JEE Advanced 2026 Official Timeline Released with May Exam Date Confirmed

The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee has officially announced the JEE Advanced 2026 timeline. Aspiring engineers can now mark May 17, 2026, as the examination date for both Paper 1 and Paper 2.Registration for the top 2.5 lakh JEE Main qualifiers is scheduled to begin on April 23, 2026.Final results and the JoSAA counselling process are expected to commence in early June following the national-level test.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has formally released the comprehensive schedule for the JEE Advanced 2026, ending months of speculation among engineering aspirants. As the designated organizing institute for the 2026 cycle, IIT Roorkee has confirmed that the prestigious national-level entrance test will be conducted on Sunday, May 17, 2026. This examination serves as the exclusive gateway for admission into the undergraduate programs offered by the 23 Indian Institutes of Technology across the country.

Detailed Examination Day Schedule

The JEE Advanced 2026 will follow its traditional format, consisting of two mandatory papers conducted in separate shifts on the same day. According to the official timeline, Paper 1 is scheduled for the morning session, followed by Paper 2 in the afternoon. Candidates must appear in both papers to be eligible for the final merit list and rank calculation.

• Paper 1 Timing: 09:00 AM to 12:00 PM IST.
• Paper 2 Timing: 02:30 PM to 05:30 PM IST.
• Mode of Conduct: The examination will be entirely a Computer Based Test (CBT), featuring complex objective and numerical-based questions in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

Registration Window and Eligibility Criteria

The registration process for JEE Advanced 2026 is strictly limited to the top 2,50,000 candidates who qualify through the JEE Main 2026 B.E./B.Tech paper. The application portal for Indian nationals is slated to open on April 23, 2026, and will remain active until May 2, 2026. Prospective students must ensure they meet the specific age criteria—typically being born on or after October 1, 2001—and possess the necessary documentation for the two-attempt limit allowed for the examination.

• Foreign Nationals: Registration for OCI/PIO and foreign candidates will open earlier, starting April 6, 2026.
• Fee Payment: The final deadline for the successful transaction of the registration fee is May 4, 2026.
• Admit Card Release: Successfully registered candidates will be able to download their hall tickets from the official portal starting May 11, 2026.

Post-Exam Events and Result Declaration

Following the conclusion of the test on May 17, the organizing institute will initiate the evaluation phase. Candidates can expect to view their response sheets on May 21, providing transparency in the scoring process. The provisional answer keys will be displayed on May 25, allowing for a feedback window before the final results and the official rank list are declared on June 1, 2026. This timeline is strategically aligned with the commencement of the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) 2026 process.

Conclusion

The release of the official JEE Advanced 2026 timeline by IIT Roorkee provides a clear roadmap for India’s top engineering talent. With the May 17 exam date now confirmed, aspirants can streamline their final revision phases and focus on meeting the eligibility requirements through the JEE Main sessions. As the national-level admission cycle progresses, adhering to the registration deadlines and monitoring official updates remains essential for securing a place in the country's most elite technical institutions.