JEE Main 2026 (day four) analysis: 'Moderately difficult paper, Maths was lengthy' | Highlights

Chemistry

The Chemistry section was easy to moderate. Questions were distributed across Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry. Among these, Inorganic Chemistry had relatively fewer questions, while Organic and Physical Chemistry were almost equally represented, with Physical Chemistry having slightly more numerical questions. Some of these were calculation-intensive, making the section somewhat time-consuming. Several statement-based questions were directly inspired by NCERT.

The Physics section was easy to moderate in difficulty. Questions were asked from almost all major chapters, with a greater focus on Mechanics, Electrostatics, and Magnetism, while Optics, Waves, and EMI had comparatively fewer questions. A fair number of questions were also seen from Gravitation. Some statement-based theoretical questions appeared ambiguous, making them slightly tricky to answer, though several were straightforward and direct. A few questions were time-consuming. Topics like Fluids, Oscillations, Electromagnetic Waves, Thermodynamics, Thermal Properties, and Modern Physics were adequately represented. Overall, the section comprised roughly 50% basic and 50% calculation-based questions.

As per Ajay Sharma, National Academic Director, Engineering. Aakash Educational Services Limited, JEE Main (shift one) was of moderate difficulty overall. All three subjects—Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics—were nearly of equal level, though Mathematics was slightly more challenging due to lengthy calculations, while Physics and Chemistry were relatively moderate. The paper was well-balanced in terms of question distribution and chapter coverage.  

As per the initial reactions from the candidates, the Mathematics paper was reviewed as difficult, Chemistry analysed as lengthy. The Physics paper was reviewed as relatively scoring.

JEE Main shift one has been concluded. The candidates who had appeared for shift one analysed the difficulty level of the paper as moderate. As per the initial reactions from the candidates, the Maths was analysed as difficult, Chemistry reviewed as lengthy, while Physics was relatively scoring. 

JEE Main 2026 result is expected to be announced in the second week of February; any date between February 11 and 14, as per the previous year's trends. Last year, JEE Main January session was held from January 22 to 30 and the result got announced on February 11.  JEE Main result 2026 once announced, the candidates can check JEE Main result 2026 on the official website- jeemain.nta.nic.in

JEE Main 2026 answer key is likely to be released in the first week of February. The candidates can check and download JEE Main answer key on the official website- jeemain.nta.nic.in. To download JEE Main answer key 2026, candidates need to visit the official website- jeemain.nta.nic.in and click on answer key PDF link. JEE Main answer key PDF will appear on the screen for download, save JEE Main answer key 2026 PDF and take a print out

Mathematics

The Mathematics section was moderate to difficult. Questions were well distributed across the syllabus, with higher representation from Algebra, Calculus, and Conic Sections. Topics such as Determinants, Matrices, 3D Geometry, Vectors, and Complex Numbers had an average presence. Algebra appeared slightly dominant, while Coordinate Geometry maintained moderate weightage. The Probability portion had relatively fewer questions, as per Ajay Sharma, National Academic Director, Engineering, Aakash Educational Services Limited. 

Chemistry

The Chemistry section was easy in comparison to the other two subjects. Questions were asked from all three branches—Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry. Among these, Inorganic Chemistry had relatively fewer questions, while Organic and Physical Chemistry carried nearly equal weightage. Many questions were statement-based and directly inspired by NCERT. Though generally easy, some required careful reading and application of basic concepts, as per Ajay Sharma, National Academic Director, Engineering, Aakash Educational Services Limited. 

Physics

The Physics section was of moderate difficulty. Questions covered almost all major chapters, with a higher number from Electrostatics and Magnetism, while Optics had comparatively fewer. Mechanics had a good representation. Some questions were experiment-based, while others, though conceptually straightforward, required careful analysis and time to solve. A few were time-consuming, making the section somewhat challenging. Topics such as Electromagnetic Waves, Thermodynamics, Thermal Properties, Gravitation, and Modern Physics were also adequately represented.

JEE Main January 23 shifts was reviewed the difficulty level of the paper as moderate. All three subjects—Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics—were nearly of equal difficulty, though Mathematics was slightly more challenging, while Physics and Chemistry were relatively easier to moderate. The paper was well-balanced in terms of question distribution and coverage across chapters, as per Ajay Sharma, National Academic Director, Engineering, Aakash Educational Services Limited.  

JEE Main 2026 till now recorded 96.15 per cent attendance. The JEE Main was held in multiple shifts on January 21, 22 and 23. The JEE Main January 24 exam is underway, and will be held next on January 28 and 29.  JEE Main shift one of today will conclude at 12 noon, following which the question paper analysis and review will be available for candidates. The candidates can also check marks of JEE Main shift-wise through unofficial answer key available on various portals. 

Over 7.70 lakh candidates has appeared for JEE Main which was held in multiple shifts on January 21, 22 and 23. The JEE Main till now witnessed a total of 96.15 per cent attendance. As per NTA, the Aadhaar verified candidates are- 7.40 lakh (7,40,412),  Aadhaar verification (%)- 96.10 per cent. The JEE Main shift one of day four is underway and will conclude at 12 noon, following which the the question paper analysis and review will be available for candidates. The candidates can also check marks of JEE Main shift-wise through unofficial answer key available on various portals.