applicants attempted numbers, competition is intense, but structured.
Day-Wise Growth in JEE Main 2026 Appeared Candidates Count
NTA released cumulative attendance data across exam days. Here’s how participation grew:
- January 21: 2,56,500 students appeared
- By January 23: 7,70,441 students appeared
- By January 24: 10,36,211 students appeared
- By January 28: 13,00,368 students appeared
This progressive rise explains how the JEE Main 2026 appeared candidates count reached its current level.
Each day added significantly to the pool of JEE Main 2026 session 1 exam attempted students, with January 28 playing a decisive role in crossing the 13-lakh mark.
Applicants Attempted JEE Main 2026: What High Attendance Indicates
With nearly 14.5 lakh registrations expected for Session 1, the appearance of 13,00,368 applicants who attempted JEE Main 2026 reflects extremely high seriousness.
A 96.26% attendance rate suggests:
- Very few candidates skipped the exam
- Most aspirants used their first attempt strategically
- Session 1 continues to be the preferred attempt window
However, it’s important to understand what this does and does not mean for students.
Does High JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Attendance Increase Difficulty?
Actually No. The JEE Main 2026 session 1 attendance does not make the paper tougher or the evaluation stricter.
Why?
- JEE Main follows a percentile-based normalisation system
- Your performance is compared only within your shift
- Difficulty variations are mathematically balanced
So even though many students appeared in JEE Main, your percentile depends on:
- Accuracy
- Smart question selection
- Error control
Not on how many candidates appeared nationally.
Number of Students Appeared in JEE Main 2026 vs Previous Years
A quick comparison helps explain why 2026 stands out:
- 2026 (Jan till 28): 13,00,368 appeared
- 2025 (Jan): 12,58,136 appeared
- 2024 (Jan): 11,70,036 appeared
- 2023 (Jan): 8,23,967 appeared
The number of students appeared in JEE Main 2026 confirms a steady year-on-year rise, with 2026 setting a new benchmark.
What Does This Mean for Cut-offs?
High participation can influence cut-offs, but only indirectly.
Cut-offs depend on:
- Difficulty level of papers
- Score distribution
- Category-wise performance trends
Attendance alone does not decide outcomes.
So while the total candidates appeared in JEE Main 2026 is high, students should focus on:
- Analysing response sheets
- Identifying weak areas
- Planning Session 2 improvements (if needed)
Key Takeaway for Aspirants
By January 28, JEE Main 2026 Session 1 had already rewritten participation records.
But remember:
- Numbers don’t decide ranks
- Percentiles balance competition
- Preparation quality still matters most
Whether fewer or more students appeared in JEE Main, the system ensures fairness. What matters is how well you performed.
FAQs
Q1. How many students appeared in JEE Main 2026 till January 28?
A total of 13,00,368 students appeared in JEE Main 2026 Session 1 (Paper 1) across exam days from January 21 to January 28.
Q2. What was the attendance percentage for JEE Main 2026 Session 1?
The JEE Main 2026 session 1 attendance stood at 96.26%, one of the highest recorded so far.
Q3. Does high attendance affect percentile calculation?
No. Percentile calculation is shift-wise. High JEE Main 2026 session 1 applicants attempted numbers do not reduce individual percentiles.
Q4. Is this the highest turnout in JEE Main history?
Yes. The JEE Main 2026 appeared candidates count is the highest for a January session to date.
Q5. Should students worry about increased competition?
No. Students should focus on accuracy, analysis, and preparation for the next phase. Competition is balanced through normalisation.
