New Delhi, January 8, 2026 — The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Thursday published the city intimation slip for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 Session 1, offering candidates advance information about the specific city where their examination centre will be located.
The slip is accessible through the official JEE Main portal and is intended to help lakhs of engineering aspirants plan travel and accommodation ahead of the crucial national‑level exam.
This alert comes as part of a series of official releases by the NTA preparing students for the January session of the engineering entrance test, which starts later this month. While the city intimation slip does not serve as the admit card, it is an important step in the pre‑exam process. The final admit cards, containing detailed centre information and reporting instructions, will be released separately just days before the exam.
What Is the City Intimation Slip?
The city intimation slip is essentially a formal notification from the NTA that informs registered JEE Main candidates about the city location of their examination centre for Session 1. It plays a preparatory role, enabling examinees to make logistical plans well in advance, particularly those who may have to travel outside their hometowns.
Unlike the admit card, which is mandatory for entry to the exam hall and contains the exact exam centre address, dates, shift timings, and guidelines, the city intimation slip reveals only the allotted city and state. The full details will appear on the admit card when it is published.
Release and Access Details
Official Release
The city intimation slips were officially published on January 8, 2026 on the JEE Main website. Candidates can download their slips by logging in with their application number and password or date of birth.
How to Download
To access the slip, aspirants must:
- Visit the official website at jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- Look for the link titled “JEE Main 2026 Session 1 City Intimation Slip.”
- Enter your application number and password or date of birth.
- Input the displayed security code and click Submit.
- The slip will then appear; download it and keep a copy for reference.
Candidates are advised to only use official government websites to download their documents and avoid unofficial portals that may scatter misleading links or malware‑laden downloads.
Why This Slip Matters
Advance Planning for Students
For many students who will be taking the JEE Main exam—one of India’s most competitive undergraduate engineering entrance tests—knowing the exam city in advance is crucial. Travel arrangements, accommodation, and related planning often become stressful if left until the last moment.
With the allotment of cities out, candidates can now strategise travel plans, book stays near their centres, and ensure they are familiar with the logistics before the exam period. This is especially useful for candidates from rural or distant regions who may need to travel across states.
Not the Admit Card
It is essential to reinforce that the city intimation slip is not the admit card. Without the admit card, candidates will not be permitted to enter examination halls. The admit card will be released closer to the exam dates, typically a few days ahead of the first session.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates and Schedule
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 will be held in multiple shifts across several days. Under the updated schedule:
- Paper 1 (BE/BTech) will be conducted from January 21 onward.
- Paper 2A (B.Arch) and Paper 2B (B.Planning) will follow in subsequent shifts.
The revised timeline sets the session to be held between January 21 and January 29, 2026, with the next session scheduled for April 2 to 9, 2026.
Admit cards for the session are expected to be released around three to four days before the start of the exam, at which point candidates will also receive full centre details and exam guidance.
How the City Is Allocated
During registration, candidates were permitted to select multiple preferred cities for their exam centres, usually up to four. The NTA then allocates the city based on these preferences, availability of seats, and administrative considerations. In some rare cases, candidates may be allotted a non‑preferred city if space constraints arise.
For overseas candidates, the city allotment depends on the correspondence or permanent address provided during registration. While many international applicants may have limited exam centre options, the city slip helps them prepare well before their travel arrangements.
Importance for the Admissions Cycle
The JEE Main examination is a qualifying exam for admission into undergraduate engineering programs across India’s premier institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) via JEE Advanced, National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and other centrally funded technical institutions.
The results of JEE Main are used for admission to various engineering courses, and for eligibility to sit for JEE Advanced, which leads to IIT admissions. The exam is therefore considered a critical milestone for millions of aspiring engineers.
Given the high stakes, every procedural update—including the release of city intimation slips—is closely tracked by students, parents, coaching institutes, and education analysts alike.
Student and Parent Reactions
Early reports following the release of the city slips show a mix of relief and anxiety among students and parents:
- Relief among candidates who received city allotments close to their homes, meaning easier travel and less expenses.
- Concern from students allotted cities far from home, who now have to coordinate travel logistics in a short span.
- Social media buzz, with aspirants sharing reactions and tips on how to prepare in the final weeks leading up to the exam.
Despite the mix of emotions, the overarching sentiment is that the release of city slips provides a much‑needed structure in the pre‑exam period.
Steps After Downloading the Slip
Once candidates have downloaded their city intimation slip, these steps are recommended:
- Verify Details: Cross‑check your name, registration number, and allotted city accurately.
- Plan Travel & Stay: If your centre is in a different city, secure transportation and accommodation early.
- Prepare Documents: Keep the city slip and other necessary documents ready for future reference.
- Stay Updated: Frequently revisit the NTA website and official notification portals for admit card release updates.
A common mistake is to confuse the city slip with the hall ticket. Aspirants are strongly cautioned against this, as only the admit card is valid on the day of examination.
Official Support and Helpdesk
For candidates facing issues while downloading their city slips—such as login difficulties or discrepancies—NTA provides helpdesk support. Students are advised to contact the official NTA helpline or use the email support channels listed on the NTA website.
Some challenges reported in past exam cycles include incorrect login responses or technical issues when accessing the portal. In such cases, verifying credentials, attempting resets, or reaching out to official helpdesk contacts is essential.
What’s Next in the JEE Main Journey
With the city intimation slips out, the next key milestone for candidates is the admit card release, expected approximately 10 days before the exams begin.
Following the exams:
- Results will be declared after all shifts and sessions conclude.
- Performance in JEE Main will determine eligibility for counselling and admission into engineering programs.
- Aspirants meeting the cut‑off criteria will earn eligibility for JEE Advanced.
Announcements from the NTA will continue to refine the timeline, and candidates are advised to track official notifications.
Conclusion
The NTA’s release of the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 city intimation slip is a significant step in the preparatory phase for India’s largest engineering entrance examination. It gives millions of aspirants timely information to make logistical plans and reduces the uncertainty that typically surrounds large‑scale national exams.
As the countdown to the exam continues, students are strategically positioning themselves for success not just academically but also logistically—ensuring they are in the right place at the right time, with minimal last‑minute stress.
