- A hall ticket and an admit card are the same document, and both remain mandatory for entry in 2026
- The National Testing Agency released JEE Main 2026 Session 2 admit cards from late March 2026 at its official portal
- Candidates must carry a printed hall ticket with an original government photo ID, as digital copies on a phone are not accepted.
Every year, lakhs of Indian students search for their hall ticket in the days before a major exam. Whether you call it a hall ticket, admit card or call letter, it is the single document that lets you enter the examination hall. This guide explains what it contains, how to download it, and what to carry alongside it in 2026.
What Is a Hall Ticket?
A hall ticket, also called an admit card, is the official entry pass issued by an exam-conducting body such as NTA, UPSC or SSC. It confirms your candidature and carries your name, roll number, photograph, exam centre, and reporting time. No candidate is allowed inside the examination hall without it.
The hall ticket is generated automatically once your application is accepted and the examination schedule is finalised. It is unique to each candidate and cannot be shared or transferred.
- Candidate name, roll or registration number and application number
- Recent photograph and signature of the candidate
- Examination name, date, shift and reporting time
- Full address of the allotted examination centre
- Exam-day instructions and a list of prohibited items
How Do You Download Your Hall Ticket Online?
You download a hall ticket from the conducting body's official website, never from a coaching or aggregator site. Log in with your application or registration number and password or date of birth, open the admit card PDF, verify every detail, and print a clear copy, preferably in colour, for the exam.
- Visit the official website of the exam-conducting body
- Click the admit card or hall ticket download link on the homepage
- Log in with your application number and password or date of birth
- Check that your name, photo, category and centre are correct
- Download the PDF and take a clear printout, preferably in colour
Which Documents Must You Carry With the Hall Ticket?
Along with a printed hall ticket, carry one original, valid, government-issued photo identity proof such as Aadhaar, PAN card, passport, voter ID or driving licence. Many exams also ask for a recent passport-size photograph and, where applicable, a PwD or scribe certificate. Digital copies on a phone are not accepted.
- Printed hall ticket for the correct exam and shift
- One original, valid government-issued photo ID proof
- A recent passport-size photograph if the admit card asks for it
- PwD or scribe-related certificates where applicable
When Are Hall Tickets Released for 2026 Exams?
Conducting bodies usually release hall tickets three to fifteen days before the examination, once the city intimation slip is issued. For 2026, NTA published JEE Main Session 2 admit cards in late March 2026, while UPSC and SSC release e-admit cards a few days ahead of each exam through their portals.
| Exam Body 2026 | Where to Download | Login Credentials |
|---|---|---|
| NTA (JEE Main, NEET UG, CUET, UGC NET) | nta.ac.in and exam-specific NTA portals | Application number plus password |
| UPSC (Civil Services, CDS, NDA) | upsc.gov.in e-Admit Card section | Registration ID plus date of birth |
| SSC (CGL, CHSL, MTS) | ssc.gov.in and regional SSC websites | Roll or registration number plus password |
What Should You Do If There Is an Error on Your Hall Ticket?
If any detail such as your name, photograph, category or exam centre is wrong, do not correct it yourself. Contact the conducting body immediately through its official helpline or email, quoting your application number. Most agencies fix genuine discrepancies before the exam, but you must still carry the admit card you downloaded.
Keep a screenshot of your login confirmation and note down the helpline number printed on the admit card. Acting early gives the conducting body enough time to issue a corrected hall ticket before your exam date.
Why Is the Hall Ticket So Important on Exam Day?
The hall ticket is your only proof of eligibility to sit the exam, so invigilators verify it against your photo ID before entry. It also lists reporting time, prohibited items and shift details. Losing it or arriving without a printout can cost you the exam, so keep several copies safe.
Download your hall ticket as soon as it is released, print at least two copies, and store one with your photo ID so you are never caught out on exam morning.