JEE Main 2026 Registration is LIVE: Key Dates and Details for B.Tech/B.Arch Aspirants
The official registration process for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main 2026) has commenced on the official NTA website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. This marks the crucial first step for lakhs of engineering aspirants aiming for admission to prestigious institutions like the NITs, IIITs, and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs) across India, as well as qualifying for JEE Advanced for IIT admissions. Candidates for both B.Tech. (Paper 1) and B.Arch./B.Planning (Paper 2) must complete their registration before the deadline.
The official registration process for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main 2026) has commenced on the official NTA website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. This marks the crucial first step for lakhs of engineering aspirants aiming for admission to prestigious institutions like the NITs, IIITs, and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs) across India, as well as qualifying for JEE Advanced for IIT admissions. Candidates for both B.Tech. (Paper 1) and B.Arch./B.Planning (Paper 2) must complete their registration before the deadline.
Crucial Registration and Exam Deadlines
Aspirants are advised to act quickly, as the registration window for Session 1 has a firm closing date.
| Event | Session 1 (January) | Session 2 (April) |
|---|---|---|
| Online Registration Status | LIVE (Started October 2025) | Expected to start late January 2026 |
| Last Date to Register | November 27, 2025 | Expected to close March 2026 |
| Exam Date | January 21 to January 30, 2026 | April 1 to April 10, 2026 |
The JEE Main is conducted in two sessions to provide candidates with two chances to improve their scores, with the final ranking based on the best performance across both attempts. The application fee is expected to be approximately ₹1000 for General male candidates (with variations for female and reserved categories), payable online via Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
Mandatory Eligibility Requirements
Before filling the form, aspirants must ensure they meet the criteria stipulated by the NTA:
- Academic Qualification: Candidates must have either passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination in 2024 or 2025, or be appearing for it in 2026.
- Subject Combination:
- B.E./B.Tech.: Must have passed with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, along with one of Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or a Technical Vocational Subject.
- B.Arch./B.Planning: Requires specific subject combinations including Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
- Admission Criteria (75% Rule): To secure admission into NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs, candidates must have obtained a minimum of 75% aggregate marks in their Class 12 examination (or be in the top 20 percentile). The minimum requirement is 65% for SC/ST candidates.
Application Process and Key Preparations
The application process is entirely online. Candidates need to:
- Register: Create a profile using a valid email ID and mobile number to receive the application number.
- Fill the Form: Enter personal and academic details. The NTA will use Aadhaar authentication to auto-fetch basic details like name, gender, and date of birth, making it critical to have matching records with the Aadhaar database.
- Upload Documents: Upload a recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature in the specified dimensions, along with category/PwD certificates if applicable.
- Pay Fee & Submit: Pay the non-refundable fee online and download the Confirmation Page, which is essential for future reference.
Students are strongly advised to fill out the form well before the November 27 deadline to avoid any last-minute technical difficulties. Since the exam's syllabus is based on the NCERT curriculum for Class 11 and 12, thorough revision and mock tests are highly recommended. For regular updates, guidelines, and preparation strategies, follow Only Education News.