If you have been checking your phone every hour waiting for your JEE Main 2026 Session 2 admit card \u2014 the wait is finally over. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has started releasing hall tickets in batches between March 28 and March 30, 2026<\/strong>, ahead of the upcoming April exam window. This is the single most important document you will carry into the examination hall, and not having it means you simply will not be allowed inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this guide, you will find everything you need: exact download steps, what details the admit card contains, what to carry on exam day, common mistakes to avoid, and answers to the most frequently asked questions. Bookmark this page \u2014 we will keep updating it as NTA releases admit cards for subsequent exam dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Table of Contents<\/p>\n\n\n\n NTA follows a batch-wise admit card release pattern \u2014 candidates sitting earlier do not all get their hall tickets on the same day. Based on the official schedule and patterns from Session 1, here is the expected release timeline:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Important:<\/strong> NTA does not dispatch physical admit cards by post. Downloading from the official portal is the only method available. No exceptions are made for candidates who fail to download before exam day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro Tip:<\/strong> Try downloading during early morning hours (5\u20137 AM IST) to avoid server congestion. The NTA portal often slows significantly between 10 AM\u20132 PM when lakhs of students log in simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paper 1 Dates<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 2, 4, 5, 6 & 8<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paper 2 Date<\/p>\n\n\n\n April 7, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shifts<\/p>\n\n\n\n Morning & Afternoon<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gate Closes<\/p>\n\n\n\n 30 min before exam<\/p>\n\n\n\n JEE Main Session 2 (April 2026) is the second and final attempt of the year. For many students, this is the chance to improve their Session 1 NTA score \u2014 NTA considers the better of the two scores during merit ranking. The exam is conducted entirely in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across multiple cities in India and select international centres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The process is straightforward but must be followed carefully. Here is exactly what to do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Open the Official NTA JEE Main Website<\/p>\n\n\n\n Go to jeemain.nta.nic.in<\/strong> on a desktop or laptop browser. Avoid using a mobile browser \u2014 it may not render the download link correctly on all devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find the Admit Card Download Link<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the homepage, look for a notification titled “Download Admit Card: JEE Main 2026 Session 2”<\/em>. NTA places it prominently in the Latest Updates section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Log In with Your Credentials<\/p>\n\n\n\n Enter your Application Number<\/strong> and either your Password<\/strong> or Date of Birth<\/strong> (DD\/MM\/YYYY format). Type the CAPTCHA shown on screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Click Submit and Verify<\/p>\n\n\n\n After clicking Submit, your admit card will appear as a PDF. Check every detail carefully \u2014 name, exam date, exam centre address, shift timing, and photograph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Download and Print Multiple Copies<\/p>\n\n\n\n Save the PDF to a secure location. Print at least 2\u20133 copies. A black-and-white printout is acceptable, but ensure all text and the QR code are clearly legible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paste Your Photograph<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before arriving at the exam centre, paste the same passport-size photograph (as uploaded during registration) on the designated space on the admit card’s attendance sheet section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is more common than you think, especially for students who applied months ago. Here is what to do: on the login page, click “Forgot Application Number”<\/strong>, then enter your name, father’s name, mother’s name, date of birth, and state of eligibility. Your application number will be sent to your registered email and mobile number instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The JEE Main 2026 Session 2 admit card is more than just a gate-pass. It is a comprehensive document that contains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check Carefully:<\/strong> If you find any discrepancy \u2014 wrong name spelling, incorrect date of birth, wrong exam centre, or wrong category \u2014 contact the NTA Helpdesk immediately at +91-11-40759000<\/strong>. Do not wait until exam day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carrying the right documents is non-negotiable. A missing item can mean being turned away at the gate \u2014 even if your admit card is in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every year, thousands of candidates make avoidable errors that create last-minute stress. Here are the most common ones:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some students wait until the night before the exam to download their hall ticket \u2014 only to find the NTA server unresponsive due to peak load. Download as soon as the link goes live, ideally within the first few hours of release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Candidates often download the admit card, save it without reading, and only notice errors on exam day. Take five minutes after downloading to cross-check every field against your application form details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The admit card has a designated space for a passport-size photo on the attendance sheet. Many candidates arrive at the exam centre without pasting this \u2014 causing unnecessary delays and, in some cases, entry denial. Paste the photo the evening before the exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A creased or smudged QR code cannot be scanned by invigilators. Print on clean A4 paper, store flat in a folder, and do not fold or crumple the document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are two entirely different documents. The city intimation slip (released March 22) tells you your exam city \u2014 it is not a gate pass. The admit card is the only valid entry document. More on this below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Night Before<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep all documents, stationery, and ID ready in one place<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arrive Early<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reach the centre at least 60 minutes before your shift starts<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dress Simple<\/p>\n\n\n\n Avoid heavy jewellery, watches, or accessories to speed up entry<\/p>\n\n\n\n Extra Copies<\/p>\n\n\n\n Print 2\u20133 copies of your admit card and keep one at home<\/p>\n\n\n\n NTA Helpdesk:<\/strong> If the admit card download link is not working after repeated attempts, call NTA directly at +91-11-40759000<\/strong> or email jeemain@nta.ac.in<\/strong>. Do not rely on third-party websites for your admit card \u2014 only jeemain.nta.nic.in is official.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A lot of confusion exists around these two documents. Here is a clear breakdown:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Admit Card Release Dates (March 28\u201330, 2026)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Exam Dates<\/th> Expected Admit Card Release<\/th> Status<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> April 2, 4, 5 (Paper 1)<\/td> March 28, 2026<\/td> Out \/ Expected Today<\/td><\/tr> April 6, 8 (Paper 1)<\/td> March 30 \u2013 April 2, 2026<\/td> Releasing Soon<\/td><\/tr> April 7 (Paper 2 \u2013 B.Arch \/ B.Plan)<\/td> April 2\u20133, 2026<\/td> Upcoming<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Session 2 Exam Schedule \u2014 April 2 to 8, 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStep-by-Step: How to Download the Admit Card<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Forgot Your Application Number?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Details Are Printed on the Hall Ticket<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Documents to Carry on Exam Day<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mandatory Documents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Permitted Items<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Strictly Prohibited Items<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Common Mistakes \u2014 And How to Avoid Them<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mistake 1: Downloading the Admit Card Too Late<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mistake 2: Not Verifying Details Immediately<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mistake 3: Forgetting to Paste the Photograph<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mistake 4: Carrying a Folded or Damaged Printout<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mistake 5: Confusing the City Intimation Slip with the Admit Card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pro Tips for Exam Day Success<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
City Intimation Slip vs Admit Card \u2014 Key Difference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n