JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis

JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis

The January session of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 has officially commenced, setting the stage for millions of engineering aspirants across India. As the first major hurdle for admission into prestigious institutes like the NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, the initial shifts provide crucial insights into the evolving trends of the National Testing Agency (NTA).

This comprehensive JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis dives deep into the Shift 1 and Shift 2 exams conducted on January 21, 2026. Whether you are appearing for upcoming shifts or planning for the April session, understanding the difficulty level, topic weightage, and the significant pattern changes introduced this year is essential for your success.

JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis: Session 1 Overview

The first day of the 2026 session followed the established Computer Based Test (CBT) format but came with a notable strategic shift in the marking scheme and question selection. Unlike previous years where students had choices in the Numerical Value Questions (Section B), the 2026 pattern has made all five numerical questions mandatory. This change has fundamentally altered how students approach time management and accuracy.

Overall, the first day (January 21) was rated as Moderate by both subject experts and students. While Physics remained the "confidence booster" for many, Mathematics continued its streak as the "rank decider" due to its lengthy nature. Chemistry, surprisingly, showed a spike in difficulty in the morning shift compared to the relatively easier papers of 2025.

Feature	Shift 1 (Morning)	Shift 2 (Evening)
Overall Difficulty	Moderate	Easy to Moderate
Physics Difficulty	Easy	Moderate
Chemistry Difficulty	Difficult & Lengthy	Easy
Maths Difficulty	Moderate to Tough	Tough & Lengthy
Attendance	~95%	~94%

Shift 1 Analysis: The Morning Challenge

The morning shift (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM) witnessed a mix of relief and surprise. Engineering aspirants who relied heavily on previous year trends found themselves navigating a slightly more conceptual Chemistry section than anticipated.

Physics: Formula-Driven and Accessible

Physics in Shift 1 was the most scoring section. The questions were predominantly NCERT-driven, focusing on direct formula application rather than complex derivations.

• Key Topics: Electromagnetism (32% weightage), Modern Physics, and Heat & Thermodynamics dominated the paper.

• Observations: Many questions from Kinematics and Units & Dimensions were straightforward. Students who had thoroughly revised their formula sheets were able to complete this section in under 45 minutes.

• Missing Links: Interestingly, topics like Circular Motion saw minimal representation in this shift.

Chemistry: The Surprise Package

Contrary to the usual "easy" rating, Shift 1 Chemistry was rated as Difficult by many. The section was concept-heavy and featured tricky statement-based questions that required a granular understanding of the NCERT syllabus.

• Key Topics: Inorganic Chemistry had a higher weightage than Organic. Specific focus was seen on Coordination Compounds, Chemical Bonding, and Salt Analysis.

• New Trend: A microscope-based question appeared for the first time in four years, signaling NTA’s intent to test experimental and practical knowledge more rigorously.

Mathematics: The Speed Breaker

Mathematics remained the toughest section, not because of the difficulty of concepts, but due to the sheer volume of calculations required.

• Key Topics: Algebra (36%) and Calculus (28%) formed the core. Vectors & 3D Geometry contributed roughly 12% of the questions.

• Student Reaction: Most students could only comfortably attempt 15–18 questions within the allotted hour. The "numerical" section was particularly time-consuming, requiring multi-step solutions for Coordinate Geometry problems.

Shift 2 Analysis: The Evening Shift Review

The second shift (3:00 PM to 6:00 PM) was perceived as slightly more balanced and "approachable" compared to the morning slot, particularly in the Chemistry section.

Physics: Balanced and Conceptual

While still manageable, Shift 2 Physics required a bit more conceptual clarity than Shift 1.

• Focus Areas: Mechanics, Electrostatics, and Current Electricity were the high-weightage areas. Ray Optics questions were more application-based this time.

• Weightage: Approximately 50% of questions came from the Class 11 syllabus and 50% from Class 12, maintaining a perfect equilibrium.

Chemistry: Scoring and NCERT-Centric

Shift 2 brought back the familiar "scoring" nature of Chemistry. Most questions were picked directly from NCERT lines.

• Dominant Topics: Organic Chemistry took the lead here, with a focus on reaction mechanisms and name reactions like the Aldol condensation and Hoffmann bromamide degradation.

• Physical Chemistry: Most numerical questions were from Electrochemistry and Chemical Kinetics, which were straightforward but required careful calculation.

Mathematics: Lengthy but Logical

The evening shift Math paper followed the morning's trend—it was long and calculation-intensive. However, the questions from Vectors and 3D Geometry were reported to be slightly more "logical" and less "grindy" than the morning shift.

• Distribution: Calculus (36%), Algebra (32%), and Vectors/3D (16%) were the pillars.

• Expert Take: Success in this shift depended on "question selection." Students who skipped the heavy Calculus problems to finish Algebra first fared better in terms of overall attempts.

Key Changes in the 2026 Exam Pattern

The JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis would be incomplete without discussing the major structural change implemented by the NTA. For the first time since the pandemic-era adjustments, the "choice" in Section B has been removed.

1. Mandatory Numericals: In previous years, students were given 10 numerical questions per subject and had to attempt only 5. In 2026, students are presented with only 5 numerical questions per subject, and all 5 are mandatory.

2. Negative Marking: Negative marking persists for both MCQs and Numerical Value Questions (-1 for incorrect, +4 for correct).

3. Tie-Breaking Criteria: The NTA has updated its tie-breaking rules to emphasize subject-wise scores more heavily. If two students have the same total percentile, their Mathematics score is the primary differentiator, followed by Physics and then Chemistry.

Note for Aspirants: Since there are no optional questions in Section B anymore, you cannot afford to skip entire chapters. You must have a basic understanding of all high-weightage topics to ensure you can attempt these mandatory 5 questions.

Expected Cutoff and Marks vs Percentile for 2026

With the number of unique registrations projected to cross 15.5 lakh this year, competition is at an all-time high. The cutoff for JEE Advanced eligibility is expected to rise slightly.

Expected Qualifying Percentile (General Category)

Based on the moderate difficulty of the January 21 shifts and the surge in candidates, the qualifying percentile for the General (UR) category is predicted to be between 93.5 and 95.0.

Marks vs. Percentile (Shift 1 & 2 Average)

Percentile	Expected Raw Marks (Out of 300)
99.9%ile	255 - 270
99%ile	185 - 195
97%ile	155 - 165
95%ile	130 - 140
90%ile	95 - 105

For students targeting top-tier engineering colleges in Delhi, Kolkata, or Hyderabad, a score of 180+ is increasingly becoming the "safe zone" for a 99+ percentile.

Expert Tips for Upcoming JEE Main 2026 Shifts

Based on the JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis, here are the top strategies for engineering aspirants preparing for the remaining days:

• Prioritize NCERT for Chemistry: Do not ignore the smaller chapters like Biomolecules, Polymers, and Chemistry in Everyday Life. They provide "free marks" if you know the facts.

• Focus on 'Speed Math': Since Mathematics is consistently lengthy, practice solving 3D Geometry and Vector problems without the aid of a calculator. Improve your mental calculation to save those precious seconds.

• Physics Formula Mastery: Keep a formula wall or a short-note booklet. In the 2026 shifts, nearly 60-70% of Physics questions could be solved just by knowing the right formula and its units.

• The Three-Round Strategy: * Round 1: Finish all "easy" questions (mostly Physics and Chemistry) in the first 60 minutes.

  • Round 2: Tackle the moderate questions and the mandatory numericals.

  • Round 3: Spend the last 30 minutes on the tough Math or conceptual Physics problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How was the overall JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis for the first day?

The overall analysis for the first day (January 21) indicates a moderate difficulty level. While Physics was easy and formula-based, Mathematics was quite lengthy. Chemistry in Shift 1 was surprisingly tricky, though it became more manageable in Shift 2.

2. Has the JEE Main exam pattern changed for 2026?

Yes, the NTA has removed the choice in Section B (Numerical Value Questions). Students must now attempt all 5 numerical questions per subject, totaling 75 mandatory questions in the paper.

3. Which subject was the toughest in the JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 exam?

Mathematics was universally regarded as the toughest and most time-consuming section in both shifts. However, Shift 1 candidates also found Chemistry to be more conceptual and difficult than previous years.

4. What is the expected cutoff for JEE Advanced 2026?

Based on early trends, the expected cutoff for the General category is likely to hover around the 93.5 to 95 percentile mark due to increased candidate participation.

5. Are there any out-of-syllabus questions in the 2026 January session?

No major out-of-syllabus questions were reported in the first two shifts. All questions were aligned with the revised syllabus provided by the NTA.

Take the Next Step Towards Your Engineering Dream

Analyzing the paper is only the first step; the next is action. Whether you need to refine your calculation speed for Math or memorize reaction mechanisms for Chemistry, consistency is your best friend.

• Download Official Solutions: Stay updated with the NTA JEE Main Portal for official answer keys.