The JEE Mains Session 2 exam begins on April 2 and will continue till April 8, 2026, making this a crucial final opportunity for candidates to improve their scores or secure a strong percentile for admission into top engineering colleges. Whether you are aiming to improve your percentile or are appearing for the first time, understanding the registration timelines and shift-wise dynamics is essential. Here is the updated session schedule for the April 2 to April 8 period, along with comprehensive shift timings and exam-day guidelines to ensure you are fully prepared for this important attempt.
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JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Exam Timing
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Exam Timing follows a structured two-shift pattern to accommodate lakhs of engineering aspirants across India. The first shift runs from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, allowing candidates ample time for morning preparation and center reporting by 7:30-8:30 AM. Afternoon shift timings span 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with entry permitted 1:30-2:30 PM and invigilator instructions until 2:50 PM before the exam commences. Paper 2A/2B (B.Arch/B.Planning) maintains a consistent 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM window in Session 2, ensuring fairness across multiple exam days. Candidates must verify shift details on their admit card to avoid missing the JEE MAIN SESSION 2 2026 Exam Timing deadlines.
Also Read: JEE Main Admit Card 2026
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Shift Timings
The National Testing Agency announces the JEE Main 2026 session 2 shift timing. This includes details for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), Paper 2A (B.Arch), and Paper 2B (B.Planning). The duration differs slightly for some papers.
| JEE Main Session 2Shift Timing 2026 |
| JEE Main Exam Date |
Timing of Examination |
JEE Main Shift 1 Timing |
JEE Main Shift 2 Timing |
| 2 to 8 April 2026 |
For 03 Hours Paper |
09:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. (IST) |
03:00 P.M. to 06:00 P.M. (IST) |
| For 03 Hours 30 Minutes Paper |
09:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. (IST) |
03:00 P.M. to 06:30 P.M. (IST) |
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Paper Timing
Here is a breakdown of the JEE Main paper timing 2026 for different courses. This table outlines the specific examination slots.
| JEE Main Paper Timing 2026 |
| Events |
JEE Main Morning Shift Timings |
JEE Main Afternoon Shift Timing |
| Time for JEE Mains B.E/B.Tech |
9:00 am to 12:00 pm |
3:00 pm to 6:00 pm |
| JEE Mains Time for B.Arch |
9:00 am to 12:00 pm |
3:00 pm to 6:00 pm |
| JEE Main Time for B.Plan |
09:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. |
03:00 P.M. to 06:30 P.M. |
| Timing of JEE Mains for both B.Arch and B.Plan |
09:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. |
03:00 P.M. to 06:00 P.M. |
Also Check: JEE Main 2026: How to Score 150+ Marks in 20 Days
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Exam Duration
The total duration varies for PwD candidates. Compensatory time for PwD/PwBD is 20 minutes per hour of examination for those eligible for a scribe.
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Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech): 3 hours for non-PwD candidates. 4 hours for PwD candidates eligible for a scribe.
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Paper 2A (B.Arch) or Paper 2B (B.Planning): 3 hours for non-PwD candidates. 4 hours for PwD candidates eligible for a scribe.
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Paper 2A and Paper 2B (Both): 3 hours 30 minutes for non-PwD candidates. 4 hours 10 minutes for PwD candidates eligible for a scribe.
Also Check: How to Check JEE Mains Exam Centre 2026
Key Rules for JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Exam Timing
Following exam-day rules is as important as knowing the syllabus. NTA strictly enforces timing rules.
Entry and Frisking
Candidates must enter the exam centre well before the JEE Main morning shift timings. This allows time for frisking, biometric registration, and document verification. For the morning shift, entry is from 07:00 A.M. to 08:30 A.M. For the JEE Main Afternoon Shift Timing, entry is from 01:00 P.M. to 02:30 P.M.
Instructions and Login
Invigilators give important instructions before the test begins. Candidates must log in to read instructions before the test commences. For the first shift, candidates log in at 08:50 A.M. For the second shift, login is at 02:50 P.M.
Test Commencement
The actual test starts promptly at the designated time. For the JEE Main shift 1 timings, the test starts at 09:00 A.M. For the JEE Main Shift 2 Timing, the test starts at 03:00 P.M.
