JEE Main 2026 Session 1: Admit Cards Expected Soon as Exams Approach Amid Minor Schedule Adjustments

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is gearing up for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 Session 1, a crucial gateway for aspiring engineers seeking admission to prestigious institutions like NITs, IIITs, and other government-funded technical institutes. With the exams set to begin shortly, candidates are eagerly awaiting their hall tickets while noting a recent accommodation for students in one state.

Exam Schedule Overview

The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 examinations are scheduled from January 21 to January 29, 2026.

• Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech): Will be conducted on January 21, 22, 23, 24, and 28, 2026.
• Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning): Scheduled for January 29, 2026.

The exam will be held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across multiple shifts:

• Forenoon shift: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Afternoon shift: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Candidates are advised to check the official website (jeemain.nta.nic.in) regularly for their exact allotted date and shift.

Admit Card Release Update

As per NTA guidelines and recent patterns, the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 admit cards are expected to be released around January 16–18, 2026 (approximately 3–4 days before the first exam date).

The hall tickets will be available for download on the official NTA portal using the candidate’s application number and date of birth or password. The admit card will include essential details such as:

• Candidate’s name and roll number
• Exam date and shift timing
• Reporting time
• Exam centre address
• Important instructions

Candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid photo ID to the exam centre—no entry will be permitted without it.

Note: The advance city intimation slip (already released earlier in January) informs candidates of their allotted exam city but is not the final admit card.

Special Arrangement for West Bengal Candidates

In response to representations from candidates and considering the cultural significance of Saraswati Puja (which falls on January 23, 2026, coinciding with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary), the NTA has announced that no candidates in West Bengal will be allotted the exam on January 23.

Affected candidates will be reassigned an alternative exam date from the existing advertised schedule for Session 1. This change applies only to West Bengal centres and aims to avoid inconvenience during the festival. Updated details will be communicated via the official website and admit cards.

This decision follows requests from students, stakeholders, and even political figures highlighting the importance of the occasion in the state.

Key Advice for Candidates

With the exams just days away, aspirants should:

• Keep login credentials ready for quick admit card download.
• Verify all details on the hall ticket and report any discrepancies immediately.
• Plan travel to the exam centre in advance.
• Follow official NTA updates only—avoid unverified rumours.

The NTA emphasizes that the JEE Main provides two attempts (Session 2 in April 2026), giving candidates a chance to improve their scores.

Stay focused, and best wishes to all engineering aspirants for a successful JEE Main 2026! For the latest official information, visit jeemain.nta.nic.in.