The National Testing Agency (NTA) will soon release application dates for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026. Candidates can apply online at the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in . The first session of JEE Main 2026 is scheduled from January 21 to 30, 2026 . The second session will run from April 1 to 10, 2026 .
JEE Main serves as the entrance examination for undergraduate programs in engineering, architecture, and planning. It provides admission pathways to India’s premier technical institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs).
JEE Main 2026 Exam Schedule
NTA has confirmed the examination calendar for both sessions. Session 1 exams are set for January 21 through January 30, 2026 . Subsequently, Session 2 examinations will occur from April 1 to April 10, 2026 . Students must mark these dates for their preparation strategy.
Application Process and Document Preparation
Candidates must prepare essential documents ahead of the application window. NTA advises applicants to update their Aadhaar , UDID (Unique Disability ID), and category certificates now. This proactive measure helps prevent submission errors and discrepancies during the online application process.
Eligibility Criteria for JEE Main 2026
Specific academic requirements govern eligibility for JEE Main 2026. There is no age limit for applicants. Candidates who qualified Class 12 in **2024** or **2025** are eligible. Students appearing for their Class 12 examinations in **2026** can also apply.
Mandatory subjects for Class 12 include Physics and Mathematics. Additionally, candidates must have passed with one subject from the following list: Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, or any Technical Vocational subject.
JEE Main 2026 Application Fee Structure
The application fee for the engineering entrance examination varies based on the candidate’s category and gender. The NTA has outlined the following fee structure for programs such as BE, BTech, BArch, or BPlanning:
| Category | Fee (Male) | Fee (Female) |
|---|---|---|
| General | Rs 1,000 | Rs 800 |
| EWS and OBC-NCL | Rs 900 | Rs 800 |
| SC, ST, PWD, and Transgender | Rs 500 (For All) | |
Candidates should ensure they select the correct category and pay the appropriate fee to complete their application successfully.