JEE Main 2026: Digital ID proof invalid; latecomers won’t be allowed, NTA issues exam-day guidelines

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued a detailed advisory for the JEE Main 2026 aspirants, reiterating strict biometric and verification rules. With just a day left for the Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Mains 2026) session 1 exams, candidates who have not submitted Aadhaar have been asked to reach the centre an hour before the gate closing time. JEE Main Admit Card 2026 LIVE

In the JEE Main advisory 2026, the NTA has warned candidates that entry to exam centres will not be permitted after the gate closing time given in the JEE Mains admit card. Students have been asked to verify the JEE Main exam date, shift timings, venue, reporting time, and exam-day guidelines given in the hall ticket.

No candidate reporting at the test centre beyond the entry time will be allowed to sit for the exam, the testing agency said. Candidates who did not register using Aadhaar verification have been asked to report at least one hour before the gate closing time.

As per the JEE Main exam timings, first shift will be held from 9 am to 12 noon and second shift from 3pm to 6 pm. The entry and closing time for morning and evening shifts will be 7-8.30 am and 1-2.30 pm respectively.

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Mobile-saved documents not valid

On identity verification, the NTA said that candidates should carry a valid photo ID in original, the same proof uploaded during the application process. “Photocopies or images stored on mobile phones will not be accepted,” it said.

It is mandatory for candidates to carry the JEE Main admit card downloaded from the NTA official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. The printout of the hall ticket should be taken preferably in color on A4 size paper.

Candidates should carry at least two passport size photographs, same as the one uploaded in online application form. One of the photos will be pasted on the attendance sheet at the exam centre.

In case of mismatch in the photographs provided in application form and the one produced on exam day, candidates will be required to submit requisite certificates in original duly signed or attested copies by principal, headmaster, or any Class-1 Gazetted officer.

Those leaving the exam hall for a bio-break or toilet visit will be required to undergo mandatory frisking and biometric verification again before re-entering.

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JEE Main dress code, items allowed inside exam hall

The NTA has notified the JEE Mains dress code for male and female candidates and the list of items allowed inside the exam hall.

Candidates appearing for the BArch drawing test should bring their own geometry box, set, pencils, eraser, and colour pencils or crayons. They will, however, not be allowed to use watercolours on drawing sheets. The list of prohibited items are given below:

• Instrument,
• Geometry,
• Pencil box,
• Handbag,
• Paper, stationery, or textual material,
• Eatables and water,
• Mobile phone, ear phone, microphone, pager, calculator, docupen,
• Slide rules, log tables,
• Camera, tape recorder,
• Watch, electronic watch with calculator facilities.
• Any metallic item or electronic gadgets.

“Diabetic students will be allowed to carry eatables like sugar tablets/fruits (like bananas/apples/oranges) and transparent water bottles to the Examination Hall/Room. However, they will not be allowed to carry packed foods like chocolates/candy/sandwiches, etc,” it said.

As per the JEE Main dress code, Sikh candidates are permitted to wear their religious articles i.e. "KARA" and "KIRPAN".