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 — we will keep updating it as NTA releases admit cards for subsequent exam dates.

Admit Card Release Dates (March 28–30, 2026)

NTA follows a batch-wise admit card release pattern — 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:

Important: 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.

Forgot Your Application Number?

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”, 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.

What Details Are Printed on the Hall Ticket

The JEE Main 2026 Session 2 admit card is more than just a gate-pass. It is a comprehensive document that contains:

• ✓Candidate’s full name, application number, and roll number
• ✓Date of birth, gender, and category
• ✓Exam centre name and full address
• ✓Allotted exam date and shift timing
• ✓Reporting time and gate-closing time
• ✓Candidate’s photograph and signature
• ✓QR code and barcode for identity verification
• ✓Exam-day instructions and prohibited items list
• ✓Self-declaration undertaking (to be signed on exam day)

Documents to Carry on Exam Day

Carrying the right documents is non-negotiable. A missing item can mean being turned away at the gate — even if your admit card is in hand.

Mandatory Documents

• ✓Printed JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Admit Card (with photograph pasted)
• ✓One original government-issued photo ID — Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, PAN Card, or Driving Licence
• ✓One passport-size photograph (identical to the one submitted during registration)
• ✓Signed self-declaration undertaking (part of the admit card printout)

Permitted Items

• ✓Transparent water bottle
• ✓Own ballpoint pen (for rough work / undertaking)
• ✓Personal hand sanitiser (up to 50 ml)

Strictly Prohibited Items

• ✗Mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices of any kind
• ✗Calculators — physical or virtual
• ✗Jewellery, metallic items, heavy accessories
• ✗Paper chits, textbooks, notes, or unauthorized printed material
• ✗Earphones, headphones, or communication devices

Common Mistakes — And How to Avoid Them

Every year, thousands of candidates make avoidable errors that create last-minute stress. Here are the most common ones:

Mistake 1: Downloading the Admit Card Too Late

Some students wait until the night before the exam to download their hall ticket — 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.

Mistake 2: Not Verifying Details Immediately

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.

Mistake 3: Forgetting to Paste the Photograph

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 — causing unnecessary delays and, in some cases, entry denial. Paste the photo the evening before the exam.

Mistake 4: Carrying a Folded or Damaged Printout

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.

Mistake 5: Confusing the City Intimation Slip with the Admit Card

These are two entirely different documents. The city intimation slip (released March 22) tells you your exam city — it is not a gate pass. The admit card is the only valid entry document. More on this below.

Pro Tips for Exam Day Success

City Intimation Slip vs Admit Card — Key Difference

A lot of confusion exists around these two documents. Here is a clear breakdown:

FAQs