The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 Session 1 for B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning programs starts January 21 . The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the computer-based exam in two shifts daily, concluding on January 24 . This examination is a key entry point for admission to various technical institutions.
JEE Main 2026 Overview
JEE Main serves as a national-level entrance examination. It provides admission opportunities to undergraduate engineering and architecture programs at National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs) across India. Candidates have two attempts each year, Session 1 in January and Session 2 in April. The NTA considers the best score from these two sessions for final rankings, allowing students a chance to improve their performance.
January Session Exam Schedule
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 runs from January 21 to January 24 . All exams are conducted in two shifts daily. The morning shift takes place from 9 AM to 12 PM. The afternoon shift is scheduled from 3 PM to 6 PM. Candidates must arrive at their test centers as per the reporting time stated on their admit cards.
Admit Card Access
Candidates must download their JEE Main 2026 admit cards from the official website:jeemain.nta.nic.in. Access requires an application number and password. Admit cards contain critical information, including the candidate’s roll number, exam date, shift, and test center details. The NTA will issue admit cards for exams scheduled on January 28 and January 29 soon on the same official platform.
Steps to Download Admit Card
- Visit the official website:jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- Locate the ‘Admit card for JEE Main session 1’ link on the homepage and click it.
- A new login page will appear.
- Enter your application number and password.
- Press the ‘Login’ button.
- Download the admit card. Print multiple copies for convenience and record-keeping.
Key Dates Summary
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam (January) | January 21-24 |
| Admit Card Release for Jan 28, 29 Exams | Soon (on official website) |
| JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Results (January Exams) | February 12 |
| Second Examination Window (JEE Main) | April 1-10 |
| Results for Second Examination Window | April 20 |
Results and JEE Advanced Eligibility
The NTA will announce JEE Main 2026 Session 1 results for the January examinations on February 12 . A second examination window for JEE Main 2026 is scheduled from April 1 to April 10 . Results for these April exams will be declared on April 20 . Candidates’ best scores from either session will determine their final merit.
Successful candidates in JEE Main 2026 are eligible to apply for JEE Advanced. JEE Advanced is a separate entrance examination for admission to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). The top 2.5 lakh qualifiers from JEE Main can register for JEE Advanced. IIT admission offers are highly competitive, with Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) branches typically seeing the highest cut-offs.