JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Paper Analysis: Subject-Wise Review and Trends
- Sairam Joshi
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 has concluded its initial phase, leaving over 10 lakh engineering aspirants with a mix of relief and strategy-building for the next round. As the first major hurdle for admission into prestigious NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, the January session provides a critical blueprint for what to expect in the upcoming April attempt.
In this comprehensive JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Paper Analysis, we break down the difficulty levels, chapter-wise weightage, and expert insights to help you navigate your preparation journey.
Overall Difficulty Level: A Balanced Challenge
According to early reports and expert reviews from top coaching institutes, the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 followed a predictable yet demanding pattern. The overall difficulty was rated as Moderate, with the primary challenge being time management rather than out-of-syllabus questions.
Mathematics: Consistently the toughest and most time-consuming section.
Physics: Moderate, with a heavy emphasis on conceptual application.
Chemistry: The most scoring and student-friendly section, largely NCERT-based.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) maintained a 96% attendance rate, proving the immense competition this year. Students noted that while the questions were doable, the "lengthiness" of the paper—especially in the evening shifts—was a significant factor in determining the number of good attempts.
Subject-Wise JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Paper Analysis
1. Mathematics: The Calculation Marathon
The Mathematics section in 2026 continued the trend of being the "rank decider." Most students found this section moderate to difficult due to multi-step calculations and the integration of multiple concepts in a single problem.
High-Weightage Topics: Calculus, Vector & 3D Geometry, and Coordinate Geometry dominated the papers.
Trending Chapters: Sequences and Series, Matrices, and Determinants saw a significant number of questions.
Expert Insight: Experts from Aakash and PhysicsWallah suggested that a selective attempt strategy was crucial. Students who spent more than 60–70 minutes on this section often struggled to finish the other subjects.
2. Physics: Concepts Over Formulas
Physics was rated as Easy to Moderate. Unlike previous years where direct formula-based questions were common, 2026 saw a shift toward "assertion-reason" and "statement-based" questions that tested fundamental clarity.
Key Focus Areas: Mechanics, Electrostatics, and Magnetism carried the maximum weightage.
New Trends: A noticeable increase in experiment-based questions (e.g., Screw Gauge, Vernier Calipers, and Microscope resolution) was observed.
Syllabus Coverage: Almost 50% of the questions were calculation-based, while the rest required conceptual reasoning.
3. Chemistry: The Scoring Savior
Chemistry remained the most manageable section across all shifts. It was the primary confidence booster for most aspirants, with many completing the section in under 40 minutes.
Organic Chemistry: Dominated by GOC, Named Reactions, and Biomolecules.
Inorganic Chemistry: Strictly NCERT-based. Coordination Compounds and p-block elements were prominent.
Physical Chemistry: Most numerical questions were concentrated here, specifically from Thermodynamics and Chemical Kinetics.
Shift-Wise Analysis: The Toughest vs. Easiest
Data from the January 21–24 shifts indicates that difficulty levels varied slightly to maintain the normalization process.
Date & Shift | Overall Difficulty | Toughest Subject | Key Highlight |
Jan 21 (Morning) | Moderate | Chemistry (Tricky) | Unexpectedly deep Chemistry questions. |
Jan 22 (Evening) | Moderate to Hard | Mathematics | Lengthy 3D Geometry problems. |
Jan 23 (Evening) | Hard | Physics & Maths | Toughest shift reported so far. |
Jan 24 (Morning) | Moderate | Mathematics | Balanced paper but very lengthy. |
JEE Main 2026 Cutoff Predictions
With the increase in the number of applicants, the competition for the General category is expected to be fierce. Based on the JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis, here are the tentative percentile cutoffs to qualify for JEE Advanced:
General: 93.3 – 95.0 percentile
EWS: 80.5 – 82.0 percentile
OBC-NCL: 79.5 – 81.0 percentile
SC: 61.5 – 63.0 percentile
ST: 48.0 – 50.0 percentile
Note: A "Safe Score" for admission into top-tier NITs (Computer Science branch) is estimated to be above 220 marks in most shifts.
Strategy for Session 2 (April Attempt)
Based on the trends observed in the January session, here is how you should recalibrate your strategy:
Prioritize NCERT for Chemistry: Do not ignore the "small" chapters like Environmental Chemistry or Chemistry in Everyday Life.
Master Time Management in Maths: Practice solving 15–20 high-quality problems daily within a strict time limit.
Analyze Shift Papers: Solve the memory-based question papers from the January session to understand the exact framing of questions by NTA.
Focus on Experiments: In Physics, ensure you have a firm grip on practical-based syllabus topics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How useful is the JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis for the April attempt?
The JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis is vital because it reveals the NTA's current focus areas and question patterns. By identifying high-weightage topics and the nature of "lengthy" questions, students can adjust their speed and accuracy for the Session 2 exam.
Q2. Was there any change in the exam pattern for 2026?
No, the exam pattern remained consistent with 2025. There are 75 mandatory questions (25 per subject), including 5 Numerical Value Questions in Section B for each subject, with no optional questions.
Q3. Which was the toughest shift in JEE Main 2026 January?
Preliminary analysis suggests that the January 23 Evening shift was among the most challenging due to a combination of difficult Physics and calculation-intensive Mathematics.
Q4. Is 150 a good score in JEE Main 2026?
A score of 150 generally lands in the 97–98 percentile range, depending on shift difficulty. While this is a strong score for qualifying, you may need 180+ for top NITs.
Conclusion
The Session 1 of JEE Main 2026 has set a clear tone: Conceptual depth and speed are non-negotiable. While Mathematics remains a hurdle, consistent scoring in Chemistry and Physics can elevate your percentile significantly. Use this analysis to bridge the gaps in your preparation and aim for a better score in the next session!
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