JEE Main 2026 Application Form Live; Deadline Set for 27 November

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is counting down to the close of the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 application window. Registration for the January 2026 exam, which started on October 31, 2025, will officially close on November 27, 2025. This is the final opportunity for aspiring engineers to apply for the first chance to qualify for admission into NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs. Candidates must complete their application, document upload, and fee payment on the official NTA website before the strict deadline. The exam is scheduled for January 21 to 30, 2026.

For millions of engineering aspirants across India, the clock is ticking down to a critical deadline. The National Testing Agency (NTA), the examination body responsible for the Joint Entrance Examination (Main), has issued a final reminder that the application window for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 will conclude shortly. The registration window, which opened on October 31, 2025, is set to close definitively on November 27, 2025, at 11:50 PM. Failure to complete all steps of the application process—including registration, form filling, document upload, and successful fee payment—before this cutoff will result in the candidate being ineligible to appear for the first session of the exam, which is tentatively scheduled to be held from January 21 to January 30, 2026.

​JEE Main is the crucial gateway not only to prestigious institutions like the NITs (National Institutes of Technology), IIITs (Indian Institutes of Information Technology), and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs) but also serves as the eligibility test for JEE Advanced, the final step for admission into the coveted IITs. Given the dual-session format, participating in Session 1 is strategically advantageous, allowing candidates a practice attempt and the ability to improve their score in Session 2 (April 2026). Aspirants are strongly urged to utilize the remaining days to finalize their applications without any last-minute stress.

​ Final Dates and Key Milestones for Session 1

​The NTA operates on a stringent schedule, and there is usually no extension for the application deadline once announced. Aspirants must strictly adhere to the following dates to ensure participation in the January 2026 examination.

• ​Application Submission Start Date: October 31, 2025
• ​Application Submission Last Date:November 27, 2025 (Up to 11:50 PM)
• ​Last Date for Fee Payment:November 27, 2025 (Up to 11:50 PM) 
  • ​Note: The fee for General (Male) is \text{₹}1,000 for one paper, and \text{₹}800 for female candidates and those in the Gen-EWS/OBC-NCL categories, with \text{₹}500 for SC/ST/PwD/Transgender.
• ​Correction Window Opens: The correction facility for editing certain details will open briefly in late November/early December 2025. Candidates are advised to fill the form correctly the first time to avoid needing corrections.
• ​Announcement of Exam City: First Week of January 2026
• ​Admit Card Release: 3 days before the actual date of the Examination
• ​JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam Dates:January 21 to 30, 2026
• ​Result Declaration: By February 12, 2026 (Tentative).

​ Step-by-Step Guide to Complete Your Application

​To avoid common errors and ensure a smooth registration, aspirants must follow the NTA's prescribed five-step process for the online application form. Accuracy in providing personal and academic details is paramount, as discrepancies can lead to issues during document verification later.

• ​Step 1: New Candidate Registration:
  • ​Visit the official website: jeemain.nta.nic.in.
  • ​Click on the "New Candidate Registration" link.
  • ​Provide basic details (Name, Date of Birth, Email ID, Mobile Number) and create a strong password. A system-generated Application Number will be provided.
• ​Step 2: Filling the Online Application Form: 
  • ​Log in using the Application Number and Password.
  • ​Fill in personal, academic (Class 10 and 12 details), contact, and address information.
  • ​Select four preferred Exam City choices and the medium of the examination.
• ​Step 3: Document Upload: 
  • ​Upload scanned images of the Passport size Photograph (recent, clear, 10-300 \text{ KB}) and Signature (clear, 4-50 \text{ KB}).
  • ​Upload the Category Certificate (OBC-NCL/EWS/SC/ST/PwD) if applicable, ensuring it is in the format and date range specified by the NTA.
• ​Step 4: Fee Payment: 
  • ​Pay the application fee online using Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. A confirmation email/SMS will be sent upon successful transaction.
• ​Step 5: Download Confirmation Page:
  • ​After successful payment, download and save the Confirmation Page. This serves as proof of submission and is mandatory for future reference.

​Strategic Importance of JEE Main Session 1

​Participating in the January session is a strategic decision that offers significant benefits to engineering aspirants, especially in the context of the highly competitive nature of this exam.

• ​Best-of-Two Score Policy: The NTA will consider the best score achieved by a candidate from the two sessions (January and April) for calculating the final merit rank. A strong performance in January reduces pressure for the April attempt.
• ​Early Assessment and Improvement: Session 1 acts as a mock run under actual exam conditions. It provides a real-time assessment of preparation level, identifies weak areas, and allows candidates two months (February and March) to focus their studies before the April session.
• ​Focus on Boards: A good score in Session 1 allows candidates to shift their focus almost entirely to their Class 12 Board examinations in March/April without the added stress of engineering entrance exam preparation.
• ​Eligibility for JEE Advanced: Only candidates who secure a high enough percentile in JEE Main 2026 (based on the combined best score of both sessions) will be eligible to register for the JEE Advanced 2026 exam.

​Conclusion

​The application deadline of November 27, 2025, for the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 is rapidly approaching. Aspirants must treat this date as the final gateway to their engineering dreams. By completing the registration accurately and on time, candidates secure their first attempt at the crucial national-level examination, setting the foundation for a successful run for admission into India's premier technical institutions. Do not wait for the last moment; apply now.

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