By: Education DeskNew Delhi | January 20, 2026 09:13 AM IST 3 min readTo simply the process, we have compiled a list of all the dos and don'ts for session one that students must know: (Image: AI generated)JEE Main 2026 Exam Day Guidelines: The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 examination is scheduled to be conducted on January 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, and 29, 2026 by the National Testing Agency (NTA). On January 21-24, Paper 1 will be held in two shifts each day, with the morning shift from 9 am to 12 pm and the afternoon shift from 3 pm to 6 pm. Paper 2 of JEE Main 2026 will be conducted on the last day of the examination window in a single shift, from 9 am to 12:30 pm.Read More | JEE Main 2026 in 3 days: How previous aspirants spent the final stretch before the examWith the examination just around the corner, candidates may be seeking clarity on the key instructions to follow on exam day. From carrying the JEE Main admit card and a valid photo ID to understanding what items are permitted or prohibited inside the exam centre, many aspirants have common questions. To make things easier, we have put together a comprehensive list of the essential dos and don’ts that candidates must keep in mind for JEE Main session one.JEE Main 2026: Essential items to carry– Candidates must bring a printed copy of their JEE Main 2026 session one admit card.– Along with the admit card, they must carry an original photo identity proof.– A recent photograph must be affixed to the admit card. Carrying two additional copies of the same photograph is advisable.– One passport-size photograph, identical to the one uploaded with the Main session one application form, is required for the attendance sheetJEE Main 2026: Prohibited Items– The following items are strictly prohibited inside the exam centre: instruments, geometry boxes, pencil boxes, handbags, purses, any paper or stationery, textual materials, food and water, mobile phones, earphones, microphones, pagers, calculators, docupens, slide rules, log tables, cameras, tape recorders, metallic items, and electronic gadgets or devices.JEE Main 2026: Dress Code– Avoid wearing accessories with metallic elements such as rings, bracelets, and earrings.– Footwear with thick soles is not permitted.– Wear simple and comfortable clothing.– Scarves should not be worn.JEE Main 2026 Session 1: NTA Guidelines– For the drawing section of Paper 2 in Main session two, candidates must bring their own geometry box set, pencils, erasers, and colour pencils or crayons. The use of watercolours on the drawing sheet is not allowed.– Diabetic students are permitted to carry essential eatables such as sugar tablets and fruits (e.g., bananas, apples, oranges) along with a transparent water bottle. However, packed food items like chocolates, candy, and sandwiches are not allowed.–The JEE Main session 1 admit card must be dropped in the designated drop box while leaving the JEE Main exam hall. NTA said the answers would not be evaluated if the candidates failed to deposit their admit cards.Story continues below this adIn case candidates are unable to download their JEE Main 2026 admit card from the website, they should approach the NTA helpline Number: 011-40759000 between 10 am and 5 pm. For more news on results, syllabus, and sample papers for JEE Main, the candidates can check education.indianexpress.com © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd