JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 Session 1 Shift 1 Paper Analysis with Difficulty Level & Free Question Paper PDF
The JEE Main 2026 Session 22 January 2026 Shift 1 examination is finally over across all centres in the world. The exam was conducted on January 22 (9 AM–12 PM). The JEE Main Exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in computer-based test (CBT) mode. The Session 1 exam will continue until January 29, 2026, with morning and afternoon shifts each day for Paper 1 (BE/B. Tech).
Approximately 14.5 lakh students have registered for the JEE Main Session 1 exam. As the first shift has commenced, it is time to do an overall paper analysis along with a subject-wise analysis. We will also share student insights and feedback. Students can find question paper PDFs and the latest updates, which will be useful for the upcoming JEE Main Session 1 exams.
- JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (All Shifts) (Live Now)
- JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (21 January Shift 1) (Live Now)
- JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (21 January Shift 2) (Live Now)
- JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (22 January Shift 2) (Live Now)
- JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (23 January Shift 1) (Live Now)
- JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (23 January Shift 2) (Live Now)
- JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (24 January Shift 1) (Live Now)
- JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (24 January Shift 2) (Live Now)
- JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (28 January Shift 1) (to be active soon)
- JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (28 January Shift 2) (to be active soon)
- JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (29 January Shift 1) (to be active soon)
- JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (29 January Shift 2) (to be active soon)
JEE Main 2026 January 22 Shift 1 Exam Overview
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Shift 1 exam, conducted on January 22, has now concluded. Here is the brief overview of the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exam pattern, timing, and structure.
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | JEE Main 2026 Session 1 |
| Exam Date | January 22, 2026 |
| Shift | Shift 1 (Morning) |
| Exam Timing | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Paper | Paper 1 (BE/B.Tech.) |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Number of Questions | 75 questions |
| Total Duration | 3 Hours |
| Marking Scheme | +4 (Correct), -1 (Incorrect), 0 (Un-attempted) |
JEE Main 2026 January 22 Shift 1 – Overall Paper Analysis
The JEE Main 2026 January 22 Shift 1 exam is successfully over at 12 PM. Many students have shared their insights and feedback on the difficulty level. Based on real-time feedback from students, we identified that the overall difficulty level of the exam is considered moderate and mostly easier. The majority of the questions in the morning shift on 22 January are based on memory-based concepts.
- Mathematics: The Mathematics section was considered moderate by a wide range of students. In comparison with the day 1 exam, Mathematics was comparatively easier and very doable. In mathematics, a wide range of questions are from the 3D, Matrices & Determinants, Hyperbola/Parabola, and Vectors chapters.
- Physics: The question paper was moderate, with most questions coming from the chapters on Electrostatics, Moment of Inertia, Magnetic Field, and Kinetic Energy.
- Chemistry: As per the feedback from students, the Chemistry section was easy, and most of the questions were from the Chemical Reaction section. The direct topics in the exam papers are p-block elements, Coordination Compounds, and organic reaction mechanisms.
Expert Analysis: The cut-off for 99 percentile is estimated to be 190-200 marks.
Subject-Wise Difficulty Level
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Major Topic Asked |
| Physics | Moderate to Difficult | Electrostatics (3 questions directly), Moment of Inertia, Magnetic Field, Modern Physics, Thermodynamics, and Kinetic Energy chapters. |
| Chemistry | Easy to Moderate | p-Block elements (3 questions), coordination compounds, Biomolecules, and Organic Reaction Mechanisms. |
| Mathematics | Moderate | 3D, Matrices & Determinants, Hyperbola/Parabola, Vectors chapters, Statistics, and Probability |
| Overall | Moderate | – |
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Shift 1 – Which was the most difficult section?
In the JEE Main 2026 exam, January 22 session, Shift 1, the most difficult section is physics, followed by mathematics. Chemistry was the easiest section.
JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 Shift 1 – Student Reactions and Feedback
Now that the exam has concluded, many students have come out with mixed reactions on each subject. Some found the paper to be easy, while others found it moderate level. But if compared to the January 21 session, this shift was easier.
- Mathematics: Maths was tough and lengthier. This section was the most time-consuming and multiple steps problems were from Algebra and Calculus.
- Physics: The reviews for the physics section are mixed. Some said the paper was tougher, and some said it was moderate. Many formula-heavy questions were from Modern Physics and Mechanics.
- Chemistry: This section was the easiest, according to the majority of students. Chemistry was doable.
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Shift 1 Subject-Wise Paper Analysis
The most important analysis to get an idea about a paper is to break down the high-weightage chapters and questions from them. The table below is a result of expert analysis highlighting the chapters with the number of questions in physics, chemistry, and mathematics. This important chapter breakdown helps aspirants identify high-weightage chapters and plan effectively for upcoming shifts or the April attempt.
JEE Main 2026 January 22 Shift 1 Physics Analysis
The physics section was of a moderate to difficult level. Some of the questions were lengthy, and this is what made it more difficult.
- 3-4 questions – difficult level.
- 10-11 easy-level questions.
- 11-12 moderate-level questions.
Physics Important Topics
| Chapter | Weightage (%) | Approx. No. of Questions |
| Current Electricity | 8.00% | 2 |
| Heat and Thermodynamics | 7.33% | 2 |
| Properties of Matter | 7.00% | 2 |
| Atoms and Nuclei | 6.67% | 2 |
| Units & Measurements | 5.50% | 1–2 |
| Electrostatics | 5.33% | 1–2 |
| Magnetic Effect of Current | 5.17% | 1–2 |
| Alternating Current | 4.33% | 1 |
| Laws of Motion | 4.00% | 1 |
| Gravitation | 4.00% | 1 |
| Wave Optics | 3.83% | 1 |
| Dual Nature of Radiation | 3.83% | 1 |
| Semiconductor | 3.67% | 1 |
| Rotational Motion | 3.33% | 1 |
| Work, Power & Energy | 3.17% | 1 |
| Electromagnetic Induction | 2.83% | 1 |
| Motion in a Straight Line | 2.67% | 1 |
| Simple Harmonic Motion | 2.50% | 1 |
| Electromagnetic Waves | 2.50% | 1 |
| Geometrical Optics | 2.50% | 1 |
| Capacitor | 2.33% | 1 |
| Circular Motion | 1.83% | 0–1 |
| Center of Mass & Collision | 1.67% | 0–1 |
| Waves | 1.50% | Centre of Mass & Collision |
JEE Main 2026 January 22 Shift 1 Mathematics
The mathematics section was comparatively easier than the January 21 shift. But the overall difficulty of the section can be said to be moderate.
5-6 questions were of a difficult level.
10 questions of moderate level.
9-10 questions were of an easy level.
Mathematics Important Topics
| Chapter | Weightage (%) | Approx. No. of Questions |
| Sets & Relations | 4.4% | 1 |
| Logarithm | 0.4% | 0 |
| Quadratic Equations & Inequalities | 3.2% | 1 |
| Sequences & Series | 5.2% | 1–2 |
| Binomial Theorem | 4.4% | 1 |
| Matrices & Determinants | 7.6% | 2 |
| Permutations & Combinations | 5.2% | 1–2 |
| Probability | 4.8% | 1 |
| Vector Algebra | 5.6% | 1–2 |
| 3D Geometry | 6.4% | 2 |
| Complex Numbers | 4.0% | 1 |
| Statistics | 1.6% | 0–1 |
| Trigonometric Ratios & Identities | 1.6% | 0–1 |
| Inverse Trigonometric Functions | 2.8% | 1 |
| Straight Lines & Pairs of Straight Lines | 3.6% | 1 |
| Circle | 2.4% | 1 |
| Parabola | 4.0% | 1 |
| Ellipse | 3.2% | 1 |
| Hyperbola | 0.8% | 0 |
| Functions | 3.2% | 1 |
| Limits, Continuity & Differentiability | 5.2% | 1–2 |
| Differentiation | 0.4% | 0 |
| Application of Derivatives | 2.4% | 1 |
| Indefinite Integrals | 2.0% | 1 |
| Definite Integration | 4.8% | 1 |
| Area Under the Curves | 4.0% | 1 |
| Differential Equations | 5.6% | 1–2 |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 Shift 1 Chemistry Analysis
The chemistry section was the easiest among the others. Most of the questions were direct NCERT-based and predictable. Only a very few questions were justa little lengthy, but again they were doable.
- 10 questions – easy level.
- 6-7 – difficult level questions.
- 8-9 – moderate level questions.
Chemistry Important Topics
| Chapter | Weightage (%) | Approx. No. of Questions |
| Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry | 5.2% | 1 |
| Structure of Atom | 4.4% | 1 |
| Redox Reactions | 2.4% | 1 |
| Chemical Equilibrium | 2.4% | 1 |
| Ionic Equilibrium | 3.2% | 1 |
| Solutions | 3.6% | 1 |
| Thermodynamics | 6.8% | 2 |
| Electrochemistry | 5.6% | 1–2 |
| Chemical Kinetics & Nuclear Chemistry | 5.2% | 1 |
| Periodic Table & Periodicity | 6.0% | 1–2 |
| Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure | 4.0% | 1 |
| p-Block Elements | 1.6% | 0–1 |
| d & f Block Elements | 5.2% | 1 |
| Coordination Compounds | 7.2% | 2 |
| Salt Analysis | 2.0% | 1 |
| Basics of Organic Chemistry (GOC) | 6.8% | 2 |
| Hydrocarbons | 5.2% | 1 |
| Haloalkanes & Haloarenes | 4.4% | 1 |
| Alcohols, Phenols & Ethers | 2.0% | 1 |
| Aldehydes, Ketones & Carboxylic Acids | 5.6% | 1–2 |
| Compounds Containing Nitrogen | 5.2% | 1 |
| Biomolecules | 4.4% | 1 |
| Practical Organic Chemistry | 1.2% | 0–1 |
JEE Main 2026 January 22 Shift 1 Question Paper
Every year, question papers are released on our website based on the memory-based questions after the paper. Once all the questions are collected, students can download the question papers or memory-based questions, subject-wise, from the table below:
Subject-Wise Questions Papers PDFs
| Subject | JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Shift 1 Question Paper |
| Physics | Download JEE Main 2026 Session Shift 1 Physics Paper |
| Chemistry | Download JEE Main 2026 Session Shift 1 Chemistry Paper |
| Mathematics | Download JEE Main 2026 Session Shift 1 Mathematics Paper |
How to Download JEE Main 2026 Shift 1 Question Paper PDF?
Students can download the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Shift 1 question paper from the official website of NTA as well. We will also upload the subject-wise question papers in this blog. Students can download the papers from our website as well.
- Go to jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- Find the link for “JEE Main Papers & Answer Key” or similar.
- Log in using your Application Number and Password/Date of Birth.
- Select the specific exam date and shift.
- You can then view and download the question paper, answer key, and your response sheet.
When Will NTA Release the Answer Key and Questions?
NTA will release the answer key almost 7-10 days after the exam. Students can expect the answer key and questions to be released within 2 weeks on the official website. Candidates can cross-check their responses and estimate their scores. Stay updated with the latest updates regarding the JEE Main 2026 exam and results by regularly following the NTA official website.
FAQs
The JEE answer key and questions will be released by the NTA approximately 7-10 days after the exam. On the official website of NTA, it is expected that the answer key and questions will be released within 2 weeks.
The exam time for the JEE Main exam Shift 1 on 22 January is between 9 AM and 12 PM. Students should arrive between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM to avoid any hassle.
Physics was more difficult compared to the January 21 Shift. The questions were of moderate to difficult level.
In the JEE Main 2026 January 22 Shift 1 paper, the chemistry section was easy. The questions were direct from NCERT, and only 3-4 difficult questions were there.
The mathematics section of JEE Main January 22 Shift 1 was quite difficult. The questions were time-consuming and lengthy.
Physics was the most difficult section in JEE Main January 22 Shift 1. After this, maths was the most difficult section.