Introduction
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is the gateway to India's premier engineering institutions, including the NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. The most crucial first step in your journey is submitting the online application form successfully and accurately. Errors here can lead to complications later in the process.
This detailed guide, based on the official steps and important instructions, will walk you through the entire JEE Main 2026 form-filling process to ensure your submission is flawless.
Step-by-Step Guide to Filling the JEE Main Form
The application process is completed in several sequential stages. Here are the steps to follow on the official NTA JEE Main website jeemain.nta.nic.in
| Steps | Action | Details & Accuracy Check |
|---|---|---|
| STEP I | Fill Personal Details | The MOST CRITICAL step for accuracy. You must enter your Candidate’s Name, Father’s/Guardian’s Name, Mother’s/Guardian’s Name, Date of Birth (DoB), and Gender EXACTLY as they appear on your Class 10th Passing Certificate/Marksheet. Any mismatch can create verification issues later. Create a strong password and security question. |
| STEP II | Generate Application Number | Upon successful registration, a unique system-generated Application Number will be created. Note this number down carefully, as it will be your login ID for all future steps and communications. |
Phase 2: Complete the Online Application Form
Log in using your Application Number and the password you created.
| Steps | Action | Details & Accuracy Check |
|---|---|---|
| STEP III | Identity Details | Select your preferred identity type from the dropdown menu, which includes options like Aadhaar, DigiLocker, Indian Passport Number, Non-Indian Passport Number, or PAN Card Number. Enter the required number/ID details. |
| STEP IV | Examination Centre Selection | Select your state and choose your top four preferred cities for the exam centre. |
| STEP V | Qualification Details | Enter your academic details, including the status of your Class 10th and Class 12th (Passed or Appearing). |
| STEP VI (Re-listed) | Additional Details | Fill in other required information, such as your Category, Family Annual Income, whether you are a PwD candidate (if applicable), and choice of Paper (Paper 1, Paper 2A, Paper 2B). |
| STEP VII | Emergency Contact Details | Provide a reliable secondary contact and email ID. |
Phase 3: Document Upload
Upload the scanned copies of your Photograph and Signature according to the official specifications:
| Document | Format | Format | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport Photo | JPG/JPEG | 10 KB to 200 KB | Recent, coloured, 80% face visible (including ears), white background. |
| Signature | JPG/JPEG | 10 KB to 100 KB | Clear signature in blue or black ink on white paper. |
| Class 10th Certificate | 50 KB to 300 KB | Required for Date of Birth verification. | |
| PwD Certificate (If applicable) | 50 KB to 300 KB | Mandatory for candidates claiming PwD reservation. |
Phase 4: Fee Payment and Confirmation
The final step is to pay the examination fee online. The fee structure for one session is as follows:
| Category | Boys | Girls | Outside India |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹1000 | ₹800 | ₹5000 |
| Category | Boys | Girls | Outside India |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwD / Transgender | ₹500 | ₹500 | ₹2500 |
Use Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or UPI to complete the transaction. After successful payment, a Confirmation Page will be generated. You must download and print this page as proof of your successful application.
Additional Cautionary Notes (Things to Note)
Name Change Restriction: The NTA platform explicitly warns: "System will not allow you to change Name after Aadhaar Number Authentication." Verify your name against your Class 10th Certificate before you link your Aadhaar or submit the registration, as this detail cannot be corrected later.
- Name Change Restriction: The NTA platform explicitly warns: "System will not allow you to change Name after Aadhaar Number Authentication." Verify your name against your Class 10th Certificate before you link your Aadhaar or submit the registration, as this detail cannot be corrected later.
- Category Certificate: For OBC-NCL and EWS candidates, you will typically need to fill in the certificate details (like date of issue and issuing authority), but you may not be required to upload the certificate itself during the form filling. However, keep the latest, valid certificate ready, as it will be required at the time of counselling.
- Photograph & Signature: Use a professional-quality image. Blurred or over-edited images, or those with a coloured/patterned background, will lead to the rejection of your form.
Conclusion
Filling out the JEE Main application form requires diligence and attention to detail, especially regarding personal and identity information. By following the steps and adhering to the guidelines on document specifications and fee payment, you can ensure your application is accurate, giving you a smooth start to your preparation for the examination. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The official website for all JEE Main-related activities, including registration, is jeemain.nta.nic.in.
Yes, NTA typically provides a correction window for a short period after the registration ends. This window is for correcting some details in the application form, but highly sensitive details like the Candidate's Name (if authenticated with Aadhaar), Mobile Number, and Email ID are usually restricted from modification.
The photograph must be in JPG/JPEG format, between 10 KB and 200 KB in size. Crucially, it must be a recent, coloured photograph with a plain white background.
No. The use of calculators, physical or on-screen, is strictly prohibited in the JEE Main examination.