JEE Main Important Dates
Application, correction, admit-card, examination, result and counselling timelines.
Calendar and deadline tracker
Follow the examination journey from notification to counselling.
Dates, fees, cutoffs and rules can change between admission cycles. Confirm dynamic details on the conducting authority’s official portal before acting.
JEE Main 2026 schedule at a glance
The original NTA bulletin scheduled Session 1 between 21 and 30 January 2026 and Session 2 between 2 and 9 April 2026. Session 1 applications opened on 31 October 2025 and closed on 27 November 2025. Admit cards were scheduled for release a few days before each allotted examination date. The final Paper 1 ranks were declared on 20 April 2026.
| Stage | Session 1 | Session 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Application period | 31 October–27 November 2025 | Announced separately by NTA |
| Examination window | 21–30 January 2026 | 2–9 April 2026 |
| City intimation | Before the admit card | Before the admit card |
| Admit card | Normally 3–4 days before the allotted exam | Normally 3–4 days before the allotted exam |
| Paper 1 final rank/result | Combined after both sessions | 20 April 2026 |
These dates describe the 2026 cycle and should not be copied forward as predictions for 2027. Future-cycle dates remain to be announced until NTA publishes a new bulletin.
JoSAA 2026 timeline
The JoSAA process began after the JEE Main and JEE Advanced results. Registration and choice filling opened on 2 June 2026. Two mock allocations helped candidates understand the likely effect of their choices before locking. Round 1 seat allocation was announced on 13 June, followed by additional rounds. The published schedule included five rounds for IIT/IISc allocation, with later NIT+ system activity governed by the detailed JoSAA and CSAB schedules.
Dates candidates commonly misunderstand
City intimation is not the admit card. It generally tells the candidate the allotted examination city so that travel can be planned. The admit card gives the centre address, reporting instructions, date and shift.
The answer-key window is short. Provisional keys and recorded responses may be available only for a few days. Download the question paper, response sheet and payment receipt immediately.
A result deadline is not a counselling registration. Candidates must register separately at JoSAA, fill choices and complete every reporting action before its deadline.
Deadline management checklist
- Use an email address and mobile number that will remain accessible throughout admission.
- Save the application number, password and confirmation page in two secure locations.
- Follow only notices published on the official NTA and JoSAA domains.
- Record deadlines in IST and complete payment at least a day early.
- Recheck the dashboard after payment; a bank debit alone does not prove submission.
- During counselling, check for document-verification queries daily and respond before the stated time.
Also review the application guide, admit-card instructions, result guide and counselling process.
Exam at a Glance
- Admission LevelUndergraduate engineering, architecture and planning admissions
- Conducting AuthorityNational Testing Agency
- Exam CategoryUndergraduate Engineering