JEE Main 2026 Guidelines: Session 2 Begins Tomorrow; No Entry for Latecomers—Check Dress Code and Essential Rules..

JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Guidelines: India's largest engineering entrance examination, JEE Main 2026, is set to begin its second session tomorrow, April 2nd. With lakhs of students participating in this examination, it is crucial for candidates to thoroughly understand all guidelines, timings, and the dress code before the exam to ensure a hassle-free experience.

When will the exam be held, and in how many shifts?
JEE Main Paper 1 (for B.Tech/B.E.) will be conducted on April 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, 2026. The examination will be held in two shifts. The first shift will run from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, while the second shift will take place from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Students must reach the examination center at least one hour before the scheduled start time. Furthermore, entry into the center will be closed 30 minutes (half an hour) before the commencement of the exam; consequently, latecomers will not be permitted to enter the examination center.

What are the entry timings?
For the morning shift, students will be granted entry into the center only between 7:00 AM and 8:30 AM. Similarly, for the second shift, entry will be permitted from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. Before entry, all students will undergo frisking and biometric verification; only after completing these procedures will they be allowed to take their seats in the examination hall.

Record Number of Applications

This year, JEE Main has set a new record for the number of applications received. A total of over 16 lakh students have applied for the April session. In comparison, 14.10 lakh students had appeared for the January session. Thus, looking at the figures, approximately 2.16 lakh new candidates have joined for the April session.
What items must be carried to the exam?

To appear for the examination, students must carry certain essential documents with them. These include the Admit Card downloaded from the NTA website, along with the Self-Declaration Form. In addition, it is mandatory to carry a passport-sized photograph (the same one uploaded with the application form), one original photo ID proof (such as an Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, or Passport), and a transparent ballpoint pen. Please note that photocopies or digital IDs stored on mobile phones will not be considered valid.

What items are prohibited inside the examination hall?
Students are not permitted to carry any electronic gadgets, such as mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, etc. Students should carry only essential items to the examination center.

What are the rules regarding the dress code?
There is no strict dress code for JEE Main; however, students should wear attire that does not hinder the security frisking process. Male students should avoid wearing items containing metal, such as chains, rings, or clothing with heavy metal buttons. Similarly, female students are advised against wearing dupattas, stoles, or excessive jewelry. All students are advised to wear light and comfortable clothing. It is preferable to wear slippers or sandals instead of shoes.

Can students wear jeans?
Many students remain confused regarding whether they can wear jeans. Students are permitted to wear jeans; however, they must not feature metal zippers, large buttons, or excessive embellishments, as this may lead to difficulties during entry.

The Journey from JEE Main to IIT
After both sessions of JEE Main have concluded, the students' ranks will be released. The top 2.5 lakh ranked students will be eligible to appear for JEE Advanced. Admission to the IITs is granted exclusively through JEE Advanced. To be eligible for this, a student must have secured at least 75% marks in their Class 12 examinations or rank within the top 20th percentile of their respective board.

How ​​many engineering seats are available across the country?
Combining all IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other government-funded technical institutes across India, there are approximately 63,000 seats available. This total includes 18,160 seats in IITs, 24,525 in NITs, 9,940 in IIITs, and 10,228 in other government institutions.

What points should be kept in mind before the exam?
 Students are advised to reach the center ahead of time, carry all necessary documents, and adhere to the guidelines. Even the slightest negligence could lead to your exclusion from the examination; therefore, go to take the exam fully prepared.

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