JEE Main Exam Timing 2026: Exam Shift Time & Paper Schedule
Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) Main 2026 ( JEE Main )
Exam On - 21 Jan '26 - 29 Jan '26
The National Testing Agency (NTA) released JEE Main dates for the 2026 session. As it is India’s top engineering exam, NTA conducts it for two sessions to ensure it is organized smoothly. Check here the JEE Main exam timing for the 2026 session.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Shift Time & Paper Schedule
JEE Main Exam Timing 2026: The exam body, National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the JEE Main schedule for the 2026 academic cycle. As this is India’s top engineering exam, NTA has established a rigorous schedule for the JEE Main examination to ensure it is conducted smoothly on time without any fuss. As the JEE Main is divided across two sessions (January and April), the date, time, and shifts operate with a standardized morning and afternoon shift structure.
As per the JEE Main pattern, the question paper on these exam dates will follow a specified marking scheme according to which +4 will be allotted to each correct response, whereas -1 for will be deducted for incorrect answers for both MCQs and Numerical Value Questions. There is no negative marking for the Drawing section in Paper 2A. In this article on JEE Main exam timings 2026, we have shared the shift-wise exam dates, timing and sessions of this engineering entrance exam.
Also read: Best Branches in Engineering
- JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates
- JEE Main Exam Timing: Shift-wise Timings
- JEE Main Exam Timing: What is the Duration of JEE Main Examination?
- JEE Main Exam Timing: Pre-Exam Deadlines
- JEE Main: Exam Day Guidelines
JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates
The JEE Main 2026 exam dates are announced by NTA. From the following table, candidates can check the dates of JEE Main for both the sessions, January and April. Candidates with valid admit cards will be able to appear in the exam on the said dates. They will have to carry a printed admit card along with a valid original photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID), and a passport-size photograph matching the one in the application.
| Session |
Paper Type |
Examination Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 (January) |
Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) |
January 21, 22, 23, 24, and 28, 2026 |
| Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning) |
January 29, 2026 |
|
| Session 2 (April) |
All Papers |
April 2 to April 9, 2026 |
Also read: Top B.Tech Colleges in North India
JEE Main Exam Timing: Shift-wise Timings
As per NTA, JEE Main 2026 will be conducted in two shifts per day. Candidates will be assigned one date to appear in the exam, and the detailed time, session and exam centre of the same will be clearly mentioned on their respective JEE Main admit card. Here is the time of the JEE Main 2026.
| Event
|
Shift 1 (Morning) |
Shift 2 (Afternoon) |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting & Entry |
7:00 AM - 8:30 AM |
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM |
| Last Entry Allowed |
8:30 AM |
2:30 PM |
| Instructions by Invigilator |
8:30 AM - 8:50 AM |
2:30 PM - 2:50 PM |
| Login to Read Instructions |
8:50 AM |
2:50 PM |
| Test Commences |
9:00 AM |
3:00 PM |
| Test Concludes |
12:00 PM |
6:00 PM |
For Paper 2 (B.Arch & B.Planning combined), the exam concludes at 12:30 PM (Shift 1) or 6:30 PM (Shift 2).
The difficulty level of JEE Main 2025 April 2 shift 1 exam will be available after the exam concludes. Shiksha will provide the difficulty level and JEE Main paper analysis, students reaction based on feedback from students who are appearing in the exam.
JEE Main exam is held for 3 hours continuously without any break. Candidates are allowed to leave exam hall only after 3 hours of the test are over.
Also read: 30 Chapters to Score 180+ Marks in JEE Mains
JEE Main Exam Timing: What is the Duration of JEE Main Examination?
The duration of the JEE Main exam varies based on paper type and candidate category. From the following table, students can get an idea about the paper wise time duration for normal and specialized category candidates.
| Paper Type
|
Duration |
|---|---|
| Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) |
3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Paper 2A (B.Arch) or 2B (B.Planning) |
3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Combined Paper 2A & 2B |
3 hours 30 minutes (210 minutes) |
| PwD Candidates |
4 hours (Includes 20 mins compensatory time per hour) |
JEE Main Exam Timing: Pre-Exam Deadlines
As the JEE Main for January session is just round the corner, the exam body is on its toes releasing key events related to the exam. They released the JEE Main city intimation slip on January 8, 2026, for Session 1 and candidates can check their allotted city at the official NTA portal. They will be releasing the JEE Main admit card typically 3-4 days before the specific exam date. Candidates who registered using non-Aadhaar identity proofs will have to upload a photo verification certificate by January 15, 2026.
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JEE Main 2026 session 1 exam will be held between January 21 to 30. Around 12 days are left for the exams. Candidates can also appear for the JEE Main 2026 session 2 exams to be held between April 2 to 9.
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.
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.
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JEE Main: Exam Day Guidelines
As JEE Main is the top engineering entrance exam of India, it becomes mandatory for the exam body NTA to ensure the exam is organised in a healthy and sophisticated manner, as the fate of lakhs of students depend on it. Hence, to maintain the integrity of the schedule, NTA enforces strict entry protocols. Here are some of the guidelines which candidates must follow while appearing in the entrance exam -
- No candidate will be permitted to enter inside the exam center after 8:30 AM for morning shift or 2:30 PM for afternoon shift.
- It is advised to candidates to report to the exam centre at least 60 minutes prior (7:00 AM morning shift or 1:00 PM afternoon shift). This extra time will help them complete mandatory biometric registration and security checks.
- Students must avoid carrying electronic gadgets, mobile phones, calculators, and smartwatches. They can however, wear simple analog watches, though many centers provide digital clocks on computer screens.
- Students are strictly advised to wear light, half-sleeve clothing without large buttons or many pockets. Cargo pants, heavy jackets, hats or caps are a simple no.
- They must avoid closed footwear such as boots; slippers or sandals with low heels are recommended.
- They must also avoid wearing flashy jewelry, metal accessories, bracelets, belts, etc.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 days ago
No, JEE Main is not mandatory for UPES Dehradun BTech admission. While the university accepts the scores of the exam, it is not the only accepted exam. Students can also submit scores of UPESEAT/ SAT India/ CUET exams for BTech admission.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
The Shivaji University JEE Main Cutoff 2025 was released for admission to the BE/BTech course via the JEE Main entrance exam. The cutoff was released in ranks for all categories under the All India quota.
In the case of General AI category, the cutoff ranged from 17423 to 659665, wherein Walchand Col
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
The Bundelkhand University JEE Main cutoff 2024 was out for all categories of students who belonged to the Home State quota. For the OBC HS category, the closing cutoff in the last round ranged from 273755 to 973020. Among all the BE/BTech specialisations, the hardest one for admission was B.Tech. i
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
The Bundelkhand University JEE Main Cutoff 2025 was published for admission to the BE/BTech courses for all rounds and categories under the Home State quota. As per the last round closing ranks, the cutoff ranged from 216275 to 1281371, wherein B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering was the tou
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Even though the syllabus of the BCECE Mathematics is same as that of JEE Main, the difficulty level is not the same. JEE Main exam is much tougher than the BCECE exam.
V
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
Jiwaji University BE cutoff 2025 was released for all rounds for admission to the BE programmes on the basis of the JEE Main cutoff ranks. According to the Jiwaji University JEE Main Cutoff 2025, the cutoff range in the last round was between 158341 and 337310. The hardest and the easiest course for
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Amity University, Lucknow accepts JEE Main scores for admission to BTech programme. However, it is not compuslory. Aspirants can also get admission in BTech based on AMCAT or any other national or state-level Engineering entrance exam scores.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered a week ago
DBRAU JEE Main cutoff 2025 was released for admission to the BE courses. Yes, students can get admission to the DBRAU BE courses according to the JEE Main cutoff 2024 with a rank of 30000. The cutoff ranged from 327178 to 1341021 in the first and last round closing ranks. The hardest and the easiest
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The DBRAU JEE Main Cutoff 2024 was published for admission to various BE/BTech course specialisations for different categories under the Home State quota. The cutoff for the General HS category ranged from 520157 to 1341021, wherein B.E. in Computer Science and Engineering was the toughest course fo
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, JEE Mains scores are not compulsory for admissions to the BTech course at Sai University, because the university also takes other entrance exam scores into account to get students. The scores that the university accepts, apart from the JEE Mains scores, are SAIU CAT, SAT, and other national/stat
A
Contributor-Level 9
NTA has announced the JEE Mains 2026 session 1 exam date. Paper 1 exam will be held on January 21, 22, 23, 24 and 28, and paper 2 exam will be held on January 29. NTA will conduct the exam in two shifts every exam day in approximately 300 test cities of India and abroad. Candidates can check details about exam dates and other schedules on the JEE Main official website jeemain.nta.nic.in.