Recent reports saying that the JEE Main 2026 exam dates have changed are not true . The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the exam, has clearly stated that the exam schedule remains the same. The exams will happen exactly as planned between January 21 and January 30, 2026 . Students must always check only the official NTA website for correct information and should ignore any rumors or unverified news.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates: What is Official?
The NTA first announced the overall exam period for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 through a public notice. This important notice was released on October 31, 2025 . In this notice, NTA clearly stated that the engineering entrance exams would take place from January 21 to January 30, 2026 . At that time, the NTA also mentioned that the specific dates for each exam paper within this period would be shared later. This is a common practice to give students an overall window first, and then the exact dates.
Recently, the NTA released these specific dates for each paper. It is important to understand that these new specific dates fall entirely within the original January 21 to January 30 window that was announced earlier. This means that there has been absolutely no change or revision to the overall exam period. The NTA is simply providing the detailed breakdown of days within the already fixed schedule.
Specific Exam Dates for JEE Main 2026 Session 1
Here are the official dates for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exams for different papers:
| Exam Paper | Dates (2026) |
| Paper 1 (BE/BTech) | January 21, 22, 23, 24, 28 |
| Paper 2 (BArch/BPlanning) | January 29 |
As you can clearly see from the table above, all these dates are set within the announced timeframe of January 21 to January 30, 2026 . Therefore, students should not be confused or worried about any supposed date changes. The schedule is confirmed.
Why Did Confusion Start?
The NTA believes that the confusion about changed exam dates might have come from students misreading earlier official announcements. When the NTA released the specific dates for each paper, some students might have thought that this was a new announcement of revised dates. They might not have remembered that the overall window (Jan 21-30) was already set. However, the NTA has simply provided more detailed information about the schedule, exactly as it had promised earlier in its brochure. It was not a revision, but a completion of the schedule details.
Where to Get Correct Information
Students preparing for JEE Main 2026 must always rely only on the official NTA website. The official website address is jeemain.nta.nic.in . This website is the only trusted and correct source for all exam-related news, updates, notices, and important documents like admit cards. Do not believe news from other unofficial sources, social media posts, or WhatsApp forwards, as they can often spread wrong information.
City Intimation Slip Already Released
The NTA has already given candidates important information about their exam city and date. This information was released through the city intimation slip on January 8, 2026 . Candidates can easily log in to their account on the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in , to check their allotted exam date and city. It is very important for all candidates to check their slip carefully, note their exam date, and understand their exam city. This step helps them to plan their travel and make arrangements well in advance, reducing stress closer to the exam day.
Admit Cards Coming Soon
The JEE Main 2026 admit cards for Session 1 will be released very soon. The admit card is a compulsory document that students must carry to the exam hall. It will contain complete details about the exact exam centre address, the specific shift (whether morning or afternoon) for the exam, and the reporting time for candidates. Students should download their admit card as soon as it is available on the official website. They should also check all personal details, photo, signature, and exam centre information on the admit card carefully to make sure everything is correct. If any mistake is found, they should contact NTA immediately.
Keep Preparing for Your Exams
The NTA’s repeated announcement confirms that the exam schedule is fixed and will not change. Students should use this clarity to focus completely and calmly on their studies. Continue your preparation with full effort, revise regularly, and solve practice papers. Trust only the official information from NTA and do not let any rumors distract you from your goal of performing well in the JEE Main 2026 exam.
