JEE Main 2026 Exam dates, schedule — Check Registration Details & Study Plan Here

If you’re aiming to crack JEE Main 2026 and secure admission into top engineering colleges like IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, it’s time to get focused. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the JEE Main 2026 exam schedule with tentative dates, marking the beginning of your preparation journey.
Let’s cut through the noise and discuss what truly matters for your JEE journey.

When’s the Exam Happening?

The NTA is giving you two chances at this thing:

First attempt: January 21-30, 2026
Second attempt: April 1-10, 2026

The Application Game

Registration opens in October 2025. Mark your calendar, set three alarms, do whatever it takes to not miss this.

Here’s roughly how it’ll go down:

• October 2025: Forms open for Session 1
• November 2025: You get a chance to fix your mistakes 
• Three days before the exam: Admit card drops
• February 2026: Results for Session 1
• The whole cycle repeats for Session 2 starting February

One thing nobody tells you until it’s too late – check your Aadhaar card NOW. Like, right now. Make sure your name, date of birth, and your dad’s name match exactly what’s on your Class 10 certificate

If you’re applying under EWS, SC/ST, or OBC categories, get your certificates updated. If you’re a PwD candidate, make sure that UDID card is valid. Trust me, sorting this stuff out in advance will save you from a major panic attack later.

What This Exam Actually Gets You

JEE Main is basically your entry ticket to:

• NITs, IIITs, and other central government engineering colleges
• JEE Advanced (which is what you need for IITs)
• Architecture and Planning programs if that’s your thing

Here’s the reality check though: Over 10 lakh students write this exam every year. Only about 2.5 lakh make it to JEE Advanced. So yeah, it’s competitive. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible – it just means you need to be smart about how you prepare.

What Score Should You Actually Aim For?

Let’s talk numbers that matter. Here’s what different percentiles roughly translate to:

• 90 percentile: Around 90-95 marks
• 95 percentile: About 130-140 marks
• 98 percentile: Somewhere around 160-180
• 99 percentile: 180-200 marks

These aren’t set in stone (it changes slightly every year), but they give you a target to work with.

Application Timeline & Process

• Application Form for Session 1: October 2025 (on NTA website)
• Correction Window: November 2025
• Admit Card: Released 3 days before the exam
• Result Declaration: February 2026 (Session 1), May 2026 (Session 2)

 Apply through the official website: jeemain.nta.nic.in

Pro-Tips for Smooth Application

Before you submit the form, keep these mandatory documents updated and valid:

• Aadhaar Card: Must match your Class 10 certificate (name, DOB, father’s name, address, photograph).
• UDID Card (PwD candidates): Valid and renewed.
• Category Certificate (EWS/SC/ST/OBC-NCL): Updated as per NTA guidelines.

 Even a small error can delay your process, so double-check everything.

Why This Preparation Window Matters

With just a few months left before Session 1, October to December 2025 is the ideal time to:

• Revise NCERT thoroughly
• Take full-length mock tests
• Work on time management skills

Getting documents and applications out of the way early allows you to focus 100% on preparation.

About JEE Main

JEE Main is a computer-based national-level test conducted by NTA. It serves as the entry point for:

• B.E./B.Tech admissions at NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs
• Eligibility for JEE Advanced (gateway to IITs)
• B.Arch and B.Planning programs at top institutes

Over 10 lakh students attempt JEE Main each year, but only around 2.5 lakh move forward to JEE Advanced — making preparation strategy crucial.

JEE Main 2026 Important Dates (Tentative)

Event	Session 1	Session 2
Application Form Submission	Oct 2025	Feb 2026
Correction Window	Nov 2025	Feb 2026
Admit Card	3 days before exam	3 days before exam
Exam Date	Jan 2026	Apr 2026
Provisional Answer Key	Feb 2026	Apr 2026
Final Answer Key	Feb 2026	Apr 2026
Result Declaration	Feb 2026	May 2026
Counselling	July–Aug 2026	July–Aug 2026

JEE Main Percentile vs. Marks (Out of 300) Tentative 

Here’s a quick reference for aspirants to understand their target scores:

Percentile	Marks Range
90%ile	90–95
95%ile	130–140
98%ile	160–180
99%ile	180–200

How to Actually Prepare 

Look, I’m not going to give you some generic “study 12 hours a day”. Here’s what actually works:

Get the syllabus down. Know exactly what’s coming. Don’t waste time on random stuff that’s never been asked.

Figure out what topics show up the most. Some chapters are like that one friend who shows up at every party – they’re always there. Focus on those first.

Use books that make sense to you. HC Verma for Physics, RD Sharma for Math, NCERT for Chemistry – yeah, the classics exist for a reason. But if something else clicks better for you, go with that.

Make a weekly plan, not a daily one. Daily plans fall apart the moment life happens. Weekly gives you flexibility to catch up without any panic.

Put your phone in another room during study sessions. I know, I know. But Instagram will still be there in two hours. Your JEE prep window won’t.

Keep short notes. Not those elaborate colour-coded things that take hours to make. Quick, short notes that you can scan through the night before the exam.

Take mocks seriously. Not just for practice, but actually sit down and analyze what went wrong. That’s where the real learning happens.

Don’t burn out. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Take breaks. Sleep properly. Talk to your friends. 

The NTA is Increasing Exam Centers

Good news – they’re adding more exam cities this year. Means you might get a center closer to home, which is one less thing to stress about on exam day.

The Counselling Timeline

Once you’ve conquered the exam, JoSAA and CSAB counselling happens around July-August 2026. That’s when you actually get your college seat. But we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

Here’s the Thing Nobody Says Out Loud

JEE Main isn’t just testing your Physics, Chemistry, and Math knowledge. It’s testing whether you can stay focused when everyone around you is panicking. Whether you can stick to a plan .Whether you can get back up after bombing a mock test.

The subject knowledge is important, sure. But the mental game? That’s what separates the kids who make it from the ones who don’t.

You’ve got a few months before Session 1. That’s enough time if you use it right. Not to cram everything at the last minute, but to build actual understanding, layer by layer.

Some days you’ll feel on top of the world. Some days you’ll feel like you don’t know anything. Both feelings are normal. Just keep showing up.

Bottom Line

JEE Main 2026 is coming whether you’re ready or not. But here’s the secret – nobody feels 100% ready. You just prepare as best as you can and trust that it’ll be enough.

Get your documents sorted now. Make a prep plan that doesn’t make you want to cry. Put in consistent work. Take care of yourself. And remember why you wanted to do this in the first place.

You’ve got this. Now go prove it.