The National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to open the registration window for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026. Prospective candidates can expect the application process to begin between October 10 and October 15, 2025 . All applications must be submitted online via the official NTA JEE Main website, jeemain.nta.nic.in .
The deadline for submitting online applications is tentatively set for November 2025 . Students preparing for the exam should note the provisional dates for the two sessions: JEE Main Session 1 exam is planned for the fourth week of January 2026 , and Session 2 is scheduled for April 2026 . These dates are subject to change by the NTA.
To assist students in understanding the online application procedure, NTA has already activated a dummy registration link. Candidates can access this demo link at demo.nta.nic.in to familiarize themselves with the form fields and submission process ahead of the official opening.
Mandatory Document Preparation
Before the registration portal opens, applicants must ensure all required documents are updated and accurate. This proactive step helps avoid delays during the application process. Key documents include the Aadhar Card, Caste Certificate, and the Unique Disability ID (UDID) card for eligible candidates. Any discrepancies or errors in these documents must be corrected promptly.
NTA has also clarified an important point regarding exam centre allocation. Contrary to some speculation, the JEE Main 2026 notification does not indicate any changes to the exam city choice system. Students will continue to have the option to select their preferred exam cities during the registration process, ensuring geographical convenience.
JEE Main 2026 Tentative Examination Schedule
The table below provides a summary of the expected dates for the JEE Main 2026 application and examination events:
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| JEE Main Registration Start Date | October 10-15, 2025 |
| JEE Main 2026 Registration Last Date | November 2025 |
| JEE Main Session 1 Exam Date | Fourth week of January 2026 |
| JEE Main Session 2 Exam Date | April 2026 |
Eligibility Requirements for JEE Main 2026
Candidates must meet the following criteria to be eligible for JEE Main 2026:
- Citizenship: Applicants must be Indian citizens. Foreign Nationals, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) are also eligible to apply.
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have either completed their Class 12 examination or be currently appearing for it.
- Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for candidates appearing in JEE Main.
- Minimum Marks: The NTA does not require a minimum percentage or specific marks in Class 12 to qualify for JEE Main.
- Attempt Limit: Candidates are allowed to appear for the JEE Main examination for three consecutive years, starting from the year they passed their Class 12 examination.
The JEE Main examination serves as a gateway for admissions to various undergraduate engineering and architecture programs across India, including IITs, NITs, and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs). Students are advised to monitor the official NTA website regularly for the release of the detailed information bulletin and any further official announcements or changes to the schedule.