- NTA JEE Main 2026: Examination Overview
- Important Dates & Deadlines
- Application Fee Structure
- Eligibility Criteria & Age Limit for Session 1
- How to Download JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Result & Score Card
- Understanding Your NTA Score: Raw Marks vs. Percentile
- Expected Cut-Offs to Qualify for JEE Advanced 2026
- What’s Next? JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Registrations
- Some Useful Important Links
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has recently released critical updates regarding the Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE MAINS) 2026 Session 1. For the over 13 lakh candidates who participated in this highly competitive engineering entrance examination, the wait is almost over. Originally scheduled to be announced on February 12, the NTA has officially confirmed that the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Results will now be declared by February 16, 2026.
We understand that waiting for results can be highly stressful, especially when delays occur. However, technical reviews and final answer key compilations take time to ensure absolute accuracy for every student. Candidates enrolled in the admission test are advised to keep their application numbers and passwords handy to download their Result and Score Card as soon as the official link is activated on jeemain.nta.nic.in.
Before proceeding with post-result applications or preparing for Session 2, candidates should thoroughly read the JEE MAIN 2026 Information Brochure available on latestjob.news. This brochure contains all essential guidelines related to the syllabus, eligibility criteria, age limits, fee structures, and the comprehensive list of participating universities and courses.
NTA JEE Main 2026: Examination Overview
The JEE Main is the premier gateway for admissions into top engineering colleges in India, including the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs). It also serves as the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced, which is required for Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) admissions.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Examination Name | Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) 2026 |
| Session | Session 1 (January 2026 Phase) |
| Courses Offered | B.E. / B.Tech / B.Arch / B.Planning |
| Official Website | jeemain.nta.nic.in |
Important Dates & Deadlines
Missing a deadline can cost a student an entire academic year. Below is the complete schedule for the NTA JEE Main Session 1 examination. Please note the revised result date carefully.
- Application Begin Date: 31 October 2025
- Last Date to Apply Online: 27 February 2025 (up to 09:00 PM)
- Last Date to Pay Exam Fee: 27 February 2025
- JEE MAIN Session 1 Exam Dates: 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, and 29 January 2026
- Admit Card Release Date: 03 Days Before Respective Exam Date
- Provisional Answer Key Release: 04 February 2026
- Answer Key Objection Window: 04 to 06 February 2026
- Session 1 Result Declaration: 16 February 2026 (Revised/Tentative)
Application Fee Structure
The application fee for the JEE Main exam varies depending on the category of the candidate and whether they are applying for a single paper or both papers. The payment could be made securely through Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or E-Challan.
| Category | Paper 1 Only (B.E./B.Tech) | Paper 1 & 2 Both (B.Tech + B.Arch) |
|---|---|---|
| General (Male) | ₹ 1000/- | ₹ 2000/- |
| EWS / OBC NCL (Male) | ₹ 900/- | ₹ 2000/- |
| General / OBC / EWS (Female) | ₹ 800/- | ₹ 1600/- |
| SC / ST / PwD (Male) | ₹ 500/- | ₹ 1000/- |
| SC / ST / PwD (Female) | ₹ 500/- | ₹ 1000/- |
Eligibility Criteria & Age Limit for Session 1
Before applying for any competitive examination, verifying eligibility is paramount. The NTA has strictly outlined the educational requirements and age limitations for the JEE Main 2026 Session 1.
Age Limit Restrictions
Great news for aspirants: There is no upper age limit for appearing in the NTA JEE Main Session 1 (January 2026). However, candidates must fulfill the educational criteria related to their year of passing the qualifying examination. Furthermore, institutes like IITs, NITs, and IIITs may have their specific age criteria for admission, which candidates must verify independently via the JoSAA counseling guidelines.
Educational Qualifications
To be eligible for B.E. / B.Tech / B.Arch courses, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Candidates must have Passed or be Appearing in the 10+2 (Intermediate) board examination.
- The qualifying examination must be from a Recognized Board in India (such as CBSE, ICSE, or State Boards).
- The candidate must have chosen the PCM Stream (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) as their core subjects in high school.
- Year of Passing: Candidates who passed the 12th class exam in 2024 or 2025, or those who are appearing in the 2026 board exams, are strictly eligible to apply.
How to Download JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Result & Score Card
Once the NTA officially activates the result link on February 16, 2026, the website may experience heavy traffic. We recommend staying calm and following these straightforward steps to download your Session 1 Score Card via latestjob.news or the official portal:
- Visit the Official Website: Open your web browser and navigate to jeemain.nta.nic.in or nta.ac.in.
- Locate the Result Link: On the homepage, look for the flashing notification or the link in the latest news section that reads “JEE(Main) 2026 Session-1 Result / Score Card Download”.
- Enter Login Credentials: You will be redirected to a new login portal. Enter your Application Number and your Date of Birth (or Password).
- Enter Security Pin: Carefully type in the Captcha/Security Pin displayed on the screen.
- Submit and View: Click the ‘Submit’ button. Your JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Score Card will instantly appear on the screen.
- Download and Print: Verify all personal details and scores. Click on the download icon to save the PDF. It is highly advised to take at least 2-3 clear printouts for future JoSAA/CSAB counseling processes.
Understanding Your NTA Score: Raw Marks vs. Percentile
One of the most common areas of confusion for students and parents is the difference between raw marks, percentages, and percentiles. Since the JEE Main is conducted across multiple shifts and days, the difficulty level of the question paper inevitably varies. To ensure fairness, the NTA uses a complex normalization process.
Raw Score Calculation:
Your raw score is calculated using the official marking scheme: +4 marks for every correct answer, and a penalty of -1 mark for every incorrect answer (applicable to Multiple Choice Questions). Unattempted questions yield 0 marks.
Percentile Score (NTA Score):
The score displayed on your result card is an NTA Percentile Score, not a percentage of marks obtained. A percentile indicates the percentage of candidates in your specific shift who scored equal to or below your raw score.
For instance, if your NTA score is 95 Percentile, it means you have performed better than 95% of the total candidates who appeared in your exact shift. This normalized score is used to compile the final All India Rank (AIR) after Session 2.
Expected Cut-Offs to Qualify for JEE Advanced 2026
While the Session 1 result provides your NTA score, the official cut-off to qualify for JEE Advanced 2026 will only be declared after the Session 2 results in April. As per official rules, only the top 2.5 lakh candidates from JEE Main are eligible to sit for JEE Advanced, the gateway to the IITs.
Based on previous years’ trends and the moderate difficulty level of the January 2026 exams (especially in Physics and Chemistry), experts predict the following expected qualifying percentile range:
- General Category: 91.00 – 93.50+ Percentile
- EWS Category: 76.00 – 78.00+ Percentile
- OBC-NCL Category: 74.00 – 76.00+ Percentile
- SC Category: 52.00 – 55.00+ Percentile
- ST Category: 38.00 – 40.00+ Percentile
Note: These are estimated figures. The final cut-offs will be published on the official scorecard after the April session.
What’s Next? JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Registrations
If you feel your Session 1 percentile is lower than expected, do not panic! The NTA conducts the JEE Main twice a year, and your best score out of the two sessions will be considered for your final All India Rank.
The registration window for JEE Main 2026 Session 2 (April Attempt) is currently ongoing. Candidates who have already applied for Session 1 do not need to fill out a completely new form; you can simply log in using your existing Application Number, select your exam cities and paper medium, and pay the requisite examination fee. The last date to apply for Session 2 is rapidly approaching, so ensure you submit your application via latestjob.news links promptly.
Crucial Exam & Application Instructions Reminder
For those preparing for Session 2 or participating in upcoming admission formalities, please remember the strict NTA guidelines:
- Photo Instructions: Passport photos uploaded must be either in color or black & white, showing 80% face visibility (without masks), clearly displaying the ears, and shot against a plain white background.
- Aadhar Requirement: An Aadhar Card is mandatory for JEE MAIN Session 1 and Session 2 application processes. Ensure your demographic details match perfectly.
- Scanned Documents: Always maintain clear scanned copies of the Candidate’s Passport Photo, Signature, and Father/Guardian’s Signature in the exact specified dimensions.
- Any candidate found using Unfair Means (UFM) or appearing in multiple shifts fraudulently will have their candidature permanently canceled.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Why is the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Result delayed?
A: While the NTA has not specified a definitive reason, delays usually occur due to the extensive process of reviewing thousands of objections raised against the provisional answer key, finalizing the accurate answer key, and processing the complex normalization metrics for over 13 lakh students.
Q2: Will I get my All India Rank (AIR) in the Session 1 Result?
A: No. The Session 1 scorecard will only display your subject-wise percentiles and your overall NTA percentile score for this specific session. The final All India Rank (AIR) will only be generated and released after the conclusion of Session 2 in April, combining the best performances of both sessions.
Q3: How can I download the Final Answer Key?
A: The Final Answer Key is expected to be released as a PDF file on the official website shortly before the result announcement. You will not need login credentials to download it. Simply visit the official portal and click on the “Final Answer Key PDF” link under the public notices section.
Q4: What if I forget my Application Number or Password?
A: You can easily retrieve your Application Number or reset your password by clicking on the ‘Forgot Password’ or ‘Forgot Application Number’ links on the login portal. You will need access to your registered email ID or mobile number to receive the OTP for verification.
Some Useful Important Links
| Download Result / Score Card | Link Will Activate on 16/02/2026 |
| Download Final Answer Key | Click Here |
| Apply Online for Session 2 | Click Here |
| Download Information Brochure | Click Here |
| Join LatestJob.News Channel | Telegram |
| Official Website | NTA Official Web Portal |
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