The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued a key advisory for candidates appearing in JEE Main 2026 Session 1, which is set to begin January 21. With lakhs of engineering aspirants preparing to take the national-level entrance exam, the agency has urged students to strictly adhere to all exam-day guidelines to ensure a smooth and fair conduct of the test.
📅 JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam Schedule
As per the official timetable, the BE/BTech examinations will be conducted on January 21, 22, 23, 24, 28 and 29, with two shifts each day.
Meanwhile, the BArch and BPlan examinations are scheduled for January 29 and will be held in a single shift.
Candidates scheduled between January 21 and 24 can already download their admit cards from the official website. Admit cards for those appearing on January 28 and 29 are expected to be released shortly.
🎫 Admit Card & Reporting Instructions
NTA has advised candidates to carefully verify all details mentioned on their admit cards, including:
- Exam date and shift
- Reporting time and gate closing time
- Exact address of the exam centre
Candidates are also encouraged to visit the exam centre location in advance to avoid last-minute confusion or delays.
Entry into the exam centre will not be allowed after the gate closing time under any circumstances. Candidates who did not opt for Aadhaar-based registration must report at least one hour before gate closing time for biometric verification.
🧾 Documents Required on Exam Day
Candidates must carry the following to the examination centre:
- Printed copy of JEE Main 2026 admit card (preferably colour, A4 size)
- Two passport-size photographs (same as uploaded in the application)
- Original valid photo ID proof as used during registration
Photocopies or digital IDs on mobile phones will not be accepted. Entry without proper documents will be denied.
Candidates whose photographs did not match Aadhaar records or who used non-Aadhaar IDs must carry a certificate in original, signed by the school principal, headmaster or a Class-I gazetted officer, as per the NTA-prescribed format.
♿ Guidelines for PwD / PwBD Candidates
PwD and PwBD candidates claiming relaxation must carry their original disability certificate or UDID card. Candidates who opted for a scribe facility during registration will be provided one and will also be eligible for 20 minutes of compensatory time per hour. Such candidates are advised to report early for smooth verification.
✏️ Special Instructions for BArch Drawing Test
For the Drawing Test (Part III) of BArch:
- Candidates must bring their own geometry box, pencils, erasers, and colour pencils/crayons
- Watercolours are strictly prohibited
🚫 Prohibited Items Inside Exam Centre
The following items are not allowed inside the examination hall:
- Bags, purses, books, stationery
- Mobile phones, smart watches, calculators, electronic gadgets
- Any metallic objects or eatables
There will be no facility for safe-keeping of valuables. However, diabetic candidates may carry sugar tablets, fruits and transparent water bottles (packed food not allowed).
🔍 Biometric Checks & Rough Sheets
Biometric verification and frisking will be conducted at entry and again after any bio-break. Rough worksheets will be provided inside the hall; candidates must write their name and roll number on each sheet and deposit them before leaving. Failure to do so may lead to non-evaluation of answers. Admit cards must also be dropped in the designated drop box after the exam.
🟨 West Bengal Exam Dates to Be Revised
In a separate update, NTA confirmed that the January 23 examination in West Bengal was postponed due to Saraswati Puja. Revised examination dates for affected candidates will be announced soon. Additionally, NTA has expanded the number of JEE Main 2026 exam cities from 284 to 323, aiming to improve accessibility nationwide.
📌 Important Advisory
Candidates are strongly advised to read all instructions mentioned on the admit card, information bulletin, and question paper carefully to avoid any issues on exam day.
Check- Official Website
