With the January 21-29 exam dates confirmed, JEE Main 2026 candidates are using the NTA city intimation slips to finalize their travel and lodging arrangements.

With the National Testing Agency (NTA) officially releasing the city intimation slips for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 on January 8, over twelve lakh engineering aspirants have entered the final phase of their operational logistics. The advance notification has confirmed the specific examination dates—ranging from January 21 to January 29—and the allotted city for each candidate. This one-week lead time is proving crucial for students, especially those assigned cities several hundred kilometers from their hometowns, to secure their travel tickets and local accommodation before the mid-January rush.

Coordinating Regional Travel and Stay

For many students, the release of the city slip marks the start of high-stakes arrangements to ensure they reach their destinations at least a day before the test. Transport hubs in major educational centers like Kota, Hyderabad, and Delhi are witnessing a surge in bookings as families synchronize their schedules with the NTA's revised timeline.

• Peak Booking Trends: Railway and bus operators report a significant spike in reservations for the January 19–20 window, as students prioritize reaching their allotted cities early to avoid last-minute delays.
• Accommodation Hubs: Budget hotels near major institutional sectors are seeing high occupancy for the last week of January, with many families opting for stays within a 5-km radius of potential testing zones.
• Weather Considerations: Candidates in Northern India are incorporating "buffer time" into their travel plans to account for potential fog-related delays in train and flight schedules.
• Logistics Verification: Students are being encouraged to perform a physical or digital "route reconnaissance" to estimate the time required to reach the general area of the testing hub.

Aligning with Strict Reporting Windows

The NTA has reiterated that the reporting time is non-negotiable, with gates for the morning shift closing strictly at 8:30 AM. Candidates are structuring their morning-of logistics to arrive at the venue no later than 7:00 AM to complete mandatory procedures without stress.

• Document Readiness: Final checklists include a printed copy of the city slip (until the admit card is released), a valid original photo ID, and the exact same passport-size photograph used in the application.
• Verification Protocols: Early reporting is essential this year due to the enhanced biometric and iris-scanning protocols being implemented across all 500+ testing cities.
• Non-Aadhaar Verification: Candidates who registered using non-Aadhaar IDs have a specific deadline of January 15 to complete additional photo verification, which is a prerequisite for their arrangements to be finalized.

Preparing for On-Site Security Measures

The final component of the planning phase involves a thorough understanding of the security and dress code guidelines. To facilitate a smooth entry, students are being advised to adopt a "minimalist" approach to their personal items.

• Dress Code Compliance: Many are choosing light clothing without large buttons or metallic zippers to pass through the electronic security gates quickly.
• Prohibited Items: Coaching institutes are conducting final briefings to remind students that even digital watches, calculators, and pens (unless transparent) are strictly banned inside the hall.
• Diabetic Candidates: Special provisions have been confirmed for students with medical needs, allowing them to carry sugar tablets and transparent water bottles, provided they declare these during the reporting phase.

Conclusion

As of January 13, the focus of the JEE Main 2026 cycle has temporarily shifted from the library to the roadmap. The successful execution of travel and on-site logistics is now a top priority for families across the country. With the NTA expected to release the final admit cards—containing the exact venue addresses—by January 17 or 18, the current groundwork for arrangements and security awareness remains the best defense against exam-day anxiety.

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