JEE Main 2026 January Session Exam Dates, Schedule And Key Details

As of December 8, 2025, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has confirmed that the JEE Main 2026 January Session will be held between January 21 and January 30, 2026 in multiple cities across India and abroad. The exam will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for all papers during this period.​

JEE Main 2026 January Session Exam Schedule and Mode

The JEE Main 2026 Session one (January) will be conducted between January 21 and January 30 2026 as per the official advisory and information bulletin issued by NTA. During this window, different exam days and shifts will be allotted for Paper one (B.E. / B.Tech) and other relevant papers as indicated in the admit card of each candidate.​ The exam will take place in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode at designated centres, and candidates will be informed of the date, shift, and exam centre through their individual admit cards issued before the examination dates. NTA will also follow the usual practice of conducting the exam in two shifts per day, subject to final shift allocation as mentioned in the admit card.​

JEE Main 2026 January Session papers and duration

During the January Session, NTA will conduct Paper one for B.E. / B.Tech and other papers such as B.Arch (Paper two A) and B.Planning (Paper two B) as specified in the information bulletin. The duration of each paper is generally three hours, and in the case of combined papers, where applicable, the duration may be increased as per the official rules mentioned in the bulletin.​ All papers for the January Session will be held online in CBT mode, with responses recorded digitally on the NTA system. The exact paper-wise schedule, shift timing, and reporting time for each candidate will be clearly stated on the admit card issued for the January Session.​

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JEE Main 2026 Application, Correction and Pre-exam activities for January Session

For the JEE Main 2026 January Session, the online submission of the application form for Session one has been scheduled from October 31, 2025 to November 27, 2025 up to a specified time as per the information bulletin. Candidates are required to complete the application, upload documents and pay the examination fee within this window to be eligible for the exam between January 21 and January 30 2026.​ After the application period, NTA provides a correction window to allow candidates to rectify specific details in the online application form, as mentioned in the public notices and bulletin. Only particular fields notified by NTA can be corrected during this period, and any corrections must be completed within the stipulated dates announced on the official website.​

JEE Main 2026 Exam City Intimation Slip and Admit Card Before Exam Dates

Before the actual exam dates, NTA issues an Advance Intimation of Examination City slip for the JEE Main 2026 January Session. This document informs candidates about the city of examination so that travel and stay arrangements can be planned in advance for the exam days between January 21 and January 30 2026.​ Subsequently, NTA releases the admit card for JEE Main 2026 Session one, which contains key details such as candidate name, roll number, examination date, shift timing, reporting time, test centre address and exam day instructions. The admit card must be downloaded from the official website and carried to the exam centre on the allotted day within the January Session.​

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern and Question Format for January Session

During the January Session, JEE Main 2026 Paper one (B.E. / B.Tech) will follow the pattern specified in the official information bulletin, with questions from Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. The paper typically includes a mix of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Numerical Value Questions, with a section-wise distribution and marking scheme defined by NTA.​ The marking pattern generally involves four marks for each correct answer and negative marking for incorrect responses in MCQs, whereas numerical questions may follow a different scheme if specified. Candidates appearing in the January Session should carefully review the detailed exam pattern, subject-wise sections and question types provided in the bulletin before their scheduled exam date.​

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What candidates can expect on JEE Main exam in the January Session?

On exam days between January 21 and January 30 2026, candidates will be required to report to the allocated test centre at the reporting time mentioned on the admit card. Security checks, verification of identity documents, and biometric processes may be carried out as per NTA guidelines before allowing entry into the examination hall.​ Inside the exam hall, candidates will be seated at computer terminals, where they will log in using details provided by the invigilators and follow on-screen instructions to attempt the paper within the three-hour duration. After completion of the exam, candidates will have to follow exit instructions in an orderly manner, as guided by centre staff and as stated in the exam day advisory.​

JEE Main Languages, centres and sessions for January Session

NTA conducts JEE Main in multiple languages, which include English, Hindi and several regional languages, as listed in the official documents. The January Session will be organised across numerous exam cities in India and selected cities abroad, and candidates will be allotted centres based on their preferences and availability of seats.​ The exam between January 21 and January 30, 2026 is expected to be conducted in different sessions or shifts to accommodate all registered candidates. Each candidate will be assigned only one shift for each paper they have applied for in the January Session, and this shift allocation will be final as per NTA norms.​

JEE Main Result Preparation and Role of January Session Scores

The JEE Main 2026 is planned in two sessions: January and April, and the scores from these sessions play a significant role in result compilation. For candidates who appear in both sessions, NTA generally considers the best of the NTA scores obtained across the sessions for preparation of the final merit list and All India Rank, as mentioned in official documents for recent cycles and outlined again for 2026. The performance in the January Session gives candidates an early opportunity to assess their standing and, if needed, improve their scores in the April Session. The exact result date and further processes, such as scorecard download and All India Rank announcement, are notified separately through official public notices after the completion of both sessions. If any additional granular data, such as exact shift timings, detailed city lists or revised instructions, is required beyond what is available in the current official notices and bulletin, that information would need to be checked directly on the latest updates section of the official JEE Main website before being finalised in any content.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, the JEE Main 2026 January Session will be held from January 21 to 30, 2026 in CBT mode across multiple cities. Candidates must complete applications, check exam city slips, and download admit cards on time. The January scores help assess performance and contribute to the final merit list and All India Rank, with results announced after both sessions.