JEE Main 2026 Session-2 Registration Enters Final 10-Day Window Before February 25 Closure

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially entered the final 10-day countdown for the Joint Entrance Examination (Main) or JEE Main 2026 Session 2 registration. Since the portal opened on January 31, 2026, the agency has recorded a significant volume of applications from engineering aspirants across India. As of today, February 16, the official JEE Main website remains the primary hub for candidates to secure their participation in the April session. With the February 25 cutoff looming, the NTA has issued a precautionary advisory urging students to finalize their enrollment promptly to avoid the technical bottlenecks typically associated with high traffic in the closing hours.

Technical Milestones and Registration Requirements

The 2026 cycle of the engineering entrance has introduced enhanced digital verification protocols to ensure the integrity of the examination. Candidates are required to undergo a mandatory Aadhaar-based e-KYC process during the application stage. This system cross-references the student's identity in real-time with the national database. Furthermore, a new "Live Photo" feature has replaced the traditional gallery upload; candidates must now use a webcam or a verified mobile device to capture their image directly on the portal. These measures, according to the NTA Information Bulletin, are vital to curb impersonation during the computerized test.

• Registration Deadline: February 25, 2026 (9:00 PM)
• Fee Payment Deadline: February 25, 2026 (11:50 PM)
• Correction Window: February 27 – March 1, 2026
• Session 2 Exam Dates: April 1 to April 15, 2026
• City Intimation: Expected by the third week of March 2026

Eligibility and Mandatory Documentation

To participate in the engineering entrance for the 2026 session, candidates must have passed or be appearing in their Class 12 (or equivalent) examination. The National Testing Agency has maintained the "Top 20 Percentile" rule or the 75% aggregate criteria in Class 12 for admission into NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. During the enrollment phase, students must provide accurate details regarding their category (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) to avail of reservation benefits. The National Medical Commission-style biometric security has also influenced the NTA, ensuring that the fingerprint data collected during application will be used for verification at the testing centers.

• Age Limit: No age limit for JEE Main, but institutional age rules may apply.
• Subjects: Must have Physics and Mathematics as mandatory subjects in Class 12.
• Identity Proof: Aadhaar Card is the preferred document for e-KYC.
• Helpdesk: Available at NTA Query Redressal System.

Conclusion

As the February 16 milestone passes, the focus of millions of JEE aspirants shifts toward the finalization of their application forms. The April session represents the final opportunity for students to improve their NTA scores for the 2026-27 academic year. Successful enrollment by the February 25 deadline is the only gateway for candidates to eventually qualify for the JEE Advanced, which is the singular path for entry into the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Aspirants are encouraged to cross-verify all entries, especially their choice of examination cities and category certificates, before hitting the final submit button. For a detailed walkthrough of the new e-KYC process, students can refer to the NTA JEE Main Official Guide to ensure their forms are error-free for the upcoming engineering entrance.