Preparing for JEE Main 2026 is a major milestone for lakhs of engineering aspirants across India. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released a public notice announcing the tentative JEE Main 2026 exam schedule, including session dates, application timelines, Aadhaar authentication rules, and improvements in exam accessibility.
This detailed article covers everything JEE Main 2026 aspirants need to know, including the advisory issued by NTA, eligibility updates, important instructions for the online application form, and the complete session-wise examination timeline.
What is JEE Main 2026?
JEE Main is one of India’s most competitive entrance exams for admission into:
- National Institutes of Technology (NITs)
- Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)
- Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs)
- State and private engineering colleges through JoSAA or state counseling
Additionally, JEE Main is the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced, required for admissions to the IITs.
NTA Public Notice: Advisory for JEE Main 2026
The notice dated 19 October 2025 confirms that:
- JEE Main 2026 will be held in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode
- The exam will be conducted in two sessions: January 2026 & April 2026
This approach continues to benefit students who:
- Want a second attempt to improve their scores
- Wish to avoid board exam clashes
- Prefer real-time experience of the exam pattern
JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates (Tentative Schedule)
| Event | Session 1 (January 2026) | Session 2 (April 2026) |
| Online application starts | October 2025 onward | Last week of January 2026 onward |
| Exam dates | 21 – 30 January 2026 | 01 – 10 April 2026 |
Students are advised to complete the application process early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Why Two Sessions for JEE Main 2026?
NTA continues the dual-session approach to:
- Provide multiple opportunities for score improvement
- Reduce the impact of one bad attempt
- Minimize stress during board exam season
- Enable fair normalization across shifts
Aspirants can appear for one or both sessions. The best score will be considered for ranking.
Increased Exam City Count for JEE Main 2026
To make the examination more accessible to students from rural and remote areas, NTA is working to:
- Increase the number of JEE exam centers nationwide
- Expand reach for PwD/PwBD candidates
- Improve convenience, reduce travel time and cost
This aligns with the Ministry of Education’s objective of equitable engineering opportunities for all
Important Guidelines for Online Application Form
NTA has emphasized avoiding mistakes during the application process. An advisory was issued on 29 September 2025, guiding candidates on how to submit accurate information.
Mandatory Aadhaar Authentication
NTA will directly fetch details from UIDAI for:
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Photograph
- Address
This ensures correct identity verification and reduces data entry errors.
Where Aadhaar Does Not Help
Since Aadhaar does not store every detail, aspirants must manually enter:
- Father’s Name
- Mother’s Name
- Guardian’s Name (if applicable)
Name Mismatch Between Aadhaar & Class 10 Marksheet
A common issue faced by candidates is variation in spelling or sequence of names.
To address this:
- NTA will allow students to correct mismatches during the application process
- Candidates should refer to the Public Notice issued on 06 November 2024
- Instructions for Aadhaar Card Name Mismatch remain valid for JEE Main 2026
This reduces application rejections caused by documentation errors.
Who is Eligible for JEE Main 2026? (Brief Overview)
While the full information bulletin will provide official eligibility, based on previous years:
- Students must have passed Class 12 or equivalent exam in 2024 or 2025
- Candidates appearing in 2026 board exams are also eligible
- No age limit (as per current rules)
Subject combination requirement for B.Tech programs:
- Physics + Mathematics + one subject from Chemistry/Biology/Technical Vocational
Why Timely Application Matters
Every year, thousands of students face issues such as:
- Server failure on last day
- Incorrect photo upload
- Name mismatch
- Late identification of errors
NTA’s new advisory encourages early registration to avoid such challenges.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern (Expected)
Although official information is awaited, it is likely to remain the same:
| Paper | Purpose | Subjects | Mode |
| Paper 1 | B.E. / B.Tech admission | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | CBT |
| Paper 2A | B.Arch admission | Math, Aptitude, Drawing | CBT + Pen & Paper |
| Paper 2B | B.Planning admission | Math, Aptitude, Planning | CBT |
Efforts continue to support differently-abled candidates with:
- Scribes
- Extra time
- Wheelchair accessibility
- Proper seating arrangements
How to Stay Updated on JEE Main 2026?
Students should regularly follow official NTA channels:
- JEE Main Website: jeemain.nta.nic.in
- NTA Website: nta.ac.in
- Public notices issued by NTA
Aspirants should avoid relying on unverified social media rumors.
Conclusion
The Advisory for JEE Main 2026 Aspirants issued by NTA brings clarity and support for lakhs of students preparing for engineering entrance exams. With two exam sessions, increased test centers, and Aadhaar authentication for smoother applications, NTA aims to ensure a more convenient and fair examination experience.
Students are strongly advised to:
- Stay updated with official notices
- Fill their application forms carefully and on time
- Start focused preparation to achieve their engineering goals
JEE Main 2026 is an important opportunity early planning will make the journey smoother and more successful.