NTA JEE Mains 2026 session 1 day 1 exam today from 9 am; test day guidelines

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the Joint Entrance Examination Mains (JEE Mains 2026) today for candidates seeking admission to engineering programmes. The computer-based test will also be held for BArch, and BPlanning admissions, along with BTech.

Those who will appear for the college entrance test can still download their JEE Mains 2026 admit card through the official website at jeemain.nta.nic.in.

Today is the first day for the JEE Mains 2026 session 1. The exam will be held in two shifts. The morning session will be conducted from 9 am to 12 noon, while the afternoon shift will take place from 3 pm to 6 pm.

The testing agency has drafted several exam day guidelines and rules for candidates, which includes dress code, prohibited items, follow entry and closing exam hall gate schedule, including several others.

Also read JEE Main 2026 Marks Calculation: How NTA evaluates scores? Raw marks to percentile process

JEE Mains 2026: Exam day guidelines

Here are key exam day rules which every JEE Mains 2026 candidate must follow in order to appear for the computer-based test without any mental stress and doubt.

• The testing agency has advised candidates to reach their respective exam centres two hours before the exam begins to avoid any kind of uncertainty.
• They must take their seats immediately after the opening of the examination hall.
• “If the candidates do not report before the gate closing time due to any reason i.e. traffic jam, train/bus delay, etc., they will not be permitted to appear in the Examination since they did not reach the centre as per the pre-intimated time,” as per the official brochure.
• Candidates must note that the NTA will not be responsible for any delay of the candidate to reach the examination centre in any way.
• They must present their JEE Mains 2026 admit card at the examination centre. The centre staff will verify the identity of candidates and may take steps to verify and confirm the identity credentials.
• Notably, candidates who will not possess the JEE Mains 2026 admit card and authorised photo IDs shall not be permitted to take the examination under any circumstances, the testing agency said.

Also read NBEMS GPAT 2026 application correction window closes today; admit card on March 2

Inside the JEE Mains 2026 exam centre

After the gates are opened for the JEE Mains 2026 aspirants, they will be allotted a roll number-indicating seat allotment. Candidates must find and sit in their allotted seats only.

“In case a candidate ventures to change his/her seat and does not sit on the allotted seat, the act will be considered as UFM and he/she may face cancellation of candidature or debarment as per relevant clause of UFM. No plea would be entertained in this regard,” as per the guidelines.

Candidates should also have to ensure that the question paper available on the computer is as per candidate’s opted subject, as written in the JEE Mains 2026 admit card.

In case of any doubt or difficulty in this regard, candidates must immediately reach out to the invigilator. They can also approach the centre superintendent in the room for any technical assistance, first aid emergency, or any other information during the course of the examination.

“In case a candidate, by furnishing false information, appears in more than one shift/date, the candidate will be considered as (UFM) Unfair Means Case and will be treated as per relevant clause of UFM including cancellation of candidature or debarment for up to 3 years,” the NTA added.

Candidates should also note that there is no provision of re-test by the NTA for candidates who will be unable to appear for JEE Mains 2026 tests. A simple transparent ball point pen is allowed in the JEE Mains 2026 for doing calculations on the rough sheet. Candidates must note that all calculations or writing work is to be done only in the rough sheet provided at the test centre in the exam room or hall and on completion of the test.

“Candidates must hand over the rough sheets to the invigilator on duty in the room. They must write their names and application number on the top of each rough sheet provided to him or her during the examination,” the testing agency said.