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The JEE Main Exam Dates 2026 have been officially revised by the National Testing Agency (NTA), bringing clarity to one of the most important milestones for engineering aspirants across India. As per the updated schedule, JEE Main 2026 Session 1 will be conducted from January 21 to January 29, 2026, with the session concluding a day earlier than previously announced, while Session 2 dates are also set for April 2026. This revised timetable, along with the recent release of the city intimation slip and upcoming admit cards, helps candidates plan their preparation, travel, and revision more effectively.
With lakhs of students gearing up to compete for seats in top institutes like IITs, NITs, and IIITs, staying updated with accurate information is critical for success. In this blog, we provide the complete and latest details of the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 & Session 2 exam schedule, important revised dates, and all key updates you need to know.
| Name of the Exam | Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) Pen-and-paper mode only for the Drawing section of B.Arch |
| Papers & Total Marks | Paper 1: B.E./B.Tech – 300 Marks Paper 2A: B.Arch – 400 Marks Paper 2B: B.Planning – 400 Marks |
| Duration of Exam | B.E./B.Tech: 180 Minutes B.Arch & B.Planning (single paper): 210 Minutes PwD Candidates: 240 Minutes |
| JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates | Session 1: 21 January to 29 January 2026 Session 2: April 2026 (dates to be announced) |
| Number of Sessions | Two (Session 1 & Session 2) |
| Marking Scheme | Correct Answer: +4 Marks Incorrect Answer: –1 Mark |
| Medium of Examination | English, Hindi, and regional languages (as per NTA guidelines) |
| Official Website | https://jeemain.nta.nic.in |
Contents
JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates
The JEE Main 2026 exam will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in two sessions, giving candidates two opportunities to improve their scores.
| Session | Exam Dates |
| Session 1 | 21 January to 29 January 2026 |
| Session 2 | April 2026 (exact dates to be announced) |
- JEE Main 2026 will be held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
- Candidates can appear in one or both sessions.
- The best score out of the two sessions will be considered for ranking.
- Session 2 dates, registration schedule, and admit card release will be notified separately by NTA.
JEE Main 2026 Session 1
Below we have listed the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 schedule. However, the detailed shift-wise exam timetable is yet to be announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
| Events | JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Dates |
| JEE Main 2026 Application Form Release | November 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply for JEE Main 2026 | December 2025 |
| JEE Main 2026 City Intimation Slip | January 2026 |
| JEE Main 2026 Admit Card Release | 3 days before the exam date |
| JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam Dates | 21 January to 29 January 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key Release | February 2026 |
| Answer Key Challenge Window | February 2026 |
| Final Answer Key Release | February 2026 |
| JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Result | February 2026 |
JEE Main 2026 Session 2
Below we have listed the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 schedule. However, the detailed shift-wise exam timetable is yet to be announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
| Events | JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates – Session 2 |
| JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Application Form Release | February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply for JEE Main 2026 Session 2 | March 2026 |
| JEE Main 2026 City Intimation Slip | March / April 2026 |
| JEE Main 2026 Admit Card Release | 3 days before the examination |
| JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Exam Dates | April 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key Release | April 2026 |
| Answer Key Challenge Window | April 2026 |
| Final Answer Key Release | April 2026 |
| JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Result | April 2026 |
Also Read: How to Prepare for JEE Mains
Exam Timings for JEE Main 2026
The JEE Main 2026 exam will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in two shifts each day for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech). Paper 2 (B.Arch & B.Planning) is usually conducted in a single shift.
| Date of Exam | Paper | Shift | Exam Timing |
| January 21, 22, 23, 24 and 28, 2026 | Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) | First Shift | 09:00 AM to 12:00 Noon |
| January 21, 22, 23, 24 and 28, 2026 | Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) | Second Shift | 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM |
| January 29, 2026 | Paper 2A (B.Arch), Paper 2B (B.Planning), Paper 2A & 2B(both) | First Shift | 09:00 AM to 12:30 PM |
JEE Main 2026 Application Form Date
The JEE Main 2026 application process is conducted online by the National Testing Agency (NTA), and candidates must complete registration within the official timeline to be eligible for the exam.
| Particulars | Dates / Details |
| Session 1 Application Form Release | 31 October 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply (Session 1) | 27 November 2025 (up to 11:50 PM) |
| Session 2 Application Form Release | Last week of January 2026 (tentative) |
| Last Date to Apply (Session 2) | Last week of February 2026 (tentative) |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Website | jeemain.nta.nic.in |
JEE Main 2026 Admit Card Date
The JEE Main 2026 admit card will be released online by the National Testing Agency (NTA) a few days before the examination for each session.
- Session 1 Admit Card Release: Expected in the third week of January 2026, around 3–4 days before the exam
- Session 2 Admit Card Release: Expected in the last week of March 2026, around 3–7 days before the exam
- Mode of Release: Online only
- Official Website: jeemain.nta.nic.in
- Login Credentials Required: Application Number and Date of Birth/Password
- City Intimation Slip: Released before the admit card (not valid for exam entry)
JEE Main 2026 Result Date
The JEE Main 2026 result for both Session 1 and Session 2 will be declared online by the National Testing Agency (NTA) after the completion of each respective session’s exam and answer key challenge process.
- The JEE Main 2026 result will be declared online by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
- Session 1 result is expected to be announced in February 2026.
- Session 2 result is likely to be released in April or May 2026.
- Candidates can check and download their scorecard from jeemain.nta.nic.in using their login credentials.
- If a candidate appears in both sessions, the best NTA score will be considered for the final ranking and merit list.
Also Read: JEE Main Score vs Percentile
FAQs
The JEE Main 2026 examination will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in two sessions. Session 1 is scheduled to be held from 21 January to 29 January 2026, while Session 2 is expected to take place in April 2026. These two sessions give candidates the opportunity to appear once or twice, with the best score being considered for the final result and ranking.
The last date to apply for the JEE Main 2026 exam for Session 1 was 27 November 2025 (up to 11:50 PM), as announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA), while the Session 2 application deadline is expected to fall in the last week of February 2026, with exact dates to be officially notified on jeemain.nta.nic.in.
Yes, the JEE Main exam is conducted in two shifts on most exam days. For Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), the exam is usually held in a morning shift (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM) and an afternoon shift (3:00 PM to 6:00 PM), depending on the number of candidates. However, Paper 2 (B.Arch and B.Planning) is generally conducted in a single shift. The exact shift details for each candidate are mentioned on the admit card issued by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
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