Just five days left for JEE Main 2026 registration — Session 1 applications close on 27 November

Engineering aspirants, time is running out! The application deadline for the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exam is fast approaching, closing on November 27, 2025. You have only five days left to complete your online registration and pay the fees on the official NTA portal, jeemain.nta.nic.in. This crucial examination is the gateway to NITs, IIITs, CFTIs, and eventually, IITs. Ensure your documents, photograph, and payment details are ready for immediate submission before the 11:50 PM cutoff. Secure your first attempt now!

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is the most significant national-level engineering entrance exam in India, serving as the gateway to admission into premier institutions like the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs). Furthermore, a qualifying percentile in JEE Main is mandatory to appear for JEE Advanced, the test for entry into the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

​The National Testing Agency (NTA) has set a strict deadline for the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 application, which is November 27, 2025. With only five days remaining as of November 22, 2025, this is the final, urgent call for all eligible candidates. The online application, along with the required fee payment, must be completed and submitted on the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in, before 11:50 PM on the deadline day. Aspirants must avoid the last-minute rush to prevent server overload and payment failures.

​Eligibility & Mandatory Requirements for JEE Main 2026

​Before rushing to submit the application, candidates must ensure they meet the NTA's eligibility criteria, particularly regarding the year of passing the qualifying examination. Being prepared with the correct documents is paramount for a successful submission.

• ​Academic Eligibility: Candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination in 2024 or 2025, or be appearing for the Class 12 (or equivalent) examination in 2026.
• ​Age Limit: The NTA has removed the age limit for appearing in JEE Main 2026. However, applicants must check the specific age criteria set by their target institutes (NITs, IIITs, etc.) for final admission.
• ​Minimum Marks Requirement (For Admission): Although there is no minimum percentage required in Class 12 to appear for the JEE Main exam itself, candidates seeking admission to NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs through JoSAA counselling must satisfy one of the following criteria: 
  • ​Secure at least 75% aggregate marks in the Class 12 or equivalent exam.
  • ​Be in the top 20 percentile of their respective qualifying board examination.
  • ​(The minimum mark requirement is reduced to \mathbf{65\%} for SC/ST candidates).
• ​Mandatory Subjects (for B.Tech/B.E.): Candidates must have passed the qualifying examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as compulsory subjects.

​Step-by-Step Guide to the Online Application Process

​The entire JEE Main 2026 application process is strictly online. Candidates should follow these five steps precisely on the official NTA website, jeemain.nta.nic.in.

• ​Step 1: Online Registration:
  • ​Visit the official website and click on the 'New Candidate Registration' link.
  • ​Enter basic personal details (Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Mobile Number, Email ID).
  • ​A unique Application Number will be generated and sent via SMS/Email. Note this down carefully.
• ​Step 2: Fill the Application Form:
  • ​Log in using the generated Application Number and the password created.
  • ​Fill in detailed personal information, academic qualifications, category (EWS/OBC-NCL/SC/ST, if applicable), and choice of four preferred exam cities.
  • ​Select the paper applying for (Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech, Paper 2A for B.Arch, Paper 2B for B.Planning, or combined).
• ​Step 3: Document and Image Upload:
  • ​Upload scanned copies of your recent passport-size photograph (80% face visible, against a white background, size 10 KB to 200 KB in JPG/JPEG format).
  • ​Upload your signature (in running handwriting, size 4 KB to 30 KB in JPG/JPEG format).
  • ​Upload the Category Certificate (if applicable, in PDF format, issued after April 2025).
• ​Step 4: Fee Payment: 
  • ​Pay the application fee online using Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI before 11:50 PM on November 27, 2025. The fee varies based on category and gender.
• ​Step 5: Download Confirmation Page:
  • ​After successful payment, download and print the Confirmation Page. This is the ultimate proof of a successful application and must be kept safe for future correspondence.

​ Post-Registration Timeline and Strategic Focus

​Once the registration is successfully completed, aspirants must immediately pivot their focus to the exam, which is just two months away. Knowing the subsequent dates helps in planning the study schedule.

• ​Application Correction Window: A short window for correcting minor details in the application form (excluding certain fields like Name, Mobile Number, Email ID, etc.) will open tentatively from December 1 to December 2, 2025.
• ​Exam Dates: JEE Main 2026 Session 1 will be held between January 21 and January 30, 2026.
• ​Exam Format: The exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT), except for the Drawing section of B.Arch (Paper 2A). Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) consists of \mathbf{75} questions (25 questions each in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) to be attempted out of \mathbf{90} questions, with a total duration of \mathbf{3} hours.
• ​Strategic Preparation: With the CAT exam concluding, the next two months should be dedicated to intensive revision, focusing primarily on solving JEE Main Previous Year Questions (PYQs). Regular full-length mock tests are crucial for improving speed and accuracy under the exam's negative marking scheme (\mathbf{+4} for correct, \mathbf{-1} for incorrect MCQs).

​Conclusion

​The deadline for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 application on November 27, 2025, is the most critical checkpoint right now for any engineering aspirant. Fail to register, and you lose the opportunity for the first attempt. Secure your registration slot on jeemain.nta.nic.in well before the midnight cutoff. Once the application is submitted, shift your entire focus to the January exam dates.

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