JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 1 Analysis, Highlights Moderate to Tough Difficulty; Shift 2 Underway

The National Testing Agency (NTA) kickstarted the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 today, on January 21, 2026. Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) will be conducted in two shifts at various centres across India and abroad. Based on student reactions and preliminary expert analysis, the Shift 1 question paper was rated moderate to tough. Mathematics proved to be the most time-intensive and difficult section, while Chemistry remained comparatively approachable. Physics fell in the tough category due to its conceptual depth and length. Meanwhile, the NTA successfully conducted Shift 1 of JEE Main 2026 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM IST. Shift 2 is currently underway, i.e., 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM IST. This computer-based test serves as the gateway for admissions to undergraduate engineering programmes in NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and other institutions.

JEE Main Shift 1 Paper Review: Moderate to Tough Overall

Initial student feedback and expert reviews indicate that the Shift 1 paper on January 21 was moderate to tough. The Mathematics section emerged as the most challenging, while Chemistry proved relatively easier.

Subject	Difficulty Level	Key Observations	Major Topics Covered
Physics	Tough	Lengthy numericals and conceptually demanding questions; required strong application of fundamentals	Gravitation, Semiconductor, EMF, Current Electricity, Heat & Thermodynamics, Atoms & Nuclei, AC, SHM
Chemistry	Easy	Mostly memory-based; highest weightage from Organic Chemistry; some questions included 5-6 options (under NTA review)	Chemical Bonding, Organic Chemistry, Isomerism, Coordination Chemistry, p-block elements, General Organic Chemistry, Chemical Thermodynamics, Molecular Structure, Electrochemistry, Redox Reactions, Ionic Equilibrium
Mathematics	Tough	Highly time-consuming with complex calculations; many multi-step problems	Sets and Relations, Vectors & 3D Geometry, Matrices, Limits, Differentiability, Probability

Attempt and Accuracy Insights from Candidates

Most students reported attempting between 50 and 55 questions within the three-hour duration. Experts indicate that a safe attempt range lies between 40 and 50 questions, provided accuracy remains high. Several candidates described the overall paper experience as medium-hard, with Mathematics and Physics emerging as the primary challenges.

Expected Performance and JEE Main Cutoff Indications

Experts suggest a safe score of 150+ marks for competitive positioning, with 180+ marks targeting a 99 percentile. Preliminary category-wise cutoff estimates from prior trends include:

UR: Around 93 percentile
Gen-EWS: Around 81 percentile
OBC-NCL: Around 80 percentile
SC: Around 61 percentile
ST: Around 48 percentile

Official cutoffs will be announced by NTA after result declaration. The authority has not announced further details yet on official answer keys or final analysis.

Key Takeaways for Aspirants

The Day 1 papers maintained a focus on conceptual depth and application, consistent with NTA’s pattern for JEE Main. Candidates are advised to review memory-based questions and prepare strategically for upcoming shifts. NTA issued an advisory on January 20, 2026, outlining exam protocols, permitted items, and guidelines to ensure smooth conduct.

Written by Abhijeet Chatterjee

Abhijeet Chatterjee is a professional Content and Copy specialist with over five years of experience in crafting compelling content around the Edtech domain. His portfolio includes notable work for companies such as PhysicsWallah, Roar Media, Jagran Josh, etc. Academically, Abhijeet holds a Master's in Mass Communication, where he was awarded a gold medal for his outstanding performance. He has also qualified for the UGC NET in Mass Communication, demonstrating his expertise and a deep understanding of the field. His academic foundation is built on a Bachelor's degree in English Literature. Beyond his professional work, Abhijeet is an avid writer and a cinephile. His personal interests include scriptwriting, film criticism, and reading novels.

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