The National Testing Agency has dropped 9 questions in the JEE Main final answer key 2026. As a result, students from the affected shifts will receive full 4 marks for each dropped question. Additionally, results are expected to be announced soon. Therefore, even a small increase in marks can significantly change the percentile and rank of the students.
In this article, we will look into why NTA has dropped 9 questions in the JEE Main 2026 answer key and how it will affect the students. Moreover, we will also discuss how we can check the final answer key.
What Does “Dropped Question” Mean in JEE Main?
When NTA drops questions, it means:
- It is removed from evaluation.
- All candidates in that specific shift receive full +4 marks, irrespective of whether they attempted it or not.
- Negative marking does not apply.
Remember: Bonus marks are applicable only for candidates who appeared in that specific shift where the question was dropped. If you’re looking for additional guidance to improve your JEE Main performance, check out our Droppers Course, designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of the exam.
What are the Reasons for Dropping 9 Questions by NTA?
After the exam, the NTA first releases a provisional answer key. Students can then check their answers. If they think something is wrong, they can raise objections.
Here is what happens next, in simple terms:
- Students submit objections along with proof.
- Questions are sent to subject experts.
- Experts check the validity of the objections.
- The final answer key is released based on the experts’ decisions.
A total of 9 questions have been dropped from the JEE Main final answer key 2026, Session-1. However, the National Testing Agency has not issued any official notification. They have not provided an exact reason for dropping these questions.
Number of Total Questions Dropped in JEE Main 2026
According to the revised final answer key, you need both the JEE Main final answer key and your response sheet to calculate your score accurately.
- Total Questions Dropped: 9
- Subjects Affected: Physics and Mathematics
- Bonus Marks: +4 per dropped question
This means some candidates may receive up to 36 bonus marks (9 × 4) depending on their shift.
List of the Questions Dropped from JEE Main Final Answer Key 2026
Below is the subject and shift-wise list of question IDs that have been removed from the JEE Main final key. Candidates in these shifts will receive bonus marks, regardless of whether they answered that specific question. Before preparing for the exam, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements. Visit our JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Guide for more information.
| Date & Shift | Subject | Dropped Question ID |
| January 22 – Shift 1 | Physics | 444792191 |
| January 22 – Shift 2 | Maths | 860654995 |
| Physics | 8606541010, 8606541017 | |
| January 23 – Shift 1 | Physics | 8606541395 |
| January 23 – Shift 2 | Physics | 444792476, 444792479 |
| January 24 – Shift 2 | Physics | 444792647 |
| January 28 – Shift 1 | Maths | 444792698 |
What Bonus Marks in JEE Main 2026 Will You Receive?
For the 9 dropped questions, every student who appeared in that particular shift will receive a full four marks. This is true regardless of whether you attempted the question or left it blank. Therefore, you will still receive the marks. However, it is important to note that this benefit will apply only if the JEE Main 2026 dropped question was from your shift.
In addition, for the 4 questions with multiple correct answers, students who selected any one of the correct options will receive full marks. As a result, many students may see their marks increase slightly.
The Importance of This Slight Increase
JEE Main is a highly competitive exam. Even just 1 or 2 extra marks can significantly improve your percentile. This is important because the percentile determines your All India Rank. Therefore, a small change in score can make a noticeable difference, especially for students aiming for top colleges. Additionally, since marks are normalized shift-wise, it means that bonus marks in JEE Main 2026can slightly alter percentile calculations across different sessions. Understanding JEE Main is crucial, especially if you’re aiming for a high rank in JEE Advanced. Check out our detailed comparison of JEE Mains vs JEE Advanced to get a better understanding of the differences.
How to Check the Final Answer Key
The final answer key is available on the official website and can be downloaded without a login.
Follow the steps below to check the JEE Main 2026 final answer key:
1. Visit jeemain.nta.nic.in
2. Click on JEE Main 2026 Final Answer Key Session 1
3. Open the PDF file
4. Download it
Use this to match with your response sheet for score calculation. This will help you understand your expected results.
How SPM & Lalan’s Helps Students Learn Beyond the JEE Answer Key
A revised JEE Main answer key can change how candidates interpret an examination they have already taken. When questions are dropped, however, the most constructive response is not to build an entire admission strategy around possible bonus marks. Students need to verify the official decision, understand the applicable scoring rules and examine the questions they attempted incorrectly.
That last step connects naturally with the teaching approach at SPM & Lalan’s. The institute describes regular mock tests, subject-focused practice and dedicated sessions for clearing doubts as parts of its JEE preparation. A question that caused confusion during an examination can become a valuable learning exercise when students revisit the underlying concept instead of memorising a disputed answer.
Its interactive classroom approach also encourages students to ask why a particular method works. This is especially relevant in Physics and Mathematics, where seemingly small differences in interpretation or assumptions may change an answer. Learning to read conditions carefully, show intermediate steps and test whether a result is reasonable serves students well beyond one answer-key controversy.
SPM & Lalan’s does not determine NTA’s final marking decisions; only official examination notices can do that. Its value lies in helping aspirants prepare for the questions still within their control, using feedback and sustained practice rather than speculation about scoring adjustments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the dropping of 9 questions by the NTA in the JEE Main final answer key 2026 presents both challenges and opportunities for students. Consequently, affected candidates will benefit from added bonus marks, which can enhance their scores.
Moreover, even a small increase in marks can impact overall rankings. Therefore, it is important for students to stay informed and check the final answer key. In summary, this change underscores the importance of vigilance and attention to detail in the exam process. For more information and resources on JEE Main preparation, you can visit spmandlalans.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there any change in the final answer key of JEE Mains 2026?
The final answer keys for JEE Main session one are then released based on the experts’ recommendations to accept the claim or reject it. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has (February 16) released the final answer keys for the JEE Main 2026 session 1, and as many as nine questions have been dropped.
2. Has NTA JEE Final Answer Key 2026 been released?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the JEE (Main) 2026 Session 1 final answer key for Paper 1 (BE/BTech). As per the final document, a total of nine questions have been dropped.
3. How many questions were dropped in the JEE Main 2026 final answer key?
A total of 9 questions were dropped from the JEE Main final answer key 2026, which may impact students’ scores.
4. What marks will students receive for the JEE Main 2026 dropped questions?
Students who appeared in the affected shifts will receive a full 4 marks for each dropped question, regardless of whether they attempted it or not.
5. How can I check the final answer key for JEE Main 2026?
You can check the final answer key by visiting the official NTA website, navigating to the JEE Main 2026 section, and downloading the PDF file.
6. Will the dropped questions affect my overall rank?
Yes, the inclusion of bonus marks for dropped questions can positively influence your overall score and potentially improve your percentile and rank in this competitive exam.
This article is written by the SPM & LALAN’S Content Team, a group of skilled writers, researchers, and content strategists passionate about creating accurate, reliable, and student-friendly educational content. Every article is thoroughly researched, fact-checked, and updated to ensure readers receive trustworthy and relevant information. The goal is to help students make informed academic decisions through clear, well-researched, and easy-to-understand content.
