The National Testing Agency ( NTA) on Sunday announced the exam schedule for the JEE Main 2026, confirming that the Session 1 exams will be held from January 21 to 30, 2026, while Session 2 will take place from April 1 to 10, 2026.
Registration for the January session will begin on October 2025, while the registration for the April session will begin in late January.
JEE Main is a national-level entrance test for admission to premier engineering institutes such as IITs, NITs, and IIITs. It is one of India's most competitive examinations.
This year, NTA has also announced plans to expand exam centres to ensure wider accessibility and simplify the registration process through Aadhaar-linked verification.
JEE Main 2026: Full schedule and registration process
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 will be held over nine days, from January 21 to 30, while Session 2 will follow between April 1 and 10, 2026.
The registration portal for Session 1 will go live in October 2025 on the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. To register, candidates can log in using their Aadhaar number, mobile number, and email ID. The registration window for Session 2 will open after the declaration of Session 1 results, which will be in the last week of January 2026.
NTA has asked the candidates to ensure that their personal details exactly match their Aadhaar information to avoid discrepancies during application verification. The admit cards are expected to be released three days before each session.
Candidates can check the official notice issued by NTA here.
JEE Main 2026: More exam centres
The NTA, in a bid to improve inclusivity, has expanded the number of JEE Main exam centres across India and abroad. According to the agency, several new testing locations will be added to accommodate the increasing number of aspirants and minimise travel-related stress.
This is aimed at benefitting students from remote regions who earlier faced challenges in accessing exam centres. NTA is also expected to strengthen its digital infrastructure, including mock test portals and live registration helplines.
JEE Main 2026: Exam pattern for Paper 1 - B.E./B.Tech
Paper 1 is for candidates seeking admission to B.E./B.Tech programmes in NITs, IIITs, and other engineering institutes. The question paper will have 90 questions (30 each in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics), out of which 75 must be attempted.
The paper includes MCQs and numerical questions, carries 4 marks per correct answer, and penalises 1 mark for wrong answers.
Duration is for three hours. Eligible candidates must have passed Class 12 in 2024 or be appearing in 2026 with PCM as core subjects.
JEE Main 206: Exam pattern for paper 2 -B.Arch and B.Planning
Paper 2 is for students aspiring for architecture or planning courses.
Registration for the January session will begin on October 2025, while the registration for the April session will begin in late January.
JEE Main is a national-level entrance test for admission to premier engineering institutes such as IITs, NITs, and IIITs. It is one of India's most competitive examinations.
This year, NTA has also announced plans to expand exam centres to ensure wider accessibility and simplify the registration process through Aadhaar-linked verification.
JEE Main 2026: Full schedule and registration process
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 will be held over nine days, from January 21 to 30, while Session 2 will follow between April 1 and 10, 2026.
The registration portal for Session 1 will go live in October 2025 on the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. To register, candidates can log in using their Aadhaar number, mobile number, and email ID. The registration window for Session 2 will open after the declaration of Session 1 results, which will be in the last week of January 2026.
NTA has asked the candidates to ensure that their personal details exactly match their Aadhaar information to avoid discrepancies during application verification. The admit cards are expected to be released three days before each session.
Candidates can check the official notice issued by NTA here.
JEE Main 2026: More exam centres
The NTA, in a bid to improve inclusivity, has expanded the number of JEE Main exam centres across India and abroad. According to the agency, several new testing locations will be added to accommodate the increasing number of aspirants and minimise travel-related stress.
This is aimed at benefitting students from remote regions who earlier faced challenges in accessing exam centres. NTA is also expected to strengthen its digital infrastructure, including mock test portals and live registration helplines.
JEE Main 2026: Exam pattern for Paper 1 - B.E./B.Tech
Paper 1 is for candidates seeking admission to B.E./B.Tech programmes in NITs, IIITs, and other engineering institutes. The question paper will have 90 questions (30 each in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics), out of which 75 must be attempted.
The paper includes MCQs and numerical questions, carries 4 marks per correct answer, and penalises 1 mark for wrong answers.
Duration is for three hours. Eligible candidates must have passed Class 12 in 2024 or be appearing in 2026 with PCM as core subjects.
JEE Main 206: Exam pattern for paper 2 -B.Arch and B.Planning
Paper 2 is for students aspiring for architecture or planning courses.
- Paper 2A (B.Arch) tests Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing (the last section in pen-and-paper mode).
- Paper 2B (B.Planning) includes Mathematics, Aptitude, and Planning-based questions, all in CBT mode.
Each carries 400 marks, and candidates can opt for either or both papers.
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