The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the JEE Main shift timings for both January and April sessions. The exam was held in two shifts - morning and evening. The morning JEE Main shift timing is 9 am to 12 pm, and the evening shift timing is 3 pm to 6 pm. Read more on this page to know JEE Main reporting time for the exam, gate closing time, and other important exam day timings.
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Exam Timings
JEE Main 2026 Exam Timings: The National Testing Agency has released the exam and shift timing for JEE Mains 2026 exam. As per the details mentioned in the official website, the exam is held in two shifts. On each JEE Main 2026 exam date, the test is held in two shifts - morning and afternoon. The JEE Main shift timing for morning is 9 am to 12 noon, and the shift 2 (afternoon) paper was held from 3 pm to 6 pm.
NTA conducted the JEE Main Session 2 exam on April 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 for Paper 1 (BE/BTech). Paper 2 (BArch/BPlan) exam was held on April 7. The sesison 1 exam was held from January 21 to 28.
Candidates can check their JEE Main shift timings 2026 through admit card. Candidates must report to the exam centre as per the reporting time mentioned in their JEE Main 2026 admit cards. Candidates must carefully check the JEE Main exam date and time so as to reach exam centre on time. In this article, we have provided complete details on JEE Main 2026 exam timing, reporting time, entry gate closing time, etc., for the slot 1 and slot 2 of the session 2 exam. Read below.
- JEE Main Shift Timings 2026 - Shift 1 and Shift 2
- JEE Main Paper 1 Exam 2026 Time - BE/BTech
- JEE Mains 2026 Paper 2a Exam Time - BArch
- JEE Main 2026 Paper 2b Exam Time - BPlan
- JEE Main 2026 Exam Time for Paper 2a and 2b - BArch and BPlan
- JEE Main 2026 Exam Centre Reporting Time and Gate Closing Time for Shifts 1 & 2
- Important Events & Their Timeline for JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Exam Day
- On the JEE Mains 2026 Exam Day - Carry These Items
JEE Main Shift Timings 2026 - Shift 1 and Shift 2
On each exam day, the JEE Main 2026 was held In two shifts of 3 hours each. This period includes the time which is available for the candidates only to attempt the questions. During this time, candidates will be seated at their designated seats in the exam hall and attempt the exam. The centre reporting time and frisking time is over and above the shift timing.
Note: Compensatory time for PwD/PwBD Candidates of 20 minutes for a one-hour Examination will be given to those who are eligible for Scribe.
| Want to know what your JEE Main 2026 rank will be based on your score and percentile? Check out the JEE Main rank predictor 2026 by Shiksha.com, which predicts your rank after analysing several years’ percentile/marks vs rank data. JEE Main Rank Predictor 2026 |
JEE Main Paper 1 Exam 2026 Time - BE/BTech
Check below the exam time for JEE Main 2026 session 2 paper 1:
| Shift | Paper 1 (BE/BTech) start time | Paper 1 (BE/BTech) end time |
|---|---|---|
| JEE Main Morning Shift Timing |
09:00 AM |
12 Noon |
| JEE Main Afternoon Shift Timing |
03:00 PM |
6:00 PM |
JEE Mains 2026 Paper 2a Exam Time - BArch
Check below the exam time for JEE Main paper 2a:
Note that in the JEE Main 2026 session 2, the paper 2a will be held in one shift only.
| Shift | Paper 2a (BArch) start time |
|---|---|
| JEE Main Afternoon Shift Starts at |
3 PM |
| JEE Main Afternoon Shift Ends at |
6 PM |
JEE Main 2026 Paper 2b Exam Time - BPlan
Check below the exam time for JEE Main paper 2b:
Note that in the JEE Main 2026 session 2, the paper 2b will be held in one shift only.
| Shift | Paper 2b (BPlan) start time |
|---|---|
| JEE Main Afternoon Shift Starts at |
3 PM |
| JEE Main Afternoon Shift Ends at |
6 PM |
JEE Main 2026 Exam Time for Paper 2a and 2b - BArch and BPlan
The candidates who applied for BArch and BPlan both have to appear for the JEE Main exam as per the schedule below:
Note that in the JEE Main 2026 session 2, the papers 2a and 2b will be held in one shift only.
| Shift | Paper 2a & 2b (BArch & BPlan) start time |
|---|---|
| JEE Main Afternoon Shift Starts at |
3 PM |
| JEE Main Afternoon Shift Ends at |
6:30 PM |
Commonly asked questions
NTA has not issued any strict guidelines on what to wear and what to avoid. NTA has only stated that shoes with a thick sole and garments with large buttons are not allowed.
Also, Sikh candidates are allowed to carry religious or customary attire such as a Kara or Kirpan.
In 2026, NTA conducted JEE Mains in 315 cities in India and 15 cities abroad.
No. NTA has clearly mentioned that ot will not change the dates of JEE Main exam of there is a clash of dates with any other examinations.
NTA Score in JEE Main result is the normalised score or percentile scores secured by the candidate.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Centre Reporting Time and Gate Closing Time for Shifts 1 & 2
Apart from the exam time, candidates have to follow a specific timeline on the exam day. This includes reporting time at the centre, entry time, gate closing time and more. Note that no candidate will be allowed to enter the JEE Mains exam centre if they arrive after the gate closing time. Hence, all candidates have to be present at the exam centre before the gate closes for their respective shifts.
Check below the timings for the exam day of the JEE Main April exam, which all candidates have to follow in the morning and afternoon slots:
Session |
Morning Shift |
Afternoon Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting time |
7:00 AM |
1:00 PM |
| Entry to the examination centre/ Hall/ Room Frisking Biometric registration Record of manual attendance by the Invigilator Document verification Cross-checking of admit card, signature and photo match |
7.00 AM to 8.30 AM | 1:00 PM to 2.30 PM |
| Entry gate closing time | 8:30 AM sharp | 2:30 PM sharp |
| Instructions by the invigilator(s) | 8.30 AM to 8.50 AM | 2.30 PM to 2.50 PM |
| Candidates log in to read instructions | 8.50 AM | 2.50 PM |
| Test commences | 9.00 AM | 3.00 PM |
| Test ends | 12 Noon | 6 PM |
Also Read: How to Check JEE Main Exam Date 2026: City Slip & Admit Card Guide
Commonly asked questions
JEE Main exam is in two shifts each day. First shift is from 9 am to 12 noon and second shift is from 3 pm to 5 pm. Exam is conducted over a period of 5-6 days. In total JEE Main has 10-12 shifts per session. Each session has different question paper set. The exam is for 3 hours.
Yes, you must carry your original PwD certificate (or UDID card) to the JEE Main exam centre to avail of relaxation or scribe services.
NTA conducted the JEE Main 2026 session 2 exam between April 2 and 8.
Candidates can check the allotted JEE Mains 2027 exam date on their JEE admit card and also on the city intimation slip.
Important Events & Their Timeline for JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Exam Day
On the exam day, candidates have to follow the process below:
- Security Check, document verification & biometric verification (1 hour almost)
- Candidates should occupy their seats as allotted in the exam hall.
- Instructions by the invigilator and login instructions (almost 30 minutes)
Since all these processes take time, candidates are asked to reach the exam centre much before the exam starts.
| Curious about which college you may get based on your JEE Main 2026 performance? Check out the JEE Main college predictor 2026 by Shiksha.com, which predicts college based on your JEE Main marks, ranks and percentile after analysing data from previous year cutoffs. JEE Main College Predictor 2026 |
Commonly asked questions
As per many experts, JEE Main 2026 exam held in session 1 was the toughest in recent history.
Chemistry was the easiest subject and NCERT based. It was lengthy and tricky this year.
Maths was the toughest, and physics was also moderate to tough. Overall paper was lengthy, and candidates found it difficult to manage time and complete paper on time.
No. Any kind of calculator - virtual or physical - is not allowed at the JEE Main exam centres.
Candidates can check the JEE Main exam date for session 2 on their city slip and also on their JEE Main admit card.
No. NTA has not allowed calculators of kind - virtual or physical inside the JEE Main exam hall. Candidates must not carry calculators or any other electronic device in the JEE Main examination centre.
On the JEE Mains 2026 Exam Day - Carry These Items
Candidates need to carry the following items to the exam centre.
- Admit card along with the filled-in Self Declaration
- Two passport-size photos
- Any one photo ID proof among – valid School Identity Card/ PAN card / Voter ID/ Passport/ Aadhaar Card (with photograph)/ e-Aadhaar with photograph/ Class 12 Board Admit Card with photograph/ Bank Passbook with Photograph.
- Medical certificate (for PwD/PwBD candidates to avail scribe service)
- A simple transparent Ball Point Pen
Note: For the BArch paper, candidates must bring their own geometry set, colour pencils, erasers and pencils. No watercolours are required
Read More:
Commonly asked questions
National Testing Agency generally conducts the JEE Main exam two times in a year. The first attempt is conducted in January and the second attempt in April. JEE Main 2026 exam dates have been announced by the NTA for both sessions. The first attempt of JEE Main 2026 will be conducted from January 21 to 30 while the second attempt will be conducted from April 2 to 9. Only in the year 2022, NTA conducted JEE Mains in four sessions due to COVID-19. The number of sessions and date for any year is announced by the NTA at the time of release of application form.
National Testing Agency conducts JEE Main exam in a total of 13 languages. The languages in which paper is conducted are Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu in addition to Hindi English and Gujarati. Students can select the language of their choice from the available options while filling the application form. The language of JEE Main question paper during the exam will be available in 3 languages- English Hindi and the language selected by the candidates. The language of paper can be switched among these 3 languages during the exam.
JEE Main exam is conducted in online mode as a computer based test. This is conducted in 3 different courses. The exam for B.Tech and B. Plan is completely online while the exam for B.Arch is partially online and drawing part is conducted offline.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 hours ago
No, a JEE Main score alone is not sufficient for direct entry to UG courses at the TUM. For direct entry to UG courses at TU Munich having a qualifying JEE Advanced score is mandatory.
Students with a JEE Main score and a Class 12th completion certificate will need to take the Studienkolleg (prepar
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 hours ago
Not always. While most reputed colleges prefer JEE Main scores, some private engineering colleges in Indore also offer direct admission based on Class 12th merit, especially under management quota seats. So, if you haven't cleared JEE Main with a strong rank, you may still get into a decent private
T
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, JECRC University grants scholarship to BTech students based on JEE Main scores. Check below score-wise scholarship:
- Candidates with JEE Main percentile score of 85 to 89.99 (General Category), shall get 15% scholarship on Tuition Fee.
- Candidates with JEE Main percentile score of more than 90 (Ge
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
No. While there is an overlap, the GUJCET syllabus is more aligned with state-level board books and is less advanced than JEE Main.
V
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a week ago
Adamas University cutoff 2026 is out for Round 3 admission to the BTech courses. The cutoff is based on JEE Main entrance exam scores, followed by WBJEE counselling.
In the General AI category, the third-round cutoff ranks ranged between 395391 and 1180505 for BTech admission. With the lowest closing
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
GL Bajaj Institute of Technology and Management considers JEE Main score for admission in BTech course. The seats are allotted via UPTAC Counselling. Students can also get admission in BTech based on their Class 12 scores. However, preference is given to candidates with JEE Main score. They need to
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a week ago
BTech admission at GGU is based on JEE Main scores. After seat acceptance at reporting centre student must have to report physically to the institute for final admission as per the timeline given by JoSAA/ CSAB/ Spot counselling.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
According to the Lucknow University Cutoff 2026, the rank needed for getting admission in this university is 629691 for the category of General AI. Therefore, this category of students should obtain the rank of 629691 or less than this rank for being eligible for admission in this university.
It shou
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Lucknow University CSE cutoff 2026 for the General AI category was 131278 in the last round, and for the BTech CSE (AI) course, the cutoff was 149797 in the same round. To know the last round BTech CSE cutoff for other categories, see the table below.
| Category | BTech CSE | BTech CSE (AI) |
|---|---|---|
| General | 131278 | 149797 |
| OBC | 152450 | 168280 |
| SC | 330025 | 365271 |
| ST | 1020632 | 759618 |
| EWS | 145455 | 157942 |
| PWD | 1264633 | 1150097 |
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, JEE Main is not mandatory for admission in BTech programme of SOA University. It is optional. Aspirants can also appear for SAAT conducted by deemed-to-be university for admission in BTech.
N
Guide-Level 15
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