JEE Advanced 2026 Maintains May 17 Exam Date as Official Schedule Stands

IIT Roorkee has officially released the JEE Advanced 2026 schedule, maintaining the examination date for Sunday, May 17, 2026. This comprehensive guide details the registration window starting April 23, the mandatory two-paper format, and the eligibility criteria for the top 2.5 lakh JEE Main qualifiers. Aspiring engineering students can now plan their final preparation according to the confirmed timelines for admit card release and result declaration.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, serving as the organizing body for the current year, has reaffirmed the official schedule for the Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced) 2026. As of today, February 15, the institute has maintained the primary examination date for Sunday, May 17, 2026. This announcement provides much-needed clarity to the top 2.5 lakh qualifiers of JEE Main 2026 who are vying for seats in the 23 premier IITs across India. The JEE Advanced remains the most rigorous engineering entrance test in the country, and the 2026 cycle is expected to follow the traditional computer-based test (CBT) format. With the official JEE Advanced 2026 website now live, the administrative process has shifted toward the finalization of examination centers and the release of the information brochure, ensuring that the May timeline remains unaffected by any academic or logistical shifts.

Detailed Examination Slots and Paper Structure

IIT Roorkee has confirmed that the examination will consist of two mandatory papers, both of which must be attempted on the same day to be considered for the final rank list. This structure is designed to test the comprehensive analytical and problem-solving skills of the candidates across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

• Paper 1 Timing: The first session is scheduled from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM IST. Candidates are advised to report to their centers at least 90 minutes early for biometric verification.
• Paper 2 Timing: Following a midday break, the second session will be held from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM IST. The official schedule emphasizes that the pattern and marking scheme will only be revealed at the time of the examination.
• Language Options: The test will be available in both English and Hindi, allowing students to toggle between languages to better understand complex conceptual queries.

Registration Window and Eligibility Thresholds

While the examination is set for May, the official registration window will only open after the declaration of the JEE Main Session 2 results.

• Application Timeline: Online registration for Indian nationals is slated to begin on April 23, 2026, and will remain active until May 2, 2026. The deadline for fee payment is currently set for May 4, 2026.
• Shortlisting Criteria: Only the top 2,50,000 candidates (including all categories) from the JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 are eligible to apply. The Eligibility Criteria section specifies that candidates must have appeared for their Class 12 exams for the first time in either 2025 or 2026.
• 75% Marks Rule: IIT Roorkee has reiterated that for final admission, candidates must secure at least 75% aggregate marks in their Class 12 board exams (65% for SC/ST/PwD) or be within the top 20 percentile of their respective boards.

Conclusion

As of February 15, the JEE Advanced 2026 schedule remains the definitive roadmap for India’s future engineers. The inclusion of IISc Bengaluru in the JoSAA 2026 counselling process has further increased the stakes for this year’s May attempt. Candidates are urged to utilize the official mock tests available on the portal to familiarize themselves with the CBT interface. Once the results are declared on June 1, the focus will shift toward the rank-based seat allocation, where the choice of IIT and specialization will be finalized. IIT Roorkee has also established a dedicated helpdesk to assist with registration queries, ensuring that every eligible candidate has a smooth transition from the Main to the Advanced stage. With just three months remaining until the May 17 examination, students should focus on conceptual depth to navigate the high-difficulty levels traditionally associated with papers set by the Roorkee zone.

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