JEE Main 2026 Application Form: Dates, Registration, Fees, Eligibility, and Step-by-Step Process

JEE Main 2026 application form will be released for Session 1 (January) and Session 2 (April) on the official portal, jeemain.nta.nic.in. This guide covers registration dates, required documents, fee structure, eligibility, correction window, and the step-by-step process. Exam timelines remain Jan 21–30, 2026 and Apr 1–10, 2026, as notified. All details are organized for quick reference at the top, followed by a detailed walkthrough.

Expect a clean, step-by-step flow for how to fill JEE Main 2026 application form, plus quick access to jeemain.nta.nic.in 2026 registration through the Candidate Activity section. The page also surfaces must-know subtopics searched most frequently—JEE Main 2026 application form date, JEE Main 2026 application last date, JEE Main 2026 application fee, JEE Main 2026 eligibility criteria, JEE Main 2026 exam date, JEE Main 2026 application form correction, and the verified JEE Main 2026 official website and NTA JEE Main 2026 registration link.

JEE Main 2026 Application Form Dates

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria — Who Can Apply?

Understanding the JEE Main 2026 eligibility criteria is essential before beginning the registration process on jeemain.nta.nic.in. This section outlines the academic requirements, subject combinations, and qualifying conditions that determine exam eligibility. It also highlights the specific admission rules followed by NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs based on Class 12 performance.

Core Eligibility Criteria for JEE Main 2026

The NTA JEE Main 2026 Application Form accepts candidates who meet the following requirements:

Key Point: Eligibility is based solely on year of passing and subject combination, not age. Candidates who passed Class 12 before 2024 are not eligible.

Also Check: JEE Main 2026 Admit Card

Admission Criteria for NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs

While eligibility for appearing in JEE Main remains flexible, admission to top engineering institutes under NTA follows stricter academic benchmarks:

This 75% criteria for JEE Main 2026 applies only during the counseling and admission phase, not for writing the exam. Candidates meeting either the percentage or percentile condition will be considered eligible for admission.

 Before filling out the JEE Main 2026 Application Form, ensure all eligibility conditions are satisfied — correct passing year, required subjects, and the minimum qualifying marks for NIT, IIIT, or CFTI admission. Verification of eligibility at the time of counseling is mandatory, and incorrect details may lead to disqualification.

What’s New in JEE Main 2026 Application Process

NTA has introduced several important changes to the registration and exam structure for 2026.

1. Revised Question Paper Format: Section B will no longer include optional questions. Every question is compulsory, requiring complete syllabus coverage.
2. Negative Marking in Numerical Value Questions: Incorrect responses in numerical questions will now attract negative marks, emphasizing accuracy over guesswork.
3. Updated Tie-Breaking Policy: Tie resolution order: Mathematics → Physics → Chemistry.
   Age and application number no longer influence ranking.
4. No Age Limit for Applicants: Any candidate who passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025, or appears in 2026, can apply. No upper or lower age restriction applies.
5. Aadhaar-Based Auto-Fill System: The 2026 form will fetch name, date of birth, photo, and address directly from Aadhaar.

Also Check: JEE Mains 2026 Syllabus

JEE Main 2026 Application Process — Step-by-Step Guide to Fill the Form

Completing the JEE Main 2026 application form on jeemain.nta.nic.in involves multiple steps, from registration to final confirmation. This detailed walkthrough simplifies the NTA JEE Main 2026 application process, ensuring that all details, documents, and payment steps are correctly completed.

Stage 1 — JEE Main 2026 Registration

The first step in the JEE Main registration 2026 process is creating a new account on the official portal.

Steps to register:

1. Visit jeemain.nta.nic.in and click on “New Registration” under the Candidate Activity section.
2. Read the NTA instructions carefully and check the declaration box.
3. Enter the basic details — candidate’s name, date of birth, gender, and valid contact information.
4. Set a secure password and choose a security question.
5. Submit the details to generate the Application Number.

After submission, the system creates a unique JEE Main 2026 Application Number and password, which are required for all further logins.

Stage 2 — Filling the JEE Main 2026 Application Form

Once registration is complete, proceed to fill in the personal, academic, and exam-related details.

Sections to complete:

• Personal Details: Candidate name, parent names, nationality, category, gender, and identification type.
• Academic Information: Board name, year of passing, school code, and qualifying examination details (Class 10 and Class 12).
• Exam City Preference: Select up to four preferred exam cities in order of convenience.
• Paper Selection: Choose Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), Paper 2A (B.Arch), or Paper 2B (B.Planning), or multiple if applicable.

Before moving to the next step, recheck all entries — errors in personal or academic details can only be corrected later through the application correction window.

Stage 3 — Uploading Documents for JEE Main 2026

The next step involves uploading the required scanned images and certificates as per NTA specifications.

Documents to upload:

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Candidate’s signature
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• PwD/UDID certificate (if applicable)
• Class 10 certificate (for date of birth verification)

File guidelines:

• Upload files in JPG/JPEG or PDF format.
• Ensure the size is within the prescribed limits (photo: 10–200 KB, signature: 4–30 KB).
• Check image clarity and alignment before final submission.

Stage 4 — Payment of JEE Main 2026 Application Fee

After document upload, pay the application fee online through any of the accepted methods:

• Debit/Credit Card
• Net Banking
• UPI

Once the payment is processed successfully, a confirmation message and payment receipt will appear on the screen. Keep a copy of the transaction details safe — it will be required for verification.

Note: The application form is considered complete only after the successful payment of the fee.

Stage 5 — Download the JEE Main 2026 Confirmation Page

After payment, the final step is to download the confirmation page.

Key points:

• Save and print multiple copies of the confirmation page.
• Check that the form shows “Successfully Submitted” along with the transaction ID.
• Keep this document until the end of the admission and counseling process.

The JEE Main 2026 application process involves five simple stages — registration, form filling, document upload, fee payment, and confirmation download. Following each step carefully on the NTA JEE Main 2026 application portal prevents common errors and ensures smooth submission.

JEE Main 2026 Application Fee Structure

JEE Main 2026 Application Form Errors — Step-by-Step Solutions to Common Problems

Filling out the JEE Main 2026 application form can be stressful when technical glitches or document mismatches occur. The National Testing Agency (NTA) provides in-built correction features and a post-submission application correction window to help fix most errors. This section explains the most frequent problems faced by candidates and offers clear, actionable solutions to prevent delays or rejection during the NTA JEE Main 2026 registration process on jeemain.nta.nic.in.

The ‘Name and Personal Details’ Mismatch Issue

The Problem: A common issue during the JEE Main 2026 registration occurs when a candidate’s name, date of birth, or parent details differ between Aadhaar, Class 10 certificate, and Class 12 marksheet. Even small spelling variations can trigger authentication failures or disqualification at the document verification stage.

Preventive Step — Update Aadhaar Details Early

Ensure that Aadhaar details match the Class 10 records exactly before starting the application. Name, date of birth, and gender must be identical across all official documents. Updates can be made at any UIDAI enrollment centre or online via myAadhaar portal.

Using NTA’s Built-In Correction Option

If a mismatch is detected after registration, use the “Correction in Particulars” feature during the official JEE Main 2026 correction window. The NTA allows limited fields (such as parent names, gender, or category) to be corrected directly within the portal before the correction deadline.

Contingency Plan — Notarized Affidavit for Counseling

In rare cases where discrepancies persist even after correction, prepare a notarized affidavit stating that both names refer to the same individual. This document is widely accepted during JEE Main counseling and ensures eligibility validation at NITs or IIITs.

The Document Upload Error — A Quick Fix Guide

The Problem: While uploading documents, candidates often encounter messages like “Invalid File Format”, “File Size Too Large”, or “Image Not Clear”. Such issues delay submission and may even cause form rejection.

Recommended Tools for Image Optimization

Use verified online tools such as TinyJPG, ILovePDF, or SmallPDF to compress, crop, or convert files to meet the exact JEE Main 2026 upload size and format (JPG/JPEG/PDF). Avoid screenshots or mobile-scanned documents that distort image clarity.

Visual Upload Checklist

• Ensure the photo background is white, face is clear, and 80% visible.
• Signature must be in blue or black ink on white paper.
• Avoid selfies, shadows, or tilted photos.
• Preview every file before final submission.

Following these best practices helps prevent common upload errors on the JEE Main 2026 form.

The Category Certificate Confusion — Explained Clearly

Many candidates face confusion about the validity date, issuing authority, and format of their OBC-NCL, EWS, or SC/ST certificates. Submitting an incorrect or expired document can lead to cancellation of category benefits during counseling.

Validity Date Rule for OBC-NCL and EWS Certificates

For JEE Main 2026, OBC-NCL and EWS certificates must be issued on or after April 1, 2026. Certificates dated earlier than this are not accepted for the 2026 admission cycle.

What to Do If the Certificate Is Delayed

If the certificate is not yet issued by the time of registration, upload a self-declaration or undertaking form (available on the NTA portal). The valid certificate must then be presented during the counseling and seat allotment process.

Correct Way to Mention the Issuing Authority

While filling the category details, use only the official designation (e.g., Tehsildar, District Magistrate, Revenue Officer) rather than an individual’s personal name. This ensures the document’s authenticity.

Category Once Chosen Cannot Be Changed

The category selected in Session 1 of JEE Main 2026 cannot be changed to another category (e.g., General to OBC-NCL) for Session 2. Choose the correct category during the initial application to avoid disqualification or loss of reservation benefits.

JEE Main 2026 Correction Window and Post-Submission Guidelines

After submitting the JEE Main 2026 application form, NTA opens a short correction window to allow limited edits. This is the final opportunity to fix specific errors before the form is locked for processing.

Understanding the JEE Main 2026 Correction Window

Purpose: The correction window is meant to correct typographical and factual errors in the application form. Typical Timeline: Opens for 2–3 days in November 2025 (Session 1) and March 2026 (Session 2).

Editable Fields:

• Category
• Gender
• Paper type (Paper 1, Paper 2A, or 2B)
• Exam city preference

Non-Editable Fields:

• Name
• Email ID
• Mobile number

Edits beyond the allowed fields are not permitted, so verify all data carefully before final submission.

Importance of the JEE Main 2026 Confirmation Page

Once all corrections are finalized, download the JEE Main 2026 confirmation page and payment receipt. Keep both digital and printed copies safe until the admission process concludes. This document acts as the proof of successful registration and is required during counseling and verification.

Avoiding errors in the JEE Main 2026 application form is crucial for a hassle-free admission process. Always cross-check personal details, upload correct documents, verify fee payment, and download the confirmation page. If mistakes occur, use the official correction window on jeemain.nta.nic.in rather than submitting multiple forms.