JEE Main 2027 Session 1 Registration Begins: NTA Opens Online Form for January Exam

JEE Main 2027 Session 1: NTA Opens Registration Window for January Exam

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially commenced the online registration process for the Joint Entrance Examination (Main) 2027 Session 1. This is the gateway examination for admission to undergraduate engineering, architecture, and planning programmes offered by NITs, IIITs, CFTIs, and several state-funded institutions. The January session exam is scheduled to be held from 22 to 30 January 2027, and candidates aspiring to secure a seat in premier technical institutes must complete their application before the deadline.

Important Dates to Remember

The application window opened on 24 October 2026 and will close on 22 November 2026 for candidates paying the standard fee. Those who miss the regular deadline can still apply with a late fee between 23 and 26 November 2026. The application correction facility will remain available from 27 to 29 November 2026. Exam city intimation slips are expected in December 2026, while admit cards will be released three days before the examination. The Session 2 (April 2027) registration is expected to begin in January 2027.

Application Fee Structure

The fee varies by category and paper selection. General male candidates applying for a single paper need to pay Rs. 1,000, while those opting for both papers will pay Rs. 2,000. EWS and OBC-NCL male candidates pay Rs. 900 for a single paper and Rs. 2,000 for both papers. Female candidates of General, EWS, and OBC-NCL categories pay Rs. 800 for one paper and Rs. 1,600 for both. SC, ST, PwD, and Third Gender candidates are charged Rs. 500 for a single paper and Rs. 1,000 for both papers. A late fee of Rs. 500 applies to all categories after 22 November 2026. Payments can be made via debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI.

Eligibility Criteria and Age Limit

There is no upper age limit for appearing in JEE Main 2027. For B.E./B.Tech (Paper 1), candidates must have passed 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, along with Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or a Technical Vocational subject. For B.Arch (Paper 2A), Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics are mandatory. For B.Planning (Paper 2B), Mathematics is a compulsory subject. Candidates who have completed a recognized three-year diploma approved by AICTE or a State Board of Technical Education are also eligible to apply.

Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) consists of 75 questions from Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, carrying a total of 300 marks. Each subject includes 20 multiple-choice questions and 5 numerical value questions. The duration is three hours. Paper 2A (B.Arch) has 77 questions covering Mathematics (25), Aptitude Test (50), and Drawing Test (2), totaling 400 marks. Paper 2B (B.Planning) contains 100 questions from Mathematics (25), Aptitude (50), and Planning-based questions (25), also worth 400 marks. Negative marking of one mark applies to both MCQ and numerical value questions in all papers.

Selection and Admission Process

The selection process involves four key stages. First, candidates appear for the Computer Based Test conducted in two sessions (January and April 2027), and the best score is considered. Second, NTA normalizes scores across shifts to prepare percentile scores and All India Rank lists. Third, the top 2,50,000 qualifiers in Paper 1 become eligible for JEE Advanced 2027 for IIT admissions. Finally, centralized counselling through JoSAA and CSAB allocates seats in NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs, while state-level counselling handles other institutions.

How to Apply Online

Visit the official JEE Main portal and click on the Session 1 registration link. Register using a valid email ID and active mobile number to generate your application number. Log in to complete personal details, academic scores, paper preference, and medium of examination. Select four preferred exam cities in order of priority. Upload scanned photographs, signatures, and category or PwD certificates within the prescribed specifications. Pay the application fee online before the deadline and download the confirmation page for future reference.

Why This Exam Matters

JEE Main is one of the most competitive entrance examinations in India, attracting lakhs of aspirants each year. A strong performance in this exam opens doors to some of the country's most prestigious technical institutions. With two sessions available, candidates have the opportunity to improve their scores and increase their chances of securing admission to their desired programme and institute. Aspirants are advised to carefully read the official information bulletin and complete their applications well before the last date to avoid technical glitches.