JEE Main 2026 January 28 Paper Analysis (Shift 1 & Shift 2)
JEE Main 2026 January 28 paper analysis for Shift 1 & Shift 2 with PCM difficulty level, chapter-wise question distribution, student feedback, and key exam insights.
The JEE Main 2026 examination on January 28 was conducted in two shifts by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Memory-based question papers and detailed solutions for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) were released after each shift, offering a clear view of subject-wise difficulty levels, chapter-wise question distribution, and overall exam trends.
Based on student feedback and post-exam analysis, both shifts followed a balanced and NCERT-aligned pattern, with the questions mostly within the expected syllabus scope.
Shift 1 – Overall Difficulty Analysis
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Student Feedback |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Moderate | Conceptual and formula-based |
| Chemistry | Moderate | NCERT-oriented, some tricky questions |
| Mathematics | Moderate to Difficult | Lengthy, calculation-intensive |
Shift 1 – Physics: Chapter-wise Distribution
| Physics Chapter | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Laws of Motion & Kinematics | 3 |
| Work, Power & Energy | 2 |
| Thermodynamics | 2 |
| Electrostatics | 3 |
| Current Electricity | 3 |
| Magnetism & EMI | 3 |
| Optics | 2 |
| Modern Physics | 3 |
| Waves | 2 |
Physics Insight: Paper was conceptual with formula applications. Topics like Electrostatics, Current Electricity, and Magnetism were frequent, while Modern Physics offered scoring questions.
Shift 1 – Chemistry: Chapter-wise Distribution
| Chemistry Chapter | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Thermodynamics | 3 |
| Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure | 3 |
| Organic Reactions (NCERT) | 4 |
| Inorganic Basics & Periodic Trends | 3 |
| Coordination Compounds | 2 |
| Chemical Kinetics | 2 |
| Equilibrium & Ionic Theory | 2 |
| Physical Chemistry Numericals | 2 |
Chemistry Insight: Shift 1 Chemistry remained largely NCERT-based and direct, making it one of the more scoring sections.
Shift 1 – Mathematics: Chapter-wise Distribution
| Mathematics Chapter | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Limits, Continuity & Differentiability | 4 |
| Integration (Definite & Indefinite) | 3 |
| Matrices & Determinants | 3 |
| Coordinate Geometry | 4 |
| Vector Algebra | 2 |
| 3D Geometry | 2 |
| Probability | 2 |
| Complex Numbers | 2 |
| Sequences & Series | 3 |
Mathematics Insight: The section was lengthy and calculation-heavy with strong representation from calculus and coordinate geometry.
Shift 2 – Overall Difficulty Analysis
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Student Feedback |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Moderate | Balanced and application-based |
| Chemistry | Moderate | NCERT-focused with some tricky numericals |
| 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 | 2 |
| Current Electricity | 2 |
| Magnetism & EMI | 3 |
| Optics | 3 |
| Modern Physics | 4 |
| Waves & SHM | 2 |
| Semiconductor Devices | 3 |
Physics Insight: Modern Physics and Electrostatics continued to feature prominently, with questions testing both application and conceptual clarity.
Shift 2 – Chemistry: Chapter-wise Distribution
| Chemistry Chapter | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Thermodynamics | 3 |
| Chemical Bonding | 3 |
| Organic Reactions (NCERT) | 5 |
| Inorganic Basics & Periodic Trends | 2 |
| Coordination Compounds | 2 |
| Chemical Kinetics | 2 |
| Physical Chemistry Numericals | 3 |
| Ionic Equilibrium | 2 |
Chemistry Insight: Organic Chemistry was slightly more represented in Shift 2, with several direct NCERT-based reaction questions.
Shift 2 – Mathematics: Chapter-wise Distribution
| Mathematics Chapter | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| Limits & Continuity | 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: Compared to Shift 1, this section was more balanced but still required strong time management skills to complete.
Key Takeaways from January 28 JEE Main 2026
- The papers adhered well to the NTA pattern and syllabus expectations.
- Chemistry remained the most scoring subject in both shifts.
- Modern Physics, Electrostatics, and Calculus had consistent weightage.
- Mathematics required time optimization due to its lengthy nature.
- A strong NCERT base and formula confidence ensured better performance.
How Students Can Use This Analysis
- Identify high - frequency chapters, revise them first.
- Use memory - based solutions to cross-check answers.
- Practice time management techniques before future attempts.
- Strengthen weaker topics for improved performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Were both shifts equally difficult?
Both shifts were comparable; however, Shift 1 Mathematics felt slightly tougher due to longer questions.
Q2. Which subject was the most scoring?
Chemistry continued to be the most scoring subject in both shifts.
Q3. Was the paper fully NCERT-based?
While Chemistry was heavily NCERT-based, Physics and Mathematics involved more application-oriented questions.
Q4. Are these question papers official?
No, these are memory - based papers prepared using student recall.
Q5. Is this analysis useful for future attempts?
Yes - it helps future aspirants understand difficulty trends, topic weightage, and time management challenges.
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