The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) is the responsible body for conducting the Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced) 2026. The IIT Roorkee brochure details have been released on the institute’s official website. Candidates must visit the official website to stay updated with the JEE Advanced 2026 exam dates, the IIT admission process, eligibility criteria, and other vital information. This article informs candidates about JEE Advanced 2026 registration, crucial dates, eligibility criteria, and other vital information regarding the JEE Advanced 2026 exam.

 

Overview of Joint Entrance Examination Advanced 2026

The Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced) 2026 is the gateway for admissions to engineering institutes and IITs across India. Candidates must clear the JEE Main 2026 exams (JEE Mains session 1 and session 2) and be among the top 2.5 lakhs to be eligible for the JEE Advanced 2026 exam. The JEE Advanced 2026 exam is significantly more challenging than the JEE Mains. The JEE Advanced 2026 exam requires conceptual understanding and strong problem-solving skills.

 

There are two main papers for the JEE Advanced 2026 exam; the first paper will be conducted from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on May 17, 2026, whereas the second paper will be conducted from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (on the same day).

 

A Brief about JEE Main 2026 Shift 1 and Vital Dates

The Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) is a national-level entrance exam for candidates seeking admission to engineering colleges across the country. Candidates need to clear the JEE Main 2026 exams and be within the top 2.5 lakh candidates to be considered for the JEE Advanced 2026 exam. 

 

The JEE Main 2026 shift 1 exam was successfully conducted on January 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 28th, 2026. The JEE Main 2026 shift 1 exam was computer-based and lasted 3 hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The JEE Main 2026 shift 1 exam, which was conducted over 5 days, consisted of 75 questions (25 per subject) for each day. +4 was awarded for a correct answer, -1 for a wrong answer, and 0 marks for unattempted questions. Candidates could achieve a maximum of 300 marks in the JEE Main 2026 shift 1 exam (each day). The questions in the JEE Main 2026 shift 1 exam covered the Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry subjects from classes 11th and 12th. The JEE Main 2026 shift 1 exam, conducted on January 28th, 2026, was easy to moderate but time-intensive based on student feedback.  

 

The results of the JEE Main 2026 shift 1 exam are expected to be released early to mid-February. The JEE Main 2026 shift 2 exam is expected to be conducted early in April. Candidates can use their experience from the JEE Main 2026 shift 1 exam to understand which subjects were difficult for them and ensure to focus on those subjects. They can also practice for the JEE Main 2026 shift 2 exam by referring to previous years’ question papers and doing mock tests.

 

Eligibility Criteria for JEE Advanced 2026

Candidates must be eligible to participate in JEE Advanced 2026. They must self assess their eligibility before taking part in the JEE Advanced 2026 exam. The official JEE Advanced 2026 notice outlines 5 vital pointers stating the eligibility criteria to participate in the exam. Here are the eligibility criteria to participate in the JEE Advanced exam 2026, as per the official brochure:

• Performance in JEE Main 2026: Candidates must have cleared the B.E./B.Tech. paper of the JEE Main 2026 exam and be within the top 2.5 lakh scorers to participate in the JEE (Advanced) 2026 exam. 
  
  
• Age Limit: Candidates should have been born on or after October 1, 2001. Five years of age relaxation is given to SC, ST, and PwD candidates, i.e., these candidates should have been born on or after October 1, 1996.
  
  
• Number of Attempts: A candidate can attempt the JEE Advanced exam a maximum of two times in two consecutive years. Those who attempted twice already will not be eligible to participate in the JEE Advanced exam 2026.
  
  
• Appearance in the Class 12 or Equivalent Exam: Candidates must have appeared for the Class XII (or equivalent) examination for the first time in either 2025 or 2026 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
  
  
• Earlier Admissions at IITs: A candidate should not have been admitted to an IIT under any academic program that is listed in JoSAA Business Rules of 2025, irrespective of whether or not the candidate continued in the program or accepted an IIT seat by reporting “online”/at a “reporting centre” in the past. Candidates whose admission to IITs was cancelled (for whatever reason) after joining any IIT are also not eligible to appear for JEE Advanced 2026.

JEE Advanced 2026 Exam Registration

Eligible candidates must register online to participate in the JEE Advanced 2026 exam. The online registration link for the JEE Advanced 2026 exam will be available on the official website. No offline registrations will be accepted for the JEE Advanced 2026 exam. 

 

JEE Advanced 2026 Exam Registration Dates

Candidates must be aware of the JEE Advanced 2026 exam registration dates so that they can register and participate in the exam. Here are the JEE Advanced 2026 exam registration dates, as per the official website: