Hey, Class 12 warriors! Is managing board exams and JEE Main exams preparation at the same time becoming stressful? Then you are not alone. It affects thousands of students across India. As your board result dictates your knowledge proficiency, JEE Main opens the doors to your engineering dreams – NITs, IIITs and maybe an IIT through JEE Advanced.
But here’s a question: are you aware of the complete JEE Main 2026 schedule? This is because knowing the correct schedule saves you from last-minute panic.
If you have not gone through the dates, then do not worry. Here are tentative dates for Sessions 1 & 2. This will ensure your preparation/exam registration stays on course.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Overview and JEE Main 2026 Important Highlights
The JEE Main exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Just like last year, this year also the JEE Main 2026 exams are scheduled to be held twice: in January and then in April. The test is based on both the syllabi ,i.e. Class 11 and Class 12 Physics. The exam will be held in CBT mode and will test the candidates for Maths, Physics and Chemistry. JEE (Main) has two papers, Paper 1 for B.E./B. Tech and Paper 2 for B.Arch/B.Planning.
JEE Main 2026 Exams Tentative Dates & JEE Main 2026 Events Summary
| Particulars | JEE Main 2026 – Session 1 | JEE Main 2026 – Session 2 |
| Exam Name | Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 | Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Level of Exam | National | National |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (Drawing part of B.Arch is Pen & Paper) | Computer-Based Test (Drawing part of B.Arch is Pen & Paper) |
| Online Application Start Date | October 2025 | January 2026 |
| Online Application End Date | November 2025 | March 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | November 2025 | March 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 3–5 days before the exam | 3–5 days before the exam |
| Exam Dates | 21 to 30 January 2026 (Tentative) | 02 to 09 April 2026 (Tentative) |
| Result Declaration | By 12 February 2026 | By 20 April 2026 |
Tentative Dates & Events of JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam Schedule
Consider Session 1 your first official race. It’s been a year of practising, and it helps you understand where you stand. The best part? Even if you slip – Session 2 is still available.
- Official Notification: The official brochure was released in October 2025. In this brochure, NTA has given all the necessary information. This includes syllabus, exam pattern, eligibility, and fees. Hence, go through it all carefully. After that, jot down the important events and deadlines.
- Registration Window: So, the JEE Main exam application form began in October, and it will close by November 2025. But do not wait until the last day, servers get blocked closer to deadlines.
- Correction Window: If you have any errors in the form or uploaded an incorrect file, you’ve got a few days to check and fix the error. No further corrections will be possible once the correction period has elapsed.
- Admit card: The Admit Card for Session 1 JEE Main 2026 will be available up to 3-5 days before the exam date. Make extra copies and ensure that the photo, name and centre are correct. Any errors? Contact the NTA immediately.
- Exam Dates: The exam is scheduled tentatively for January 21 to 30, 2026. It will be a computerised test (CBT), so get familiar by practising online mock tests and also understand the JEE exam pattern well.
- Result Declaration: You can expect the results around February 2026. It will also tell you the percentile and, based on that, whether you are eligible JEE Advanced exam or not. Before the result, NTA releases a provisional answer key also so do check that.
Pro Tip:
Session 1 isn’t just “practice” — treat it as a serious attempt. Some students perform their best in this round because they’re fresh and motivated.
Tentative Dates & Events of JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Exam Schedule
If Session 1 didn’t go as planned, no worries. That’s exactly why JEE Main offers Session 2. You’ve already experienced the real exam environment, so now you can refine your weak areas and bounce back stronger.
Tentative Timeline:
- Registration Window: It will begin in January 2026. The window closes by March 2026. Hurry up and complete the process.
- Correction Window: The correction window will be open for a few days. This will help fix any last-minute mistakes. So do not miss this window.
- Admit Card: Likely to be released 3 to 5 days before the exam.
- Exam Dates: The tentative exam window is April 02 to 09, 2026.
- Result Declaration: Results will be available by April 2026.
Pro Tip:
Even if your first attempt went well, take the second one too. Many toppers improve their scores by 10–15 percentile points simply because they walk in more relaxed the second time.
Month-by-Month JEE Main 2026 Action Plan for Smart Preparation
Here is a suggested month-by-month action plan for JEE Main 2026 aspirants:
October 2025:
- Registration began for Session 1.
- Have all the important documents like Aadhaar, signature, passport-size photo, school certificates, and then the category certificate.
- Understand the complete JEE Main syllabus.
- Attempt topic-wise mock tests to fine-tune accuracy.
November – December 2025:
- Make use of the correction window wisely.
- Complete full-length mocks each week.
- Revise important formulas and short tricks.
January 2026:
- Download your admit card and also examine all details.
- Concentrate on revision – absolutely no new topics today.
- Plan travel and exam logistics before time.
- Register for Session 2
February 2026:
- Analyse your Session 1 performance in case you have appeared.
- Identify weak areas; note down improvement topics.
March 2026:
- Registration for Session 2 closes. Get ready for another round.
- Concentrate on revising topics in which you scored low earlier.
- Practice online testing to boost speed and accuracy.
April 2026:
- Appear for Session 2 confidently.
- Sleep well prior to the exam day. Do not try to learn anything new.
Important JEE Main 2026 Guidelines for All Students
| Stage | What You Need to Do | Why It’s Important |
| Registration | Apply early | Avoid server overload & city unavailability |
| Correction | Verify all details | Errors can lead to disqualification |
| Admit Card | Print 2–3 copies | Backup in case one gets misplaced |
| Exam Preparation | Focus on mock tests | Builds confidence in CBT format |
| Exam Day | Reach early, carry ID | Avoid unnecessary panic |
JEE Main 2026 Registration, Correction, and Admit Card Instructions
- Candidates need to apply through the official website of NTA.
- List down all the documents you would be needing. Make sure that you have those documents scanned also, so that you can upload them when asked while filling out the form.
- When you are completing the form, ensure that you validate everything.
- Once the registration window is closed, NTA opens a correction window of 2-3 days. Use this window to correct any typos or upload any documents you have made.
- The admit card is issued by NTA 3-4 days prior to the examination. Read the admit card, properly verify all the information such as name, city, centre, subjects and others. If there is any error, notify the authorities immediately. In case it is correct, print the admit card and carry it with you to the centre.
How to Prepare Between JEE Main 2026 Session 1 and Session 2
This gap between sessions is a gift. Use it smartly.
- Start by analysing your Session 1 performance. Go through your weak topics. Maybe Calculus gave you trouble, or maybe you missed some easy Chemistry questions. Note them down.
- Avoid jumping into new books. Instead, revise NCERT and your class notes. Solve mock tests twice a week, focusing on accuracy. A 10–15% score boost between sessions is very doable with the right plan.
- Avoid burnout. Take a few days off after Session 1, as it helps you reset your mind. Eat well, sleep properly, and get back with a clear head.
JEE Main 2026 Result, Answer Key, and Scorecard Details
After the exam, NTA also releases a provisional answer key within a few days. You can challenge any of the questions with a valid proof by paying a small fee. After checking all objections, they publish the final answer key and then the result.
Your scorecard will show your percentile, not raw marks. If you appeared in both sessions, the higher percentile will be used for ranking.
Once all these processes are done, the NTA will publish the result. The JoSAA will then initiate the counselling process. You need to complete the required procedures and undergo the counselling so that you can be accepted to the college of your choice.
FAQs on JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates, Registration, and Preparation
1. When will JEE Main 2026 registration start?
The Session 1 registration started in October 2025. For Session 2, the registration window will open in January 2026.
2. Will both sessions count?
Absolutely! You can appear in both the January and April sessions. When compiling the final merit list, the National Testing Agency will use your best score of the two attempts. Many students take Session 1 to warm up to learn the pattern and then work on higher scores during Session 2.
3. How should I prepare between sessions?
Session 1 will help assess your strengths & weaknesses. Afterwards, take a few days off, analyse your mistakes and study for Session 2, which will be more on weak topics. Spend February and March honing speed, accuracy and time management – not learning new concepts.
