JEE Main 2026: Exam Date, City Intimation & Admit Card

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially sounded the bugle for one of India’s biggest engineering entrance examinations. If you are an engineering aspirant preparing for the JEE Main 2026, the wait for the first major update is over. The NTA has released the JEE Main city intimation slip 2026 for Session 1, and the exam dates are now set in stone.

In this detailed blog post, we will cover every aspect of the NTA JEE Main 2026, including the confirmed JEE Main 2026 exam date, how to download your slip, shift timings, and what to expect in the coming days regarding the JEE Main session 1 admit card. We have also compiled essential information on the JEE Main 2026 syllabus, eligibility, and preparation strategies to help you crack the exam.

JEE Main 2026 Exam Date & Schedule

The NTA has announced the specific dates for the conduct of the examination. The exam date for Session 1 spans across late January. The exam will be conducted for both Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) and Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning).

Exam Details	Important Information
Exam Name	Joint Entrance Examination (Main) 2026
Conducting Body	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Session	Session 1 (January 2026)
JEE Main 2026 Exam Date (Paper 1)	21, 22, 23, 24, 28 January 2026
JEE Main 2026 Exam Date (Paper 2)	29 January 2026
City Slip Status	Released (08 Jan 2026)
Admit Card Status	To be released 2-3 days before exam

JEE Main 2026 Shift Timings

Understanding the JEE Main 2026 shift timings is vital for your biological clock adjustment during the final days of JEE Main 2026 preparation. The exam is conducted in two shifts daily.

How to Download JEE Main City Intimation Slip 2026?

The link to check the examination city has been active since 08 January 2026. Follow these steps to download your slip:

1. Visit the JEE Main 2026 official website: https://jeemain.nta.nic.in/.
2. Look for the link titled “JEE(Main) 2026 : City Intimation” or similar on the homepage.
3. Enter your Application Number and Date of Birth (DOB).
4. Enter the Security Pin displayed on the screen.
5. Click on ‘Submit’ or ‘Login’.
6. Your City Intimation Slip will appear on the screen showing your allotted JEE Main 2026 exam center city.
7. Download and print it for your reference.

If you face any difficulty in downloading the slip, you can contact the NTA Helpdesk at 011-40759000 or email them at jeemain@nta.ac.in.

Admit Card Release Date & Process

While the city slip is out, the admit card is the document that will grant you entry into the exam hall. Historically, the NTA releases the JEE Main session 1 admit card 2-3 days before the examination date.

How to Download JEE Main Admit Card?

Once released, the process will be similar to downloading the city slip:

• Go to the official website.
• Click on the JEE Main 2026 admit card download link.
• Complete the JEE Main 2026 login with your credentials.
• Download the Hall Ticket.
• Check for details like Roll Number, specific Center Address, and Reporting Time.

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria & 75 Percent Rule

For aspirants targeting NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs, understanding the JEE Main eligibility criteria is strictly necessary.

• Age Limit: There is generally no age limit for appearing in JEE Main. The candidate must have passed the Class 12 equivalent examination.
• 75 Percent Criteria for JEE Main 2026: Candidates must ensure they meet the board percentage requirement (usually 75% for General/OBC and 65% for SC/ST) for admission to NITs/IIITs/CFTIs. This is a criterion for admission during JoSAA counseling rather than for simply appearing in the entrance exam.

Syllabus & Marking Scheme

To score high marks, you must be thorough with the syllabus. The JEE Main 2026 syllabus generally covers topics from Class 11 and Class 12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

Candidates should practice using the JEE Main previous year paper to get accustomed to the weightage of topics and the computer-based testing environment.

Preparation Strategy for Last 15 Days

With the exam dates confirmed for 21st to 29th January 2026, the final leg of preparation has begun. Here are some quick tips:

• Mock Tests: Attempt a full-length JEE Main mock test 2026 every alternate day during the time slot of your actual exam (9-12 or 3-6) to build stamina.
• Revision: Focus on NCERT books, especially for Chemistry. These are considered the best books for JEE Main 2026 foundation.
• Analysis: Analyze your mock tests to predict your score. You can use a rank predictor tool post-exam to gauge your standing.
• Question Paper: Solve the question paper from previous years (2024, 2025) to understand the trending difficulty level.