Candidates often wonder if it's possible to take the JEE Main Session 2 exam without taking Session 1. Well, yeas, they can. Both the January and April session of JEE Main 2026 exam are independent of each other. Aspirants can register separately, and they can choose to appear for one or both. Those who missed JEE Main Session 1 registration can surely apply for Session 2. Note that the NTA is conduction the JEE Main 2026 registration for session 1 from October 31 to November 27, 2025. The JEE Main will be held between January 21 to 30, 2026 and April 2 to 9, 2026.
The steps to apply for the JEE Main 2026 session 1 are as follows.
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It is important to check the JEE Main eligibility criteria 2026 before applying for the exam. Those with question “Can I give JEE Main Session 2 without giving Session 1?” will find the compelete answer in this article.
The JEE Main exam for admission to top engineering colleges in India is conducted in two sessions every year, in January and April. Each session is independent, meaning that if a candidate misses or does not want to sit for session 1, he/she can still register for session 2. See the key points below for a better understanding:
The candidates have a choice of appearing in either or both sessions and make the fee payment accordingly.
Even if the candidate appeared in session 1 or missed it, he/she can still give the session 2 exam after filling up its separate registration form.
If a candidate appears in more than one session, his/her best JEE Main NTA scores will be taken into account for the JEE Main merit list.
The table below displays some JEE Main important dates 2026 for session 1 and session 2.
Particulars | Session 1 | Session 2 |
JEE Main registration 2026 | October 31, 2025 | Last week of January 2026 |
JEE Main registration last date | November 27, 2025 | February 2026 |
JEE Main exam date 2026 | January 21 to 30, 2026 | April 2 to 9, 2026 |
JEE Main result 2026 | February 2026 | April 2026 |
Quick Links:
The JEE Main registration 2026 is an online process. Candidates can check the steps below to prepare themselves for the application process. For JEE Main registration, an aspirant is required to:
Visit the JEE Main official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in 2026.
Click on new registration and enter the basic information.
Choose a strong password and submit.
The login credentials will be received via registered contact details.
Log in using the provided credentials.
Fill out the JEE Main application form and upload the documents.
Make the fee payment via the available payment methods.
Click on submit and download/print for further reference.
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A candidate can use the previous login credentials if applied for the session 1 exam.
A combined application form can also be filled out for both sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No. No candidate is bound to appear for both sessions. The primary reason for conducting two sessions is to give the candidate an additional opportunity.
Yes, candidates can apply for JEE Main Session 2 later.
Yes, relevant changes in session 2 can be made if the candidate made a mistake in session 1 application, or to simply update the new information.
The benefit of appearing in both JEE Main sessions is that the best scores in either session will be considered for preparing the JEE Main merit list.
On Question asked by student community
Hey there,
Your OBC-NCL certificate will not be valid for the JEE Mains 2026 application as it is from June 2024. You can apply for a new one as soon as possible. For the JEE Mains, the OBC-NCL certificate should be issued on or after 1 April 2025.
And as for your Aadhar, the mistakes in your name and Date of Birth will be an issue during the document verification process. The details should match your 10th-class certificate. So you will also need to update it as soon as possible.
Hope it helps!!!
Hello Satyam,
Yes, your EWS certificate is valid.
In Bihar, the EWS certificate can be issued by the Circle Officer, BDO, SDO, or DM. So a certificate signed by the Circle Officer (Revenue Officer) is acceptable.
If the format of your certificate is the same as the Central Government EWS format, then it is valid for JEE Main registration and also for JoSAA counselling. The heading “Government of Bihar” does not create any problem.
Just remember one point:
For
JoSAA 2026
, you will need an EWS certificate issued on or after 1 April 2025. Even if your current certificate works for registration, you must update it before counselling.
Hope it helps !
Hello murali
No, your son is not eligible for OBC NCL for IIT JEE because you fall in the "creamy layer" occupational category, regardless of your current employment status or family income. Students whose family income is less than Rs. 8 lakhs annually and they are not belong to the "creamy layer".
Note -
Thank You
Hello,
You can fill the JEE Main form even if you are a private candidate
Write the
name of the school/board from where you are appearing as a private candidate
.
If your Class 12 admit card or registration slip shows a school/centre name, use that exactly.
If your board lists you as a “Private Candidate” under the board name , then write:
CBSE – Private Candidate
(or your board name – Private Candidate)
Use the pin code of the examination centre/school mentioned on your Class 12 private candidate admit card or registration details.
If your board does not give any school address and only shows the regional office address, then use the regional office address pin code given by your board.
Hope it helps !
Hello Aspirant
You should not leave the OBC-NCL certificate ID blank in the JEE Main form it can create problems later.
NTA wants the certificate details while filling the form, not just at counselling. If you can, apply for the OBC-NCL certificate immediately so you get the ID on time.
If you fail to submit the certificate during counselling, your category will shift to General. It’s safer to enter OBC-NCL only if you’re sure you’ll get the certificate before counselling.
Hope it will help you
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Attempt JEE Main online mock test based on the updated syllabus. Check your preparation and identify your weak points.
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