JEE Main 2026: Everything You Need to Know Before Applying

Ready for JEE 2026? Know your exam center, eligibility, and how to stay focused during prep.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially announced the schedule for JEE Main 2026, India’s premier engineering entrance exam. The exam will be held in two sessions — January and April — across 20 shifts.

📅 Key Dates for JEE Main 2026

Session 1: January 21 to January 30, 2026
Session 2: April 1 to April 10, 2026
Session 1 Application: Begins October 2025
Session 2 Application: Starts last week of January 2026

📝 Application & Aadhaar Update Advisory

Students must update their Aadhaar card before applying.
Discrepancies in name or date of birth between Aadhaar and 10th marksheet can be corrected during the application process.

🏙️ Exam Center Allotment Rules

Students can choose three preferred cities during application.
Centers will be allotted in the hometown or nearest city.
Centers outside the city will be assigned only if local resources are unavailable.

🎓 Eligibility Criteria

Students who passed 12th or are appearing in 2026 are eligible.
75% marks in 12th board are mandatory for admission to NITs.
Students must present their 12th marksheet at the time of admission.

🔁 Attempts & Age Limit

No age limit for JEE Main.
Students get three attempts for JEE Main after 12th.
JEE Main score is used for:

Admission to NITs
Qualifying for JEE Advanced

JEE Advanced can be attempted only twice.

✅ Correction Window Available

Students can correct Aadhaar and marksheet mismatches online.
No need to worry about application rejection due to minor discrepancies.

🚀 JEE Main 2026: Dates, Rules & Motivation to Power Your Prep

🗓️ Exam Timeline

Session 1: Jan 21–30, 2026
Session 2: Apr 1–10, 2026
Forms for Session 1: Open this month
Forms for Session 2: Last week of Jan 2026

🎯 Eligibility & Attempts

✅ Class 12 passed or appearing in 2026
📊 Must score 75% in boards for NIT admission
🔁 Max 3 attempts for JEE Main after Class 12
⚡ JEE Advanced: Only 2 attempts allowed

📍 Center Allotment

Choose 3 cities during application
Center allotted in home city or nearby
Outside-city center only if needed

🆔 Aadhaar Update Advisory

Aadhaar must be updated before applying
Mismatch with 10th marksheet?
👉 Correction option available in form

🛠️ Correction Window

Fix errors in name, DOB, or Aadhaar during form fill
No rejection for minor mismatches

🏫 About Your Exam Center

• 🎯 You’ll be allowed to choose 3 preferred cities while filling the form.

• 🏠 NTA aims to allot centers in your home city or nearest available location.

• 🚫 You’ll only be sent outside your city if local resources are unavailable — so no surprises!

• 📍 Final center details will be mentioned on your admit card, released before the exam.

💡 Tip: Choose cities wisely — consider travel ease, familiarity, and backup options.

💡 Prep Tips to Keep You Inspired

🌟 Start small, stay consistent: 2 focused hours daily beat 10 distracted ones.
🧠 Understand, don’t memorize: Concepts > formulas.
📚 Revise smart: Use flashcards, mind maps, and weekly recaps.
🧘 Stay calm, stay sharp: Meditation or a 10-min walk can reset your brain.
🗓️ Mock tests = mirror: Take one every week to track progress.
💬 Talk it out: Teach a friend — if you can explain it, you’ve mastered it.
🔥 Remember your ‘why’: Every hour you invest brings you closer to your dream college.