The National Testing Agency (NTA) is gearing up to begin the JEE Main 2026 registration process for Session 1, expected to start in October 2025. Once the registration window opens, candidates can apply online through the official portal — jeemain.nta.nic.in.
According to official updates, the JEE Main 2026 exam will be conducted in two sessions — Session 1 from January 21 to 30, 2026, and Session 2 from April 1 to 10, 2026. The examination will include two papers — Paper 1 for admission to B.E./B.Tech programmes at NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs, and Paper 2 for B.Arch and B.Planning courses across India.
Registration Details and Process
The NTA has clarified that JEE Main 2026 Session 1 registration will likely begin in October 2025, followed by Session 2 registration in January 2026. To apply, candidates must visit the official website, complete the online form, upload documents, pay the examination fee, and download the confirmation page for record-keeping.
In its official communication, NTA stated that it is taking several measures to make the exam more accessible to engineering aspirants across the country. The agency plans to expand the number of examination centers to cover more cities, especially in remote areas, ensuring smoother logistics and better facilities for candidates, including PwD and PwBD applicants.
Key Dates for JEE Main 2026
For Session 1 (January 2026), the application process will open in October 2025, and exams will be held between January 21–30, 2026.
For Session 2 (April 2026), applications will open in the last week of January 2026, and exams will take place between April 1–10, 2026.
The JEE Main also acts as a qualifying exam for JEE Advanced, which provides entry into the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
Aadhaar Verification and Candidate Data
In an official release, the NTA mentioned that it will authenticate candidates’ details such as name, date of birth, gender, and address through Aadhaar verification. Since parental names are not recorded in Aadhaar, students will have to manually fill in their father’s, mother’s, or guardian’s name during the registration process.
To avoid discrepancies, NTA has introduced an option to resolve name mismatches between Aadhaar cards and Class 10 certificates directly during the online application process — a move expected to make registration smoother and error-free.
What to Expect from JEE Main 2026
With nearly a million candidates appearing each year, JEE Main remains one of India’s most competitive entrance exams. Experts suggest that the early release of the exam schedule and clear registration guidelines will help students plan better and manage preparation timelines efficiently.
NTA is also expected to introduce more AI-based monitoring systems to ensure transparency and fairness in the examination process. As per sources, mock tests and sample papers will be available on the NTA Abhyas app ahead of the exam window to help candidates familiarize themselves with the new interface.
The JEE Main 2026 Registration process marks the first step toward one of India’s most sought-after engineering pathways. Students are advised to keep their documents, Aadhaar details, and educational certificates ready ahead of the application window.
