National Testing Agency | Admit Card Release Date: 17 January 2026
📢 Latest Update: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the JEE Main 2026 Session I Admit Card on 17 January 2026. Candidates can now download their hall ticket from the official website using their login credentials. The examination is scheduled to be held from 21 to 30 January 2026 in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially commenced the examination process for Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 Session I. The admit card, a mandatory document for entry into the examination hall, is now available for download. JEE Main is the national-level entrance test for admission to premier engineering institutions like NITs, IIITs, other GFTIs, and for eligibility to JEE Advanced for IITs. This post provides a complete guide to downloading the admit card, important exam instructions, and comprehensive details about the JEE Main 2026 examination pattern, syllabus, and selection process.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Information Bulletin Release & Application Start | 31 October 2025 |
| Last Date for Online Application (Session I) | 27 November 2025 |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment (Session I) | 27 November 2025 |
| Application Form Correction Window | 01 - 02 December 2025 |
| Session I Exam City Intimation Slip Release | 08 January 2026 |
| Session I Admit Card Release Date | 17 January 2026 |
| JEE Main 2026 Session I Exam Dates | 21 - 30 January 2026 |
| Session I Result Declaration | Not Mentioned in Official Notification |
| Session II Application Dates | To be announced later |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 |
| Session | Session I (January) |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Papers Offered | Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), Paper 2A (B.Arch), Paper 2B (B.Planning) |
| Official Websites | jeemain.nta.ac.in, nta.ac.in |
| Purpose | Admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and qualification for JEE Advanced |
The application fee for JEE Main varies based on the number of papers a candidate chooses and their category. The fee structure for Session I was as follows:
| Category | Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) or Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning) | Both Paper 1 & 2 |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹ 1000/- (Male) ₹ 800/- (Female) | ₹ 2000/- (Male) ₹ 1600/- (Female) |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹ 500/- (Male) ₹ 500/- (Female) | ₹ 1000/- (Male) ₹ 1000/- (Female) |
| Transgender | ₹ 500/- | ₹ 1000/- |
| Centre outside India | ₹ 5000/- | ₹ 10000/- |
Payment Method: Fee could be paid online via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or Paytm.
Age Limit: There is no age limit for appearing in JEE Main. However, candidates must satisfy the eligibility criteria for the institutes they wish to apply to.
Educational Qualification (for B.E./B.Tech):
- Candidates must have passed their Class 12th/equivalent examination in 2024 or 2025.
- Candidates appearing for their Class 12th/equivalent examination in 2026 are also eligible.
- Must have taken Physics, Mathematics, and one of (Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, Technical Vocational subject) in their qualifying exam.
- Must have secured at least 75% marks (65% for SC/ST) in Class 12th or be in the top 20 percentile of their respective board.
Number of Attempts: A candidate can appear in JEE Main for three consecutive years.
The exam is conducted in multiple shifts over several days. The pattern varies for different papers.
| Parameter | Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) | Paper 2A (B.Arch) | Paper 2B (B.Planning) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) | Mathematics & Aptitude: CBT Drawing: Pen & Paper | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | Mathematics, Aptitude, Drawing | Mathematics, Aptitude, Planning |
| Number of Questions | 90 (30 per subject) | 82 (Math:25, Apt:50, Drawing:2) | 105 (Math:25, Apt:50, Planning:25) |
| Question Type | MCQs & Numerical Value | MCQs, Numerical, Drawing | MCQs & Numerical Value |
| Maximum Marks | 300 | 400 | 400 |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct, -1 for wrong MCQ, 0 for unattempted/unanswered. No negative for Numerical. | +4 for correct, -1 for wrong (MCQ). Drawing evaluated out of 100. | +4 for correct, -1 for wrong (MCQ). |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours | 3 Hours | 3 Hours |
| Language/Medium | English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu | English, Hindi | English, Hindi |
The syllabus is based on the NCERT curriculum for Classes 11 and 12. Here is a subject-wise breakdown:
Physics & Measurement, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work & Energy, Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Properties of Solids & Liquids, Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory of Gases, Oscillations & Waves, Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetic Effects of Current, Electromagnetic Induction, Optics, Dual Nature of Matter, Atoms & Nuclei, Electronic Devices.
Physical: Basic Concepts, Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, States of Matter, Chemical Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Redox, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics.
Inorganic: Classification of Elements, General Principles, Hydrogen, s,p,d & f-Block Elements, Coordination Compounds.
Organic: Basic Principles, Hydrocarbons, Organic Compounds (O, N, Halogens), Biomolecules, Polymers, Chemistry in Everyday Life.
Sets & Functions, Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, 3D Geometry, Calculus, Statistics & Probability, Mathematical Reasoning, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra. Complex Numbers, Quadratic Equations, Matrices & Determinants, Permutations & Combinations, Binomial Theorem, Sequences & Series, Limits & Derivatives, Integral Calculus, Differential Equations.
For B.Arch/B.Planning: The Aptitude test covers Awareness of persons, places, Architecture, Design, Mental Ability. The Drawing test evaluates sketching, proportion, perspective. The Planning section covers social sciences, geography, and planning awareness.
Step-by-Step Guide to Download Admit Card:
- Visit the official JEE Main website or the direct admit card login portal.
- Click on the link for "JEE Main 2026 Session I Admit Card".
- Log in using your Application Number, Date of Birth, and Security Pin.
- Your admit card will appear on the screen. Verify all details (Name, Photo, Exam Date, Shift, Centre Address).
- Download the PDF and take 2-3 printouts on A4 size paper.
Documents to Carry to Exam Centre:
- Printed copy of JEE Main 2026 Admit Card with self-attested photograph.
- One original Photo ID Proof (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Driving License, Voter ID, School ID).
- Passport-size photograph (same as uploaded in application).
- PwD certificate (if applicable).
Items NOT Allowed: Electronic devices (mobile, calculator, watch), wallets, bags, stationery (except pen, pencil), eatables. A transparent ballpoint pen will be provided.
The JEE Main 2026 Session I exam is conducted in numerous cities across India and in a few cities outside India. Candidates were allowed to choose up to 4 cities of preference during the application. The Exam City Intimation Slip was released on 08 January 2026, indicating the assigned city. The exact centre address, date, and shift are provided only on the final Admit Card. Candidates must report to the centre as per the timing mentioned on their admit card.
Result & Merit List: NTA will declare the Session I result on its website. The result includes the candidate's NTA Score, Percentile, All India Rank (AIR), and Category Rank. The final merit list for admission is prepared by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) based on JEE Main ranks.
Cut-off: Each participating institute releases its own branch-wise cut-off ranks based on seats, category, and difficulty level. The opening and closing ranks vary every year.
Counselling & Admission (JoSAA):
- Registration: Qualified candidates must register on the JoSAA portal.
- Choice Filling: Fill and lock preferences for institutes and branches.
- Seat Allotment: Multiple rounds of seat allotment based on rank, preference, and seat availability.
- Document Verification & Fee Payment: Report to a reporting centre for verification and pay the seat acceptance fee.
- Reporting to Institute: Finally, report to the allotted institute for completion of admission.
Note: For IITs, candidates must also qualify in JEE Advanced 2026.
Qualifying JEE Main opens doors to a prestigious engineering career:
- Top-Tier Institutes: Admission to National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs).
- Path to IITs: Eligibility to appear for JEE Advanced, the gateway to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
- Diverse Branches: Offers a wide range of engineering specializations like Computer Science, Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Electronics, Chemical, and more.
- Excellent Placements: These institutes have a stellar record of campus placements with high salary packages from leading national and international companies.
- Strong Alumni Network: Become part of a powerful network of professionals across the globe.
- Further Studies: Strong foundation for pursuing higher studies (M.Tech, MBA, MS, PhD) in India and abroad.
Q1. I have lost my Application Number. How can I download my JEE Main admit card?
Ans: You can retrieve your Application Number using the 'Forgot Application Number' link on the login page. You will need your Registered Email ID and Date of Birth.
Q2. Is the JEE Main 2026 admit card the same as the Exam City Intimation Slip?
Ans: No. The City Intimation Slip (released on 8 Jan) only showed your assigned city. The Admit Card (released on 17 Jan) contains the exact exam centre address, date, shift, and candidate details.
Q3. Can I change my exam centre or date after the admit card is released?
Ans: No, requests for change of exam city/centre/date are not entertained after the release of the admit card under any circumstances.
Q4. What if there is an error in my details on the admit card?
Ans: Immediately contact the NTA Helpline (011-40759000 / 011-69227700) or email at jeemain@nta.ac.in with proof of the correct detail.
Q5. What is a good percentile in JEE Main for getting an NIT?
Ans: A percentile above 95+ is generally considered good for NITs, but it varies greatly based on category, home state quota, and the branch of engineering.
Q6. When will JEE Main 2026 Session II applications start?
Ans: The dates for Session II (likely in April 2026) will be announced by NTA after the conclusion of Session I.
Q7. Is Aadhaar Card mandatory for the exam?
Ans: No, Aadhaar is not mandatory. You can bring any one of the prescribed original Photo ID proofs.
Q8. How is the JEE Main Percentile calculated?
Ans: Percentile score indicates the percentage of candidates who have scored equal to or below you. It is calculated using the formula: (Number of candidates with raw score ≤ your score / Total candidates) x 100.
Disclaimer: This information is compiled for the convenience of candidates. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, details may be subject to change as per the official notifications of the National Testing Agency (NTA). Candidates are strongly advised to always refer to the official JEE Main websites (jeemain.nta.ac.in and nta.ac.in) and their official admit card for the final and confirmed information. This website is not affiliated with NTA or the Government of India.