NTA Invites Applications for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 – Online Form Available Now

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially opened the application window for JEE Main 2026 Session 1. Aspiring engineers can register online at the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. The application window is open until November 27, 2025, with the exam scheduled from January 21 to January 30, 2026. This session is crucial for admission to NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs. Check the updated exam pattern, the revised syllabus structure, and the 75% Class 12th eligibility criterion for top college admissions. Start your application today.

The most anticipated annual event for engineering aspirants has commenced! The National Testing Agency (NTA) has started the online application process for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 (January Session). This is the definitive gateway for admission into the prestigious undergraduate B.E./B.Tech programs offered by National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs) across India.

​The application portal is live on the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. Aspirants must note the strict deadlines: the application period began on October 31, 2025, and the last date for submission is November 27, 2025. The computer-based test (CBT) for Session 1 is scheduled between January 21 and January 30, 2026. Securing a strong percentile in this first session is vital, as it sets the tone for future attempts and early admission chances. Students must act swiftly to register accurately and dedicate the remaining time to rigorous, focused preparation.

​ Crucial Dates and Application Roadmap for JEE Main 2026

​The NTA has laid out a clear, time-bound schedule for the first session of the Joint Entrance Examination (Main). Adhering to these dates is non-negotiable for all candidates.

• ​Application Window Details:
  • ​Registration Start Date: October 31, 2025
  • ​Application Deadline: November 27, 2025
  • ​Fee Payment Deadline: November 27, 2025 (Last transaction time may vary)
  • ​Correction Window (Expected): December 2025 (A brief period will be provided for rectifying specific details)
• ​Examination Schedule: 
  • ​Exam Dates (Session 1): January 21 to January 30, 2026
  • ​Admit Card Release: Expected three days before the exam date
  • ​Result Declaration (Expected): Mid-February 2026
• ​Step-by-Step Online Application Process:
  • ​Step 1: New Candidate Registration: Visit the official website and click on the 'New Candidate Register Here' link. Provide personal and contact details, and create a strong password. Note down the system-generated Application Number.
  • ​Step 2: Fill Application Form: Log in using the Application Number and password. Fill in detailed personal, academic, and contact information. Select your preferred four Exam Cities in order of preference.
  • ​Step 3: Document Upload and Live Photo: Upload the scanned passport-size photograph and signature as per NTA's prescribed format. A new mandatory requirement for 2026 is the capture of a Live Photograph using a webcam during the application process to enhance security and identity verification.
  • ​Step 4: Fee Payment: Pay the application fee online using a Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. The fee structure varies based on gender, category, and paper selection (B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch, B.Planning).
  • ​Step 5: Confirmation Page: Download and print the Confirmation Page after successful payment. This serves as proof of application submission and is crucial for future reference.

​ JEE Main 2026 Syllabus and Updated Exam Pattern (B.E./B.Tech)

​Candidates must align their preparation with the officially released syllabus and note a critical change in the exam pattern for the B.E./B.Tech paper.

• ​Syllabus Status and Key Deletions:
  • ​The NTA has confirmed that the JEE Main 2026 syllabus remains largely the same as the revised syllabus used in 2025. This revised syllabus saw the deletion or reduction of approximately 15% of the content from the previous years.
  • ​Key Deleted Topics (Illustrative): Topics like 'Mathematical Induction' and 'Mathematical Reasoning' (Maths), 'Communication Systems' (Physics), and chapters like 'States of Matter' and 'Surface Chemistry' (Chemistry) remain excluded. Aspirants should only refer to the official NTA syllabus PDF for the absolute final list.
• ​Crucial Exam Pattern Change for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech): 
  • ​The B.E./B.Tech paper comprises 75 questions (25 each in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) for a total of 300 Marks. Each subject has two sections.
  • ​Section A: 20 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) are compulsory (+4 for correct, -1 for incorrect).
  • ​Section B (Numerical Value Questions): A major update for 2026 is that the NTA has made all 5 numerical questions compulsory in each subject. Previously, candidates had the option to attempt 5 out of 10 questions.
  • ​New Rule Impact: This change makes 75 questions compulsory in total (20 MCQs + 5 Numerical Value Questions in each of the three subjects). This emphasizes a deeper understanding across the entire syllabus and demands greater precision in problem-solving, as all numerical questions must be answered (with negative marking applicable).
  • ​On-Screen Calculator: For the first time, candidates will be provided with an on-screen basic calculator during the Computer-Based Test (CBT).

​ Eligibility and The 75% Criterion for Top Admissions

​Understanding the eligibility rules is critical not just for appearing in JEE Main but also for securing admission into the top government engineering colleges.

• ​Basic Eligibility to Appear:
  • ​Qualifying Exam: Candidates must have passed the Class 12th examination in 2024 or 2025, or be appearing in the qualifying examination in 2026.
  • ​Subjects: Must have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as core subjects.
  • ​Age Limit: There is no upper age limit to appear for JEE Main 2026.
  • ​Attempts: Students get a maximum of three consecutive years after passing Class 12 (i.e., Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or 2026) to appear for the exam.
• ​Crucial Eligibility for NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs Admission: 
  • ​While there is no minimum marks requirement to appear for JEE Main, to be eligible for admission to NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs through the JoSAA counseling process, candidates must satisfy one of the following two criteria: 
    • ​Obtain a minimum of 75% aggregate marks in the Class 12th (or equivalent) examination.
    • ​Be in the top 20 percentile of the successful candidates in their respective Class 12th board examination.
  • ​Note: The minimum marks criteria for SC/ST/PwD candidates is 65% in Class 12th.

​Conclusion

​The opening of JEE Main 2026 Session 1 registration marks the official start of the engineering entrance season. The application deadline of November 27, 2025, provides a short, intense window for registration and focused preparation. Aspirants must carefully navigate the online application, familiarize themselves with the unchanged syllabus, and adapt their test-taking strategy to the crucial change of compulsory numerical questions in the B.E./B.Tech paper. Success in this first session significantly boosts confidence and opens doors to top institutions. Secure your application and intensify your preparation now.

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