JEE Main 2026 Application Begins: Complete Guide to Registration, Exam Dates, and Eligibility

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially begun the registration process for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 from October 31, 2025. Engineering aspirants across India can now apply online through the official website — jeemain.nta.nic.in. The registration window for the January session will remain open until November 27, 2025 (9 PM), while candidates can pay the application fee till 11:50 PM on the same date via debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI.
Continuing the trend from previous years, JEE Main 2026 will be conducted in two sessions — Session 1 (January 1–30, 2026) and Session 2 (April 1–10, 2026). The exam serves as the gateway for admission to India’s top engineering institutions, including the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other CFTIs. It also acts as a screening test for JEE Advanced 2026, which leads to admission into the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

 How to Apply for JEE Main 2026: Step-by-Step Registration Guide

To simplify the process for aspirants, NTA has provided a clear set of instructions on its official website. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the JEE Main 2026 application process:

1. Step 1: Visit the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in.

1. Step 2: Click on the “JEE Main 2026 Registration” link and create your candidate account using your name, email ID, and mobile number.

1. Step 3: Fill in your personal details, including date of birth, Aadhaar number, category, and address.

1. Step 4: Upload scanned copies of your passport-size photograph and signature as per the given specifications.

1. Step 5: Pay the examination fee using online payment methods — credit/debit card, net banking, or UPI.

1. Step 6: Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.

Applicants are advised to double-check their information before submission, as incorrect details may lead to cancellation of candidature. The NTA has emphasized the importance of having updated Aadhaar, UDID (for PwD candidates), and valid category certificates (EWS/SC/ST/OBC-NCL).

JEE Main 2026: Important Dates and Exam Schedule

According to the latest notification from the National Testing Agency, the JEE Main 2026 will be organized in two separate sessions to allow flexibility for students and to reduce the pressure of a single attempt. Below is the complete timeline:

• Application Form Availability: October 31, 2025

• Last Date to Apply: November 27, 2025 (till 9 PM)

• Last Date for Fee Payment: November 27, 2025 (till 11:50 PM)

• Correction Window: November 29 – December 1, 2025

• Admit Card Release (Session 1): December 25, 2025

• JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam Dates: January 1 – 30, 2026

• Session 2 Registration: February 10 – March 15, 2026

• JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Exam Dates: April 1 – 10, 2026

• Result Declaration (Session 1): February 5, 2026

• Result Declaration (Session 2): April 18, 2026

As per NTA, candidates can choose up to four cities as their preferred exam centers. The final center allotment will depend on administrative feasibility. For foreign applicants, at least one exam city must be in India.

 Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Preparation Tips

JEE Main 2026 will be conducted for two papers:

• Paper 1: B.E./B.Tech — conducted for students aspiring to pursue engineering courses.

• Paper 2A and 2B: B.Arch and B.Planning — for architecture and planning aspirants.

Both papers will be computer-based tests (CBT). Each paper consists of objective-type questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with a total of 300 marks for Paper 1. The exam will follow the latest NTA syllabus based on NCERT curriculum for Classes 11 and 12.
Eligibility Criteria:

• Students must have passed or appeared in the Class 12 board exams in 2024 or 2025 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

• There is no age limit for appearing in JEE Main.

• Students can attempt JEE Main for three consecutive years.

Preparation Tips:

1. Follow NCERT textbooks thoroughly and make short notes for quick revisions.

1. Practice previous years’ question papers and mock tests available on nta.ac.in.

1. Focus on accuracy and speed — both are equally important for scoring well.

1. Manage time effectively by dividing your syllabus into daily and weekly targets.

JEE Main Statistics and Trends

In 2025, over 13.1 lakh candidates registered for JEE Main Session 1, while about 12.58 lakh appeared. For Session 2, nearly 9.9 lakh students took the exam. The participation trend has been steadily increasing, highlighting the growing interest in engineering education in India.
In comparison, the total registrations for JEE Main 2024 Session 1 were 12.21 lakh, while Session 2 saw around 11.8 lakh candidates. The upward trend reflects the strong demand for quality engineering institutions and the prestige associated with clearing the JEE Main exam.
Experts predict that JEE Main 2026 could see even higher participation, especially as more candidates are expected from emerging states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, and the Northeastern regions.

 Final Advice for Aspirants

With the JEE Main 2026 registration window now open, aspirants are advised not to wait for the last moment. Early registration helps avoid technical issues or payment failures at the deadline. Additionally, students should stay updated with NTA notifications through the official website and practice mock exams regularly.
Maintaining a balanced approach — focusing equally on concept clarity, problem-solving, and mental calmness — will help aspirants achieve a top rank. As experts say, “JEE Main is not just about intelligence, it’s about consistency and discipline.”
For detailed updates on JEE Main 2026 syllabus, sample papers, and result announcements, candidates can follow and nkrealeducation.blogspot.com