JEE Main 2026: Mistakes in Application form May Debar Aspirant from JoSAA Counseling

Fill the JEE Main 2026 Form Carefully to Avoid Mistakes

The form filling process for JEE Main 2026 is progressing rapidly, and this year is set to create new history in terms of registration. By November 12th, more than 5.45 lakh candidates had already filled out the form, and it is estimated that this number could reach 1.3 million for the January session (Session 1) alone, with the total number of unique candidates expected to reach 1.6 million.

With such a large number of candidates, even a small form-filling mistake could disqualify you from JoSAA Counselling (admission to IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs).

Here are the 5 Most Important Mistakes You Should Avoid at All Costs:

Name, Date of Birth (DOB), and Parent’s Name: Your 10th-grade mark sheet, not Aadhaar, is the ultimate truth

This is the biggest and most common mistake. Candidates often enter the name, date of birth (DOB), and parent’s name according to their Aadhaar card.

Important: All your identification details (name, father’s name, mother’s name, DOB) entered in the form must match only your 10th-grade mark sheet.

Risk in JoSAA: If your details do not match your 10th-grade mark sheet, your candidature may be cancelled during JoSAA counseling. Only your 10th-grade mark sheet is considered during counseling, not your Aadhaar card.

Home State Quota: 12th-grade board exam required, not domicile

Home State Quota is crucial for admission to NITs, but candidates often make the mistake of linking it to their domicile certificate.

Mistake: Many candidates fill in their home state based on their residence (where they live).

Correct method: Your home state quota will be applied to NITs in the state where you passed your 12th-grade board exam.

Impact: If you fill it incorrectly, you will be allocated the home state quota in the wrong state, causing major problems at JoSAA.

Selection of Exam City and State

The selection of the JEE Main exam city depends on the state of your current and permanent address.

Bounded State: You will be allocated an exam center in the same state where you fill in your address (present and permanent).

Immutable: This state cannot be changed for both Session 1 and Session 2 exams.

Tip: If you wish to appear for the exam from another state in Session 2, please enter addresses for both states while filling out the form. There is no need to update the address on your Aadhaar card.

Category Certificate (OBC/EWS) Expiry Date and Validity

Certificate expiry date and inclusion in the Central List are mandatory for category reservation benefits.

Important Date: For JoSAA counseling, OBC-NCL and EWS certificates must be dated after April 1, 2026.

OBC Central List: For OBC-NCL, your caste must be included in the Central List; otherwise, you will have to fill the form under the Open Category.

Consequences: If you fail to submit a valid certificate at the time of counseling, your seat allotment will be cancelled and you will be considered under the Open/General category in subsequent rounds, which could lead to significant losses.

OBC Creamy Layer: Candidates whose parents’ income exceeds ₹8 lakh (Creamy Layer) should apply under the Open category.

Password Security

The JEE Main password is highly confidential and should not be shared with any third party, especially cyber cafes.

Important: This password will be used for JEE Main Session 1, Session 2, and JEE Advanced.

Risk: Sharing the password may result in the login credentials being blocked and unauthorized changes to the form being made.

Big Relief: Don’t Worry About 75% Eligibility

Even if you don’t have a 75% board score or aren’t in the top 20 percentile, you should still fill out the JEE Main form.

Reason: There are several top-tier colleges and universities in the country (such as IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Delhi, DTU, NSUT, Thapar, Nirma) that offer admission based on JEE Main scores, but don’t impose a 75% requirement like NITs/IIITs.

Requirement: These colleges often require only 60% marks in PCM subjects for admission.

Correction Window and Other Important Information

Correction Window: The correction window is expected to open in the first week of December.

Details that won’t change: mobile number, email ID, address, emergency number, and photograph.

Details that can be changed include: candidate’s name, one of the father’s or mother’s names, 10th/12th exam details, date of birth, gender, and category.

Be patient while filling out the form and proceed only after verifying all details with your 10th grade mark sheet. A little caution can make your admission dreams come true.

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Aabshar Hassan Quazi

Aabshar H. Quazi is a seasoned education writer associated with ALLEN Career Institute, where he crafts insightful blogs on competitive exam trends, student journeys, and academic guidance. With a background in journalism, Aabshar has worked as Principal Correspondent for Hindustan Times, honing his skills in storytelling, analysis, and impactful reporting. His writing blends credibility with clarity, making complex topics accessible for students and parents alike.