The JEE Main Exam Analysis for Session 1 is now live for all the candidates, and as expected, January 21 and January 22 have turned into crucial days for lakhs of engineering aspirants across the country. The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 officially began on January 21, 2026, and since then, students have actively shared their experiences, reactions, and feedback from both shifts. Therefore, this detailed live blog brings together everything that matters, including paper difficulty, subject-wise analysis, student reactions, important guidelines, expected cut-offs, and topic-wise trends.
Moreover, this JEE Main Exam Analysis helps candidates clearly understand the paper pattern, assess their own performance, and plan their next steps for upcoming sessions.
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Goes Live: Key Overview
The wait is finally over, and the JEE Main Exam Analysis confirms that Session 1 commenced smoothly on January 21, 2026, with exams conducted in two shifts. Thousands of candidates appeared for Paper 1 (BE/BTech), aiming for admission into prestigious institutions such as NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
Meanwhile, the first shift concluded in the afternoon, and Shift 2 followed later in the day, maintaining strict guidelines and smooth coordination at exam centres nationwide. As a result, students now eagerly track the Exam Analysis to understand how the paper actually turned out.
Why This JEE Main Exam Analysis Matters
Since competition remains intense, this Exam Analysis offers real value. Not only does it highlight the difficulty level, but it also explains topic distribution, student attempt trends, and expected qualifying scores.
Through continuous updates, this live coverage delivers:
- First, the real-time student reactions
- The complete paper analysis of Shift 1 and Shift 2.
- Subject-wise difficulty review
- Moreover, the expected cut-off predictions
- Lastly, the trend of the memory-based question.
Therefore, aspirants can confidently use this Exam Analysis to benchmark their performance.
JEE Main 2026 January 22 Morning Shift Update
The morning shift of the JEE Main Exam for January 22 started at 9:00 AM IST. Candidates began attempting the BE/BTech paper, scheduled to conclude at 12:00 PM IST. As expected, exam centres followed strict verification and reporting protocols.
Here are the details of the guidelines and key elements
| Key Guideline | Instruction Details |
| Punctuality & Entry | Report on Time: Reach the exam centre as per the reporting time mentioned on the JEE Mains hall ticket 2026. Late entry will be denied. |
| Aadhaar Biometrics | UNLOCK Aadhaar Biometrics: Ensure your Aadhaar biometric authentication is NOT locked for smooth verification at the centre. |
| Mandatory Documents | Carry ALL required documents: |
| – Printed Admit Card with filled self-declaration. | |
| – Original Valid Photo ID Proof (as uploaded in the application form). | |
| – Photo Verification Document (if requested by NTA via email). | |
| – 2 identical photographs (matching the application form). | |
| – PWD certificate (if applicable). | |
| Allowed Items | Carry ONLY: One transparent simple ballpoint pen and one transparent water bottle. |
| Prohibited Items | DO NOT Carry: Any stationery (box, paper, textual material), electronic devices (mobile, calculator, watch, camera), metallic items, food (except for diabetic candidates), or handbags/purses. |
| Diabetic Candidates | Permitted Items: Sugar tablets/fruits (banana, apple, orange) and transparent water bottles. Not Allowed: Packed foods (chocolates, sandwiches). |
JEE Main Jan 22 Question Paper Pattern
According to the official structure reflected in the JEE Main Exam Analysis, the paper followed the standard format:
- Total Questions: 75
- Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
- Questions per Subject: 25
- Type:
- 20 Multiple Choice Questions
- 5 Numerical Value Questions
- 20 Multiple Choice Questions
Thus, the pattern stayed consistent with previous sessions.
JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 1 Exam Analysis (Subject-wise)
Based on student feedback and expert reviews, the Exam Analysis for Shift 1 on January 21 shows a balanced yet demanding paper.
| Sections | Difficulty (Easy, Moderate, Toughest) | Topics Asked |
| Physics | Moderate | Modern Physics, Wave motions, Fluids |
| Chemistry | Easy | Organic, Physical Chemistry, Isomerism |
| Mathematics | Tough | Vector 3D, sequence and series, matrices, differential equations |
| Overall | Moderate and balanced | Modern Physics, Wave motions, Fluids, Organic, Physical Chemistry, Isomerism, Vector 3D, sequence and series, matrices, differential equations |
Clearly, Mathematics consumed the most time, while Chemistry offered scoring opportunities.
Important Topics Asked: Shift 1 Snapshot
According to the Exam analysis, the most frequently asked topics included:
Physics
Gravitation, Semiconductor, EMF, Current Electricity, Heat & Thermodynamics, Atoms & Nuclei, AC, SHM
Chemistry
Isomerism, Organic Chemistry, Coordination Chemistry, p-block, General Organic Chemistry, Chemical Thermodynamics, Chemical Bonding, Electrochemistry, Redox Reactions, Ionic Equilibrium
Mathematics
Sets and Relations, Vectors & 3D, Matrices, Limits, Differentiability, Probability
JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 2 Exam Analysis
The Exam analysis for Shift 2 on January 21 highlights a slightly easier experience compared to Shift 1.
- Overall Difficulty: Moderate
- Mathematics: Tough and lengthy
- Physics: Moderate and concept-based
- Chemistry: Easy and NCERT-driven
Importantly, candidates confirmed no out-of-syllabus questions, ensuring fairness and clarity.
Student Reactions: Jan 21 Shift 2
As per live updates in the JEE Main Exam Analysis:
- Overall paper felt Moderate
- Mathematics remained Tough
- Physics stayed Moderate
- Chemistry appeared Easy
Additionally, strong candidates attempted 40 to 50+ questions, indicating manageable difficulty with proper time management.
Expert Review on JEE Main 2026 Paper
Sharing insights on the Exam Analysis, Prashant Jain, CEO of Oswaal Books, explained that:
- First, the mathematics-dominated time due to complexity
- Physics tested conceptual clarity
- Chemistry closely followed the NCERT
- Moreover, the accuracy and calm execution mattered more than attempts
Hence, the exam rewarded strong fundamentals rather than rote learning.
Safe Attempts and Target Scores
The JEE Main Exam Analysis suggests the following benchmarks:
| Metric | Target Range | Observation |
| Safe Attempt | 40 to 50 Questions | An attempt of 40-50 questions with high accuracy is predicted to yield a strong percentile. |
| Safe Score | 150+ Marks | A score above 150 is considered a safe target for a very good percentile rank. |
| Target for 99 Percentile | 180+ Marks | Candidates aiming for the coveted 99 percentile should target a score of approximately 180 marks or higher. |
Therefore, candidates should focus on accuracy rather than aggressive guessing.
Expected Cutoff Trend After January 21 Exam
Based on difficulty and competition, the Exam Analysis predicts the following :
| Category | Predicted JEE Main 2026 Qualifying Cutoff (NTA Score) | Notes |
| General | 90 – 92 | Predicted to be stable or slightly higher than the last session due to higher competition. |
| OBC-NCL | 73 – 75 | Expected to remain consistent with previous years’ trends. |
| EWS | 78 – 80 | Slight variation expected, depending on candidate pool size. |
| SC | 50 – 52 | Cutoff is typically lower but consistent across sessions. |
| ST | 35 – 38 | Smallest variation expected in this category. |
However, slight changes may occur due to shift-wise normalization.
Previous Year JEE Main Cutoff Trends
The Exam Analysis also considers historical data. Data is as follows:
| Year | General Cutoff Percentile |
| 2025 | Around 93 |
| 2024 | Around 93.2 |
| 2023 | Around 90.7 |
JEE Main 2026 Exam Day Guidelines (Shift 2)
According to the JEE Main Exam Analysis, candidates strictly followed NTA guidelines:
Mandatory Documents
- Printed Admit Card with self-declaration
- Original photo ID
- Passport-size photograph
- PwD certificate (if applicable)
Allowed Items
- Transparent ballpoint pen
- Transparent water bottle
Prohibited Items
- Mobile phones, calculators, watches
- Bags, papers, food items
Moreover, diabetic candidates could carry sugar tablets or fruits.
Bio Break Rules and Reporting Timings
The Exam Analysis confirms that biometric verification is repeated after bio breaks. Additionally:
- Shift 2 reporting started at 1:00 PM
- Entry gates closed at 2:30 PM sharp
JEE Main 2026: NTA Issues Critical Exam Day Advisory
As part of the ongoing JEE Main Exam Analysis, the National Testing Agency released a critical exam day advisory on January 20, 2026, through the official JEE Main website. Through this advisory, NTA clearly explained exam-day rules, reporting instructions, allowed items, and strict restrictions to ensure a smooth and fair examination process for all candidates.
Therefore, every aspirant appearing for JEE Main 2026 needed to carefully follow these instructions to avoid last-minute issues at the exam centre.
Mandatory Documents to Carry
According to the official advisory highlighted in the Exam Analysis, candidates must carry the following documents without fail:
- A clear printed copy of the JEE Main 2026 Admit Card on A4-size paper
- One original and valid photo ID proof
- Moreover, candidates should bring one passport-size photograph, identical to the one uploaded in the application form
Without these documents, candidates could face entry restrictions at the exam centre.
Permitted Items Inside the Exam Hall
As per NTA guidelines, candidates were allowed to carry only limited items:
- One simple transparent ballpoint pen
- One transparent water bottle
- One personal hand sanitizer (up to 50 ml)
Candidates strictly followed these rules during both Shift 1 and Shift 2 examinations.
Strictly Prohibited Items
We have seen from the last exam that NTA enforced strict restrictions on prohibited items. Candidates were not allowed to carry:
- Mobile phones, calculators, smartwatches
- Any electronic gadgets or communication devices
- Handbags, purses, or wallets
- Any kind of paper, books, or textual material
- Metallic items or accessories
If any candidate carried prohibited items, authorities could immediately disqualify them.
Reporting Time Instructions
NTA advised candidates to reach the exam centre at least 2 hours before the exam starts. This early reporting allowed sufficient time for frisking, biometric verification, and document checking. As seen in the JEE Main Exam Analysis, candidates who reached late risked missing entry due to strict gate closure timings.
JEE Main 2026 Paper Live Updates: What to Carry and What Not to Carry for Shift 2
Based on real-time updates covered under the JEE Main Exam regulations, NTA again reminded Shift 2 candidates about item restrictions.
Items NOT Allowed
Candidates could not carry:
- Pencil box or geometry box
- Handbag or purse
- Any printed or loose paper
- Eatables or water (loose or packed)
- Mobile phones, earphones, microphones, pagers, calculators
- Instruments like DocuPen, slide ruler, log tables, camera, tape recorder
- Any type of watch, including digital or calculator watches
- Any metallic or electronic items
Items Candidates MUST Carry
Candidates entering the exam hall had to carry:
- Printed self-declaration undertaking, included with the admit card
- Ballpoint pen for rough work and exam use
- One passport-size photograph, the same as the application form
- One original, valid photo ID, such as:
- PAN Card
- Driving License
- Voter ID
- Passport
- Aadhaar Card (with photograph)
- Aadhaar enrolment slip or Ration Card
- PAN Card
JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 2: What If You Lose Your Admit Card?
As clarified during live updates in the JEE Main Exam Analysis, candidates who misplaced their admit card did not need to panic.
What Candidates Should Do
- Candidates can re-download the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Admit Card anytime from the official login portal
- NTA allows re-access even after the first exam attempt
Why Keeping Copies Is Important
The JEE Main Exam system strongly emphasizes that the admit card remains essential for:
- Counselling and seat allotment
- Document verification
- Registration for JEE Main Session 2
Backup Recommendation
Experts advise candidates to keep multiple physical and digital copies of the admit card as a safety measure for future processes.
Final Takeaway
Overall, the JEE Main Exam Analysis for Session 1 reflects a well-balanced paper that rewarded concept clarity, calm execution, and time management. While Mathematics challenged students the most, Chemistry provided scoring comfort, and Physics tested fundamentals. Therefore, candidates should use this analysis wisely to fine-tune preparation for upcoming sessions and stay confident moving forward.
Was JEE Main 2026 Session 1 tougher than previous years?
According to the JEE Main Exam Analysis, the overall difficulty level of Session 1 was moderate to tough, which stays largely in line with recent years. However, many students felt that the Mathematics section was more time-consuming compared to previous sessions, which slightly increased the pressure. Physics focused more on conceptual clarity rather than direct formula application, while Chemistry remained mostly NCERT-based and comparatively easier. Therefore, while the paper did not feel unexpectedly difficult, strong time management played a bigger role this year.
Was the difficulty level the same for all shifts in JEE Main 2026 Session 1?
No, the JEE Main Exam Analysis clearly shows that the difficulty level varied between shifts. Shift 1 was generally reported as slightly tougher, mainly due to lengthy Mathematics and concept-heavy Physics questions. On the other hand, Shift 2 felt a bit more balanced for many candidates, although Mathematics remained challenging. Because of these variations, normalization will play an important role in final percentile calculations.
Which subject was the toughest in JEE Main 2026 Session 1?
Based on student feedback and expert opinion included in the JEE Main Exam Analysis, Mathematics was the toughest subject across both shifts. The questions were lengthy, calculation-heavy, and required strong conceptual understanding. Many students reported that even familiar topics required extra time, which affected the overall number of attempts. Physics followed as moderately difficult, while Chemistry turned out to be the most scoring section for most candidates.
Which subject was the easiest and scored the most in JEE Main 2026?
The JEE Main Exam Analysis shows that Chemistry was the easiest and most scoring subject in Session 1. A large number of questions came directly from NCERT textbooks, especially from Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, and basic Physical Chemistry concepts. Students who had revised the NCERT thoroughly found it easier to attempt more questions accurately in this section, helping them balance tougher sections like Mathematics.
What was considered a safe number of attempts in JEE Main 2026 Session 1?
As per the JEE Main Exam Analysis, a safe attempt range was around 40 to 50 questions, provided accuracy remained high. Many strong candidates managed to attempt even more, but experts advised against blind attempts due to negative marking. Students who balanced speed with accuracy were in a better position to achieve a good percentile.
