Are jackets, caps, full sleeves allowed? JEE Main 2026 dress code for female, male candidates

With the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) 2026 session 1 scheduled to begin from today, January 21, candidates should plan their attire, especially in colder states. While the National Testing Agency (NTA) has not formally prescribed the JEE Main 2026 dress code, past sessions indicate certain clothing practices for smooth entry and security checks. JEE Main 2026 LIVE

Candidates should wear light and simple clothing to avoid delays during verification. Jackets, sweaters, and full-sleeved clothing are typically allowed, provided they do not have metal buttons, zippers, or large accessories that may require extra checking at the entry.

Candidates are also not allowed to carry geometry or pencil boxes, handbags, purses, papers, stationery, printed or written material, eatables and water, mobile phones, earphones, microphones, pagers, calculators, docupens, slide rules, log tables, watches—including electronic watches with calculator functions—metallic items, or other electronic gadgets into the examination hall.

The JEE Main 2026 will be conducted from January 21 to 29. The morning shift will run from 9 am to 12 pm, and the evening shift will take place from 3 pm to 6 pm. Candidates going to appear for the exam can download the JEE Main 2026 admit card through the official website at jeemain.nta.nic.in.

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JEE Main 2026: Dress code

The JEE Main dress code for male and female candidates is given below.

• Candidates can wear jackets, sweaters, or full-sleeved clothing without metal. Male candidates may wear trousers, jeans, or shirts, ensuring no items with metal buttons or zippers.
• Female candidates may wear salwar-kameez or similar clothing suitable for security checks.
• Sikh candidates are allowed to carry religious articles, including KARA and KIRPAN.
• Footwear should be simple, without metal parts that may trigger security checks.
• All types of watches, jewellery, belts, and other accessories should be left outside the exam hall.
• Clothing should allow easy verification at entry and not cause delays.

Those appearing for the exam should consider local weather conditions when planning their clothing and follow the entry instructions at the examination centres. Candidates experiencing issues or requiring clarification can contact the NTA helpdesk at +91-11-40759000 or email jeemain@nta.ac.in.