JEE Main 2026 Registration: Dates, Updates & Real Talk for Aspirants
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is the first big step for students dreaming of engineering and architecture in India — from B.E./B.Tech to B.Arch/B.Plan. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), it’s mostly a computer-based test (except the drawing portion for architecture) and checks your skills in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and sometimes Aptitude or Drawing. Registration is where it all begins, and getting it right matters. Miss a deadline or make a mistake, and you could face delays or disqualification. Millions of students across India will take this first step toward their engineering dreams whether it’s securing a seat in NITs, IIITs, or qualifying for JEE Advanced and aiming for an IIT. The smart move? Start early, get your documents in order, and stay ahead — it’ll save a lot of stress when the registration window opens.
Quick snapshot
- Organizer: National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Sessions: Two — January 2026 & April 2026
- Expected registration: November 2025
- Tips: Update Aadhaar, category certificate, and UDID details early
JEE Main 2025 vs 2026 Registration Dates
| Event | JEE Main 2025 | JEE Main 2026 (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 Registration Start | October 28, 2024 | October 2025 (exact date TBD) |
| Session 1 Registration End | November 22, 2024 | December 2025 (tentative) |
| Session 2 Registration Start | February 1, 2025 | First week of February 2026 (tentative) |
| Session 2 Registration End | February 25, 2025 | Last week of February 2026 (tentative) |
JEE Main 2026 Application Flow
Key Updates for JEE Main 2026
- Organizer: National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Two sessions: Session 1 (Jan 2026), Session 2 (Apr 2026)
- Ensure Aadhaar matches school records
- Update category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS)
- PwD candidates: verify UDID details
- Don’t wait till last day to apply
JEE Main Application Fees: 2025 vs 2026 (Expected)
| Category / Gender | Indian Centers 2025 (Rs.) | Indian Centers 2026 (Expected, Rs.) | Foreign Centers 2025 (Rs.) | Foreign Centers 2026 (Expected,Rs. ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General (Male) - Single session | 1,000 | 1,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| General (Female) - Single session | 800 | 800 | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| EWS/OBC-NCL (Male) - Single session | 900 | 900 | 4,500 | 4,500 |
| EWS/OBC-NCL (Female) - Single session | 800 | 800 | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| SC/ST/PwD/Transgender - Single session | 500 | 500 | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| General (Male) - Both session | 2,000 | 2,000 | 9,000 | 9,000 |
| General (Female) - Both session | 1,600 | 1,600 | 7,200 | 7,200 |
| EWS/OBC-NCL (Male) - Both session | 1,800 | 1,800 | 8,100 | 8,100 |
| EWS/OBC-NCL (Female) - Both session | 1,600 | 1,600 | 7,200 | 7,200 |
| SC/ST/PwD/Transgender - Both session | 1,000 | 1,000 | 4,500 | 4,500 |
*Note: 2026 fees are expected to be similar to 2025; exact fees will be confirmed in the official notification.*
Tip for aspirants: Keep your documents scanned and payment methods ready for the registration window. Official updates at jeemain.nta.nic.in.
FAQ quick hits
A: Yes, because of competition and syllabus. But with consistent preparation, it’s crackable.
A: Yes, with focus and discipline even 6–8 months can be enough, but starting early is better.
A: You can still apply for Session 2 in February 2026 and perform well.
A: Two sessions per year for three years after passing Class 12 (max 6 attempts).
A: Both have challenges; JEE Main tests problem-solving and speed, NEET tests large-scale competition in medical subjects.
Insights & Advice
Starting preparation early, updating documents, and understanding timelines are key. Stay disciplined, follow official updates, and plan for both sessions.