The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the exam dates for JEE Main 2026. This important exam helps students get into top engineering and architecture colleges across India. The first session of JEE Main 2026 will be held in **January 2026**, with applications starting in **October 2025**. Students who want to pursue B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch, or B.Planning courses must take this Computer Based Test (CBT).
The Joint Entrance Examination (Main) is conducted twice a year. This allows students two chances to improve their scores. The NTA will hold Session 1 in January and Session 2 in April. All application forms will be available online on the official website: jeemain.nta.nic.in .
Key Dates for JEE Main 2026
Here are the important dates for both sessions of JEE Main 2026:
| Event | Dates for Session 1 (January) | Dates for Session 2 (April) |
| Online Application Start | October 2025 onwards | Late January 2026 onwards |
| Exam Dates | Between January 21 and January 30, 2026 | Between April 1 and April 10, 2026 |
Who Can Apply for JEE Main 2026?
Students must meet certain rules to apply for JEE Main 2026. These rules are called eligibility criteria.
Educational Qualification
- Students must have passed their Class 12 (or equivalent) examination.
- Students who are appearing for their Class 12 (or equivalent) examination in **2024**, **2025**, or **2026** can also apply.
Mandatory Subjects for Different Courses
The subjects you studied in Class 12 depend on the course you want to join:
- For B.E./B.Tech (Engineering): You must have studied Physics and Mathematics . You also need one more subject from: Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or a technical vocational subject.
- For B.Arch (Architecture): You must have studied Physics , Chemistry , and Mathematics .
- For B.Planning (Planning): You only need to have studied Mathematics .
Age Limit
The NTA does not set an age limit for JEE Main. This means students of any age can appear for the exam if they meet other criteria. However, some colleges might have their own age rules for admission.
Academic Percentage in Class 12
There is no minimum percentage required in Class 12 to appear for the JEE Main exam itself. However, to get admission into some top government colleges like NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs, you need good marks in Class 12:
- General category students need a minimum of **75%** marks in Class 12.
- SC/ST category students need a minimum of **65%** marks in Class 12.
How to Apply
The application process for JEE Main 2026 is fully online. Students must visit the official NTA JEE Main website, jeemain.nta.nic.in , during the application period. You will need to fill out the form, upload required documents, and pay the exam fee online.
About JEE Main Session 2
After Session 1, the NTA will open applications for Session 2 in the last week of **January 2026**. The exams for JEE Main Session 2 will take place from **April 1 to April 10, 2026**. Students can choose to appear for one or both sessions. The best score out of the two sessions will be considered for final rank calculation.
Students should regularly check the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in for the latest updates and detailed information about the exam.
