What Your JEE Main Admit Card Actually Does
Three to four days before your exam, NTA releases a document worth more than any mock test you have taken. Your JEE Main admit card is the only physical proof that gets you past the frisking line, the biometric scanner, and the invigilator's desk. Without it, even a perfect NTA score on your screen means nothing because you never sat for the test.
The hall ticket prints your photograph, signature, roll number, exam date, shift timing, reporting time, gate closing time, and the full address of your allotted centre. It also spells out the binding exam-day instructions that govern what you wear, what you carry, and what happens if you break a rule. Treat it like a legal document, not a printout you fold into your pocket.
If you have not yet registered or want the complete timeline, the JEE Main overview and dates page are the places to start. For subject-wise planning, the syllabus and preparation pages offer structured roadmaps.
Release Schedule and Dates
NTA releases admit cards in phases, not all at once. For Session 1 (January 2026), the city intimation slip came out on 8 January 2026. The first batch of admit cards, for exams held on 21-24 January, went live on 17 January. A second batch, for the 28-29 January exams, followed on 24 January. Each batch appeared roughly 3-4 days before the corresponding exam date.
For Session 2 (April 2026), the city intimation slip dropped on 21 March 2026. The admit card link activated on 29 March for exams on 2 and 4 April. A second wave, for exams from 5 to 8 April, went live on 1 April 2026. The last date to download the hall ticket is your specific exam day; after that, the link closes.
If your friend has their admit card and you do not, it does not mean your application is rejected. It means your exam date falls in a later batch. Check the portal every few hours.
How to Download the Hall Ticket (Step by Step)
The portal is jeemain.nta.nic.in. Do not use third-party sites or shared links.
1. Locate the Download Link
On the homepage, look for a flashing link titled "JEE Main 2026 Session 1/Session 2 Admit Card" or "Download Hall Ticket". Click it.
2. Enter Your Credentials
The login page asks for your application number and password. If you did not set a password during registration, use your date of birth in DD/MM/YYYY format. Fill in the security pin and solve the captcha. Then click "Login" or "Submit".
Stuck? Use the "Forgot Application Number" or "Forgot Password" link right there. The portal sends a reset link to your registered email ID and a code to your registered mobile. Keep both accessible throughout the cycle.
3. Verify the PDF Before You Download
Your admit card opens on screen. Before clicking download, check every field: name, photograph, signature, exam date, shift, paper type (B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch, or B.Planning), centre address, reporting time, and gate closing time. The barcode at the bottom must be scannable. A blurred or half-printed barcode can cause trouble at the gate.
4. Download and Print Multiple Copies
Click the download button and save the PDF. Print at least two clear colour copies on A4 paper. One copy you will hand over at the centre. The other stays with you as backup. Digital copies on a mobile phone are not accepted.
NTA's official instruction: carry only the first page of the admit card. That page contains your photo, roll number, and exam details. The remaining pages list instructions you must read but do not need to hand over.
5. What If the Admit Card Does Not Appear?
If you have completed registration-full form, successful fee payment, and you received a confirmation page-but the admit card still does not show on your dashboard, try these:
- Clear your browser cache and switch to Chrome or Firefox in incognito mode.
- Retry after a few hours; phased release often causes this.
- Check your application status on the portal: did you receive a confirmation page after registration? An incomplete form or a failed payment can block the admit card.
- If nothing works, call the NTA helpline at 011-40759000 or 011-69227700 between 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM. Email
[email protected]with your application number, confirmation page, and fee payment receipt attached. NTA typically responds within 24-72 hours.
Verify Every Detail Immediately
As soon as you download, cross-check these fields against your original application form and Class 10 certificate. A small mismatch that seems harmless on screen can become a verification deadlock at the centre gate.
Name and Date of Birth
Your name must exactly match the name on your photo ID proof. Even a missing middle name or extra space counts as a mismatch. Your date of birth should be identical to your Class 10 certificate. One-digit errors in day, month, or year invite extra scrutiny.
Photograph and Signature
Both must be clear, centred, and legible. A blurred or missing photograph-or one that does not match the photo you uploaded-needs immediate correction. The signature on the admit card must mirror the signature on your ID proof.
Exam Date, Shift, and Paper Type
Check whether you are in Shift 1 (9:00 AM-12:00 PM) or Shift 2 (3:00 PM-6:00 PM). Verify the paper: Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), Paper 2A (B.Arch), or Paper 2B (B.Planning). Showing up at the wrong shift means you miss your exam entirely.
Centre Address and Roll Number
Only the centre address on the admit card is authoritative-not the city intimation slip. Note the full address and centre code. Your roll number and application number must match your registration records; these numbers follow you into the results and counselling stages.
Category, PwD Status, and QR/Barcode
Confirm your category (General, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS) and PwD status. These affect rank list placement and seat allocation. The QR code or barcode must be scannable; do not fold or damage that part of the sheet.
If you spot any error-name, photo, DOB, centre details-do not ignore it. Jump to the error correction section below and act within 24 hours.
The Self-Declaration Form, Photograph, and Thumb Impression
Your admit card often carries a self-declaration (undertaking) form. This is not optional paperwork. It must be completed before you reach the centre.
Pasting the Photograph
A dedicated space is marked for a passport-size photograph. Use the same colour photo you uploaded during registration. A different picture raises questions. Paste it neatly; do not staple.
Left-Hand Thumb Impression
Put your left-hand thumb impression in the space provided, using blue or black ink. The print must be clear and unsmudged. Do this at home, not at the gate. A smudged or missing impression can delay your verification.
Signature Rule
Do NOT sign the admit card at home. The signature must be done in front of the invigilator inside the exam hall. Leave that space blank until you are seated and instructed.
Non-Aadhaar Declaration (Page 4)
Candidates who registered using an ID other than Aadhaar-PAN, passport, voter ID, driving licence-will find a "Declaration for Non-Aadhaar Candidates" on the last page of the admit card. Fill in your name, father's name, mother's name, application ID, roll number, ID proof details, exam date, and shift. Sign this declaration on exam day in front of the invigilator. Carry the original non-Aadhaar ID you used during registration.
If you received an email from NTA asking for a photo verification certificate, you must upload it by the deadline (15 January 2026 for Session 1; a similar window will apply for Session 2 candidates). Download the certificate from your dashboard, paste a recent photo, get it signed and stamped by your school principal or headmaster (the signature must overlap both the photo and the certificate), scan it as a PDF, and upload it. Carry the physical attested certificate on exam day.
What to Carry to the Exam Centre
You will not be allowed past the gate without these physical documents. None can be shown on a phone.
Mandatory items:
- Printed colour admit card (first page), with self-declaration completed-carry at least 2 copies
- Original valid photo ID: Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, voter ID, driving licence, or school/college ID. Photocopies are not accepted. The ID must match the one you used during registration.
- One passport-size photograph (same as the one uploaded in the application) for the attendance sheet
- Simple transparent ballpoint pen
- Transparent water bottle (optional)
- Personal hand sanitiser (50 ml, optional)
For PwD/PwBD candidates: valid PwD certificate issued by a competent medical authority; additional documents if a scribe has been approved.
For B.Arch candidates: geometry box, pencils, erasers, colour pencils or crayons for the drawing test. Watercolours are strictly prohibited.
For candidates who registered without Aadhaar: the photo verification certificate (if NTA emailed you) and the duly filled non-Aadhaar declaration.
For diabetic candidates: sugar tablets, whole fruits (banana, apple, orange) in a transparent pack, and a transparent water bottle. Packaged foods-chocolates, sandwiches, chips-are not allowed even with a medical condition. Inform the centre superintendent before the exam starts.
Keep all documents in a simple transparent pouch. Centres do not provide secure storage for bags, wallets, or phones. Leave valuables at home or in your vehicle.
Dress Code: What NTA Bans and Why
NTA prints dress code rules directly on the admit card. The restrictions are backed by AI-powered frisking, biometric verification, and flying squads. They exist to prevent the smuggling of Bluetooth chips, micro-cameras, and wireless earpieces-all documented in Indian examination fraud.
Explicitly Prohibited
Thick-soled shoes are banned. Platform shoes, chunky sneakers, heavily cushioned sports shoes, thick foam trainers-none are allowed. Shoe soles have been used to hide Bluetooth transmitters. Wear thin-soled sandals or slippers only. Flat canvas shoes without thick cushioning might work, but if the sole is thick, security will stop you.
Garments with large buttons are banned. Hollow or thick buttons can conceal miniature cameras. Wear plain t-shirts, simple shirts with small standard buttons, or plain kurtas with no embellishment. Avoid blazers, jackets with large metal fasteners, and ethnic wear with decorative tikki-work.
Generally Prohibited
Watches of all kinds-analogue, digital, smart-are not allowed. Jewellery, rings, bracelets, chains, earrings, nose pins are banned. Belts with metallic buckles trigger metal detectors; wear trousers with elastic waistbands. Caps, mufflers, scarves, hoodies, stoles are not permitted. Goggles and metallic hair accessories also disallowed.
What to Wear
Male candidates: simple half-sleeve cotton t-shirt or shirt, plain trousers or jeans without metal buttons, and flat sandals or chappals. Female candidates: simple salwar-kameez without heavy embroidery, kurta with leggings, or plain t-shirt with jeans. Use plastic hair clips; avoid metallic pins. Dupattas are discouraged; if worn for religious reasons, expect additional frisking.
Religious Exemption for Sikh Candidates
NTA has formally exempted Sikh candidates from the metallic items ban for kara and kirpan. Turban is also permitted. These items are recognised as essential religious articles.
The critical instruction: Sikh candidates must arrive 30 to 45 minutes earlier than the standard recommended arrival time. Kara and kirpan require a thorough inspection at the entry gate, which takes extra time. For Shift 1, aim to be at the centre gate by 6:30 AM at the latest. This exemption is printed in the official NTA advisory and cannot be overridden by individual centre staff.
Reporting Time, Gate Closing, and Exam-Day Timeline
The gate closing time is the hardest rule in the entire advisory. It has no exceptions, no grace period, no appeal process. Arrive one minute late, and you will not enter.
For Shift 1 (morning): the entry window runs from 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM. Gates close at 8:30 AM sharp. Instructions run from 8:30 AM to 8:50 AM. You log in at 8:50 AM. The exam starts at 9:00 AM and ends at 12:00 PM.
For Shift 2 (afternoon): entry runs from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. Gates close at 2:30 PM sharp. Instructions from 2:30 PM to 2:50 PM, login at 2:50 PM, exam from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
For B.Arch/B.Planning candidates in Shift 1, the exam runs from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM; reporting and gate closing times remain the same.
The entry process includes security frisking, biometric fingerprint registration, document verification of admit card and photo ID, AI-based facial recognition matching against your registered photograph, and manual attendance. All of this happens before the gate closes. Arrive 60 to 90 minutes before your reporting window begins, not just before the gate closes.
Inside the Exam Hall: Rules That Govern Your Three Hours
Once you clear frisking and identity verification, an invigilator directs you to your assigned seat. You cannot choose or swap seats.
The invigilator provides 3-5 A4-sized rough sheets and a pen. Write your name and roll number at the top of every sheet. Use only these for calculations and rough work. Do not write anything on the admit card itself. You may request more rough sheets if needed.
Sign the attendance sheet and paste your additional passport-size photograph in the designated space. Your left-hand thumb impression on the attendance sheet must be clear and smudge-free.
Read every instruction on the login screen before the exam starts. They cover navigation, answer marking, review options, and submission.
During the exam, raise your hand if you face a technical issue. Do not try to fix the computer yourself. Do not talk to other candidates or look at anyone else's screen.
Toilet break rule: If you leave the hall for a toilet break, you must undergo mandatory frisking and biometric verification again before re-entering. No exceptions. This makes complex clothing a recurring problem; every re-frisk costs exam time.
At the end, hand over your rough sheets and admit card to the invigilator before leaving. NTA has warned that taking the admit card out may result in non-evaluation of your answers. You cannot leave the hall early even if you finish before time.
Prohibited Items: The Complete List
Carrying any of these items into the exam hall is treated as Unfair Means (UFM). Consequences: immediate disqualification, cancellation of results, and a ban of up to three years from future NTA exams.
- Mobile phones, smartphones, pagers
- Smartwatches, fitness bands, any analogue or digital watch
- Calculators-physical or virtual. No on-screen calculator is provided; all calculations must be done manually on the rough sheets.
- Bluetooth devices, earphones, headphones, microphones
- Cameras, tape recorders, or any recording device
- Docupen, slide rules, log tables
- Any stationery beyond a simple transparent ballpoint pen (geometry box, pencil box, rulers, erasers, coloured pens, markers)
- Handbags, purses, wallets
- Any printed or written material-notes, books, chits
- Packed or loose food items (except for diabetic candidates with approved items)
- Any metallic item or electronic gadget not listed above
NTA does not provide secure storage. Some centres may have a luggage room, but this is not guaranteed. Assume you must leave everything except mandatory documents at home or in your vehicle.
If Your Admit Card Has an Error: The Correction Process
Errors on JEE Main admit cards are common. In the 2025 cycle, NTA recorded over 1.18 lakh correction requests across sessions. Photo and signature errors accounted for about 31% of queries, category errors 23%, and wrong personal and academic details another 19%. The key is acting fast.
Correction Window (Application Form Only)
NTA opens a one-time correction window for the application form after the registration period closes. For Session 1 (2026), the window was open on 1-2 December 2025. For Session 2, it opened on 27-28 February 2026. During this window, you can edit exam city preferences, medium, category, photo, and signature. Name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID are locked.
If you need to correct your photo or signature, you do it during this correction window. After the window closes, no further edits are possible on the application form.
What to Do When the Admit Card Has an Error
Admit card errors after its release are handled directly through the NTA help desk. There is no separate "admit card correction window."
If the correction window is still open: log in at jeemain.nta.nic.in, click "Correction in Application Form", edit the allowed fields, and submit. Pay any additional fee if required (for example, changing category from SC to General, or adding a paper). Download the updated confirmation page.
If the correction window is closed: contact the NTA help desk immediately:
- Helpline: 011-40759000 or 011-69227700 (9:30 AM - 5:30 PM)
- Email:
[email protected]
Write a clear email with subject: "Correction Request - JEE Main Admit Card 2026 - Application No. [Your Number]". In the body, state your application number, full name, date of birth, and the exact error. Attach a scanned copy of your admit card showing the error and a valid ID proof supporting the correct details. Send this from your registered email ID.
On exam day: If the error remains uncorrected, still appear at the centre with your admit card and all supporting documents. Carry the correction acknowledgement or email proof if you have it. Minor spelling mismatches that do not affect identity are usually allowed, but major mismatches-especially wrong photograph or date of birth-can cause entry problems. NTA has stated that candidates who report errors before the exam are generally permitted to sit for the test while the record is corrected later.
Non-Aadhaar Photo Verification Certificate
Candidates who registered without Aadhaar and received an email from NTA about photo verification must upload the certificate by the specified deadline (15 January 2026 for Session 1). The process is: download the certificate from your dashboard, paste a recent photo, get it signed and stamped by your school principal/headmaster (the signature must overlap the photo and certificate), scan as PDF, and upload. Carry the physical attested copy on exam day.
City Intimation Slip vs Admit Card
These are two different documents.
The city intimation slip, released about two to three weeks before the session (8 January 2026 for Session 1; 21 March 2026 for Session 2), tells you only the city where your exam centre is located. It helps you book travel early. It does not contain the centre address, shift timing, roll number, or any exam-day instructions. You cannot use it for entry.
The admit card, released 3-4 days before your specific exam date, is the official entry document. It carries everything. Only the admit card grants you entry.
If you want to track the slip release timeline, the dates page lists all notifications. For your final travel plan, rely only on the centre address printed on the admit card.
Unfair Means and Penalties
NTA uses AI-powered monitoring, multi-stage biometric verification, and flying squads at exam centres. In the January 2024 session alone, 39 candidates faced debarment for three years due to unfair means. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, also applies.
UFM includes: possessing a mobile phone or electronic device, using unauthorised material, copying, allowing others to copy, communicating with other candidates, impersonation, uploading forged documents, submitting multiple applications to obtain multiple scorecards, and attempting to remove exam material from the hall.
Penalties: immediate disqualification, cancellation of results even if already declared, a three-year ban from future JEE Main exams, and potential criminal proceedings. No appeal.
The surveillance infrastructure is the reason behind every dress code restriction, every frisking pass, and every biometric check. The system is designed to catch cheating before it distorts the rank list that determines your seat in colleges accepting JEE Main.