The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Thursday, 29 October 2026 issued a formal advisory urging JEE (Main) 2027 aspirants to keep their DigiLocker credentials and key documents ready before beginning the online application process. The advisory comes days after the application window opened on 24 October, with the deadline set for 22 November 2026.

What the NTA Advisory Says

In a post on X, the NTA directed applicants to follow three preparatory steps before filling out the form: use personal DigiLocker or JanParichay credentials (not someone else's), complete the DigiLocker Re-KYC process in advance, and ensure that the name and date of birth entered exactly match the details on the Class 10 certificate.

'Dear JEE (Main) 2027 Aspirants, ensure a seamless start to your journey! Keep these three steps handy before filling out your application: Use your own DigiLocker/JanParichay credentials; Complete DigiLocker Re-KYC in advance; and match your Name & DOB exactly with your Class 10 certificate details. Apply with care and give your best!' the NTA posted.

Key Dates and Exam Schedule

The Session 1 of JEE (Main) 2027 is scheduled across multiple shifts on 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 28 January 2027. The last date for fee payment — including with a late fee via credit/debit card, net banking, or UPI — is 26 November 2026. The NTA will announce examination cities on 30 December 2026, and admit cards will be available for download from the NTA website from 13 January 2027.

For the 2027–28 academic session, JEE (Main) will be held in two sessions: Session 1 in January 2027 and Session 2 in April 2027. Candidates' best scores across sessions will be considered for merit.

What JEE Main Covers

Paper 1 of JEE (Main) is conducted for admission to undergraduate engineering programmes — B.E. and B.Tech — at NITs, IIITs, and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs), as well as institutions recognised by participating state governments. It also serves as the qualifying test for JEE (Advanced), the gateway to admissions at the IITs.

Paper 2 covers admissions to B.Arch and B.Planning programmes across the country. Aspirants must select the appropriate paper — or both — at the time of registration.

Why Preparation Before Applying Matters

Errors in basic details — name mismatches, incorrect dates of birth, or credential failures — are among the most common reasons for application rejections or correction-window requests in competitive examinations. The NTA's advisory is aimed at reducing such preventable errors, which can delay or jeopardise a candidate's eligibility at the admit-card or result stage.

Notably, DigiLocker Re-KYC has been flagged as a mandatory step this cycle, indicating the agency is tightening identity verification ahead of a high-stakes exam that sees millions of applicants each year.

With the application window open until 22 November and the exam less than three months away, aspirants are advised to complete the process well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.