New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has concluded the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 day 4 shift 1 and shift 2 exams. As per the candidates who attempted the paper the exam was moderate in terms of difficulty level. In shift 1, the Maths section was the toughest of all the shifts.
To assess the performance in the entrance exam, candidates can check memory-based questions after the exam. Various coaching institutes will release the JEE Main 2026 January 24 shift 1 unofficial answer key shortly.
JEE Main 2026 January 24 Shift 1 Paper Analysis
The JEE Main 2026 January 24 shift 1 paper was moderate overall and was easier than the January 23 paper. There were many statement-based questions. The difficulty level was as Maths > Physics > Chemistry
- Mathematics- The Maths section was lengthy with heavy calculations. There were multi-step questions which took nearly 8 to 10 minutes each. For the overall attempt, it took around 70 to 90 minutes.
- Physics- Moderate and slightly lengthy. The questions were mostly formula based.
- Chemistry- It was a balanced section with a mix of physical, organic and inorganic sections, with more weightage on physical chemistry.
JEE Main 2026 January 24 Shift 2 Paper Analysis
- Mathematics- Lengthy
- Physics- Easy to moderate
- Chemistry- Easy to moderate
As per Saurabh Kumar, Founding CEO Shiksha Nation
Mathematics
Difficulty: Moderate to Tough
Major Topics:
• Coordinate Geometry (Parabola, Circle, Straight Line)
• Matrices and Determinants
• Vector and 3D Geometry
• Definite Integration (1 lengthy question)
Nature of Questions:
• Some questions were lengthy
• Required multi-step calculations
• Not many direct formula substitutions
Time-consuming section; selective attempt was crucial
Chemistry
Difficulty: Moderate
Distribution:
• Physical Chemistry: Moderate (Electrochemistry, Thermodynamics)
• Inorganic Chemistry: NCERT-based (Coordination Compounds, p-block)
• Organic Chemistry: Reaction-based, not memory-heavy
Key Observations:
• NCERT lines tested directly in Inorganic
• Organic questions tested concept clarity, not tricks
• Numerical chemistry was manageable
Balanced section; NCERT readers had advantage
Physics
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
High Weightage Topics:
• Current Electricity
• Electrostatics
• Modern Physics (Photoelectric effect, nuclear basics)
• Units and Dimensions
• Kinematics (1–2 direct formula-based)
Nature of Questions:
• Mostly NCERT and standard formulas
• Numerical questions were direct, less calculation-heavy
• Good scoring section for prepared students
Physics favoured accuracy over speed
JEE Main 2026 January 24 Shift 1 Chemistry paper topic-wise questions
- Salt Analysis: 1 question
- Electrochemistry: 1 question
- Coordination Compounds: 4 questions (Paramagnetic or diamagnetic)
- GOC (General Organic Chemistry): 1 question
- Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure: 1 question
- Amines: 1 question
- Chemical Kinetics: 1 question
- Solutions: 1 question
- Biomolecules: 1 question
- Ionic Equilibrium: 1 question
JEE Main 2026 January 24 shift 1 Maths paper topic-wise questions
- Vector Algebra and 3D Geometry: 3 questions
- Sets: 1 question
- Integral Calculus: 1 question
- Coordinate Geometry: 1 question
- Differential Equation: 1 question
- Limit, Continuity and Differentiability: 1 question
- Matrices and Determinants: 1 question
- Probability: 1 question
- Permutation and Combination: 1 question
- Sequence and Series: 2 questions
- Quadratic Equation: 1 question
- Binomial Theorem: 0 questions
- Conic Sections and Straight Line: 4 questions
- Ellipse: 1 question
- Circle: 1 question
- Trigonometry: 1 question
JEE Main 2026 January 24 shift 1 Physics paper topic-wise questions
- Ray Optics: 3 questions
- Microscope (1)
- Prism (1)
- Brewster angle (1)
- Modern Physics: 1 question (Spectral series)
- Kinematics: 1 question (Projectile motion)
- Fluid Mechanics: 2 questions
- Time period of oscillation (1)
- Terminal velocity (1)
- Electrostatics: 2 questions (Meter bridge)
- Laws of Motion: 1 question (Three-block system)
- Rotational Motion: 1 question
- Gravitation: 1 question
- Alternating Current: 1 question (LCR circuit)
- Semiconductors: 1 question (Zener diode)