JEE Main 2026 Session 1: City Slip, Admit Card & Exam Details. Candidates preparing for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 are eagerly waiting for the release of their exam date, shift and centre details. As the National Testing Agency (NTA) moves through the final stages of scheduling, students want clarity so they can plan revision, travel, and exam-day strategy with confidence.
Knowing when and where the exam will be held helps reduce anxiety, especially when the competition is intense and every minute of preparation matters.
“Preparation becomes powerful the moment clarity replaces confusion.”
With this thought, here is a complete guide on when NTA will allot exam date, shift, and exam city for JEE Main 2026 Session 1, along with updated details, timings, allotment rules, and key changes.
JEE Main 2026 Session 1: City Slip, Admit Card & Exam Details
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) 2026 |
| Department / Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| State / Coverage | Pan-India (exam centres across all states & UTs) |
| Vacancies / Seats | Used for admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs & eligibility for JEE Advanced (varies each year) |
| Important Dates | Session 1 Exam: 21–30 January 2026; City Slip: Expected 1st week of Jan 2026; Admit Card: 3–4 days before exam date |
| Important Change | No option to change exam date/shift once allotted; stricter guidelines for duplicate applications |
| Any Price Change | No new fee changes announced after November 2025 |
| Target Students | Class 12 appearing/ passed students seeking admission in engineering, architecture & planning courses |
| Official Website | jeemain.nta.nic.in |
| Other Key Information | Exam held in two shifts daily; admit card contains exact centre & shift details |
When Will NTA Allot JEE Main 2026 Exam Date, Shift & Centre?
NTA allots the exam date and exam city first, followed by the exact centre and exam shift. Candidates can expect the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 City Intimation Slip in the first week of January 2026. This slip will contain the allotted exam date and exam city, helping students plan travel and stay, especially for centres away from their home state.
The exact exam centre address and exact shift (morning or evening) are not released in the city slip. They appear only on the admit card, which will be issued 3–4 days before the exam.
JEE Main 2026 Admit Card Release
NTA typically follows a predictable pattern:
- City slip → early January 2026
- Admit card → around 17–20 January 2026 (depending on the candidate’s exam date)
Candidates must download the admit card from the official website using their application number and password. The admit card is mandatory at the exam centre along with a valid ID proof.
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam Dates
The JEE Main Session 1 examination will be conducted from:
21 January to 30 January 2026
These dates apply to Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech.), Paper 2A (B.Arch.), and Paper 2B (B.Planning), with shifts distributed across multiple days.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Shift Timings
Based on previous years and confirmed schedules:
| Shift | Exam Timing |
| Morning Shift (Shift 1) | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Evening Shift (Shift 2) | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
Candidates should reach the centre at least 1 hour before the start time to complete frisking and biometric verification.
Can Candidates Change Their JEE Main 2026 Exam Date or Shift?
No, once NTA allots the exam date and shift, it cannot be changed. Even requests due to board exam clashes are not accepted. This rule ensures that the exam runs smoothly across thousands of centres nationwide.
The only scenario when a candidate might get a change is if NTA itself changes the schedule for administrative reasons — which is extremely rare.
Structure of JEE Main 2026 Papers
To help candidates understand what to expect, here is a simplified structure:
Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech.)
- Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
- Mode: Computer-Based Test
- Total Questions: 75
- Shifts: Both shifts
Paper 2A (B.Arch.)
- Includes: Maths, Aptitude, Drawing
- Mode: CBT except Drawing (pen-paper)
- Total Questions: 77
Paper 2B (B.Planning)
- Includes: Maths, Aptitude, Planning
- Total Questions: 100
- Shift: Afternoon
JEE Main 2026 Paper-wise Format
| Paper | Sections Included | Mode | Total Questions |
| Paper 1 (B.Tech.) | Maths, Physics, Chemistry | CBT | 75 |
| Paper 2A (B.Arch.) | Maths, Aptitude, Drawing | CBT + Pen Paper | 77 |
| Paper 2B (B.Planning) | Maths, Aptitude, Planning | CBT | 100 |
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Carry the admit card, ID proof, and necessary stationery for drawing (only for B.Arch.).
- Follow NTA’s exam-day guidelines strictly, especially on prohibited items.
- Download and check the city slip early to avoid last-minute travel issues.
- Use the city slip as an early indicator and the admit card for final confirmation.
- A growth-focused preparation mindset, even improving 2% daily, can make a noticeable impact.
FAQs for JEE Main 2026 Session 1: City Slip, Admit Card & Exam Details
When will JEE Main 2026 city slip release?
First week of January 2026.
When will JEE Main 2026 admit card release?
3–4 days before the exam date.
Can the exam date or shift be changed?
No, changes are not allowed.
What are the exam timings?
9 AM–12 PM and 3 PM–6 PM.
Where to download the city slip and admit card?
From jeemain.nta.nic.in.
