NTA JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates (Out): Session 1 & 2 Schedule, Exam Pattern, and Eligibility Guide

The race to IITs, NITs, and IIITs has officially begun. With over 12 lakh students set to compete for 13,000+ JEE Advanced seats, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has confirmed the JEE Main 2026 exam dates, sending a wave of excitement and urgency across India.

The official NTA advisory locks Session 1 from January 21–30 and Session 2 from April 1–10, 2026. The two-phase structure gives students double the chance to secure top ranks, a blessing for both freshers and droppers aiming for redemption.

Whether your goal is B.Tech at IIT Delhi or Architecture at SPA, this guide covers every detail, from eligibility and exam pattern to how VVT Coaching’s AI-driven learning model can make you exam-ready long before the first bell rings.

JEE Main 2026: Why the Two-Session Format Matters

NTA’s dual-session format is more than convenient, it’s strategy. Two attempts mean two data points to analyze, refine, and outperform.

Session 1 serves as your benchmark, while Session 2 becomes your performance upgrade. With the best score counted for JEE Advanced eligibility (top 2.5 lakh students), this model eliminates the “one-shot” pressure that haunted past aspirants.

Pro Tip from VVT Experts: Apply early to secure your preferred exam city, as slots fill fast across 200+ centers nationwide.

Official JEE Main 2026 Schedule — Full Timeline

Application Fee: ₹1,000 (Gen/OBC boys) | ₹800 (Girls/SC/ST/PwD).
Note: Separate forms for each session.

This calendar syncs neatly with CBSE board exams (Feb–Mar 2026), minimizing conflict and allowing droppers to build momentum early in Session 1 before refining accuracy in Session 2.

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria — Who Can Apply

No major policy overhauls, but the emphasis remains on NCERT alignment and conceptual clarity.

Common confusion: “Will low board marks ruin my IIT chance?”
No. JEE Main ranks are percentile-based. With VVT Coaching’s personalized study audits, mentors help you sync board and JEE prep, ensuring both goals stay within reach.

Explore Personalized Guidance at VVT Coaching

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern — Format, Marking, and Syllabus

NTA sticks with its tried-and-tested 2025 structure, balancing MCQs and numericals to test precision over memorization.

Marking Scheme:
+4 for correct answer 
−1 for wrong MCQ
0 for unattempted/numeric errors

Languages: English, Hindi + 11 regional languages
Syllabus: NCERT Class 11–12 topics (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)

How VVT Coaching Supercharges Your JEE 2026 Preparation

Personalised Guidance for JEE Aspirants!

Every JEE student at VVT gets a dedicated mentor who tracks their academic progress, identifies areas for improvement, and creates a personalized weekly study roadmap. Our mentors don’t just teach, they coach you through the entire journey, ensuring consistent motivation and exam discipline.

From planning daily goals to balancing board and JEE preparation, your mentor ensures that every hour of study moves you closer to your target rank.

One-to-one review sessions and progress analytics help you understand exactly where you stand after each phase and how to fix your weak points before the next mock or exam cycle.

With the right mentor and data-backed planning, your dream IIT or NIT isn’t just a possibility, it’s a path we build together.

Learn More About Personalised Guidance

AI-Powered Mock Tests & Smart Analytics!

VVT’s AI-powered test system doesn’t just simulate JEE Main, it learns how you perform and adapts accordingly. Every mock is designed based on your previous scores, topic strengths, and question-solving speed.

The AI tracks concept-level accuracy, time management, and precision under pressure, giving you instant feedback with detailed analytics. It even compares your performance with top percentile students, showing you exactly where you lose time or marks.

With 100+ adaptive mocks, students not only improve consistency but also develop exam temperament, an often-overlooked factor in JEE success.

Experience the AI Test System

Remedy Classes for Rapid Concept Correction!

Our JEE Remedy Classes are built for focused recovery, not repetition. Instead of revising entire chapters, our AI identifies specific concept clusters where you’re underperforming, such as limits, organic mechanisms, or electrostatics.

Our expert faculty then conduct compact, high-impact sessions designed to rebuild conceptual clarity quickly. Each session ends with a short assessment to measure retention and application.

This targeted learning loop helps students fix errors faster, strengthen fundamentals, and regain confidence in their problem-solving skills.

Fix Weak Areas with Remedy Classes

Error Exams & Weekly Fix-Ups!

At VVT, we believe mistakes are your most powerful teachers. Our exclusive Error Exams are not random tests, they’re generated from your own previous errors, unattempted questions, and skipped topics.

Using advanced AI analytics, each Error Exam evaluates your performance pattern, identifying what types of questions you often misread, where you waste time, and which chapters cause recurring mistakes.

Our mentors then conduct review sessions explaining the root cause of these errors and guide you through problem-solving strategies to eliminate them permanently.

This continuous “mistake-to-mastery” system helps students transform weaknesses into strengths, building unwavering accuracy and exam confidence over time.

Learn How Error Exams Work

AI-Driven Learning That Evolves With You!

What makes VVT truly unique is our intelligent AI engine that evolves with every test you take. It analyses your data to refine your preparation strategy, deciding what to revise, when to take mocks, and how to optimize your daily study plan.

It’s like having a personal data scientist and strategist who understands your study habits better than anyone else. The AI suggests customized learning paths, ensuring no concept is left unmastered.

Combined with mentor feedback and adaptive test planning, this synergy of human expertise and machine intelligence ensures your performance improves week after week, making 99+ percentile an achievable target.

Discover How AI is Transforming JEE Prep

VVT Coaching Success Snapshot

• 1,000+ students scored 95+ percentile
• Average accuracy improved from 58% → 88% in 3 months
• 92% students saw score growth between Session 1 & Session 2

VVT isn’t just another coaching center, it’s a data-driven ecosystem built for outcome-based success.

Student Concerns & Smart Prep Hacks for 2026

• Syllabus Stability: Minor tweaks expected (NCERT 2025-26 edition).
• Boards Overlap: Integrate revision using hybrid VVT modules.
• Time Anxiety: Our mock analytics detect slow topics early.
• Exam Mindset: AI-generated focus drills reduce exam stress by 30%.

Remember, JEE isn’t about studying more hours, it’s about learning how to learn smarter.

Conclusion: From Data to Rank

The JEE Main 2026 dates are out. The challenge is real, but so is your potential. At VVT Coaching, every test, insight, and mentor session is calibrated to make you exam-ready, not just syllabus-ready.

With AI-backed precision, personalized guidance, and proven success stories, VVT transforms preparation into performance.
Your dream IIT seat isn’t luck, it’s logic, data, and daily progress.

Begin your JEE 2026 journey with VVT Coaching today and let every test move you closer to your dream score.

Get to Know VVT’s Three Friendly Campuses: Always Nearby and Welcoming

VVT has three spots across Chennai, each easy to reach and full of support. No matter where you live, one is close by. Our campuses mix bright classrooms, helpful teachers, and a warm feel to keep you going. Here’s a quick look at each, with a focus on how they help with NEET and staying options.

Adyar Campus: Easy Access and Positive Vibes

Right on busy L.B. Road next to Adyar Ananda Bhavan, this spot is super convenient. Step inside, and you’ll see big, airy rooms where learning feels fun. Staff greet you with smiles, and the energy pushes you to turn weak areas like tough Physics problems into strengths.We also offer hostel facilities here for boys, with clean rooms, meals, and support to make your stay comfortable and focused. No distractions, just a safe place to rest and review after classes.

Adyar Campus (VVT Coaching Centre): “Nibav Buildings”, 4th & 5th Floor, No.23, Old No.11, L.B. Road, Adyar, Chennai – 600020. (Next to Adyar Ananda Bhavan)

Get Directions: Open in google maps!

Anna Nagar Campus: Focus in the City Centre

In Shanthi Colony, Anna Nagar, this campus feels like an extension of home. Good bus links make it simple for city kids. There is no on-site hostel, but nearby options are plentiful for those who need them.

Anna Nagar Campus (VVT Coaching Centre): No.1621, 9th Main Road, Shanthi Colony, Block AI, Anna Nagar, Chennai – 600040.

Get Directions: Open in google maps!

Pallikaranai Girls Campus: Your Safe Place with Full Hostel

This is our special girls-only residential campus in a quiet area. It’s built as a true home away from home, with clean dorms, healthy meals in the canteen, and round-the-clock help.
We offer full hostel facilities here, clean rooms, study areas, and a community of girls supporting each other. It’s perfect if you’re from outside Chennai or just want a focused, safe space.

Pallikaranai (Saraswathi Girls Residential Campus): Plot No. 395 & 396, 1st Main Road, Kamakoti Nagar, Pallikaranai, Chennai – 600100.

Get Directions: Open in google maps!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. When will JEE Main 2026 registration start?
Registration for Session 1 begins in October 2025, and Session 2 opens in late January 2026.

Q2. Can I appear in both sessions?
Yes. Appearing in both sessions is highly recommended, NTA will consider your best score.

Q3. What’s the right time to start revision?
At least 90 days before Session 1. Use AI-powered mock tests and VVT’s Remedy Classes to fix weak areas fast.

Q4. Is there any change in the exam pattern for 2026?
No major changes are expected. The paper will continue to have MCQs and numerical value questions across three subjects.

Q5. How does VVT Coaching help in last-minute preparation?
Our Error Exams and AI-based analytics help you identify your most frequent mistakes, saving precious time and helping you score higher in the final attempt.