JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam Registration Begins; Check Steps to Apply

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially commenced the registration for JEE Main 2026 Session 1, the crucial gateway to India's premier engineering colleges like NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. The application window is open until November 27, 2025. Aspirants must complete the five-step process—registration, form filling, document upload, fee payment, and confirmation—at the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. Prepare for the exam scheduled between January 21 and 30, 2026. Ensure your Aadhaar and category documents are updated and ready. Don't miss the deadline to launch your engineering dream.

The journey to securing a seat in India's top engineering institutions—the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs)—begins now. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially thrown open the registration portal for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026, Session 1. This is a pivotal moment for millions of aspirants aiming for a rewarding career in Engineering and Architecture.

​The NTA has followed its established pattern of conducting the exam twice a year, offering candidates two distinct opportunities to achieve their best possible score. With the Session 1 exam scheduled between January 21 and 30, 2026, candidates have a tight window for both registration and final-stage preparation. Timely and error-free application submission is the non-negotiable first step. All aspiring candidates are urged to visit the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in, immediately to commence their application process before the clock runs out.

​ JEE Main 2026 Registration: Step-by-Step Guide and Key Dates

​Successfully navigating the online application process requires attention to detail. The NTA has streamlined the process into three main stages: Registration, Application Form Filling, and Fee Payment.

• ​Registration Essentials: 
  • ​Visit the Official Portal: Go to jeemain.nta.nic.in and click on the "New Candidate Registration" link.
  • ​Basic Details: Provide your personal and contact details, including a valid Email ID and Mobile Number, which will be used for all future communication from NTA.
  • ​Credential Creation: Set up a strong password and security question. A system-generated Application Number will be provided upon successful registration, which must be saved securely.
• ​Application Form Filling & Upload:
  • ​Log In: Use your Application Number and Password to log in and access the application form.
  • ​Personal and Academic Information: Fill in your personal data, detailed academic history (Class X and XII equivalent), and choice of four Exam City Preferences from the provided list.
  • ​Document Upload: This is a crucial step. Candidates must upload scanned images of the following, adhering strictly to the NTA's specified file size and format: 
    • ​Recent Passport Size Photograph: (JPG/JPEG, 10–200 KB) - Must be taken against a plain white background, with 80% face visibility.
    • ​Scanned Signature: (JPG/JPEG, 4–30 KB).
    • ​Class 10 Certificate: (PDF, 50–300 KB) - Required for Date of Birth verification.
    • ​Category/PwD Certificate: (PDF, 50–300 KB) - Mandatory only for reserved/PwD candidates.
• ​Important Dates for Session 1:
  • ​Registration Start Date: October 31, 2025
  • ​Last Date for Online Registration:November 27, 2025 (Up to 9:00 PM)
  • ​Last Date for Fee Payment: November 27, 2025 (Up to 11:50 PM)
  • ​Correction Window: Expected to open in December 2025 for a short duration.
  • ​Exam Dates (Session 1): January 21 to 30, 2026

​Understanding the Application Fee and Examination Pattern

​The application fee for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 is structured based on the candidate's category and gender, and is a mandatory step for final submission.

• ​Category-wise Application Fee (For Centres in India - Single Paper): 
  • ​Male Candidates (General/Unreserved): ₹1,000
  • ​Male Candidates (Gen-EWS/OBC-NCL): ₹900
  • ​Female Candidates (All Categories: General/EWS/OBC): ₹800
  • ​SC/ST/PwD/Transgender Candidates: ₹500
  • ​Note: Fees are higher for candidates opting for two papers (B.E./B.Tech and B.Arch/B.Planning) and for examination centres outside India. The fee is non-refundable.
• ​The JEE Main 2026 Examination Blueprint: 
  • ​Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT), except for the Drawing Test (Part II) of B.Arch.
  • ​Papers: Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) for Engineering; Paper 2A (B.Arch) for Architecture; Paper 2B (B.Planning) for Planning.
  • ​Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes).
  • ​Questions: The paper contains 90 questions (30 each in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) out of which candidates must attempt 75 questions (25 from each section). Each subject has 20 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and 10 Numerical Value Type Questions (NVTs), with candidates required to attempt 5 NVTs.
  • ​Marking: +4 for a correct answer; -1 for an incorrect answer (for MCQs); and +4 for a correct NVT answer, with NO negative marking for incorrect NVT answers.

​ Critical Prerequisites and Strategic Preparation

​Aspirants must proactively address certain prerequisites to avoid last-minute application hassles. The NTA has emphasized the need for document authenticity.

• ​Document Verification Check: 
  • ​Aadhaar Card: Ensure your Name, Date of Birth, Gender, and Photograph on your Aadhaar card exactly match the details on your Class 10 certificate. NTA leverages Aadhaar-based authentication.
  • ​Category/EWS Certificate: Make sure these certificates are updated, valid, and issued as per the central government's prescribed format. Invalid certificates can lead to cancellation of category benefits at the time of admission.
• ​Leveraging the Dual-Session Advantage: 
  • ​Appearing in both Session 1 and Session 2 is highly recommended. The NTA considers the Best of the two scores (Session 1 or Session 2) for compiling the final merit list and rank. This minimizes the impact of a single bad day, providing a safety net and boosting the chance of achieving a high percentile.
  • ​Utilize the On-Screen Calculator: NTA has confirmed it will provide an onscreen standard calculator during the CBT. This is a recent addition that candidates must practice using during their mock tests to acclimatize themselves.

​Conclusion: Take Control of Your Engineering Future

​The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 registration marks the definitive start of the competitive journey toward securing a seat in one of India's most prestigious technical institutes. Aspirants have until November 27, 2025, to complete the process. With the exam scheduled for January 2026, the strategy should be a dual focus: meticulous application submission today and intensified preparation tomorrow. Don't procrastinate—register accurately, secure your exam slot, and dedicate your efforts to excelling in the first session to gain an invaluable early advantage.

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