JEE Main 2026: Update Documents

Aspiring engineering students across the nation are on high alert as the Joint Entrance Examination (Main) 2026, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is set to kick off its registration process soon. While the official, precise start date has not been formally announced yet, all indicators and recent communications from the NTA point towards the commencement of the online application process for Session 1 in October 2025.

The JEE Main is the primary gateway for admission to prestigious institutions like the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs). It also serves as the qualifying examination for JEE (Advanced), required for entry into the highly-coveted Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

When and Where to Apply for JEE Main 2026

The entire application process for the JEE Main 2026 will be conducted exclusively in the online mode.

• Official Website: Candidates must apply through the official NTA JEE Main website, which is jeemain.nta.nic.in.
• Expected Registration Start Date: The application window for Session 1 (January 2026 Exam) is widely expected to open in October 2025.
• Expected Exam Schedule: The NTA has confirmed that the examination will follow its customary bi-annual format:
  • Session 1: Expected to be held in January 2026.
  • Session 2: Expected to be held in April 2026.

Candidates are reminded that the application process is typically separate for each session. Students can register for Session 1 in the initial window, and then later apply for Session 2 when that dedicated window opens (tentatively in February 2026), using the same application number.

NTA Issues Key Pre-Registration Advisory

In a recent and crucial public notice, the NTA has strongly advised all JEE Main 2026 aspirants to ensure their official documents are updated and accurate before the application form filling begins. This proactive step is intended to eliminate discrepancies that could lead to grievances or the rejection of applications at a later stage of the admission process.

Key Documents to Verify and Update:

1. Aadhaar Card: Ensure that all personal details, including your name, date of birth (as per the Class 10 certificate), latest photograph, address, and father’s name, are correct and match your other official records.
2. Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card: Candidates applying under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category must ensure their UDID card is valid, updated, and renewed as required.
3. Category Certificate: Aspirants applying under reserved categories (EWS, SC, ST, and OBC-NCL) must possess valid and updated category certificates that comply with the latest central government requirements. For the OBC-NCL and EWS categories, it is critical to ensure the certificates are issued within the current prescribed financial year.

How to Apply Online: A Step-by-Step Guide

While detailed instructions will be released in the official information bulletin, the online application process generally involves four main steps:

1. Registration: Visit the official portal (jeemain.nta.nic.in) and complete the ‘New Candidate Registration’ by providing basic personal details, creating a password, and noting down the system-generated Application Number.
2. Fill Application Form: Log in using the Application Number and Password. Fill in the comprehensive application form, including personal, academic, and contact details. Select your preferred four exam cities and the medium of the question paper.
3. Upload Documents: Upload scanned images of your passport-size photograph and signature in the format and size specified by the NTA. Category or PwD certificates may also need to be uploaded at this stage.
4. Fee Payment: Pay the non-refundable examination fee online using a debit card, credit card, Net Banking, or UPI. A confirmation page will be generated upon successful payment.

Candidates are strongly urged to save and print the final Confirmation Page after submitting their application and making the fee payment. Regular monitoring of the official NTA and JEE Main websites is advised for the release of the final dates and the Information Bulletin.