JEE Main 2026 January 22 Paper Analysis (Shift 1 & Shift 2)
The JEE Main 2026 examination conducted on January 22 was held in two shifts by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The JEE Main 2026 examination conducted on January 22 was held in two shifts by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Memory-based question papers and solutions for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) were released after each shift, providing a clear picture of subject-wise difficulty levels, chapter-wise trends, and overall paper structure.
Based on student feedback and post-exam analysis, both shifts followed a balanced and NCERT-aligned pattern, with no major deviation from the expected syllabus.
Shift 1 – Overall Difficulty Analysis (PCM)
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Student Feedback |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Moderate | Conceptual with formula application |
| Chemistry | Moderate to Difficult | NCERT-based but conceptually tricky |
| Mathematics | Moderate but Lengthy | Time-consuming, required good speed |
Shift 1 – Physics: Chapter-wise Distribution
| Physics Chapter | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Laws of Motion & Kinematics | 3 |
| Work, Power & Energy | 2 |
| Thermodynamics | 2 |
| Current Electricity | 3 |
| Magnetism & EMI | 3 |
| Optics | 2 |
| Modern Physics | 4 |
| Units, Dimensions & Errors | 1 |
| Waves | 2 |
| Semiconductor Electronics | 3 |
Physics Insight:Questions tested conceptual clarity and formula application, with Modern Physics emerging as a high-scoring area.
Shift 1 – Chemistry: Chapter-wise Distribution
| Chemistry Chapter | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Thermodynamics | 4 |
| Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure | 3 |
| P-Block Elements | 3 |
| General Organic Chemistry (GOC) | 2 |
| Organic Reaction Mechanisms | 3 |
| Chemical Kinetics | 2 |
| Ionic Equilibrium | 2 |
| Coordination Compounds | 1 |
| Periodic Table & Basic Inorganic | 2 |
| Other Physical Chemistry Topics | 3 |
Chemistry Insight:The paper was largely NCERT-driven, with Inorganic and Organic Chemistry being highly scoring.
Shift 1 – Mathematics: Chapter-wise Distribution
| Mathematics Chapter | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Limits, Continuity & Differentiability | 4 |
| Definite Integration | 3 |
| Matrices & Determinants | 4 |
| Coordinate Geometry | 4 |
| Vector Algebra | 2 |
| 3D Geometry | 2 |
| Probability | 2 |
| Complex Numbers | 2 |
| Sequences & Series | 2 |
Mathematics Insight: The paper was lengthy, with calculus and algebra dominating the section.
Shift 2 – Overall Difficulty Analysis (PCM)
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Student Feedback |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Moderate | Balanced and application-based |
| Chemistry | Easy to Moderate | NCERT-focused |
| Mathematics | Moderate | Better balanced than Shift 1 |
Shift 2 – Physics: Chapter-wise Distribution
| Physics Chapter | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Kinematics & Laws of Motion | 3 |
| Work, Power & Energy | 2 |
| Electrostatics | 3 |
| Current Electricity | 2 |
| Magnetism & EMI | 3 |
| Optics | 3 |
| Modern Physics | 4 |
| Waves | 2 |
| Semiconductor Devices | 3 |
Physics Insight: Modern Physics and Electrostatics continued to have strong representation.
Shift 2 – Chemistry: Chapter-wise Distribution
| Chemistry Chapter | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Thermodynamics | 3 |
| Chemical Bonding | 3 |
| Organic Reactions (NCERT-based) | 4 |
| Organic Reactions (NCERT-based) | 2 |
| Chemical Kinetics | 2 |
| Ionic Equilibrium | 1 |
| Coordination Compounds | 2 |
| Periodic Trends & Inorganic Basics | 2 |
| Other Organic Theory | 3 |
| Physical Chemistry Numericals | 3 |
Chemistry Insight:Organic Chemistry had a slightly higher presence, with reaction-based questions directly from NCERT.
Shift 2 – Mathematics: Chapter-wise Distribution
| Mathematics Chapter | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Number of Questions | 4 |
| Integration | 3 |
| Matrices & Determinants | 3 |
| Coordinate Geometry | 5 |
| Vector Algebra | 2 |
| 3D Geometry | 2 |
| Probability | 2 |
| Complex Numbers | 2 |
| Statistics & Miscellaneous | 2 |
Mathematics Insight: Shift 2 Mathematics was comparatively balanced, with strong emphasis on coordinate geometry and calculus.
Key Takeaways from January 22 JEE Main 2026
- Papers followed the expected NTA blueprint
- Chemistry remained the most scoring subject
- Modern Physics had consistent weightage in both shifts
- Mathematics was time-consuming, especially calculus-heavy sections
- Strong NCERT preparation proved decisive across all subjects
How Students Can Use These Papers
- Identify high-weightage chapters
- Analyse mistakes using memory-based solutions
- Improve time management for upcoming shifts
- Strengthen weak topics before future attempts
This analysis is published by CrackIT based on student feedback and publicly available memory-based question papers.
FAQs:
Q1. Were both shifts equally difficult?
Both shifts were comparable, though Mathematics in Shift 1 felt slightly more time-consuming.
Q2. Which subject was the most scoring?
Chemistry emerged as the most scoring subject in both shifts.
Q3. Was the paper fully NCERT-based?
Chemistry was heavily NCERT-based, while Physics and Mathematics tested application skills.
Q4. Can these papers be used for JEE Main 2026 preparation?
Yes, these papers are useful for identifying important chapters, understanding question trends, and improving time management for upcoming attempts and future sessions.
Q5. Is this analysis useful for future attempts?
Yes, it helps in understanding chapter trends and exam patterns.
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