Quick Summary: In JEE Main 2026, the National Testing Agency will conduct the test in two sessions. Session 1 will be anticipated in January 2026 and Session 2 in April 2026. The test will be done in two shifts per day. The morning shift starts at 9:00 AM and finishes at 12:00 PM and the evening shift starts at 3:00 PM and ends at 6:00 PM. The exam timetable of this year is already posted by NTA. On official notices, students have the opportunity to check their shift, reporting time, and exam duration. The time (race against time phrase meaning) awareness is used to organize the traveling and remain cool during exam day.
JEE Main Exam Timing 2026: The exam conducting body, National Testing Agency (NTA), has announced the JEE Main schedule for the 2026 academic year. Since this is one of India’s most important engineering entrance exams, NTA has planned a fixed and well-organised timetable to make sure the JEE Main exam is held properly, without delays or confusion. As JEE Main is conducted in two sessions (January and April), the exam date, time, and shifts follow a common pattern with standard morning and afternoon shifts.
Based on the JEE Main pattern, the question paper on the scheduled exam dates follows a clear marking rule where +4 marks are awarded for every correct answer, while -1 mark is cut for each wrong answer in both MCQs and Numerical Value Questions. The Drawing section in Paper 2A does not have negative marking. In this article on JEE Main exam timings 2026, we have provided details about shift-wise exam dates, timing, and sessions of this engineering entrance exam.
Read More:
- JEE Main Admit Card 2026 Session 1
- JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD Candidates
JEE Main 2026 exam dates
The JEE Main 2026 exam dates have been announced by NTA. From the table given below, candidates can view the dates of JEE Main for both the sessions, January and April. Only candidates with valid admit cards will be permitted to appear for the exam on the scheduled dates. They must carry a printed admit card along with an original, valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID) and a passport-size photograph matching the one uploaded in the application form.
| Exam Session | Exam Paper | Scheduled Exam Days (2026) |
| January Session (Session 1) | B.E./B.Tech (Paper 1) | January 21, 22, 23, 24, and 28 |
| January Session (Session 1) | B.Arch & B.Planning (Paper 2) | January 29 |
| April Session (Session 2) | All Papers | April 2 to April 9 |
JEE Main Exam Timing: Shift-wise Timings
As stated by NTA, JEE Main Exam 2026 will be held in two shifts every day. Each candidate will get only one exam date to appear, and full details related to time, session, and exam centre will be clearly printed on the JEE Main 2026 admit card. Given below is the official time of the JEE Main 2026.
| Activity/Event | Morning Shift | Afternoon Shift |
| Candidate Entry Window | 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM |
| Final Entry Cut-off | 8:30 AM | 2:30 PM |
| Invigilator Instructions | 8:30 AM – 8:50 AM | 2:30 PM – 2:50 PM |
| Time to Review Instructions on Screen | 8:50 AM | 2:50 PM |
| Exam Start Time | 9:00 AM | 3:00 PM |
| Exam End Time | 12:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
Note: For Paper 2 (B.Arch & B.Planning combined), the exam finishes at 12:30 PM in Shift 1 or at 6:30 PM in Shift 2).
Check Out: Dress Code For JEE Main 2026 For Male and Female Candidates
JEE Main Exam Timing: Duration of JEE Main Examination
The duration of the JEE Main exam changes according to the paper type and candidate category. Based on the table below, the students are able to comprehend the paper-wise time of both the general and special category students.
| Exam Paper | Total Duration | Notes for PwD Candidates |
| Paper 1 – B.E./B.Tech | 3 hours (180 minutes) | Standard duration; extra time not included |
| Paper 2A – B.Arch / Paper 2B – B.Planning | 3 hours (180 minutes) | Standard duration; extra time not included |
| Combined Paper 2A & 2B | 3 hours 30 minutes (210 minutes) | Total time for students attempting both papers |
| PwD Candidates | 4 hours | Includes 20 minutes compensatory time per hour |
JEE Main Exam Timing: Pre-Exam Deadlines
As the January session of JEE Main Exam 2026 is approaching fast, the exam authority is actively sharing important exam updates. They issued the JEE Main city intimation slip on January 8, 2026, for Session 1, and candidates can check their allotted city on the official NTA website. The JEE Main 2026 admit card is usually released about 3–4 days before the exact exam date. Candidates who registered using non-Aadhaar identity proofs must upload a photo verification certificate by January 15, 2026.
Check Out: JEE Main Exam Hall Instructions 2026
JEE Main: Exam Day Guidelines
Since JEE Main is India’s most important engineering entrance test, it is essential for the exam authority NTA to conduct it in a safe and well-planned manner, as the future of lakhs of students depends on it. Therefore, to keep the exam process fair, NTA applies very strict entry rules and JEE Main Exam Timing norms. Given below are some rules that candidates must follow while appearing for the entrance exam:
- No candidate will be allowed to enter the exam centre after 8:30 AM for the morning shift or 2:30 PM for the afternoon shift as per JEE Main Exam Shift Timing.
- It is recommended that applicants arrive at the exam centre at least 60 minutes before their shift (7:00 AM in the morning shift and 1:00 PM in the afternoon shift). This additional time assists them to achieve necessary biometric checks and security checks, without complications.
- Students should not bring electronic items like mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches, or any other gadgets. However, simple analog watches are allowed, and many centres show digital clocks on computer screens.
- Students are strictly asked to wear light, half-sleeve clothes without big buttons or too many pockets. Cargo pants, heavy jackets, caps, or hats are strictly not allowed.
- Closed footwear like boots should be avoided; instead, slippers or low-heel sandals are advised for the JEE Main Exam 2026.
- They should also avoid wearing fancy jewellery, metal items, bracelets, belts, or similar accessories.
What Should Candidates Do Till the JEE Main 2026 Exam?
Students must act fast to remain updated and well prepared:
- Download and properly check the JEE Main city intimation slip: Candidates should log in to the official website (idioms website) and download the city slip to confirm their allotted exam city. This helps in planning travel, stay, and reporting time early, especially for those giving the JEE Main 2026 Exam with proper JEE Main Exam Shift Timing outside their home city.
- Remember the admit card will be released separately: The city slip is not the admit card. Aspirants should wait for the official release of the JEE Main 2026 admit card, which will mention the exam centre address, shift details, and important JEE Main 2026 Exam Day and Shift Timing
- Check official NTA websites regularly for new updates: Students should visit (idioms dictionary) nta.ac.in and jeemain.nta.nic.in frequently to stay informed about admit card release, exam instructions, and any latest notices related to the JEE Main Exam 2026 and JEE Main Exam Timing.
- Adjust preparation and revision plans as per revised dates: As the exam window is slightly shorter, students should modify their revision plan, focus more on weak areas, and schedule mock tests according to their exam date and time of the JEE Main 2026.
FAQs on JEE Main 2026 Exam Day and Shift Timing
Q: Has JEE Main 2026 Session 1 been postponed?
No, JEE Main 2026 Session 1 has not been postponed. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially finalized the JEE Main 2026 exam dates, with Session 1 scheduled between January 21 and January 30, 2026, and the JEE Main city intimation slip has already been issued, while the JEE Main 2026 admit card will be released soon. NTA has clearly stated the dates will not change even if other exams overlap, showing that the JEE Main schedule for the 2026 is confirmed.
Q: When was the JEE Main 2026 exam city slip released?
The JEE Main city intimation slip for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 was released on January 8, 2026, by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in, helping students plan travel for exams scheduled from January 21 to 29 under the JEE Main dates for the 2026.
Q: Where can candidates find official updates about JEE Main 2026?
Students can check official JEE Main Exam 2026 updates, including city slips and admit cards, on the National Testing Agency (NTA) website jeemain.nta.nic.in, and sometimes on the main NTA portal nta.ac.in. Here, all significant notices, alerts, and exam documents such as city intimation slips and admit cards are posted first.
Q: How many shifts in JEE Mains 2026?
The JEE Main Exam 2026 is conducted in computer-based mode and is held in two shifts, which are morning and afternoon. Each shift usually runs for around three to four hours, including checking and exam-related formal work.
Q: How to check JEE Main exam shift timings?
JEE Main and JEE Advanced are destined to be conducted by the National testing Agency (NTA). All details related to the exam, including the JEE Main Exam Shift Timing, exam date, and shift information, are available on the official NTA website.
Q: What are the standard exam timings for JEE Main Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)?
The JEE Main Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) is taken in two shifts. The Morning Shift operates between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM and the Afternoon Shift is between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM. The exam duration is three hours for both shifts, with extra time allowed for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) as per JEE Main Exam Timing 2026.
Q: What are the timings for Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning)?
For B.Arch and B.Planning papers (Paper 2A and 2B), the morning shift usually runs from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. If an afternoon shift is conducted, it generally takes place from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM, though timings may differ by session under the JEE Main exam timing for the 2026 session.
Q: What are the important reporting and entry times?
For JEE Main 2026 Exam Day and Shift Timing, reporting and entry timings are very important. Entry in Shift 1 normally begins at 7:00-8:30 AM and Shift 2 entry is 1:00-2:30 PM. This will enable checking, biometrics and instructions to be done before commencement of the 9 AM and 3 PM exam. There is no possibility of late entry, thus to be early is needed, because gates usually close at about 8.30 am and 2.30 pm.
Q: How much time is given for each paper?
Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) and Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Plan) in JEE Main take (take with a grain of salt idiom synonym) place within three hours on average. The total amount of time given to persons with Disabilities (PwD) candidates is also four hours with an additional hour. Students appearing for both B.Arch and B.Plan (Paper 2A and 2B) get a total time of three hours and thirty minutes as per the time of the JEE Main 2026.
Q: Is there a break between shifts?
Yes, there is a time gap between the end of Shift 1 at 12:00 PM and the start of Shift 2 at 3:00 PM. This break is used for centre preparation and smooth movement of candidates.
Q: What should I bring to the exam center?
Candidates must carry their JEE Main 2026 admit card, one valid photo identity proof, and a passport-size photograph. At the exam centre, rough sheets, writing materials such as a pen or pencil are available.
