In short: In the JEE Main 2027 form you enter four exam city choices in order of preference, and NTA allots your centre in one of those four cities. The list was cut to 310 cities this year, with 13 removed and 3 added. Your options depend on the states of your permanent and present addresses. The city intimation slip comes on December 30, 2026 and the admit card with the exact venue on January 13, 2027. You cannot choose a specific centre or shift. This guide shows how to rank your four cities, what to do if your city was removed, and how to plan travel around the exam.
Last updated: October 28, 2026. Details are from reports on the Information Bulletin by Shiksha and Jagran Josh.
JEE Main 2027 Exam City — Quick Reference
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of city choices | 4, in order of preference |
| Total exam cities in 2027 | 310 |
| Cities removed / added | 13 removed, 3 added |
| New cities | Kalahandi and Sundargarh (Odisha), Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Punjab) |
| City intimation slip | December 30, 2026 |
| Admit card with exact venue | January 13, 2027 |
| Session 1 exam | January 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 28, 2027 |
| Can you choose a centre or shift? | No |
How City Allotment Works
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. While filling the form | You enter four city choices in order of preference |
| 2. NTA allots | Your centre is in one of those four cities |
| 3. December 30, 2026 | City intimation slip shows the allotted city |
| 4. January 13, 2027 | Admit card shows the exact exam centre address and your shift |
| 5. January 20 to 28, 2027 | You appear for the exam |
The final city appears on the admit card along with the exact venue address.
Which Cities Can You Choose?
Per the Education Times report on the bulletin, your options are linked to the state or states that match your permanent address and present address. If fewer than four exam cities are available in those states, options in other states may be offered, subject to availability and administrative feasibility.
So if your permanent address is in one state and you currently study in another, you may see cities from both. Look at what the form actually lists for you.
What You Cannot Choose
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| A specific exam centre or school | No. NTA assigns the venue within the city |
| Morning or afternoon shift | No. Paper 1 runs 9 AM to 12 noon and 3 PM to 6 PM, and allotment is by NTA |
| Exam date within the January 20 to 28 window | No |
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How to Pick Your Four Cities: A 6-Step Method
- Rank by realistic travel time, not distance on a map. A city with a direct train can be easier than a closer one with poor connections.
- Put your most convenient city first. NTA allots from your list, and the order signals your preference.
- Add a fallback you can actually reach. Do not fill a choice with a city that needs an overnight stay unless you have no other option.
- Prefer cities with good rail or bus links in case you get the fourth choice.
- Do not pick a city because you heard it is "easier". Scores are normalised across shifts, so city choice should be about logistics, not about hoping for an easier paper.
- Check for relatives or friends in a candidate city. A local base makes exam day calmer.
Decision Matrix: Choosing by Your Situation
These examples are illustrative.
| Your situation | Suggested approach |
|---|---|
| Your home city is on the list | Put it first. Add the two nearest well-connected cities and one major hub as fallbacks |
| Your usual nearby city was among the 13 removed | Check which cities are now listed for your state and pick the best-connected ones |
| You study in a different state from your home | Compare cities in both states and rank by where you will be in January |
| You live in a small town far from any centre | Choose the nearest rail hub first, even if it is not the closest by road |
| Two cities are equally far | Prefer the one with more frequent trains or buses and safer late-evening travel |
Planning Around the Shift Timings
Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) runs 9 AM to 12 noon and 3 PM to 6 PM. Candidates taking both B.Arch and B.Planning sit from 9 AM to 12:30 PM (Aakash).
| If you are allotted | Plan |
|---|---|
| 9 AM shift in a distant city | Reach the city the previous evening and stay near the venue |
| 3 PM shift in a distant city | The paper ends at 6 PM, so check the last bus or train home before committing to a same-day return |
| A city in your own district | Do a trial trip to the venue in the same time window if you can |
Your shift appears only on the admit card on January 13. Book flexible travel, or wait until you know your shift before paying for non-refundable stays. That is practical advice, not an NTA rule.
Can You Change the City Later?
NTA does not edit entries after submission. A one-time correction window runs November 27 to 29, 2026, but it opens only the fields NTA lists at that time. I could not confirm whether exam cities will be editable, so choose carefully now and check the correction rules when the window opens.
Your Timeline for the Next Ten Weeks
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Before November 22 | Finalise four cities and submit the form |
| November 27 to 29 | Check what the correction window allows |
| December 30 | Read your city intimation slip |
| Early January | Book travel and a stay if the city is far |
| January 13 | Download the admit card and note the shift and venue |
| One day before the exam | Do a venue recce and pack your documents |
| Exam day | Reach early. See the first 30 minutes strategy |
Common City-Choice Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Filling all four choices with the same far hub | Add at least one city you can reach the same day |
| Choosing by rumour about an easier paper | Choose by travel and safety |
| Ignoring your present address | Your options depend on both permanent and present addresses |
| Booking non-refundable travel before the admit card | Wait for the January 13 admit card, or book refundable options |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many exam cities can I choose for JEE Main 2027?
You can enter four exam cities in order of preference. NTA allots your centre in one of those four cities, and the final city appears on your admit card along with the exact venue address.
Can I choose a specific exam centre or shift for JEE Main?
No. You choose cities only. NTA assigns the venue within the allotted city and the shift, and both appear on the admit card released on January 13, 2027.
Why were JEE Main 2027 exam cities reduced to 310?
Reports state that 13 cities were removed and 3 were added: Kalahandi and Sundargarh in Odisha, and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar in Punjab. I did not find the reasons given, so I will not speculate.
When will I know my JEE Main 2027 exam city?
The city intimation slip is scheduled for December 30, 2026. The admit card with the exact centre address and shift follows on January 13, 2027.
What if fewer than four cities are available in my state?
Per the Education Times report on the bulletin, options in other states may be offered, subject to availability and administrative feasibility. Look at the list the form shows for your permanent and present addresses.
Can I change my exam city after submitting the form?
NTA does not edit entries after submission, apart from a one-time correction window from November 27 to 29, 2026. I could not confirm whether exam cities will be editable then, so choose carefully before you submit.
Related Guides
- JEE Main 2027 Application Form — Step-by-Step Filling Guide
- JEE Main 2027 Form Mistakes — 12 Errors to Avoid Before You Submit
- JEE Main 2027 Documents Required — Photo, Signature Size and Upload Checklist
- JEE Main 2027 Exam Day Strategy — First 30 Minutes
- JEE Main 2027 Session 1 Last 15 Days Strategy
- Board Exam Stationery Checklist — What to Carry
Sources
- Shiksha: exam cities reduced to 310
- Jagran Josh: JEE Main 2027 exam centres
- Careers360: JEE Main 2027 new centres
- Aakash: key dates and paper timings
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