JEE Main 2026 Session 1 records over 96% attendance in initial exam days

A high turnout has been recorded in the opening phase of JEE Main 2026 Session 1, with official data pointing to strong candidate participation across the first set of examination days.

The National Testing Agency has released cumulative attendance figures for exams held so far in the ongoing session.

JEE Main 2026 Session 1 began on Jan 21 and was conducted on Jan 22, 23, and 24. The examination will continue on Jan 28 and 29.

According to data issued on Jan 24, as many as 801,326 candidates had registered for the exam, of whom 770,441 appeared, resulting in an attendance rate of 96.15%.

The current session marks the first full rollout of mandatory Aadhaar-based verification for JEE Main candidates.

Among those who appeared for the examination between Jan 21 and 23, a total of 740,412 candidates were successfully verified using Aadhaar, accounting for 96.10% of those present.

The data also indicates that 2,563 candidates appearing for the exam were persons with disabilities.

From JEE Main 2026 onward, Aadhaar authentication has been made compulsory at the registration stage.

Candidates must verify their identity using their 12-digit Aadhaar number or DigiLocker credentials, which automatically retrieve personal details such as name, date of birth, and photograph from the UIDAI database.

The National Testing Agency has advised candidates to ensure that Aadhaar authentication, including biometric verification, is unlocked in advance to prevent complications at exam centers.

At the venue, candidates are required to produce their JEE Main 2026 admit card along with a valid original photo identity proof, preferably Aadhaar, matching the registration details. Entry is granted only after successful verification.

JEE Main 2026 Session 1 is scheduled on Jan 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, and 29. Paper 1 for BE and BTech is being conducted over multiple days in two shifts, from 9 am to 12 pm and from 3 pm to 6 pm. Paper 2 for BArch and BPlanning will be held on Jan 29 in a single shift from 9 am to 12:30 pm.

All examinations are being conducted in computer-based test mode at designated centers nationwide.