JEE Main 2026 — Full Exam Schedule, Registration, and Major Updates
The JEE Main 2026 exam has officially been announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA), bringing excitement and relief for lakhs of engineering aspirants across India. According to the official NTA notification, the exam will again be held in two sessions — January 2026 and April 2026 — giving students two valuable chances to perform their best.
This year’s update also brings major process improvements, such as Aadhaar-based auto-form filling, expanded exam cities, and a streamlined registration system at jeemain.nta.ac.in.
Table of Contents
- Overview of JEE Main 2026
- Important Dates & Schedule
- Registration Window and Fees
- New Aadhaar Verification System
- Exam Pattern & Structure
- City Expansion and Accessibility
- Tips for JEE Main 2026 Preparation
- Important Websites and Helplines
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Overview of JEE Main 2026
The Joint Entrance Examination (Main) is India’s largest national-level entrance test for admission to premier institutes like IITs, NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs. Conducted by NTA, the exam acts as the first stage for the JEE Advanced qualification.
For 2026, NTA will continue the two-session pattern, allowing candidates to appear in one or both sessions. The best of the two scores will be considered for final merit.
🔗 Official Source: nta.ac.in
Important Dates & Schedule
| Session | Application Opens | Exam Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | October 2025 | January 21–30, 2026 |
| Session 2 | Late January 2026 | April 1–10, 2026 |
👉 Note: Dates are tentative and subject to change. Always confirm via jeemain.nta.ac.in.
Registration Window and Fees
- Registration begins in October 2025 for Session 1.
- Candidates must fill out the online form only on jeemain.nta.ac.in.
- Payment can be made via UPI, Debit/Credit Card, or Net Banking.
- Fee varies by category and gender; NTA will release a detailed notice soon.
→ Read more: How to Fill JEE Main Application Form Without Errors (Guide)
New Aadhaar Verification System
To simplify the process, NTA has integrated Aadhaar-based data fetching with UIDAI.
Once the candidate enters the Aadhaar number, the portal auto-imports:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Photograph
- Address & gender
This ensures error-free registration and reduces document mismatches.
📘 Reference: Times of India Education
Exam Pattern & Structure
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
- Question Type: Objective (MCQ + Numerical Value)
- Total Marks: 300
- Duration: 3 hours
- Languages: English, Hindi, and regional languages
Separate papers will be held for B.E./B. Tech (Paper 1), B.Arch (Paper 2A), and B.Planning (Paper 2B).
🔗 More details: engineering.careers360.com
City Expansion and Accessibility
For 2026, NTA will expand JEE Main exam centers to ensure broader reach, especially for rural and north-eastern candidates.
- Over 400 cities are expected in India.
- Special centers for PwD/PwBD candidates.
- An advanced city intimation slip is available before the admit card.
Tips for JEE Main 2026 Preparation
- Start early with NCERT fundamentals.
- Attempt mock tests on nta.ac.in.
- Use previous-year papers for accuracy and speed practice.
- Divide time — 60% concepts, 40% practice.
- Focus on Physics numericals and Chemistry formulas.
Important Websites and Helplines
- Official Portal: jeemain.nta.ac.in
- General Info: nta.ac.in
- Helpline: +91-11-40759000
- Email: jeemain@nta.ac.in
Conclusion
The JEE Main 2026 announcement by NTA gives students clarity on timelines and structure. With Aadhaar integration, more exam cities, and two attempts, the process is simpler and fairer. Aspirants should start their preparation now, follow official updates closely, and aim for their dream institutes with confidence.
Top 10 FAQs on JEE Main 2026
1. When will the JEE Main 2026 registration begin?
The registration for Session 1 starts in October 2025 on jeemain.nta.ac.in.
2. How many sessions are there for JEE Main 2026?
There will be two sessions — January 2026 and April 2026.
3. What is the JEE Main 2026 exam date for Session 1?
The exam is scheduled between January 21 and 30, 2026.
4. When will Session 2 of JEE Main 2026 be conducted?
Session 2 is expected from April 1 to 10, 2026.
5. Where can I apply for JEE Main 2026?
Only through the official portal — jeemain.nta.ac.in.
6. What’s new in the JEE Main 2026 application process?
The NTA will auto-fetch details from Aadhaar, reducing manual errors.
7. Will JEE Main 2026 be held in multiple languages?
Yes, in English, Hindi, and 13 regional languages.
8. Is JEE Main 2026 mandatory for JEE Advanced 2026?
Yes, qualifying for JEE Main 2026 is mandatory to sit for JEE Advanced 2026.
9. Can I appear in both JEE Main 2026 sessions?
Yes, and the best score out of the two will be considered for ranking.
10. Where can I contact NTA for JEE Main 2026 queries?
Contact the NTA Helpdesk (+91-11-40759000) or email jeemain@nta.ac.in.
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