JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Dates: In a significant update hours ahead of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 Session 1, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced another revision to the exam schedule affecting aspirants in West Bengal. The highly competitive engineering entrance exam, which serves as a gateway to premier technical institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs), was originally slated to take place across multiple days in January 2026. However, due to the coincidence of Saraswati Puja—a major regional festival—and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary on January 23, 2026, the agency has postponed the JEE Main exam for candidates scheduled on that date in the state.
According to the official NTA announcement shared on the agency’s social media platform, all candidates from West Bengal who were allotted slots for January 23 will now be assigned an alternative examination date within the already advertised Session 1 window. While the core exam timeline from January 21 to January 29, 2026 remains unchanged for other states and regions, the January 23 date will no longer be used for any West Bengal candidate.
This marks the second schedule adjustment in quick succession and comes after representations from students, parents, state officials, and community stakeholders highlighted the cultural and logistical challenges of conducting one of India’s most crucial examinations on a day of deep religious and historical significance. Saraswati Puja, dedicated to the Hindu goddess of knowledge, is widely celebrated among students and educational communities across West Bengal, where rituals and observances on the day often occupy the entire morning and afternoon. Coupled with the state’s commemoration of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary, the overlap posed logistical and emotional dilemmas for many aspirants.
Political Intervention and Public Response
The schedule alteration also came against the backdrop of political and administrative interventions. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly acknowledged her role in advocating for the change, emphasizing the need to respect regional sentiments while ensuring students do not have to choose between important cultural observances and their academic ambitions. Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar and the state’s Higher Education Department were among the officials who petitioned the NTA, underscoring the significance of the date for local communities.
The decision has garnered mixed reactions. Many students and parents welcomed the move, praising the sensitivity shown to cultural practices and the flexibility afforded to candidates. At the same time, some aspirants from other states have voiced differing opinions on social forums, arguing that the festival of Saraswati Puja is observed beyond West Bengal—including in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam—and advocating for a uniform shift for all candidates scheduled on the same day, to ensure fairness in exam conditions.
What Candidates Should Know
Affected students are advised to keep a close watch on official NTA communications for updates on their revised examination dates. The agency has indicated these rescheduled dates will fall within the existing Session 1 period and communicated through updates on the jeemain.nta.nic.in portal, updates on social media, and direct notifications.
The NTA has reiterated that except for the West Bengal January 23 slot, the rest of the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 scheme—including the dates for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) and Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning)—remains unaffected. All candidates are required to carry their hall tickets and other mandatory documents on their respective exam days, and no entry will be permitted without proper identification.
Meanwhile, admit cards for the JEE Main Session 1 exam are expected to be released soon on the official website. Candidates will need their application numbers and dates of birth to download their hall tickets once the link goes live.
As the NTA works to finalize revised schedules, students and parents have been urged to rely on official announcements and avoid misinformation circulating on informal platforms. The agency’s helpdesk remains available for queries and support concerning updated dates and procedural clarifications.
Simran is currently working as a Senior Content Writer at Findmycollege , where she creates engaging and research-driven learning resources for students. She has completed her Graduation in Journalism from Delhi University. With 4 years of experience in the EdTech industry, she has previously contributed to leading platforms like Leverage Edu and Aakash. Her expertise lies in simplifying Engineering and Medical entrance exam content to guide aspirants in their preparation journey. Beyond writing, Simran enjoys sketching, watching movies, and finding creative inspiration in everyday life.
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