The National Testing Agency (NTA) has revised the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 Session 1 schedule. JEE Main serves as a qualifying examination for admission to undergraduate engineering and architecture programs across India. Exams will now run from January 21 to January 29, 2026 . This shortens the examination window by one day, as tests were previously set to conclude on January 30, 2026. Candidates must visit the official website,jeemain.nta.nic.in, to check the updated date sheet and all related notifications.
NTA released the JEE Main 2026 city intimation slip on January 8, 2026 . This slip informs candidates of their allocated exam city, allowing them to make necessary travel arrangements well in advance of the admit card release.
Revised Exam Schedule
The updated examination schedule for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 is as follows:
| Exam Date | Paper | Exam Shift |
|---|---|---|
| January 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 2026 | Paper 1 (B.E./B. Tech) |
|
| January 29, 2026 | Paper 2A (B. Arch), Paper 2B (B. Planning), Paper 2A & 2B (B. Arch & B. Planning both) |
|
Key Examination Details
- Exam Name: The examination is officially known as the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) Main 2026 Session 1.
- Conducting Body: The National Testing Agency (NTA) is responsible for conducting JEE Main.
- Academic Year: This examination is for admissions to undergraduate programs for the academic year 2026-27.
- Frequency: JEE Main is conducted twice annually, across two separate sessions.
- Exam Level: This is a nationwide examination, offering admission to various undergraduate engineering and architecture programs in participating institutions.
- Session 1 Dates (Revised): The first session will now take place from January 21 to January 29, 2026 .
- Session 2 Dates: The second session remains scheduled for April 2 to April 9, 2026 , with no announced changes.
- Exam Mode: All papers are administered online as a Computer-Based Test (CBT).
Exam Duration
- Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) and Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning): Each paper has a duration of 3 hours.
- PwD Candidates (Paper 1 & 2): Candidates with disabilities receive an extended duration of 4 hours.
- Both Paper 2A & 2B: When attempting both Architecture and Planning papers, the duration is 3.5 hours.
- PwD Candidates (Both Paper 2A & 2B): Candidates with disabilities attempting both papers receive 4 hours and 10 minutes.
Subjects Covered
JEE Main Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) assesses candidates in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Paper 2A (B.Arch) includes Mathematics, Aptitude Test, and a Drawing Test. Paper 2B (B.Planning) includes Mathematics, Aptitude Test, and Planning-based questions.
Exam Shifts
- Morning Shift (Paper 1): 9 AM to 12 PM.
- Afternoon Shift (Paper 1): 3 PM to 6 PM.
- Morning Shift (Paper 2A/2B): 9 AM to 12:30 PM.
- Afternoon Shift (Paper 2A/2B): 3 PM to 6:30 PM.
Admit Card Release
NTA released the JEE Main 2026 city intimation slip on January 8, 2026 . The agency typically publishes admit cards approximately 4 to 5 days before the examination date. Given the revised schedule, with exams starting on January 21, 2026 , hall tickets are expected by mid-January 2026 .
Candidates must download their admit card from the official JEE Main website using their application number and password. The admit card is a mandatory document for entry to the exam center; candidates cannot appear for the exam without it.
Official Websites
For all official announcements, updates, and to download slips and admit cards, refer to these websites:
- JEE Main Official Website: jeemain.nta.nic.in
- NTA Official Website: nta.nic.in