JEE Main 2026: NTA Releases Detailed Shift Timings and Exam Day Schedule
The National Testing Agency (NTA) released the complete shift hours and exam schedule for JEE Main 2026, which will take place from April 2 to 9. The exam will be conducted in two shifts: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM and 3:00 PM-6:00 PM, with strict early reporting and gate closing regulations that applicants must pay attention to.
Key Points
- JEE Main 2026 will be held April 2-9, 2026, in two shifts daily.
- NTA centre gates closes strictly at 8.30 AM and 2.30 PM Afternoon.
- NTA enforces a zero-tolerance policy for late arrivals
The National Testing Agency, NTA, has officially released the detailed schedule and shift timings for the Joint Entrance Examination, JEE Main 2026. This announcement is important for lakhs of engineering aspirants preparing for the January session, as it outlines not just the exam duration but also strict reporting times and gate closing protocols that must be followed to ensure a smooth testing experience. The exam will be conducted from April 2 to 8, 2026, and the exam will be held in two shifts: the morning and afternoon shifts.
JEE Main 2026: Detailed Shift Timings and Reporting Protocol
The JEE Main 2026 exam is conducted in two primary shifts each day. Given below are the shift timings of the exam, which will be conducted from April 2 to 8, 2026:-
-
Shift 1 (Morning) will begin at 9:00 AM and will conclude at 12:00 PM.
-
Shift 2 (Afternoon) will begin at 3:00 PM and will conclude at 6:00 PM.
-
For Paper 2, B.Arch and B.Plan, the morning session extends slightly to 12:30 PM.
Candidates must pay close attention to the reporting and gate closing times, as NTA maintains a zero-tolerance policy for late arrivals. For the morning shifts, students are expected to report at the centre by 7:00 AM, with the entry gates closing strictly at 8:30 AM. For the afternoon shift, the reporting time is 1:00 PM, and the gates close at 2:30 PM. These early reporting hours are necessary for mandatory security checks, including biometric registration, frisking, and document verification. (Candidates are advised to carefully review their admit card for reporting and gate closing times.)
On the day of the exam, candidates are required to carry their JEE Main 2026 admit card with a filled self-declaration form, two passport-size photographs, and a valid photo ID proof. To ensure clarity, NTA has integrated these timings into the individual admit cards, which serve as the final authority on the candidate’s allotted slot and centre location.
Pratyasha is a Communications Professional with over 2.2 years of experience in the education sector. Having worked with top names like Arihant Publications and Jagran Josh, she specializes in board exam results, education news, and government job updates. She also brings a unique perspective as a former Subject Matter Expert for nearly a year. Currently, she is a key part of the Exam Prep and Sarkari Naukri team at Jagran Josh. Pratyasha holds an Honours degree in Ancient Indian History, Culture, and Archaeology, and loves reading and traveling in her free time.
