JEE Main 2026 West Bengal Exam on Jan 23 Postponed Due to Saraswati Puja
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The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially announced that the JEE Main 2026 West Bengal exam on January 23 has been postponed due to Saraswati Puja. The decision was taken after multiple representations from students across the state highlighting the cultural importance of the festival.
The postponement applies only to candidates appearing in West Bengal. Students scheduled for other states will appear as per the original timetable.
Why Was JEE Main 2026 Exam Postponed in West Bengal?
The postponement was announced after students and parents submitted several requests to NTA regarding the clash between the exam date and Saraswati Puja, one of the most significant festivals in West Bengal.
Saraswati Puja is widely celebrated in schools, colleges, and households across the state. Many students participate in traditional rituals, making it difficult to attend a high-stakes national examination on the same day.
Acknowledging these concerns, NTA decided to reschedule the exam to ensure fairness and student convenience.
Official NTA Notice on JEE Main 2026 Postponement
NTA shared the update through its official handle on X (formerly Twitter), stating that:
All candidates scheduled to appear for JEE (Main) 2026 Session 1 in West Bengal on 23 January 2026 will be allotted another examination date from the already advertised schedule.
Who Will Be Affected by the JEE Main 2026 Postponement?
Candidates Appearing in West Bengal on January 23
Only candidates whose exam centres are located in West Bengal and who were scheduled for 23 January 2026 will be affected.
Students in other states will continue to appear as per the previously released schedule.
Will Candidates Get a New Exam Date?
Yes. NTA will assign a new date from the existing JEE Main 2026 Session 1 examination window.
The revised exam date, city intimation slip, and updated admit card will be published shortly on the official website.
What Should West Bengal Candidates Do Next?
Candidates are advised to:
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Regularly check jeemain.nta.ac.in
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Monitor registered email ID and SMS alerts
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Download the revised admit card once released
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Avoid submitting a new application
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Keep login credentials ready
Staying updated through official sources will prevent confusion and misinformation.
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam Schedule
January 23, 2026, Session is now excluded for West Bengal candidates only.
| Date | Paper | Shift |
| 21, 22, 23, 24, 28 Jan 2026 | Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) | 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| 03:00 PM – 06:00 PM | ||
| 29 Jan 2026 | Paper 2A (B.Arch), 2B (B.Planning), 2A & 2B | 09:00 AM – 12:30 PM |
Impact of the Postponement on JEE Main 2026 Preparation
The postponement offers students:
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Additional preparation time
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Reduced stress on a festival day
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Fair opportunity to perform without cultural or logistical pressure
NTA’s move is widely seen as student-centric and culturally considerate.