NTA Confirms JEE Main Session-2 Exam Dates from April 2 to 9, 2026
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially confirmed the examination schedule for JEE Main 2026 Session-2. The tests will be conducted in multiple shifts from April 2 to April 9, 2026, across various national and international centers. Candidates are advised to monitor the official NTA website for the release of city intimation slips and admit cards. This second attempt allows students to leverage their best NTA score for the final All India Rank.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has finalized the schedule for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 Session-2, slated to take place between April 2 and April 9, 2026. This confirmation provides a clear roadmap for millions of students who are currently balancing their entrance preparation with higher secondary board exams. The examination will be held in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across hundreds of cities in India and select international locations. As per the schedule, the exam will be conducted in two shifts daily to accommodate the large volume of applicants seeking admission into undergraduate engineering programs.
Shift Timings and Exam Pattern
Each day of the April schedule will feature a morning shift from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and an afternoon shift from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The NTA has maintained the standard marking scheme of +4 for every correct answer and -1 for every incorrect response. Candidates appearing for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) will face questions in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, while Paper 2 applicants will focus on Architecture or Planning as per their chosen schedule.
- Morning Shift: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Entry starts at 7:30 AM).
- Afternoon Shift: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Entry starts at 2:00 PM).
- Duration: The total test duration is 3 hours, with an additional 30 minutes for B.Arch/B.Planning composite papers.
| Event | Date / Timeline (2026) |
| Examination Period | April 2 to April 9 |
| City Intimation Slip | 3rd Week of March |
| Admit Card Release | 3 Days before the exam |
| Provisional Answer Key | Mid-April |
Admit Card and Hall Management
The release of the city intimation slip is expected in the third week of March, following the finalized schedule of registered candidates. This slip allows students to make necessary travel arrangements well in advance. The official admit card, which contains the specific venue address and shift time, will be issued three days prior to each candidate's exam date. Strict adherence to the reporting time mentioned in the schedule is mandatory to complete security checks and biometric verification at the centers.
Conclusion
With the exam dates now locked, students can finalize their revision schedule to maximize their performance. For real-time updates on the Session-2 datesheet, candidates should regularly check the NTA portal. It is crucial to follow the exam day guidelines to ensure a smooth testing experience. The final result, based on the best of the two session scores, will be published by April 20, 2026, providing a definitive schedule for the upcoming JEE Advanced and JoSAA counselling phases.