The National Testing Agency (NTA) is on the verge of releasing a crucial document for over a million engineering aspirants. The JEE Main 2026 city intimation slip for the January session is expected to be published imminently on the official portal, jeemain.nta.nic.in. This advance notice will allow registered candidates to know the city where their examination centre is located, enabling them to make essential travel and accommodation arrangements well ahead of the test dates.
What is the City Intimation Slip and Why It Matters
It is vital for candidates to understand that the city intimation slip is not the admit card. This document serves solely as an early logistical aid. It informs candidates of their allotted exam city but does not contain the precise centre address, reporting time, or shift details. The actual admit card, which is mandatory for entry into the examination hall, will be issued by the NTA only three to four days before the exam commences.
This step is particularly important for students who may be assigned centres outside their hometowns. Knowing the city in advance helps in booking affordable travel and lodging, reducing last-minute stress. However, the NTA has explicitly warned that the intimation slip alone will not grant entry; only the official admit card is valid for verification at the centre.
JEE Main 2026 January Session: Exam Dates and Papers
The January session of JEE Main 2026 is scheduled to begin on January 21, 2026. The session will include three papers: Paper 1 for BE/BTech aspirants, Paper 2A for BArch, and Paper 2B for BPlanning candidates. The examination will conclude before the results are declared on February 12, 2026.
These results are critical as they will be used for admissions to undergraduate engineering and architecture programmes across India. Furthermore, they will determine eligibility for the next stage, JEE Advanced 2026. For candidates appearing in multiple sessions, their best score will be considered for the final merit ranking.
How to Download Your City Intimation Slip
Once the NTA activates the link on its website, candidates can follow these straightforward steps to access their city intimation slip:
- Visit the official JEE Main website: jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- Look for and click on the link for "JEE Main 2026 Session 1 city intimation slip" on the homepage.
- Log in using your application number and password or your date of birth.
- The slip displaying your allotted examination city will appear on the screen.
- Verify all details carefully, download the PDF, and save it for future reference.
Aspirants are advised to keep their login credentials handy to avoid any delay. The NTA has also cautioned students to rely only on official websites (nta.ac.in and jeemain.nta.nic.in) for updates and to disregard information from unofficial sources or social media platforms which may spread unverified news.
In summary, the imminent release of the JEE Main city intimation slip marks a key preparatory phase for candidates. While it aids in planning, the final and most important document—the admit card—will follow closer to the exam date. Candidates should use the information from the intimation slip wisely to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey to their examination centre.
