Courses
By rohit.pandey1
|
Updated on 21 Jan 2026, 12:44 IST
The first session of the JEE Main 2026 exam officially began today, January 21, 2026. As the Shift 1 (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) concludes, students and educators across the country are analyzing the first trends of the year. This comprehensive guide provides a real-time JEE Main 2026 shift 1 analysis, covering student reactions, subject-wise difficulty levels, and expert insights. Stay tuned to this page for JEE Main 2026 live updates shift 1 reactions and memory-based question breakdowns.
According to the first wave of JEE Main student reactions, the Shift 1 paper was Moderate in terms of difficulty. While Physics and Chemistry followed a predictable pattern similar to the JEE Main 2025 sessions, the Mathematics section continued its trend of being the "speed-breaker" for many aspirants.
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Trend |
| Physics | Moderate to Tough | Formula-based; NCERT heavy |
| Chemistry | Tricky | Highly scoring; direct theory |
| Mathematics | Moderate to Tough | Lengthy and calculation-intensive |
| Overall | Moderate | Balanced but time-consuming |
The JEE Main 2026 Physics analysis shift 1 indicates a paper that rewarded students with strong fundamentals.
The JEE Main 2026 Chemistry analysis shift 1 reveals a very student-friendly section.
As per the JEE Main 2026 Maths analysis shift 1, this section was the most challenging.
We spoke to students at several exam centers to gather real-time student reactions. Here are the key takeaways:
Our JEE Main expert analysis suggests that given the difficulty level of the January 21 Shift 1 paper, a "Good Attempt" would range between 50 to 58 questions with an accuracy of 90%.
(Note: These are preliminary predictions and may change as more shifts conclude.)
If you are appearing for upcoming shifts, ensure you prioritize these high-weightage topics identified in today’s Shift 1:
JEE
NEET
Foundation JEE
Foundation NEET
CBSE
Students looking for the JEE Main 2026 shift 1 question paper with solutions PDF can download the memory-based papers compiled by our faculty. These resources are essential for cross-checking answers and estimating your JEE Main rank.
Check: Our JEE Mains 2026 Rank and College Predictor
How was the JEE Main 2026 Shift 1 paper difficulty level according to students?
Most students rated the overall difficulty as Moderate. While Physics and Chemistry were considered manageable, the lengthiness of the Mathematics section pushed the perceived difficulty higher for many.
Was JEE Main 2026 Shift 1 Physics easy or tough as per student feedback?
Student feedback indicates Physics was Easy to Moderate. The paper was largely formula-based, with many direct questions from NCERT. Aspirants with clear basic concepts found it scoring.
What did students say about the difficulty of Mathematics in JEE Main Shift 1?
Mathematics was widely reported as the toughest and most time-consuming section. While the concepts were standard, the calculations were lengthy, particularly in Calculus and Algebra.
Was Chemistry NCERT-based in JEE Main 2026 Shift 1?
Yes, Chemistry was heavily NCERT-centric. Students noted that Inorganic and Organic Chemistry questions were picked almost directly from NCERT textbooks, making it the fastest section to complete.
Which subject was most time-consuming in Shift 1 JEE Main 2026?
Mathematics was the most time-consuming. Students reported spending 70–90 minutes on this section due to complex multi-step problems in Vectors, 3D Geometry, and Calculus.
How many questions were numerical-based vs theory-based in Shift 1?
The paper followed the standard NTA pattern: 20 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and 10 Numerical Value Questions (of which 5 were to be attempted). Physics and Chemistry had a healthy mix of theory, while Maths was entirely numerical/calculation-based.
Were there surprise or unexpected questions in JEE Main 2026 Shift 1?
Some students noted a slight increase in statement-based questions in Chemistry. In Physics, some questions on Modern Physics and Semiconducting devices required deeper conceptual clarity than usual.
Were questions repeated from previous year JEE Main papers in Shift 1?
Yes, several students mentioned that the pattern and logic of questions in Physics and Mathematics were very similar to the 2024 and 2025 January session papers, particularly for topics like Vectors and Current Electricity.
Which topics carried maximum weightage in Physics (Shift 1)?
Experts identified Modern Physics, Mechanics, and Electromagnetism as high-weightage areas. Specifically, questions on De Broglie wavelength, Current Electricity, and Electrostatics were prominent.
Why was Mathematics considered lengthy or tough in Shift 1?
According to experts, the difficulty stemmed from calculation-intensive problems. Questions in Vectors & 3D Geometry and Integration required significant algebraic manipulation, which exhausted students' time.
How does Shift 1 compare with past JEE Main sessions?
Shift 1 of 2026 is considered comparable to the January 2025 sessions. The trend of "Easy Chemistry, Moderate Physics, and Lengthy Maths" remains the consistent blueprint used by the NTA.
Which subject can help students maximize score in Shift 1?
Chemistry is the primary score-booster for this shift. Due to its direct NCERT linkage, well-prepared students could finish the section in under 40 minutes, leaving more time for Physics and Maths.
What is considered a good attempt in JEE Main 2026 Shift 1?
Experts suggest that 55–65 questions with 90% accuracy is a "Good Attempt." Specifically:
What score may lead to 99 percentile in Shift 1?
Based on the moderate difficulty level, an estimated score of 190–195 marks is expected to touch the 99 percentile mark for this shift.
Which chapters need last-minute revision based on Shift 1 questions?
What does Shift 1 indicate about JEE Main 2026 exam trend?
The trend indicates that NTA is prioritizing NCERT thoroughness in Chemistry and speed-accuracy balance in Mathematics. For upcoming shifts, students should focus on finishing Chemistry quickly to buffer for a potentially lengthy Math paper.
| Metric | Shift 1 Assessment |
| Overall Difficulty | Moderate |
| Easiest Section | Chemistry (NCERT-based) |
| Toughest Section | Mathematics (Lengthy/Calculus-heavy) |
| Physics Status | Moderate & Formula-driven |
| Expected Cutoff (Gen) | 88–92 Percentile |
No courses found
The overall paper was Moderate. Physics and Chemistry were easy to moderate, while Mathematics was lengthy and moderate to tough.
In Mathematics, Vectors & 3D Geometry had significant weightage. In Physics, Modern Physics was prominent.
Yes, the January session trends usually provide a blueprint for the topics NTA emphasizes, helping you refine your strategy for the April attempt.