JEE Main 2026 January 23 Exam Review: Shift 1 & Shift 2 PCM Analysis, Chapter-Wise Weightage

Exam Name: JEE Main 2026 (Session 1)
Exam Date: 23 January 2026
Conducting Authority: National Testing Agency (NTA)
Exam Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the JEE Main 2026 examination on January 23 in two shifts. Based on verified student feedback and memory-based question papers, here is the detailed Shift-wise PCM review, including difficulty level and chapter-wise question distribution.
This analysis is based on memory-based questions shared by students and experts. It is not an official NTA paper.

JEE Main 2026 January 23 – Shift 1 Review (PCM)

Shift 1: Overall Difficulty Level

Overall Paper Level: Moderate to Tough
Mathematics was lengthy and time - consuming, while Physics and Chemistry were moderate in difficulty.

Shift 1: Subject-Wise Difficulty

Shift 1: Physics Analysis

• Focus on conceptual clarity
• Formula application was necessary
• Questions were evenly distributed across syllabus
  

Shift 1 Physics: Chapter-Wise Questions (Memory-Based)

Shift 1: Chemistry Analysis

• Equal weightage from Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry
• Few questions were indirect and option-based
• NCERT understanding helped but was not enough alone

Shift 1 Chemistry: Chapter-Wise Questions (Memory-Based)

Shift 1: Mathematics Analysis

• Most time-consuming section
• Multi-step calculations
• Strong weightage from calculus and geometry

Shift 1 Mathematics: Chapter-Wise Questions (Memory-Based)

JEE Main 2026 January 23 – Shift 2 Review (PCM)

Shift 2: Overall Difficulty Level

Overall Paper Level: Moderate Compared to Shift 1, Mathematics was slightly less tough, while Physics and Chemistry remained balanced.

Shift 2: Subject-Wise Difficulty

Shift 2: Physics Analysis

• Questions were mostly concept-driven
• Better balance between theory and numericals
• Modern Physics had visible weightage

Shift 2 Physics: Chapter-Wise Questions (Memory-Based)

Shift 2: Chemistry Analysis

• Questions were concept-based
• Better scoring compared to Shift 1
• Inorganic Chemistry had steady weightage

Shift 2 Chemistry: Chapter-Wise Questions (Memory-Based)

Shift 2: Mathematics Analysis

• Slightly easier than Shift 1
• Still required time management
• Geometry and calculus dominated

Shift 2 Mathematics: Chapter-Wise Questions (Memory-Based)

The JEE Main 2026 January 23 examination followed a balanced and syllabus-aligned pattern across both shifts. While Mathematics was comparatively lengthy, Physics and Chemistry tested conceptual understanding rather than rote learning.

Students are advised to wait for the official NTA answer key and response sheet before drawing conclusions about scores. Memory-based papers should be used only for revision and self-analysis, not for exact score calculation.

This page will be updated regularly with official answer keys, response sheet details, and further exam insights to help students stay informed.