The National Testing Agency (NTA) issued a public advisory on October 19, 2025, for aspirants of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) 2026, outlining the tentative examination schedule, registration timeline, and procedural updates. The JEE Main 2026, conducted by the National Testing Agency, will be held in two sessions to give students flexibility and multiple opportunities to improve their scores. As per the official notification, Session 1 exams will be conducted from January 21 to 30, 2026, while Session 2 will take place from April 1 to 10, 2026.
The registration for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 will begin in October 2025, and for Session 2, in the last week of January 2026. Candidates must apply online through the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. This year, NTA has also introduced Aadhaar-based authentication for seamless application verification and plans to expand the number of exam cities to accommodate the growing number of aspirants nationwide.
JEE Main 2026 to Be Conducted in Two Sessions
According to the advisory, JEE Main 2026 will be held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across two sessions:
| Session | Registration Dates | Exam Dates |
| Session 1 (January 2026) | October 2025 onwards | Between 21 and 30 January 2026 |
| Session 2 (April 2026) | Last week of January 2026 onwards | Between 01 and 10 April 2026 |
Applications for the first session will open in October 2025 on NTA’s official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in.
NTA Expanding Exam City Network
To ensure the participation of a larger number of candidates, NTA is increasing the number of examination cities across India. This is aimed at improving accessibility and convenience for engineering aspirants from diverse regions, particularly those from smaller towns and remote areas.
Provisions for PwD and PwBD Candidates
In a significant inclusion move, the NTA announced special measures for Persons with Disabilities (PwD/PwBD). These are being implemented to meet their examination requirements effectively and promote equal opportunity during JEE Main 2026.
Aadhaar-Based Authentication for Personal Details
To reduce procedural errors during the application process, the NTA will obtain key details directly from the UIDAI database, including:
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Gender
- Photograph
- Address
However, parental details (Father/Mother/Guardian’s name) must be filled manually by the candidate, as this data is not included in Aadhaar records.
Resolution for Aadhaar and 10th Certificate Name Mismatch
In case an aspirant’s Aadhaar card name differs from their 10th class certificate or marksheet, the NTA will provide an online correction window during form submission. Candidates may also refer to the earlier NTA notice, dated November 6, 2024, which contains guidelines on “Advisory and Instructions on Aadhaar Card Name Mismatch,” applicable for JEE Main 2026 as well.
Official Websites and Helpline Details
Candidates can access the official notification and updates at:
- NTA Official Website: www.nta.ac.in
- JEE Main Portal: https://jeemain.nta.nic.in
- Helpline Number: +91-11-40759000
- Email: jeemain@nta.ac.in
This Diwali, the National Testing Agency released a comprehensive advisory for JEE Main 2026. With the exam scheduled in two sessions – January and April 2026 – NTA has streamlined the registration process through Aadhaar-based authentication, expanded exam city centers for wider accessibility, and introduced special provisions for PwD candidates.
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