JEE Main 2026 test rescheduled for West Bengal candidates

College Tour Jan-16-2026

Introduction

In an important development for engineering applicants in West Bengal, the Joint Entrance Examination( JEE) Main 2026 has been rescheduled for scholars appearing from the state. The decision was taken after the firstly announced test date clashed with Saraswati Puja, a major religious and cultural festival extensively celebrated across West Bengal. The move has brought relief to thousands of scholars and their families who had raised concern about appearing for a public- position test on such an important day.

Original Schedule and the Issue

The National Testing Agency( NTA), which conducts the JEE Main examination every year, had earlier announced that JEE Main 2026 Session 1 would be held between the date 21 January and 30 January 2026. According to the original schedule, many candidates from West Bengal were distributed on 23 January 2026, as their examination date.

Still, January 23 holds special significance in West Bengal. On this day, Saraswati Puja is observed in schools , colleges , and homes across the state. The day is also marked as the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, making it a day of cultural pride and public significance. Scholars, parents, and education groups expressed concern that appearing for a largely competitive test on this date would be stressful and unfair.

Requests from scholars and Authorities

Soon after the test schedule was released, scholars and parents began requesting a change in the test date. Many refocused on the fact that Saraswati Puja is not just a vacation but a deeply emotional and traditional occasion for scholars, especially those involved in education. Several student organisations also submitted prayers pressing the difficulty of traveling to test centres and focusing on the test on such a day.

State leaders also took note of the issue and raised the matter with the concerned authorities. They prompted the NTA to consider the sentiments of scholars in West Bengal and give a volition date for the test. After reviewing the situation and entering multiple representations, the NTA decided to register the test for affected candidates. .

What Has Been Changed

The NTA has officially announced that the JEE Main 2026 examination scheduled for January 23 will not be held for candidates whose test centres are in West Bengal. Instead, these students will be assigned a new exam date for the Jee , which will fall within the formerly announced examination window of Session 1.

Apply

The rescheduled exam date applies only to candidates from West Bengal who were firstly listed on January 23.
scholars from other countries will continue to appear for the test as per the original schedule.
The revised date will be communicated directly to affected candidates through official channels.
admit cards reflecting the new date will be issued.

The NTA clarified that this change will not affect the overall examination process or results timeline.

Reaction from scholars and Parents

The decision has been extensively welcomed by scholars and parents across West Bengal. Numerous scholars said that they were relieved as they can now observe Saraswati Puja peacefully and concentrate more on their test preparation . Parents also appreciated the move, calling it a student-friendly decision that respects original culture and traditions.

Some scholars, still, have requested that the new date be announced as soon as possible so that they can plan their revision strategy in a better way . Education experts have advised scholars not to horrify or panic and continue their preparation, as the syllabus and test pattern remain unchanged.

What Scholars Should Do Now

candidates affected by this rescheduling should take the following way :
Regularly check the official JEE Main website for updates regarding the new test date.
Keep an eye on registered email IDs and mobile messages for official messages
Download the revised admit card once it's released.
Continue test preparation without stress, keeping the buffer time in mind.
scholars are also advised not to believe rumours or unofficial information and calculate only on announcements made by the NTA.

About JEE Main 2026

JEE Main is one of India’s most important entrance examinations for admission to B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning courses. It serves as the qualifying test for JEE Advanced, which leads to admission into the Indian Institutes of Technology( IITs). The test is conducted in multiple sessions to give students more opportunities to improve their scores.

Conclusion

The rescheduling of the JEE Main 2026 exam for West Bengal candidates are reflected as a balanced approach that considers both academic requirements and cultural values .They both are important . By responding to students' concern and conforming to the JEE exam date, the authorities have assured that applicants can appear for the test with a calm and focused mind. Scholars are now advised to stay updated, remain confident, and continue their preparation as they await the revised test date announcement.