Patna: More than 14,000 candidates from Bihar are appearing for the Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced) 2026 on Sunday, one of the country’s most competitive entrance tests for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology. This year’s examination is being conducted by Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee in computer-based mode across 222 cities nationwide.
Officials said around 1.80 lakh candidates are taking the examination across India for nearly 20,000 seats in various IITs. Bihar remains one of the key states contributing a large number of applicants, reflecting strong demand for engineering admissions.
Exam Schedule And Reporting Time
The examination is being held in two shifts. Paper 1 started at 9am and continues until 12pm, while Paper 2 will take place from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. Candidates were instructed to report by 7am for the morning shift and by 2pm for the afternoon session.
Authorities said all candidates must carry their admit card along with a valid government-issued identity document such as an Aadhaar Card or voter identity card. Entry is not permitted without both documents.
Stricter Entry Rules At Centres
Examination centres have introduced new restrictions this year to prevent malpractice. Students have been asked to avoid wearing shoes and are permitted entry only in slippers or sandals. Metal items including rings, chains, bracelets, earrings and watches are also prohibited.
The testing agency said candidates should not bring clothing with large buttons or badges. Mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, earphones and any electronic gadgets are banned. Officials warned that carrying prohibited items may lead to cancellation of candidature.
Barcode-Based Verification
Authorities are using barcode scanning technology for candidate verification and seating allocation. Once admit cards are scanned, students are directed to their assigned computer terminals.
Technical support teams have been deployed at centres to address any system issues during the examination. Scribble pads for rough work are being provided inside the exam halls, according to officials.
High Stakes For IIT Admissions
JEE Advanced remains one of India’s most competitive entrance examinations, with candidates competing for limited seats in the IIT system. Performance in the test determines admission to undergraduate engineering programmes at the institutions.
Students from Bihar have regularly recorded strong results in previous years, and many families across the state are closely tracking this year’s outcome. Results are expected to be announced by the examination authorities after evaluation in the coming weeks.
