JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Session 1 Shift 1 Paper Analysis with Difficulty Level & Free Question Paper PDF
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Shift 1 examination is finally over across all centres nationwide. The exam was held on January 21 (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 2) (Live Now)
- JEE Main Session 1 Paper Analysis (22 January Shift 1) (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 21 Shift 1 Exam Overview
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Shift 1 exam, conducted on January 21, 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 21, 2026 |
| Shift | Shift 1 (Morning) |
| Exam Timing | 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon |
| 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 (Unattempted) |
JEE Main 2026 January 21 Shift 1 – Overall Paper Analysis
The JEE Main 2026 January 21 Shift 1 exam is successfully over at 12 PM. Many students have shared their insights and feedback on the difficulty level. There are mixed reviews, and many students have made shocking statements regarding the paper. Here is a balanced conclusion based on the student feedback and memory-based questions:
- Mathematics was found to be the most time-consuming section. Most questions covered the topics of calculus, 3D Geometry, Vectors, Algebra, and probability. Hence, it can be said that the mathematics section was difficult and required careful, lengthy calculations.
- Physics was also found to be of moderate level. The questions were direct and conceptually based. For students with strong conceptual clarity, this section can be a high-scoring one. The questions were largely from the following chapters: Mechanics, Modern Physics, Current Electricity, Optics, and Thermodynamics.
- The chemistry section was shocking for many students. This section was found to be very difficult. Many inorganic and physical chemistry questions were tricky, with 7 statements in each question, making it lengthy. Organic chemistry involved complex reaction-based questions as well.
Subject-Wise Difficulty Level
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Major Topics Asked |
| Physics | Easy | Ray Optics (2Q), Microscope, Semiconductor, Electrostatics, Rotation (string), Fluids (Bernoulli). |
| Chemistry | Difficult | More from organic and inorganic. More weightage on coordination compounds. |
| Mathematics | Most Difficut (Lengthy) | Heavy on vectors & 3D, less on calculus, AP-GP, conics, binomial, trigonometry, and matrices. |
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Shift 1 – Which was the most difficult section?
Mathematics was the most difficult section, followed by Chemistry and then Physics. The mathematics section was lengthy and had time-consuming calculations. The chemistry section was unpredictable this time, having much trickier questions compared to the previous year’s trends.
JEE Main 2026 January 21 Shift 1: Important Chapters & Number of Questions
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.
Physics Important Questions
| Chapter | Weightage (%) | Chapter | Weightage (%) |
| Current Electricity | 8.0% | Semiconductor | 3.67% |
| Heat & Thermodynamics | 7.33% | Rotational Motion | 3.33% |
| Properties of Matter | 7.0% | Work, Power & Energy | 3.17% |
| Atoms and Nuclei | 6.67% | Electromagnetic Induction | 2.83% |
| Units & Measurements | 5.50% | Motion in a Straight Line | 2.67% |
| Electrostatics | 5.33% | Simple Harmonic Motion | 2.50% |
| Magnetic Effect of Current | 5.17% | Electromagnetic Waves | 2.50% |
| Alternating Current | 4.33% | Geometrical Optics | 2.50% |
| Laws of Motion | 4.0% | Capacitor | 2.33% |
| Gravitation | 4.0% | Circular Motion | 1.83% |
| Wave Optics | 3.83% | Centre of Mass & Collision | 1.67% |
| Dual Nature of Radiation | 3.83% | Waves | 1.50% |
Chemistry Important Topics & Number of Questions (Memory-Based)
| Chemistry Topic | Approx. No. of Questions |
| Coordination Chemistry | 3 |
| Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure | 2 |
| p-Block Elements | 2–3 |
| Mole Concept | 3–4 |
| Chemical & Ionic Equilibrium (Mixed) | 1 |
| General Organic Chemistry (GOC) | 2 |
| Biomolecules | 1 |
| Chemical Thermodynamics | 1 |
| Electrochemistry & Redox Reactions | 1 |
Mathematics Important Topics & Number of Questions
| Mathematics Topic | Approx. Number of Questions | Remarks |
| Vector Algebra & 3D Geometry | 2–3 | Time-taking, concept-based |
| Conic Sections (Parabola, Ellipse, Hyperbola) | 3 | 1 question from each |
| Straight Lines | 2 | Standard, formula-based |
| Circle | 1 | Direct application |
| Sets and Relations | 2 | Conceptual |
| Quadratic Equations | 1 | Moderate |
| Sequence and Series | 1 | Conceptual |
| Permutations & Combinations + Probability | 1 | Combined application |
| Matrices | 1 | Lengthy |
| Arithmetic & Geometric Progression (AP & GP) | 1–2 | Conceptual |
| Application of Derivatives | 1 | Moderate |
| Calculus (Overall) | Fewer questions | Lower weightage than usual |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 1 – Student Reactions and Feedback
Overall, students described the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Shift 1 paper to be balanced but lengthy if compared to the previous year trends. The exam centre had strict checking, and there were no technical glitches noted during the exam. The reviews were mixed, and every student had a different opinion.
- Physics was of moderate level difficulty. The questions from mechanics and optics are straightforward. The numericals from circuits and modern physics were lengthy. Formula-heavy questions came from the chapters of electrostatics and thermodynamics.
- Many students found chemistry to be the toughest. Every year, chemistry has direct NCERT-based questions. But the questions in the shift 1 paper this year were lengthy and had 7 statements in each question. Questions from coordination compounds and reaction mechanisms were tougher.
- Students said that the mathematics section was overwhelmingly “lengthy and difficult”. Calculus integrations and vectors/3D cited as endurance tests.
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Shift 1 Subject-Wise Paper Analysis
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Shift 1 exam is over, and every student is waiting for a thorough paper analysis. Here is a brief subject-wise paper analysis based on the initial feedback from students and expert analysis. This section will be updated with more informaiton once all the questions are released.
JEE Main 2026 January 21 Shift 1 Physics Analysis
Physics was easy to moderate, with an even distribution across mechanics, electromagnetism, modern physics, thermodynamics, ray optics, semiconductors, and heat. Most questions were straightforward and concept-based, allowing students to attempt them comfortably with good time management. Topics like De Broglie wavelength, potentiometer, and basic circuits were asked in a direct manner. Many questions were from the Class 12 syllabus, focusing on simple formula application and basic numericals.
Physics Important Topics
- Mechanics (laws of motion, rotational motion, gravitation)
- Electromagnetism (current electricity, magnetic effects, electromagnetic induction, alternating current)
- Optics (ray optics, wave optics)
- Modern physics (atomic physics, nuclear physics, semiconductors, dual nature)
- Thermodynamics and kinetic theory
- Electrostatics and capacitance
JEE Main 2026 January 21 Shift 1 Mathematics Analysis
Mathematics was lengthy and difficult, featuring complex calculations in calculus (integration, limits), coordinate geometry, vectors/3D, algebra (matrices, P&C), and probability. Endurance issues led to fewer attempts, testing accuracy under pressure.
Mathematics Important Topics
- Calculus (integration, limits, continuity, differentiability)
- Algebra (matrices, determinants, complex numbers)
- Coordinate geometry (straight lines, circles, conic sections)
- Vectors and 3D geometry
- Probability, statistics, permutation & combination
JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 1 Chemistry Analysis
Chemistry proved tougher with tricky multi-option questions (5-6 choices in some cases), heavy numericals in physical chemistry, and application-based organic/inorganic problems from coordination compounds, chemical bonding, GOC, reaction mechanisms, and p-block elements. It demanded precise NCERT knowledge but felt unforgiving, reducing expected high scores for many.
Chemistry Important Topics
- Physical: mole concept, thermodynamics, chemical bonding
- Organic: hydrocarbons, alcohols, biomolecules, reaction mechanisms
- Inorganic: p-block, d-block, coordination compounds, environmental chemistry
JEE Main 2026 January 21 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
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 is conducted by NTA from 21 January to 29 January 2026, with BE/B. Tech exams held between 21–28 January and B.Arch/B.Planning on 29 January. The exact exam dates for BE/B. Tech are 21, 22, 23, 24, and 28.
The overall difficulty of 21 January Shift 1 was moderate to difficult, with Chemistry being very tough, Physics manageable, and Mathematics lengthy, testing both conceptual clarity and time management. Overall, mathematics was the toughest exam, followed by the chemistry section.
Mathematics was the most difficult subject in the JEE Main 2026 exam of 21 Jan shift 1, requiring more time per question. While questions are conceptual, it tested calculation speed, accuracy, and efficient time allocation across the section.
Mathematics was considered the toughest subject in the 21 January Shift 1, which asks various tricky and lengthy questions. Some students are considering it similar to the JEE Advanced difficulty level.
The exam is conducted in two shifts daily: Shift 1 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and Shift 2 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, in computer-based test (CBT) mode.
Compared to other sections, physics was the most doable section. Students with strong theoretical concepts with deep with good level of practice will find the questions to be doable.