JEE Main 2027 registration opens; first session exams from January 20

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has started the application process for the first, or January, session of JEE Main 2027. Students who want admission to the country's leading engineering institutes must now fill in their forms. The JEE Main score is considered very important for admission to NITs, IIITs and other technical institutes.

Paper 1 of JEE Main is also necessary for candidates who wish to take JEE Advanced and then seek admission to the IITs. The January session thus gives students the first chance to build a good score. The NTA has also released all the key dates, from application to examination and admit cards.

According to the NTA, registration for Session 1 began on October 24, 2026. The last date to submit the form without a late fee is November 22, 2026, up to 11:50 pm. Applications will still be accepted between November 23 and 26, but only with a late fee. A correction window will remain open between November 27 and 29 for mistakes in the form. Exam city details will be released on December 30, and admit cards will be available from January 13, 2027.

The Session 1 examination will be held on January 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 28, 2027, in two shifts. The first shift will begin at 9 am and the second at 3 pm. For the three-hour paper, the first shift will end at 12 noon and the second at 6 pm. For candidates taking both the B.Arch and B.Planning papers together, the examination will last 3 hours 30 minutes.

JEE Main is not limited to B.E./B.Tech. According to the NTA, Paper 1 is for B.E./B.Tech, Paper 2A for B.Arch and Paper 2B for B.Planning. The examination opens the way to undergraduate engineering, architecture and planning programmes at the country's leading technical institutes.

To apply, candidates must first visit the NTA's official website and select the Session 1 registration link, then enter the required personal and contact details. After registration is complete, they should log in and fill in their academic and examination details. A photograph, signature and necessary documents must be uploaded with the form. The fee is then to be paid online and the form submitted. Candidates are advised to download and keep the confirmation page.