JEE Main Exam Paper Analysis 2026 – Session 1 Jan 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, and 29 Shift Wise Exam Difficulty Level, Paper Review
The final exam day of JEE Main Exam Session 1 is today, 21 January, 2026. The exam will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) between 21 January and 29 January 2026. The January session tests lakhs of engineering aspirants’ exam preparation through a computer-based test (CBT) mode in two shifts per day. After the completion of the first day’s exams, engineering aspirants eagerly want to know about the deep analysis of Session 1 papers.
So, this blog is an ideal place to know about JEE Main Exam Session 1 analysis with a clear shift-wise breakdown of exam difficulty levels and exam paper patterns. By taking feedback from engineering aspirants and the JEE expert insights, the blog will deeply analyse shift-wise difficulty levels, paper reviews, subject-wise breakdowns, key topics, question trends, and the number of questions asked.
JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1 All Shift Analysis
The JEE Main exam 2026 Session 1 will be conducted by NTA between 21 Jan 2026 and 29 Jan 2026. From 21-28 Jan, BE/B. Tech paper will be conducted and B. Arch/B. The planning exam will be conducted on January 29, 2026. A detailed shift-wise analysis of JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1 can be checked from the direct links provided below:
- 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 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)
| Particulars | Details |
| JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1 Exam Dates | January 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, and 29, 2026 |
| Shifts per Day | Two Shifts: Shift 1: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Shift 2: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics |
| Total Questions | 75 (Section A (MCQs): 20 questions per subject (60 total)(Section B (NVQs): 5 questions per subject (15 total)) |
| Total Marks | 300 |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect MCQs, and 0 marks for un-attempted questions. |
| Syllabus Focus | NCERT Class 11 & 12 (balanced, with slight emphasis on Class 12 in some shifts) |
| Question Types | Conceptual, numerical, and application-based |
The JEE Main exam demands a deep level of conceptual understanding, analytical thinking, and numerical questions by testing your calculation speed. Therefore, it is crucial to manage time effectively, especially in subjects like mathematics.
JEE Main Exam 2026 Shift-Wise Paper Analysis of Each Shift
The table mentioned below offers you a detailed guide regarding the JEE Main Session 1 exam for each shift for the exam dates 21, 22, 23, 24, 28,29 January 2026.
| JEE Main Exam 2026 Shift-Wise Paper Analysis (Session 1) | |||||
| Date of Exam | Shift | Overall Difficulty Level | Physics Difficulty Level | Chemistry Difficulty Level | Mathematics Difficulty Level |
| 21 January, 2026 | Morning Shift (9 AM- 12 PM) | Moderate to Difficult | Easy to Moderate | Difficult | Very Difficult |
| 21 January, 2026 | Evening Shift (3 PM- 6 PM) | Moderate | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate | Difficult and Lengthy |
| 22 January, 2026 | Morning Shift (9 AM- 12 PM) | Moderate and Mostly Easier | Moderate to Difficult | Easy to Moderate | Moderate |
| 22 January, 2026 | Evening Shift (3 PM- 6 PM) | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate | Moderate to Difficult | Difficult and very lengthy |
| 23 January, 2026 | Morning Shift (9 AM- 12 PM) | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate but Lengthy |
| 23 January, 2026 | Evening Shift (3 PM- 6 PM) | Moderate | Moderate to Difficult | Moderate | Moderate but Lengthy |
| 24 January, 2026 | Morning Shift (9 AM- 12 PM) | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. |
| 24 January, 2026 | Evening Shift (3 PM- 6 PM) | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. |
| 28 January, 2026 | Morning Shift (9 AM- 12 PM) | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. |
| 28 January, 2026 | Evening Shift (3 PM- 6 PM) | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. |
| 29 January, 2026 | Morning Shift (9 AM- 12 PM) | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. |
| 29 January, 2026 | Evening Shift (3 PM- 6 PM) | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. | To be announced soon…. |
JEE Main Exam Paper 2026 January Shift-Wise Analysis
A detailed and expert-suggested JEE Main Exam Paper 2026 January 21 shift-wise analysis for your convenience is as follows-
Shift 1 Paper Review 21 January 2026 (9 AM- 12 PM)
Overall Difficulty Level: The JEE Main Chemistry exam difficulty level is almost the same with JEE Advanced level. The Physics section was moderate and easily manageable, while the Mathematics section was difficult and lengthy.
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Key Insights |
| Physics | Easy to Moderate | Most of the questions are direct and concept-based. Numerical problems were straightforward, and the section was considered high scoring for students with strong conceptual clarity. |
| Chemistry | Difficult | Chemistry surprised most of the JEE exam candidates. Inorganic and Physical Chemistry questions were tricky, while Organic Chemistry involved complex reaction-based problems. The Chemistry section exam level is very close to the difficulty level of JEE Advanced. |
| Mathematics | Very Difficult | Very Difficult and Lengthy. Mathematics has a mix of standard and time-consuming problems. The exam difficulty level was conceptually based, but it required extra time to solve each question. |
In conclusion, the JEE Main exam paper session 1 morning shift of 21 Jan 2026 not only tested conceptual understanding but also speed, accuracy, and exam strategy. Candidates who managed their time efficiently and maintained accuracy across sections were likely to perform better in this shift.
Shift 2 Paper Review 21 January 2026 (3 PM- 6 PM)
Overall Difficulty Level: Finally, the 21st January JEE Main exam Shift 2 has been completed, and we have taken feedback from multiple students and teachers. Based on their feedback, we identified that the overall difficulty level of the exam is considered moderate. The overall paper was balanced but challenging due to the time-consuming Math section.
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Key Insights |
| Physics | Modearte to Difficult | The Physics section is moderate and mainly based on conceptual-clarity. The Physics section was considered high scoring area and mainly formula-oriented. |
| Chemistry | Moderate | Chemistry is considered moderate, and some questions are very easy because they are NCERT-based. 5-6 questions were directly from the NCERT and considered very easy. |
| Mathematics | Difficult and Lengthy | The Mathematics section is a key highlight of this shift because it is very difficult and lengthy, also. The mathematics section was time-consuming in the overall paper. 7-8 questions in the Mathematics section are very lengthy. |
In conclusion, the overall paper was noted for being calculation-intensive in Mathematics, requiring good time management, and multiple statement-based questions, similar to previous years’ papers. In comparison with Mathematics, the Physics and Chemistry sections are easier.
Shift 1 Paper Review 22 January 2026 (9 AM- 12 PM)
Overall Difficulty Level: The exam shift of Jan 22, 2026, Shift 1 was completed, and we have taken feedback from multiple students and teachers. Based on their feedback, we identified that the overall difficulty level of the exam is considered moderate and mostly easier. The majority of the questions in this shift are based on memory-based concepts.
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Key Insights |
| Physics | Moderate to Difficult | The question paper was moderate to difficult, where most of the questions were from the Electrostatics, Moment of Inertia, Magnetic Field, and Kinetic Energy chapters. |
| Chemistry | Easy to Moderate | 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. |
| Mathematics | Moderate | 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. |
In conclusion, the overall difficulty level of the exam is moderate in comparison with both exams conducted on 21 January 2026, but the paper was lengthy. 190-200 out of 300 marks will lead to the 99th percentile.
Shift 2 Paper Review 22 January 2026 (3 PM- 6 PM)
Overall Difficulty Level: The exam shift of Jan 22, 2026, Shift 2 was completed, and we have taken feedback from multiple students and teachers. Based on their feedback, we identified that the overall difficulty level of the exam is considered moderate and more on the tougher side due to the lengthy and difficult maths section.
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Key Insights |
| Physics | Moderate Level | The physics section was moderately difficult. Most questions were theory + Numericals balanced; High-weightage chapters are Ray Optics & Fluids (5 questions total). |
| Chemistry | Moderate to Difficult Level | The chemistry section was moderate. The section was Organic/Inorganic heavy; Major questions from Coordination (2-3Q), GOC/Mole Concept prominent. One Salt Analysis question was tricky. |
| Mathematics | Difficult and very lengthy | The overall section was lengthy & tough. Section was dominated by Conics (3Q), Vectors/3D dominant, calculation-intensive. 10-12 good attempts; prioritize Calculus, Probability over lengthy ones. |
In conclusion, the overall difficulty level of the exam is moderate to difficult. It is tougher compared to Jan 23 Shift 1. According to the paper’s difficulty and questions, experts predict that the 99%ile cut-off will be at 160-175 marks for this shift.
Shift 1 Paper Review 23 January 2026 (9 AM- 12 PM)
Overall Difficulty Level: Students from the JEE Main Exam 2026, 23 Jan Shift 1, described that the overall exam was moderate and lengthy. Students believed that good attempts ranged from 50 to 65 questions for competitive scores, where the questions were mainly memory-based.
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Key Insights |
| Physics | Moderate | The Physics Section was moderate and NCERT syllabus-oriented. 4-5 questions were difficult. 8-9 questions of moderate-level. 12-13 questions are of an easy level. Some of the important questions are from topics: de-broglie, ray optics, modern physics, electrostatics, magnetic effects of current, wave optics, capacitors, and semiconductors. |
| Chemistry | Moderate to Difficult | The majority of questions were from physical chemistry, with 5-6 statement questions from organic and inorganic chemistry. Important Chapters: d block, chemical kinematics, Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry, Structure of Atom, Ionic Equilibrium, Thermodynamics, |
| Mathematics | Moderate but Lengthy | The paper was moderate but lengthy. The Mathematics questions are mixed questions from multiple topics. Some Important Chapters: Vectors & 3D, Matrices, Conic Sections, and Sequence Series |
In conclusion, the paper was moderate but lengthy, and many students found Math particularly challenging and time-consuming.
Shift 2 Paper Review 23 January 2026 (3 PM- 6 PM)
Overall Difficulty Level: The JEE Main January 23 Shift 2 paper was completed successfully, and the overall difficulty level of the exam is considered moderate by most of the students and JEE Main experts. The Physics subject is considered moderate–difficult, with key weightage from Current Electricity and Thermodynamics. Chemistry remained moderate, while Mathematics was largely memory-based with a balanced mix of easy and moderate questions.
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Key Insights |
| Physics | Moderate to Difficult | The overall difficulty level of Physics was Moderate to Difficult, where most of the students found 17% questions difficult, 50% easy, and 33% moderate. Some of the common topics, as per the highest weightage, are Current Electricity 8%, Heat and Thermodynamics 7.33%, Atoms and Nuclei 6.67%, and Units & Measurement 5.50%. |
| Chemistry | Moderate | The overall difficulty level of Physics was Moderate. Most of the students found the Chemistry section 30% difficult, 37% easy, and 33% moderate. Some of the common topics, as per the highest weightage, are Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry 5.2%, Thermodynamics 6.8%, Coordination Compounds 7.2%, Basics of Organic Chemistry 6.8%, Electrochemistry 5.6%, and Aldehydes, Ketones, and Carboxylic Acids 5.6%. |
| Mathematics | Moderate but Lengthy | Most of the questions in the Mathematics section were memory-based, where 20% questions were difficult, 40% were moderate, and 40% were easy. Some of the common topics, as per the highest weightage, are Sets and Relations, Matrices and Determinants, Permutations and Combinations, Vector Algebra, and 3D Geometry. |
In conclusion, the JEE Main Jan 23 Shift 2 directly tested conceptual clarity and recall across subjects. Students with strong fundamentals and consistent practice found it manageable.
Shift 1 Paper Review 24 January 2026 (9 AM- 12 PM)
Overall Difficulty Level: To be announced……
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Key Insights |
| Physics | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
| Chemistry | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
| Mathematics | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
Shift 2 Paper Review 24 January 2026 (3 AM- 6 PM)
Overall Difficulty Level: To be announced……
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Key Insights |
| Physics | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
| Chemistry | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
| Mathematics | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
Shift 1 Paper Review 28 January 2026 (9 AM- 12 PM)
Overall Difficulty Level: To be announced……
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Key Insights |
| Physics | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
| Chemistry | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
| Mathematics | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
Shift 2 Paper Review 28 January 2026 (3 PM- 6 PM)
Overall Difficulty Level: To be announced……
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Key Insights |
| Physics | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
| Chemistry | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
| Mathematics | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
Shift 1 Paper Review 29 January 2026 (9 AM- 12 PM)
Overall Difficulty Level: To be announced……
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Key Insights |
| Physics | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
| Chemistry | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
| Mathematics | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
Shift 2 Paper Review 29 January 2026 (3 PM- 6 PM)
Overall Difficulty Level: To be announced……
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Key Insights |
| Physics | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
| Chemistry | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
| Mathematics | To be announced…… | To be announced…. |
Why Refer to JEE Main Exam 2026 Paper Analysis?
- Shift-Wise Insights: Understand variations in difficulty to predict normalisation.
- Subject-Wise Trends: A prediction of high-weightage topics for future prep.
- Student Reactions: Real-time feedback on tricky or easy papers.
- Cutoff Estimation: Helps in planning for JEE Advanced or college admissions.
- Score and Rank Prediction: You can use unofficial answer keys and difficulty analysis to calculate your score.
FAQs
To check the JEE Main Exam Session 1 Jan 21 paper analysis, you can visit the Matrix JEE Academy blog: JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Session 1 Shift 1 Paper Analysis.
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 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.
Based on expert opinion and past students, Physics was considered easy to moderate and highly scoring, as most questions were direct, formula-based, and concept-oriented, especially benefiting students with strong fundamentals and numerical practice.
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.
Mathematics was considered the toughest subject in 21 January Shift 1, which asks various tricky and lengthy questions. Some students are considering it similar to the JEE Advanced difficulty level.
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.
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exam of 22 January will be conducted in two shifts: 9 AM-12 PM and 3 PM-6 PM. The BE/B. Tech exams held between 21–28 January and B.Arch/B.Planning on 29 January.
The overall exam of JEE Main 21 Jan Shift 2 was considered moderate, where the Mathematics section was considered the toughest. In comparison with Mathematics, Physics was moderate to difficult, while Chemistry was moderate, with a focus on the Inorganic section.
The difficulty level of Physics in the January 21 Shift 2 paper was moderate to difficult, where the questions are based on conceptual clarity. Students found the Physics section as high scoring area because it is mainly formula-oriented.
In JEE Main 21 Jan Shift 2, Mathematics was considered the toughest because the difficulty level is very high, and the section was lengthy. Chemistry was moderate and based on the NCERT syllabus, while the Physics section was moderate and mainly based on conceptual-clarity to score higher.
The Mathematics section was very difficult and lengthy. The section consumes the time of the students, with 7-8 lengthy questions. 9-10 questions were moderate but lengthy, while 4-5 questions were said to be of a difficult level.
The difficulty level of Chemistry was moderate, and the majority of the questions were very easy. The subject has various questions from the NCERT course books, where 5-6 questions are directly from the NCERT, and 13-14 questions are moderately difficult.
To check the JEE Main Exam Session 1 Jan 21, shift 2 paper analysis, you can visit the Matrix JEE Academy blog: JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Session 1 Shift 2 Paper Analysis.
To check the JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1 Jan 22, shift 1 paper analysis, you can visit the Matrix JEE Academy blog: JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 Session 1 Shift 1 Paper Analysis.
The overall difficulty level of the JEE Main exam 2026 Physics in the January 22 Shift 1 paper was moderate to difficult. Students considered the subject as the most scoring area, where mostly questions are from Electrostatics, Moment of Inertia, Magnetic Field, and Kinetic Energy chapters.
The overall exam difficulty level of Chemistry was considered easy by most of the students, and questions were directly from the Chemical Reaction section.
In comparison with 21 Jan 2026, both shifts, Mathematics was considered easy by most of the students. A wide range of questions were from the 3D and Vectors chapters.
The overall difficulty level of the JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1 of 22 Jan Shift was moderate and mostly easier. The most difficult subject was Mathematics, but it was much easier in comparison with the Jan 21 shifts. Chemistry was easier, while Physics was moderate to difficult.
The JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 Shift 2 paper is said to be more on the moderate and tougher side. If compared to Jan 22 Shift 1, the paper was tougher.
In the JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 Shift 2 paper, the most difficult section is said to be Mathematics. The questions are extremely lengthy and require complex calculations. The average time to attempt the section was 90 minutes.
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 result is expected to be announced after the release of the final answer key, usually within a few weeks of the exam. The estimated date for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 results is February 12, 2026.
The JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 Shift 2 physics section is of a moderate level. Some of the questions were easily doable, and the rest were lengthy.
The JEE Main Exam 2026 Jan 22 Shift 2 chemistry section had a moderate to difficult level. More weightage was on Inorganic and organic chemistry rather than physical chemistry.
The Mathematics section was one of the most difficult sections in the JEE Main Exam paper of Jan 22 Shift 2. The Mathematics section was extremely lengthy, where some of the most commonly asked questions are Vector 3D, Integration, Differential Equation, Quadratic, Function, Sets, Probability, Binomial Theorem, Conic Section (Parabola, Hyperbola), and Sequence & Series (GP).
To check the JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1 Jan 22, shift 1 paper analysis, you can visit the Matrix JEE Academy blog: JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 Session 1 Shift 2 Paper Analysis.
The overall difficulty of the JEE Main 2026 Jan 23 Shift 1 paper is said to be moderate. Compared to the previous shifts, the paper is moderate to difficult level. Maths was the most difficult, followed by chemistry and physics.
In the JEE Main Jan 23 Session 1 Shift 1 exam, the most difficult section is mathematics due to lengthy and multiple topic questions. The maths section was lengthy, and some of the questions were of JEE advanced level.
In the JEE Main Jan 23 Session 1 Shift 1 exam, the physics section was moderate to difficult level. Compared to mathematics and chemistry, the physics section did not have mixed concept questions. Most questions were NCERT-based, and some were basic.
In the JEE Main Jan 23 Session 1 Shift 1 exam, chemistry was lengthy and moderate level. The section was dominated by physical chemistry. The majority of the questions were mixed concept-based.
To check the JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1 Jan 23, shift 1 paper analysis, you can visit the Matrix JEE Academy blog: JEE Main 2026 Jan 23 Session 1 Shift 1 Paper Analysis.
In the mathematics section of the JEE Main Jan 23 Session 1 Shift 1 exam, the questions were found to be very lengthy and moderate level.
The JEE Main Jan 23 Shift 2 paper was mostly moderate, with some topics moderately difficult, demanding a deep level of conceptual clarity
Out of the 3 subjects, Physics was considered the most difficult section with higher moderate–difficult questions and heavier weightage in areas like Current Electricity and Thermodynamics.
The exam time for the JEE Main exam Shift 1 on 24 January is between 9 AM and 12 PM, while Shift 2 timings are 3 PM and 6 PM.
The Physics paper was considered moderate to difficult, with around 17% tough questions and significant weightage in Current Electricity, Thermodynamics, and Atoms & Nuclei.
Chemistry was moderate, where some of the difficult questions were like Thermodynamics, Coordination Compounds, and Organic basics.
Mathematics was moderate but lengthy, where the questions were memory-based with a mix of easy and moderate questions from Sets, Matrices, Permutations, Vectors, and 3D Geometry.
To check the JEE Main Exam 2026 Session 1 Jan 23, shift 2 paper analysis, you can visit the Matrix JEE Academy blog: JEE Main 2026 Jan 23 Session 1 Shift 2 Paper Analysis.


