Image Source: Daily Jagran
JEE Main 2026 has witnessed a historic surge in registrations, with 14.5 lakh candidates applying for the January session, making it the most competitive edition to date. The total number is expected to rise further with the second session, reflecting growing interest in engineering education across India.
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The Joint Entrance Examination (Main) 2026 has set a new benchmark in Indian engineering entrance history, with approximately 14.5 lakh candidates registering for the first session alone. This marks the highest registration count ever recorded for the January session, reflecting a surge in student interest and competition for top engineering colleges across the country.
Key Highlights
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Record-Breaking Numbers: The JEE Main 2026 registration tally has already reached 14.5 lakh, surpassing the previous year’s figure of 13.11 lakh for the January session. Experts anticipate the total unique candidate count, including both sessions, could rise to 15–17 lakh by April 2026, making it the largest-ever pool in the exam’s history.
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Growing Competition: The significant year-on-year increase—about 1.4 lakh more registrations—signals heightened competition and a larger aspirant base for engineering admissions nationwide.
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Registration Window: The first session’s registration window was open from October 31 to November 27, 2025, with a correction window scheduled for December 1–2, 2025. The second session’s registration is expected to begin in February 2026.
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Exam Schedule: The January session will be conducted between January 21 and 30, 2026, while the April session is slated for April 2–9, 2026.
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National Impact: The rising numbers underscore the sustained popularity of engineering careers and the expanding reach of the NTA’s entrance examination, with over 14.5 lakh students from diverse regions participating in this year’s attempt.
Sources: Testbook, Jagran Josh, Careers360, CollegeDekho, Shiksha, GetMyUni
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