The wait for millions of engineering aspirants is nearly over as the National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 City Intimation Slips today, January 7. Candidates who have registered for the January session can soon log in to the official portal at jeemain.nta.nic.in to find out which city they have been allotted for their entrance test.
This document is a precursor to the actual admit card and is designed to give students enough time to arrange for travel and lodging. The Session 1 exams are scheduled to take place from January 21 to January 30, 2026, across various centers in India and abroad.
Understanding the City Intimation Slip vs. Admit Card
It is important for students to distinguish between the city slip and the admit card. The city intimation slip only provides the name of the allocated city and the specific date of the examination. It does not contain the name of the exam center or the shift timings.
The official JEE Main Admit Card will be released separately, usually three to four days before the actual exam date. Only the admit card will serve as the entry ticket to the examination hall, containing detailed instructions, the exact venue address, and reporting times. Candidates are advised not to treat the city slip as a substitute for the hall ticket.
Important Deadline Extension for Photo Mismatch Cases
In a significant update, the NTA has extended the deadline for identity verification to January 15, 2026. This applies specifically to candidates who faced issues where their uploaded photographs did not match the records in the UIDAI (Aadhaar) database or those who used non-Aadhaar identity proofs.
Affected students must upload a signed and attested certificate along with a recent photograph through the link sent to their registered emails. The NTA has relaxed the rules to allow attestation from Class-I Gazetted Officers, such as Tehsildars or District Magistrates, making it easier for students to complete the process. A physical copy of this same attested certificate must also be carried to the exam center on the day of the test.
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam Schedule
The January session will be conducted in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for three different papers. Paper 1 is for those seeking admission to B.E. and B.Tech programs, while Paper 2A and 2B are for B.Arch and B.Planning, respectively.
The examinations will be held in two daily shifts. The morning shift typically runs from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, and the afternoon shift follows from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Following the conclusion of the exams, the NTA is scheduled to announce the results on February 12, 2026, which will determine eligibility for the JEE Advanced 2026 and admissions to NITs, IIITs, and other GFTIs.
Steps to Download the City Intimation Slip
Once the link is activated on the official website, candidates should follow these steps to access their information:
- Visit the official NTA JEE website at
jeemain.nta.nic.in. - Click on the link titled “Advance City Intimation for JEE Main 2026.”
- Enter your Application Number and Date of Birth (or Password).
- Enter the Security Pin as shown on the screen and submit.
- Download the PDF and check your allotted city and exam date.
What Happens Next?
After the city slips are released, the focus will shift to the issuance of admit cards in the third week of January. Students should use this time to finalize their travel plans, especially if their exam center is in a different city. Meanwhile, the registration window for Session 2 (April 2026) is expected to open in late January or early February.
Candidates are reminded to rely only on official communications from nta.ac.in and the JEE Main portal. Avoid following unverified social media reports regarding changes in syllabus or exam dates, as the current schedule remains firmly in place.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the city intimation slip the same as the admit card?
The city slip only tells you the city and the date of your exam so you can plan travel. The admit card, which is released 3–4 days before the exam, contains your specific center address and shift timing.
2. What should I do if my photo verification is still pending?
NTA has extended the deadline to January 15, 2026. You must get your certificate attested by a Gazetted Officer and upload it via the link sent to your email. You must also carry this physical certificate to the exam hall.
3. Can I change my allotted exam city after the slip is released?
No, the NTA generally does not entertain requests to change the examination city or center once it has been allotted. The decision of the NTA is final.
4. When will the results for the January session be declared?
The results for the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 are officially scheduled to be declared on February 12, 2026.
5. Which websites should I check for official updates?
Always refer to jeemain.nta.nic.in and nta.ac.in for authentic information and download links