JEE Main Application Form 2026: Complete Step-by-Step Registration Guide

Introduction

So the JEE Main 2026 notification is out, and now comes the part that makes even the most prepared students nervous — filling the application form. One wrong entry, one blurry photograph, or one missed deadline can cost you months of preparation. And unlike your JEE exam itself, these mistakes can’t be fixed with revision.

This guide walks you through every step of the JEE Main registration 2026 process — from eligibility checks and documents to the exact sequence of clicks on jeemain.nta.nic.in. Whether you’re registering for Session 1 or Session 2, you’ll know exactly what to do, what to avoid, and what to keep handy before you begin.

JEE Main 2026 Application Timeline

Before you start gathering documents, get these dates locked into your calendar. Missing a registration window means waiting for the next session — and that’s a setback no serious aspirant can afford.

Session 1 Registration (October 31 – November 27, 2025)

Session 1 of JEE Main 2026 was scheduled for January 2026, and the registration window opened on October 31, 2025, closing on November 27, 2025. This is typically the less crowded session — fewer students register, which can mean smoother exam center availability. If you’re aiming to appear early and gauge where you stand, Session 1 is your window.

Key Session 1 Dates at a Glance:

Session 2 Registration (February 1 – March 13, 2026)

Session 2 registration opens on February 1, 2026, and runs until March 13, 2026 — a significantly wider window. The Session 2 exam is typically held in April 2026. Many students use Session 1 as a trial run and focus their energy on improving for Session 2, where their better score counts for admissions.

Key Session 2 Dates at a Glance:

Before You Begin: Eligibility Check

Don’t spend 45 minutes filling a form only to discover you don’t qualify. Here’s what NTA requires:

Age: There is no upper age limit for JEE Main 2026. However, you must have been born on or after October 1, 2001, to be eligible for JEE Advanced (if that’s your goal).

Academic Qualification: You must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2024 or 2025. Students who passed in 2023 or earlier are not eligible.

Number of Attempts: Each candidate can appear in JEE Main for a maximum of three consecutive years. Appearing in both sessions of the same year counts as one year.

Subjects Required in Class 12: Physics and Mathematics are compulsory. The third subject depends on your target course — Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology for B.E./B.Tech, and Mathematics/Physics for B.Arch/B.Planning.

Performance Criteria: As of the latest NTA guidelines, there is no minimum percentage requirement in Class 12 for appearing in JEE Main. However, for admission into NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, you must have scored at least 75% in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST).

Documents Required for Registration

Having your documents ready before you sit down to register will save you a lot of frustration. The NTA portal does not let you save mid-session for very long, so prepare everything in advance.

Photograph & Signature Format (Live Photo Capture)

This is where many students trip up. NTA now requires a live photograph capture for JEE Main 2026 — you cannot upload a pre-taken photo from your gallery. You must use your device’s camera in real time on the portal itself.

Guidelines for the live photograph:

• Plain white or light background
• Face clearly visible, no cap or dark glasses
• Lighting must be even — no shadows across the face
• Keep your camera at eye level
• Make sure your full face fits within the frame

For the signature, scan or photograph your handwritten signature on white paper. The file size must be between 10KB and 200KB, and the format should be JPEG/JPG.

ID Proof (Aadhaar Preferred, Not Mandatory)

NTA strongly recommends using your Aadhaar card as the primary ID proof because the Aadhaar number is used for identity verification during document upload and exam day. However, it is not strictly mandatory. Acceptable alternatives include:

• Ration Card
• Bank Passbook with photograph
• Passport
• Driving Licence
• Voter ID
• School ID with photograph

Keep the document number handy — you’ll need to enter it during registration.

Academic Documents (Class 10 & 12 Details)

You will not upload your marksheets, but you will need the following information on hand:

• Class 10 marksheet — for date of birth verification and roll number
• Class 12 marksheet or hall ticket — for board name, roll number, passing year, and subject details
• Category certificate (if applicable) — SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS certificates must match the issuing state’s norms

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Open jeemain.nta.nic.in on a laptop or desktop (not mobile — the portal works best on a full browser). Here is the exact sequence to follow.

Step 1: Visit jeemain.nta.nic.in

Go to the official NTA JEE Main website at jeemain.nta.nic.in. Do not use any third-party website or app. Bookmark this URL now — several fake portals appear during registration season that mimic the official site.

Click on the “JEE (Main) 2026 Registration” link prominently displayed on the homepage.

Step 2: Create a New Account (Mobile, Email)

First-time applicants must create a new account. Click “New Registration” and fill in:

• Your name exactly as it appears in your Class 10 board certificate (no shortcuts, no initials instead of full name)
• A valid mobile number — this will receive OTPs throughout the process
• A valid email address — all communications, including admit card links, will go here
• A password of your choice (note it down somewhere safe)

You’ll receive OTPs on both your mobile and email to verify them. Once verified, your Application Number is generated. Write this down immediately — it is your login ID for every future interaction with NTA.

Step 3: Fill Personal & Academic Details

Log in with your application number and password. You’ll now fill a multi-section form:

Personal Details:

• Full name, father’s name, mother’s name — exactly as in official records
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Nationality and state of domicile
• Category (General/OBC-NCL/SC/ST/EWS/PwD)
• Annual family income (required for certain reservations)

Academic Details:

• Board of Class 12 (CBSE, state board, etc.)
• Year of passing (or “Appearing” if currently in Class 12)
• Roll number
• Subjects studied
• Qualifying exam marks (if already passed)

Take your time here. Errors in name and date of birth often cannot be corrected later.

Step 4: Upload Documents

After filling personal and academic details, you’ll be asked to upload:

• Live photograph (captured in real time via camera)
• Signature (scanned JPG, 10–200 KB)
• Aadhaar card or other ID proof image
• Category certificate (if applicable)

Check each uploaded file carefully before proceeding. A blurry photograph or wrong file in the wrong field is a common mistake that later leads to form rejection.

Step 5: Select Exam Centers (City Preferences)

You will be asked to select up to four city preferences for your exam centre. A few important points:

• You cannot select a specific exam centre — only the city
• NTA allots centres based on availability and your preferences
• You can choose cities in any state — they don’t need to be your home state
• Once the form is submitted, city preference changes are generally not allowed outside the correction window

Choose cities that are convenient for travel. If your first-preference city is allotted, great. If not, having nearby options as backup helps.

Step 6: Pay Application Fee

Before submission, you must pay the fee. See the fee structure in the next section. Payment options include:

• Debit card / Credit card
• Net banking
• UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, etc.)

Always save a screenshot or download the payment receipt immediately after the transaction is confirmed.

Step 7: Submit & Download

After fee payment, review your entire application on the confirmation page. Click Submit. Once submitted:

• Download and print your confirmation page
• Keep a copy of the fee payment receipt
• Note your application number and transaction ID

Your application is now officially filed. You’ll receive a confirmation SMS and email from NTA.

Application Fee Details

The fee structure for JEE Main 2026 is as follows:

Fee by Category

(Outside India candidates have different fee slabs — check the official notification.)

Payment Methods

NTA accepts payment via debit card, credit card, net banking, and UPI. Fees once paid are non-refundable, even if you don’t appear for the exam. Make sure your payment goes through fully — if a transaction fails after deduction, wait 48–72 hours before attempting again, as the amount typically returns to your account.

Form Correction Window

Even after submission, NTA offers a short window to fix errors. Use it wisely.

Session 1: December 1–2, 2025

The correction window for Session 1 is open for just two days — December 1 and 2, 2025. This is a very tight window. If you think anything might be wrong, check your form the moment registration closes.

Session 2: February 7–28, 2026

Session 2 has a notably longer correction window — February 7 to 28, 2026 — giving you almost three weeks to spot and fix errors.

What Can (and Cannot) Be Corrected

1. What you CAN typically correct:

• Photograph and signature (if rejected or blurry)
• Exam paper selection (B.E./B.Tech vs B.Arch/B.Planning)
• Exam city preferences
• Medium of paper (English/Hindi/regional languages)
• Category (in some cases, with correct supporting documents)

2.What you generally CANNOT change:

• Name, father’s name, mother’s name
• Date of birth
• Application number
• Mobile number and email (in most cases)

This is why it is critical to enter personal details correctly the first time. NTA is strict — once the correction window closes, the form is locked.

Session 1 vs Session 2: Which Should You Register For?

This is a question almost every JEE Main 2026 aspirant asks, and the answer depends on your situation.

Register for both if:

• You want two attempts to improve your score
• You’re a Class 12 student who will have finished board prep by February
• You want a genuine shot at a top NIT or IIT-bound percentile

Register for Session 1 only if:

• You want to experience the real exam atmosphere early and use it as a benchmark
• You’re confident in your preparation and want to get it done earlier

Register for Session 2 only if:

• You need more time to prepare and aren’t ready by January
• You’ve already appeared in Session 1 in a previous year

The strategic advantage of appearing in both: NTA takes your best score across both sessions for merit list preparation. So appearing in both gives you a safety net — if Session 1 goes badly, Session 2 is your real attempt. There’s no disadvantage to registering for both sessions.

Common Registration Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Wrong Name or Date of Birth (Cannot Be Changed Later)

This is the most damaging error. Candidates often enter a nickname, a shortened name, or a name with a different spelling than their board certificate. Your name in the JEE Main form must match your Class 10 marksheet exactly – character by character, including middle names if present.

Same goes for date of birth. A simple day/month swap that you don’t catch can lead to serious complications on exam day or during document verification for admissions.

Mistake #2: Incorrect Document Upload Format

NTA specifies exact file formats and sizes for each uploaded document. Uploading a PDF where a JPEG is required, or a file that’s 350KB when the limit is 200KB, will cause the upload to fail or get rejected during scrutiny. Compress your images if needed using any free online tool — but ensure quality remains readable.

Mistake #3: Wrong Exam Center Selection

Many students pick exam center cities based on where they live, which makes sense. But others pick cities they’ve never been to, thinking it might be less crowded — without realising they’d have to travel and stay there during the exam. Think this through. If Session 1 is in January, factor in travel logistics, accommodation, and your comfort on exam day.

Mistake #4: Payment Errors

Payment failures during fee submission are more common than you’d think. Common causes include entering the wrong CVV, a card that doesn’t support online transactions, or a UPI timeout. Always use a bank-issued debit card or pre-tested UPI ID. If a payment fails after amount deduction, do not attempt to pay again immediately — wait for the refund (usually 3–5 business days) and try again.

After Registration: What Happens Next?

When the Admit Card Releases

NTA typically releases the JEE Main admit card 10–15 days before the exam date. For Session 1 (January 2026), expect the admit card in late December 2025. For Session 2 (April 2026), it should be available in late March 2026.

The admit card is available only on jeemain.nta.nic.in — you cannot receive it by email. Download it as soon as it’s out, print at least two copies, and verify all details carefully (name, roll number, exam center, exam date and shift).

How to Track Your Application Status

After submitting your form, log in to the NTA JEE Main portal with your application number and password to check your application status. Status updates typically appear within 48 hours of form submission. If your form shows “payment pending” despite a successful transaction, wait 48 hours and check again before contacting NTA helpdesk.

How Career Plan B Helps

Filling the JEE Main application form is just the first step in a much bigger journey. 

At Career Plan B, our expert counsellors help students not just with form-filling guidance, but with building a clear roadmap — from identifying the right engineering colleges to psychometric assessments like PsycheIntel that help you understand if engineering is truly the right path. 

Whether you need admission guidance, academic profile building, or career roadmapping beyond JEE, Career Plan B is where your strategy takes shape.

For Latest Information

FAQs: JEE Main Application Form 2026

Q1. Can I register for JEE Main 2026 without an Aadhaar card? 

Yes. While Aadhaar is strongly recommended, NTA accepts other valid photo IDs such as a passport, voter ID, driving licence, or school identity card. You’ll need to select the appropriate ID type during registration.

Q2. What happens if I made a mistake in my name during registration? 

Name errors are among the most critical — and they cannot be corrected through the standard correction window. If you notice an error immediately after submission, contact the NTA helpdesk at jeemain@nta.ac.in with supporting documents. However, there is no guarantee of correction, which is why accuracy during form filling is non-negotiable.

Q3. Is it mandatory to appear in both Session 1 and Session 2? 

No. If you register for both sessions, you can choose to skip one without any penalty. Your best score from whichever session(s) you appear in will be considered.

Q4. What if my fee payment is deducted but the form shows “payment failed”? 

Do not panic and do not attempt another payment immediately. Wait 48–72 hours — in most cases, the amount is automatically refunded. If it isn’t, contact your bank and the NTA helpdesk with your transaction reference number and screenshot of the deduction.

Q5. Can I change my exam city after submitting the form? 

Exam city changes are only allowed during the official form correction window (December 1–2 for Session 1; February 7–28 for Session 2). Outside this window, no changes to city preferences are permitted.

Q6. My Class 12 results aren’t out yet. Can I still apply? 

Yes. Students currently in Class 12 (appearing in board exams in 2026) are fully eligible to register. Select “Appearing” for the year of passing and fill in your Class 12 roll number once it is available to you.

Conclusion

The JEE Main application form 2026 is the starting line, not a hurdle. Done right, registration takes under an hour and sets you up smoothly for exam day. Done carelessly, a single wrong character in your name or a failed payment can spiral into weeks of follow-ups.

Here’s your quick recap:

• Session 1: Register October 31 – November 27, 2025; correct December 1–2
• Session 2: Register February 1 – March 13, 2026; correct February 7–28
• Keep documents ready: live photo, signature, ID proof, Class 10 & 12 details
• Pay the right fee: ₹1,000 (General/OBC male), ₹800 (female), ₹500 (SC/ST/PwD)
• Appear in both sessions for maximum score benefit

Bookmark this page for Session 2 registration — and when you’re ready to plan beyond the form, explore how Career Plan B’s personalized career counselling and JEE college selection guidance can help you make the most of your JEE score.

The exam tests your knowledge. The application form tests your attention to detail. Nail both.