JEE Main 2026 Session-1 Registration Closed; City Intimation Slips to Be Released Next

The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 application window has officially concluded. With the correction facility also closed on December 2, aspirants are now focused on the pre-exam logistics. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release the Exam City Intimation Slip in the first week of January 2026. This crucial document will inform candidates of their allotted city and date, allowing for travel arrangements ahead of the exam, which runs from January 21 to 30, 2026.

The initial phase of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 is complete. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has successfully closed the registration for Session 1, which ran from October 31 to November 27, 2025. Following this, the brief correction window for submitted applications also concluded on December 2, 2025. For the thousands of engineering aspirants who have successfully registered, the administrative focus now pivots entirely to pre-exam formalities: the release of the Exam City Intimation Slip and, subsequently, the Admit Card. The pressure is mounting as the examination dates—scheduled from January 21 to January 30, 2026—draw closer. With the application data locked, candidates must concentrate solely on a high-precision preparation strategy, minimizing errors to maximize their percentile in this highly competitive cycle.

I. Key Dates and Pre-Exam Logistics for JEE Main 2026

The time between now and the JEE Main 2026 exam dates is critical for logistical planning. Aspirants must be aware of the timeline for the release of their examination city and centre details.

• Exam City Intimation Slip: The NTA is expected to release the advance City Intimation Slip in the first week of January 2026.
  • Purpose: This slip is released primarily to facilitate travel planning by informing the candidate of the allotted exam city (not the specific centre address) and the date and shift of their exam, based on the choices made during application.
  • Access: The slip will be available for download on the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in, using the candidate's application number and date of birth/password.
• Admit Card Release: The final Admit Card will be released by the NTA just a few days—typically 3 to 7 days—before the exam date.
  • Details: The Admit Card is the mandatory document for entry and contains the complete details: the exact exam centre address, reporting time, shift timings, and crucial exam day instructions.
• JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Dates: The first session of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) is scheduled to be held from January 21 to January 30, 2026.

II. The Shift to Final Preparation and Exam Strategy

With the registration formalities completed, the next six weeks must be dedicated to intensive revision and simulated testing, aligning closely with the updated JEE Main pattern.

• High-Weightage Topic Revision:Aspirants should prioritize proven high-scoring areas in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM).
  • Physics: Focus on Modern Physics, Optics, and Electrostatics.
  • Chemistry: Master Chemical Bonding, Coordination Compounds, and Organic Reactions.
  • Mathematics: Concentrate on Calculus (Differential and Integral), Vector Algebra, and 3D Geometry.
• Mastering the NTA Exam Pattern: The B.E./B.Tech paper contains 75 questions (25 per subject). Each subject has 20 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and 10 Numerical Value Questions (NVQs), of which only 5 are compulsory to attempt in the NVQ section.
  • Negative Marking Strategy: The negative marking of -1 for incorrect answers (in both MCQs and NVQs) demands a focus on accuracy. Only answer a question if you are confident, especially in the NVQ section, where only 5 are required.
• Simulated Full-Length Mocks: The single most effective preparation step is attempting daily, timed Mock Tests under strict exam conditions.
  • Goal: The objective is not just to test knowledge but to optimize the sequencing of sections, manage the 3-hour time limit effectively, and identify and plug knowledge gaps before the actual exam.

III. Checking the City Intimation Slip and Final Checklist

Candidates must be proactive in downloading their pre-exam documents from the official NTA website as soon as they are released.

• Steps to Download the City Intimation Slip:
  1. Visit the official JEE Main website: jeemain.nta.nic.in.
  2. Click on the link titled "Advance City Intimation for JEE Main 2026 Session 1."
  3. Log in using your Application Number and Date of Birth/Password.
  4. View and download the slip for reference.
• The Final Checklist: In the days leading up to the January session, candidates must finalize administrative checks.
  • Document Readiness: Keep copies of the Admit Card, a valid Photo ID proof (like an Aadhaar Card), and the passport-size photograph uploaded during registration ready.
  • Exam Day Rules: Re-read the instructions on the Admit Card regarding prohibited items (electronic devices, watches, study material) and the dress code.
  • Session 2 Strategy: Even if you perform well in Session 1, remember that the JEE Main allows the best of the two scores (Session 1 and Session 2) to be used for the final merit list, making a strategic attempt at Session 2 (tentatively April 1 to 10, 2026) a viable option.

The closure of the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 registration marks the end of the application phase and the definitive start of the final countdown to the examination. With the City Intimation Slip expected in early January, all logistical anxieties can soon be put to rest. Immediately after the City Intimation Slip is released, download it to confirm your exam city and date, and dedicate every remaining day to rigorous, full-syllabus mock tests to maximize your score in the highly competitive January session.

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