Insights Into The Expected Number of Students Appearing in JEE Main 2026
The JEE Main 2026 exam is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in history, with record-breaking registrations and high attendance expected. Over 14.5 lakh candidates have already registered for Session 1 of JEE Main 2026, the highest January session figure ever, surpassing the 13.1 lakh mark from JEE Main 2025.
With Session 2 yet to conclude, the total unique registrations for JEE Main 2026 are projected to cross 15- 17 lakh, setting a new benchmark for this national engineering entrance exam.
In this article, we explain how many students will appear for JEE Main 2026, compare past year trends, and share insights on competition, attendance, and what aspirants should know.
JEE Main 2026: Record Registrations and Expected Appearances
The National Testing Agency (NTA) reopened JEE Main registration for Session 1 on 31 October 2025 and closed on 27 November 2025. Within this window:
~14.5 lakh candidates registered for JEE Main 2026 Session 1
This is over 1 lakh more than the 13.1 lakh registrations in January 2025
Session 2 registrations (expected in January- February 2026) are likely to add another 1- 2.5 lakh or more
📌 Estimated Total Registered for JEE Main 2026 (Both Sessions): 15- 17 lakh unique candidates
How Many Students Will Appear for JEE Main 2026?
Attendance Expectations
While official attendance figures for both sessions will be released after Session 2 concludes, past performance gives us a reliable benchmark:
In JEE Main 2025, the attendance rate was ~95 – 96 % across sessions.
Total appeared (2025): 14,75,103 candidates
This shows that most registered aspirants turn up for the exam.
If the same attendance trend continues in 2026, then with ~15 – 17 lakh registrations, nearly 14.2 – 16.3 lakh students are expected to actually appear across both sessions.
Why Are JEE Main 2026 Registrations Increasing?
Several factors have contributed to the sharp rise in registrations:
Growing interest in engineering and architecture careers
Higher number of repeaters aiming to improve percentile
Easy access to online preparation resources
Strong participation from Class 12 appearing and passed-out students
Two-session format allowing multiple attempts
JEE Main Registrations and Attendance Trends (Past Years)
Looking at previous years helps understand how registrations translate into actual exam attendance.
*2026 data is based on Session 1 registrations only.
Key Insights From Previous Year Data
Attendance remains consistently high at 95–96 percent
Most registered candidates actually appear for the exam
Unique candidate counts have increased every year
2025 saw over 14.75 lakh students appear across both sessions
The jump in 2026 registrations indicates tougher competition
Will Higher Registrations Affect JEE Main Percentile?
Percentile in JEE Main is a relative score, so higher registrations do not directly reduce percentile values. However, they do affect competition.
Impact of Higher Registrations
Greater competition among top scorers
95+ percentile may become harder to achieve
Cut-offs for NITs and IIITs may rise
Small mistakes can lead to larger rank drops
How High Registrations Affect JEE Main 2026 Aspirants
With more students competing, aspirants should expect:
Higher competition per seat, especially in popular branches
Increase in cut-off scores
Lower margin for error
Greater focus on speed and accuracy
Strong need for regular mock test practice and revision
What Should Aspirants Do After JEE Main 2026 Registration?
With Session 1 exams scheduled from 21 to 30 January 2026, students should now focus on exam-oriented preparation.
Download and verify exam city slip and admit card
Revise high-weightage chapters
Attempt full-length mock tests
Analyse mistakes and maintain an error log
Revise formulas and short notes daily
Final Takeaway
JEE Main 2026 is set to be one of the most competitive editions so far. With around 14.5 lakh registrations already recorded for Session 1 and Session 2 yet to add more candidates, the total number of students appearing for JEE Main 2026 is expected to cross 14 lakh, and unique registrations may reach 15–17 lakh.
While these numbers indicate intense competition, success in JEE Main does not depend on the crowd size alone. Aspirants who focus on concept clarity, regular mock tests, strong accuracy, and smart time management will always have an edge.
Instead of worrying about how many students will appear, candidates should concentrate on preparation quality and exam strategy for Jee main, as these factors ultimately determine percentile, rank, and admission to top engineering institutes.
FAQs on How Many Candidates Registered and Will Appear for JEE Main 2026?
1. How many students registered for JEE Main 2026 Session 1?
Around 14.5 lakh candidates registered for Session 1, the highest ever for a January session.
2. Will Session 2 add more registrations?
Yes. Session 2 usually adds 1–2.5 lakh candidates, and total unique registrations may reach 15–17 lakh.
3. Does higher registration affect percentile?
Percentile is relative, but higher registrations increase competition and may raise cut-offs.
4. Are JEE Main 2026 cut-offs expected to rise?
Yes. With more candidates, cut-offs for top institutes are likely to increase.
5. What should students do now?
Focus on revision, mock tests, accuracy, and time management.
6. How many students are expected to appear for JEE Main 2026 in total?
Based on past attendance trends of around 95 percent, nearly 14–16 lakh students are expected to actually appear for JEE Main 2026 across both sessions.
7. Will all registered students appear for the JEE Main 2026 exam?
No. Although most registered candidates appear, a small percentage usually remain absent due to board exams, health issues, or preparation gaps.
8. Is JEE Main 2026 expected to be more competitive than 2025?
Yes. With higher registrations already recorded in Session 1, JEE Main 2026 is expected to be more competitive than previous years, especially for top percentiles.
9. How many students usually appear in both JEE Main sessions?
In recent years, around 7–8 lakh candidates have appeared in both sessions. A similar trend is expected in JEE Main 2026 as well.
10. Does appearing in both sessions improve chances of a better rank?
Yes. Appearing in both sessions allows candidates to improve their score, as the best of the two attempts is considered for ranking.
11. Will higher student turnout affect NIT and IIIT seat allocation?
Seat availability remains the same, but higher turnout increases competition, making higher percentiles necessary for popular branches and institutes.
12. Are repeaters contributing significantly to JEE Main 2026 registrations?
Yes. A noticeable share of registrations comes from repeat aspirants aiming to improve their percentile and secure better ranks.
