JEE Main 2026: Schedule, Registration, And Expanded Exam Centres For Students

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the schedule for JEE Main 2026. The first session is set from January 21 to 30, while the second session will occur from April 1 to 10. Registration for the January exams starts in October 2025, and for April exams, it begins in late January. This entrance test is crucial for admission to top engineering institutes like IITs and NITs.

To enhance accessibility, NTA plans to increase exam centres both within India and internationally. This move aims to ease travel burdens on students from remote areas. Additionally, digital infrastructure improvements are expected, including mock test portals and live registration helplines.

JEE Main 2026: Registration Process

The registration portal for Session 1 will be available in October 2025 on jeemain.nta.nic.in. Candidates need their Aadhaar number, mobile number, and email ID to register. For Session 2, registration opens after the results of Session 1 are announced in late January 2026. It's crucial that personal details match Aadhaar information to avoid verification issues.

Admit cards will be issued three days before each session begins. Candidates should ensure all details are accurate to prevent any discrepancies during application verification.

JEE Main 2026: Exam Pattern Details

Paper 1 targets those aiming for B.E./B.Tech courses at NITs, IIITs, and other engineering colleges. It consists of 90 questions across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics; candidates must answer 75 questions. Each correct response earns four marks, while incorrect ones lose one mark. The exam lasts three hours.

Paper 2 caters to architecture or planning aspirants. Paper 2A (B.Arch) includes Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing sections; the drawing part is pen-and-paper based. Paper 2B (B.Planning) features Mathematics, Aptitude, and Planning questions in a computer-based format. Both papers carry a total of 400 marks.

JEE Main Exam Centres Expansion

NTA's expansion of exam centres aims to accommodate more candidates and reduce travel-related stress. This initiative is particularly beneficial for students from distant regions who previously faced challenges accessing exam locations.

Eligible candidates must have completed Class 12 in 2024 or be appearing in the exams in 2026 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as core subjects.

This comprehensive approach by NTA ensures that more students can participate without logistical hurdles while maintaining a fair examination process.