JEE Advanced 2026 Remains Scheduled for May 17 as per Official Timeline

IIT Roorkee has officially reconfirmed that the JEE Advanced 2026 will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026.The examination features two mandatory shifts for Paper 1 and Paper 2, conducted in a strictly computer-based format across nationwide centers. Registration for the top 2.5 lakh JEE Main qualifiers is set to begin on April 23, with the final results slated for publication on June 1.This article details the comprehensive timeline, including admit card release dates, mandatory shift timings, and the specific eligibility criteria for Indian and foreign nationals.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has formally reconfirmed the examination timeline for the upcoming JEE Advanced 2026. As of today, February 12, the organizing body has finalized the schedule, ensuring that all logistical preparations are aligned with the national academic calendar. This high-stakes examination, which serves as the exclusive gateway for admission to the premier Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, remains set for its traditional mid-May slot, providing a clear roadmap for the top 2,50,000 qualifiers from the JEE Main rounds.

Official Examination Schedule

The JEE Advanced 2026 examination is officially scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 17, 2026. The test will be conducted in a strictly Computer Based Test (CBT) format across various centers nationwide. To ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the candidates' analytical and problem-solving skills, the exam is divided into two mandatory sessions.

It is a non-negotiable requirement that candidates appear for both papers; failure to attend either session will result in the candidate being marked absent for the entire examination process. The Joint Admission Board (JAB) has emphasized that no compensatory time or shift changes will be permitted, maintaining the highest standards of competitive integrity.

Registration and Eligibility Windows

While the exam date is reconfirmed, the actual Online Registration Process for Indian nationals will only commence after the declaration of the JEE Main Session 2 results. The registration window is slated to open on April 23, 2026, at 10:00 AM and will remain active until May 2, 2026. Candidates must complete their fee payments by May 4 to finalize their candidacy.

For Foreign National and OCI/PIO candidates, the registration window opens earlier, on April 6, 2026. This staggered approach allows the organizing institute to manage the high volume of digital traffic effectively. The eligibility criteria remain consistent, requiring candidates to be born on or after October 1, 2001 (with a five-year relaxation for SC, ST, and PwD categories) and to have appeared for their Class 12 exams for the first time in either 2025 or 2026.

Post-Exam Timeline and Results

The intensity of the JEE Advanced 2026 cycle continues well after the May 17 test date. IIT Roorkee has outlined a rapid evaluation phase to facilitate timely counseling through the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA). The following table summarizes the post-examination milestones:

• Candidate Response Sheet: Available on the portal by May 21, 2026.
• Provisional Answer Key: Released on May 25, 2026, for public feedback.
• Final Result: Declaration of final answer keys and results on June 1, 2026.
• Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT): Registration opens June 1, with the exam on June 4, 2026.

Conclusion

The reconfirmation of the May 17 exam date by IIT Roorkee provides much-needed certainty for thousands of aspirants navigating the JEE Advanced 2026 cycle. With the Official Information Brochure now available, students can synchronize their revision strategies with the official timeline. This consistency in the national schedule ensures that the transition from the JEE Main qualifiers to the advanced stage remains seamless for the next generation of engineers and scientists. Aspirants are encouraged to verify their category-specific registration requirements early to avoid last-minute documentation hurdles.

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