The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release the registration forms for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 soon. As the gateway to undergraduate engineering programs at top institutions in India, including NITs and IITs, JEE Main is a crucial exam for science students.

Key Dates and Sessions

The JEE Main 2026 exam will be conducted in two sessions:

• Session 1: January 21 to 30, 2026
• Session 2: April 1 to 10, 2026

NTA is expected to commence the registration process for JEE Main 2026 by October 31, 2025. The online application window for JEE Main 2026 will open in October.

How to Apply

Once the registration link is activated, candidates can access it on the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. The process involves several steps:

1. Registration: Provide contact details and other necessary information.
2. Form Completion: Fill out the application form with accurate personal and academic details.
3. Document Upload: Upload scanned images of a recent photograph and signature. Candidates from OBC-NCL and Gen-EWS categories may need to upload the category certificate.
4. Fee Payment: Pay the application fee online using available methods such as credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI.
5. Print Confirmation: Submit the form and download the confirmation page.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for JEE Main 2026, candidates must fulfill certain criteria:

• Must have completed or be appearing in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as core courses.
• Students who have passed Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or are appearing in 2026 are eligible for JEE Main 2026.
• There is no age limit to appear for JEE Main exam.
• A candidate can attempt JEE Main for a maximum of three consecutive years.

Required Documents

Before starting the application process, candidates should keep the following documents ready:

• Scanned images of passport-size photograph and signature.
• Class 10 and 12 mark sheets/certificates.
• Aadhar card number.
• Category certificate (if applicable).
• Credit/debit card or internet banking details for fee payment.

Application Fee

The application fee varies based on the category and gender of the candidate:

• General/OBC/EWS (Male): INR 1000
• General/OBC/EWS (Female): INR 800
• SC/ST/PwD/Transgender: INR 500

For candidates opting for exam centers outside India, the fee structure is different:

• General/OBC/EWS (Male): INR 5000
• General/OBC/EWS (Female): INR 4000
• SC/ST/PwD/Transgender: INR 2500

Exam Pattern and Syllabus

• JEE Main comprises two papers: Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) and Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning).
• The syllabus is based on the NCERT textbooks for Classes 11 and 12, covering Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

Important Points to Remember

• Ensure that your Aadhaar details match your academic documents to avoid discrepancies.
• Update your Aadhaar card, Unique Disability ID (UDID), and category certificates before registering.
• Carefully review your exam city preference before the final submission.
• Keep track of the official NTA website (jeemain.nta.nic.in) for the latest updates and notifications.