The countdown has begun — the National Testing Agency (NTA) is all set to open JEE Main 2026 registration soon via the official portal jeemain.nta.nic.in. Aspirants aiming for engineering admissions in 2026 should gear up, as the registration window is expected to open by November 2025.
Here’s a detailed rundown of what you need to know — the expected dates, process, eligibility criteria, and preparation tips to ensure you don’t miss out.
Table of Contents
📆 Expected Timeline & Important Dates
While the official notification is still awaited, past trends and multiple sources suggest the following tentative schedule for JEE Main 2026:
| Event | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Notification / Brochure Release | October 2025 (last week) |
| Registration / Application Start | November 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | December 2025 |
| Correction Window | December 2025 (tentative) |
| Session 1 Exam Date | Last week of January 2026 (expected) |
| Admit Card Release | A few days before exam (3 to 7 days) |
| Session 2 Registration | February 2026 |
The two-session model (January + April) is expected to continue, giving candidates multiple chances to improve their score.
🖥 How to Register (Online Process at jeemain.nta.nic.in)
Once the registration is live, here is a step-by-step guide to fill the JEE Main 2026 form:
Visit Official Portal
Go to jeemain.nta.nic.in — this will be the official hub for registration, notifications, and updates. jeemain.nta.nic.inNew Registration / Sign Up
Provide basic details (name, email, phone) to generate a registration ID, password, and login credentials.Fill Application Form
Enter education background, qualifying exam details (Class 12), choose exam city preferences, select paper(s) (B.E/B.Tech or B.Arch/B.Planning) etc.Upload Documents
Upload scanned photograph, signature, category / PwD certificate (if applicable) in specified format.Pay Application Fee
The fee will vary by category (General, OBC, SC, ST) and by number of papers. This is typically done online via credit card, debit card, net banking.Review & Submit
Go through all details carefully — once submitted and fee paid, changes may be limited or require paying additional charges.Print Confirmation
Save / print the confirmation page or acknowledgment slip for future reference.
Some sources also mention that the registration may support applying for one session or both sessions in the same go.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria for JEE Main 2026
Before registering, ensure you satisfy the basic eligibility norms:
You must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2024 or 2025, or be appearing in 2026.
You must have had Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects in Class 12, and one additional subject (Chemistry / Biology / Technical Vocational subject etc.)
There is no upper age limit for JEE Main.
For admission to IITs / NITs etc., typically, a minimum percentage (like 75% in boards) may be required (if in prior years). Some states / institutes might enforce that.
Always refer to the official notification once released for the final, legal eligibility criteria.
🔄 Why NTA Activated Demo Registration
To ease the process and reduce errors, NTA has already activated a demo registration link. This helps aspirants understand the application interface ahead of time so that when the actual registration begins, they face fewer issues.
This is very useful especially for first-time applicants or those unfamiliar with online application processes.
📌 Key Tips Before You Register
Update Aadhaar / Category Certificates / UDID: NTA has advised candidates to ensure that these documents are current and correct before registration to avoid mismatches and rejections.
Keep scanned copies of all your documents (photo, signature, certificates etc.) in the correct size / format ahead of time.
Decide whether you’ll appear in one session or both, and plan accordingly.
Choose your exam cities carefully — the option may or may not be flexible later.
Don’t wait till the last minute — server load, technical issues, payment gateway failures happen in peak times.
Read the informational brochure (once released) thoroughly before submitting the form.
✅ What to Expect After Registration
Once registration closes and the exams approach:
A correction window will be opened to allow limited edits (name spelling, exam city, etc.).
Admit cards will be released a few days before the exam (often 3 days before) for each session.
Exam dates will be formally announced in the notification — the January session is expected in late January 2026.
Afterwards, answer keys, result announcements, and counseling notifications will follow.
