JEE Main 2026 Notification Released by NTA: Check Dates, Eligibility, and Apply Online

JEE Main 2026 Notification Released by NTA: Check Dates, Eligibility, and Apply Online

N(caps)TA has released the JEE Main 2026 Information Bulletin. Get all details for Session 1 (Jan 2026) & Session 2 (April 2026), including application dates, eligibility criteria, new changes, and a step-by-step application guide.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the Information Bulletin for the Joint Entrance Examination (Main) – 2026. This is a crucial update for students aiming for admission into undergraduate engineering programs (B.E./B.Tech), B.Arch, and B.Planning courses at premier institutions like NITs, IIITs, and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs).

The JEE (Main) 2026 will be conducted in two sessions: Session 1 in January 2026 and Session 2 in April 2026. This two-session format gives students two opportunities to improve their scores.

JEE Main 2026: Details Information

Particulars	Details
Exam Name	Joint Entrance Examination (Main) - 2026
Conducting Body	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Exam Sessions	Session 1: January 2026 Session 2: April 2026
Exam Mode	"Computer Based Test (CBT)" mode (Note: Paper 2A (B.Arch) has a Drawing Test (Part-III) in pen & paper mode)
Application Mode	Online
Official Website	https://jeemain.nta.nic.in/

 

 

A Step-by-Step Guide to the JEE Main 2026 Notification

Follow these steps to ensure you don't miss any important details for your application.

Step 1: Check Important Dates (Session 1 & 2)

Mark your calendar! The NTA has announced the tentative schedule for both sessions.

For Session 1 (January 2026):

• Online Application: October 31, 2025 to November 27, 2025 (up to 09:00 P.M.)
• Last Date for Fee Payment: November 27, 2025 (up to 11:50 P.M.)
• Exam Dates: Between January 21, 2026 and January 30, 2026
• Result Declaration: By February 12, 2026

For Session 2 (April 2026):

• Online Application: Last week of January 2026 onwards
• Exam Dates: Between April 02, 2026 and April 09, 2026
• Result Declaration: By April 20, 2026

Step 2: Understand the Eligibility Criteria

Before you apply, you must confirm that you are eligible to appear for the exam.

• Age Limit: There is no age limit for candidates appearing in the JEE (Main) - 2026. However, candidates must fulfill the age criteria of the institutes they are applying to.
• Year of Passing Class 12: Only candidates who have passed their Class 12 or equivalent examination in 2024, 2025, or are appearing in 2026 are eligible.
• Ineligible Candidates: Candidates who passed the Class 12 or equivalent exam in 2023 or earlier are NOT eligible to appear.
• Qualifying Exams: You must have passed from a recognized board, including the final exam of the 10+2 system, Intermediate, a two-year Pre-University exam, or a Diploma recognized by AICTE or a state board (at least 3 years duration).

JEE Main 2026 Session 1: NTA Releases Exam Details, Subjects, and Important Instructions

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has published the official Public Notice for the Joint Entrance Examination (Main) 2026. This notice invites online applications for Session 1, which will be held in January 2026.

This exam is the gateway for admission to B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning courses at NITs, IIITs, and other premier institutions. Here are the complete details from the official notification.

JEE Main 2026: Examination Scheme and Subjects

The NTA has detailed the exam pattern for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), Paper 2A (B.Arch), and Paper 2B (B.Planning).

A key update is that each subject in Paper 1 and Part 1 of Paper 2 will have two sections:

Section A: Will consist of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs).

Section B: Will contain questions where the answer must be filled in as a numerical value.

Paper	Subjects	No. of Questions	Mode of Examination
Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)	Mathematics Physics Chemistry	20 (Sec A) + 05 (Sec B) 20 (Sec A) + 05 (Sec B) 20 (Sec A) + 05 (Sec B)	Computer Based Test (CBT)
Paper 2A (B.Arch)	Part I: Mathematics Part II: Aptitude Test Part III: Drawing Test	20 (Sec A) + 05 (Sec B) 50 02	CBT Mode (except Drawing Test, which is Pen & Paper on an A4 sheet)
Paper 2B (B.Planning)	Part I: Mathematics Part II: Aptitude Test Part III: Planning	20 (Sec A) + 05 (Sec B) 50 25	Computer Based Test (CBT)

Marking Scheme Candidates must note that there will be negative marking for incorrect answers in both Section A and Section B.(alert-warning)

Important Instructions for All Candidates

• Online Mode Only: Candidates can apply for JEE (Main) 2026 Session 1 only through the official website: https://jeemain.nta.nic.in/ Applications in any other mode will not be accepted.
• One Application Per Candidate: Only one application is to be submitted by a candidate. NTA will take strict action against candidates who fill more than one Application Form, even at a later stage.

• Follow Instructions: Candidates who do not comply with the instructions in the Information Bulletin and on the NTA website shall be summarily disqualified.

• Valid Email and Mobile Number: Candidates must ensure that the e-mail address and Mobile Number provided in the online form are their own or their parents'/guardians'. All official communication from NTA will be sent via e-mail or SMS to these contacts.

Step 3: Know the Application Fee

The fee must be paid online for each session separately. The fee structure for exams held in India (for Paper 1: B.E./B.Tech) is as follows:

Category	Gender	Fee
General	Male	₹ 1000
	Female	₹ 800
Gen-EWS / OBC (NCL)	Male	₹ 900
	Female	₹ 800
SC / ST / PwD	Male / Female	₹ 500
Third Gender		₹ 500

Note: Fees for other paper combinations (like B.Arch, or B.Tech + B.Arch) are different. Processing charges and GST will be extra.(alert-success)

 

Step 4: Follow the Online Application Procedure

The application is a 3-step online process.

1. Registration Form:
• Register on the NTA JEE Main website.
• Provide your personal details, create a password, and choose a security question.
• A system-generated Application Number will be created. Keep this number safe for all future logins.
2. Application Form:
• Log in using your Application Number and password.
• Fill in your personal details, academic qualifications, and choose your preferred examination cities.
• Upload scanned images of your documents.
3. Document Upload Specifications:
• Live Photograph: Must be captured at the time of filling the form.
• Scanned Photograph: Recent passport size, color, with 80% face visibility against a white background (Size: 10kb to 200kb.
• Scanned Signature: (Size: 10kb to 100kb)
• Class 10 Certificate/Marks-sheet: Scanned PDF (Size: 50kb to 300kb)
• PwD/UDID Certificate: Scanned PDF (if applicable) (Size: 50kb to 300kb)
4. Fee Payment:
• Pay the application fee online using Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI.
• After successful payment, you must download, save, and print the Confirmation Page.

Important Links

• Apply Online (Session 1): Click here
• Exam date Notice: Click here
• Download Official Information Bulletin: Click here
• Official NTA JEE Main Website: Click here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is there an age limit for JEE Main 2026?

A: No, there is no age limit to appear for the JEE (Main) - 2026 exam. However, individual institutes might have their own age criteria for admission, which you must check separately.

Q2: How many times can I attempt JEE Main 2026?

A: JEE (Main) 2026 is held in two sessions (January and April). You can choose to appear in one or both sessions. If you appear in both, the best of your two NTA scores will be used for the final merit list and ranking.

Q3: I passed my Class 12 board exams in 2023. Can I apply for JEE Main 2026?

A: No. The information bulletin clearly states that only candidates who passed Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or are appearing in 2026 are eligible. Those who passed in 2023 or before are not eligible.

Q4: What documents do I need to upload for the application?

A: You will need to capture a live photograph and upload scanned copies of your recent passport-size photograph, your signature, and your Class 10 (or equivalent) certificate/marks-sheet. If you are a PwD candidate, you must also upload your disability certificate.

Q5: What is the application fee for a general category male student?

A: For a General (Male) candidate in India applying for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) only, the fee is ₹1000. This fee is different for female candidates, other categories, and for those applying for other papers or from outside India.