JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam Analysis Jan 21: Lengthy Chemistry; Math & Physics moderate

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Mathematics

In Mathematics, the exam had several high‑weightage topics. Key areas included Vector 3D, Sequence and Series, Quadratics, Binomials, Straight Line, Circle, Parabola, and Hyperbola.

Vinod Kumawat, President, Allen, claims that 36 per cent of the questions were asked from the Class 11 syllabus and 64 per cent from the Class 12 syllabus. Breaking down the section, he said:

Algebra: 36%

Calculus: 28%

Vector and Three-Dimensional Geometry: 12%

Trigonometry: 8%

Coordinate Geometry: 16%

”While the concepts themselves were largely in line with the syllabus, execution under pressure became the key differentiator. The section demanded significant time investment, often forcing students to make strategic choices about question selection,” said Ujjwal Singh, founding CEO, Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya.

Abhishek Jain, Faculty at PW, said that the section maintained the balance between straightforward and more challenging questions. Calculations were not overly lengthy, and the paper was well‑structured, with coverage across all major chapters.

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Physics

In Physics, the questions were formula-based, requiring direct application of fundamental principles. Other than that, core concepts were asked. Topics asked in the exam were Ray Optics, Gravitation, Electrodynamics, Mechanics, Heat and Thermodynamics, Semiconductors, Modern Physics, Magnetism, Rotation, Wave Optics, and Current Electricity.

Allen analysed that based on NCERT, 50 per cent of the questions were asked from the Class 11 syllabus, while the remaining 50 per cent of the questions were asked from the Class 12 syllabus.

“The section emphasised conceptual understanding over mere formula application. Those with a clear grasp of fundamentals found the paper manageable and even confidence‑boosting,” mentioned Ujjwal Singh.

Rajwant Singh, a professor from PW, claimed that the Physics paper followed a familiar pattern from previous years, maintaining a balanced approach overall.

“The first shift was moderate in difficulty, combining both calculation‑based and conceptual questions that students could manage with steady pacing. The section was not lengthy, enabling well‑prepared candidates to complete it comfortably within the allotted time. Overall, Physics tested both understanding and application without presenting unexpected hurdles,” added Singh.

Chemistry

Organic Chemistry carried the highest weightage, with several questions focused on topics such as Chemical Bonding and Organic Chemistry. Students also claim that six to seven questions were based on statements.

Singh claimed that Chemistry presented a balanced blend of direct and challenging questions. “Certain problems from Organic Chemistry proved especially demanding, requiring close attention and a solid command of fundamental concepts. Students who focused on deep conceptual understanding rather than rote memorisation were better prepared to tackle these complexities. Overall, the section was approachable but called for precision and alertness, with an emphasis on grasping in‑depth concepts at a granular level,” added Singh.

On the other hand, Sijariya claimed that the section was largely calculative, requiring deeper conceptual understanding and careful problem‑solving with relatively straightforward questions in Organic Chemistry and NCERT‑based problems.

According to Vinod Kumawat, President, ALLEN Career Institute, Kota, as per NCERT topics, 52 percent questions were asked from the Class 11 syllabus and 48 per cent from the Class 12 syllabus. Almost the entire syllabus was covered in the questions. “Two questions each were asked from Chemical Bonding, Salt Analysis, Aromatic Compounds, and Mole Concept. One question from all other topics appeared in the paper,” he added.

How was the shift one exam in the 2025 session one?

According to the academic desk of Vidyamandir Classes, the JEE Main paper in the morning session was rated as easy to moderate. The Chemistry section had remained well-balanced, with physical, organic, and inorganic topics almost equally represented.

A significant portion of the questions had been aligned with NCERT, and none had come from the deleted syllabus. Dr Brijesh Maheshwari, Director of Allen Career Institute Pvt. Ltd., also noted that the Chemistry paper in the morning shift was easy. Around 30% of the questions were from inorganic chemistry, while organic and physical chemistry contributed about 35% each. The paper further included statement-based and matching-list questions within the single-option format.

JEE Main Jan 21 Shift 2 Paper Analysis

The January 21 Shift 2 paper of JEE Main 2026 was slightly tougher than Shift 1, with an increased emphasis on application-based problem-solving and calculation-intensive questions, according to Ujjwal Singh, Founding CEO, Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya. While the overall pattern remained familiar, the paper tested depth of understanding and execution across all three subjects.

Physics: Application Over Direct Recall

Physics was marginally more difficult than the Shift 1 paper, with nearly 20% more application-based questions. A majority of the questions were similar in nature to previous years’ questions (PYQs) from the past five years, rewarding students who had focused on concept application rather than direct formula recall.

Chemistry: Tougher and More Comprehensive

Chemistry emerged as tougher than Shift 1. Unlike the earlier shift, where challenging questions were largely limited to Organic Chemistry, this paper included difficult questions from Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry, requiring balanced preparation across the subject.

Mathematics: Lengthy and Time-Consuming

Mathematics was slightly tougher than Shift 1, primarily due to a higher number of questions involving lengthy calculations. While the conceptual level remained similar, effective time management became critical to maximise attempts in this section.

As per Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya, the January 21 Shift 2 paper reinforced the importance of application-based learning, familiarity with PYQs, and strong time management skills. Students who had prepared with depth across subjects and practiced applying concepts under timed conditions were better positioned to perform well.