Dress Code and Prohibited Items for JEE Main 2026 Exam Centre

Every year, thousands of students take the JEE Main exam across hundreds of centres. nationwide. To prevent malpractice, streamline security checks, and avoid unnecessary delays during entry, the NTA enforces certain dress code norms and item restrictions at the exam centre. These rules are designed for a fair, comfortable, and efficient examination experience for all candidates, and non-compliance can lead to denial of entry or even cancellation of candidature. 

This comprehensive article provides all necessary details for students, parents, and educators to understand exactly what is allowed on exam day and what is not, based on the most recent official guidelines and exam-day reports.

Dress Code Guidelines for JEE Main 2026

Note: The NTA doesn’t prescribe a formal “uniform”; however, it outlines what should be avoided for security and frisking efficiency. 

General Principles

• Clothing should be simple, light, and comfortable.
• Avoid metallic items that may trigger metal detectors.
• Security checks will involve frisking before entry and possibly after toilet breaks.

Clothing Rules

Clothing Aspect	Allowed / Recommended	Not Allowed
Shirts / Tops	Plain T-shirts or shirts made of comfortable fabric	Clothes with large buttons, metal studs, heavy embroidery
Bottoms	Simple trousers or jeans with minimal attachments	Jeans with metallic embellishments, cargo pants with many pockets
Winter wear	Light sweater/jacket without metal parts	Thick jackets, hoodies with heavy zippers or metal toggles
Sleeves	Half-sleeved preferred	Full-sleeved tops (if they can trap items or delay frisking)
Headgear	None inside the hall	Caps, hats, mufflers, scarves, stoles, or drapes that cover head/neck

Key Takeaways:

• Lightweight and secure clothing speeds up frisking and entry.
• Loose layers or extra fabric like scarves/dupattas can cause delays in security screening. 

Footwear Rules

• Candidates should wear simple, open footwear such as sandals or slippers with thin soles.
• Thick soles, shoes, boots, and footwear with metal parts are not permitted because they can hide objects. 

Accessories and Personal Items

Strict restrictions apply to jewellery and accessories to avoid violations of exam protocols.

Accessory	Allowed / Recommended	Not Allowed
Jewellery	None inside exam hall	Earrings, rings, bangles, bracelets, neckchains
Watches	x	Wristwatches, smartwatches of any kind, digital watches
Belts	Avoid	Heavy belts with metal buckles
Hair accessories	Simple plastic clips	Metallic pins or clips

Important Note: Even small metal items can trigger metal detectors and delay entry; therefore, it’s best to avoid all metallic accessories.

Prohibited Items at JEE Main 2026 Exam Centres

NTA has a detailed list of items that are strictly banned from the exam premises. Bringing these items can result in denial of entry, cancellation of the exam attempt, or disqualification. 

Electronics and Gadgets

• Mobile phones (even switched off)
• Earphones, Bluetooth devices
• Smartwatches and electronic watches
• Calculators, slide rules, log tables
• Laptops, tablets, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant) 

These devices are prohibited not only during the paper but also at entry points. 

Study Materials and Stationery

• Books, notebooks, loose sheets of paper
• Printed or written material
• Pens (unless distributed in the exam hall)
• Pencils, geometry boxes, pencil cases

Students are typically provided with the necessary stationery, such as ballpoint pens, inside the examination hall. However, as a precautionary measure, candidates may carry a simple transparent ballpoint pen, if required. No other stationery items should be brought from outside.

Personal Belongings

Personal Item	Status
Bags, backpacks	Not allowed
Handbags, purses	Not allowed
Wallets, keys	Should be stored outside exam hall (often collected before seating)
Food items & water (general)	Not allowed (diabetic exceptions: transparent water bottle & sugar tablets/fruits)

Tip: Most centers do not have secure storage for items, so sending them with a guardian or companion is advised. 

Miscellaneous Banned Items

Some of the miscellaneous banned items are: 

• Cameras, tape recorders
• Pagers, microphones
• Any electronic equipment not explicitly permitted by NTA
• Any object that could help in copying or cheating

Possession of any such item can lead to cancellation of candidature and further disciplinary action. 

Special Considerations

For Diabetic Candidates

Candidates with diabetes can carry:

• Sugar tablets
• Fruits (like bananas, apples, or oranges)
• Transparent water bottle

Note: Packed food items such as sandwiches, chocolates, or candy remain prohibited. 

Religious or Cultural Attire

Candidates wearing religious attire may be subject to thorough frisking. To avoid delays, it is advisable to arrive earlier than the standard reporting time at the exam centre. 

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Conclusion

For JEE Main 2026, the dress code and prohibited items list are structured to uphold exam integrity and facilitate a smooth check-in process. While there is no strict uniform, adherence to the standard guidelines concerning light, simple clothing and minimal accessories is essential. Avoidance of all prohibited items, especially electronics, study materials, and bags, ensures compliance with NTA rules and prevents last-minute disqualification or entry denial.

Proper preparation for exam day should include reviewing these guidelines well in advance, organising required documents, and planning appropriate attire that passes security checks with minimal hassle.