JEE Main 2026: Candidates will have to reach the exam centre well in advance (representative image/ Gemini-generated)The National Testing Agency (NTA) has started Session 1 of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main from January 21. The exam, set to be held in two shifts, will be held till January 29 (except January 25,26 and 27). The first shift of the JEE Main 2026 January session exam concluded at 12 noon, while the second shift ended at 6 pm.
After aspirants take the engineering entrance test and download the JEE Main admit card, they will have to check the date of the examination, shift and timings of the test, venue of the test, reporting time at the centre and gate closing time of the centre on the JEE Main 2026 hall ticket.
JEE Main Rank Predictor 2026: Check Here
In addition to the JEE Main admit card, candidates will have to take with them at least two passport photographs. One passport-size photograph, the same as uploaded with the online application form, will have to be pasted on the attendance sheet at the centre. Candidates can access and download their JEE Main January session hall tickets from the official website at jeemain.nta.nic.in.
Read More | JEE Main 2026 January session exam begins on Jan 21; checklist for exam day, JEE Main dress code
Candidates were given the option to register through their Aadhaar. Candidates who did not register through Aadhaar or chose authentication through non-Aadhaar options must report to the exam centre early on the day of the examination, at least one hour before the gate closing time, to have their biometrics recorded.
For more news on admit card, syllabus and sample papers for JEE Main, the candidates can check education.indianexpress.com.
Retired NASA astronaut Sunita Williams gave an inspiring lecture at IIT-Delhi on her journey as an astronaut and recent mission at the ISS. She spoke about the changing landscape of human spaceflight and the value of observation and simplicity in solving complex problems. Williams also shared personal stories and emphasised the role of teamwork and food in uniting people, even in space. Read more
IIT KGP registers 1,501 total job offers in first phase of placement session Kolkata, Jan 20 (PTI) The IIT Kharagpur on Tuesday said that the institute has recorded a total of 1,501 job offers during the phase-I Placement Session of 2025-26.
The institute also achieved a milestone when it crossed 1,000 offers for placement on a single day during the session.
The key highlights of Phase-I Placements, which took place between December 1, 2025, and January 3, 2026, include 1,501 total offers (457 Pre-Placement offers) and 15 international offers.
The highest CTC offer read at Rs 2.44 crore, the institute said in a statement.
The placement drive commenced on a strong note, with an exceptional surge in job offers during days one and two, reaffirming the sustained trust of global recruiters in the academic excellence, technical competence, and professional readiness of IIT Kharagpur students, the statement said.
"A historic milestone was achieved on day two of placement at 8 am when the institute crossed 1,000 job offers," the statement said after assessing the data of the entire Phase-1 month-long placement session.
The placement drive attracted a diverse and prestigious pool of recruiters spanning the technology, core engineering, finance, consulting, analytics and manufacturing sectors.
Notable recruiters included Apple, Tesla, Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, Airbus, Boeing, Mercedes, Qualcomm, Siemens, Amazon, Walmart, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Databricks, JP Morgan Chase, Accenture, American Express, Samsung Korea, Texas Instruments, ExxonMobil, Caterpillar, Schlumberger Limited, L&T Finance and Tata Group.
Commenting on the achievement, Chairperson, Career Development Centre (CDC), IIT Kharagpur, Prof Sanjay Gupta said, "The exceptional outcomes of the placement season underscore the strength of our collaborative model, despite the challenges in the job market." Phase II of the Placement Session 2025-26 has started on January 16.
-- PTI
The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday cautioned candidates against misleading claims of “paper leaks” circulating on social media platforms, calling such posts fake and baseless. In an advisory issued through its official handle, the agency urged students to remain vigilant and rely only on verified sources for examination-related information.
The NTA said it has come across several social media posts and messages falsely alleging question paper leaks and promising access to exam content in exchange for money or personal details. The agency warned candidates not to fall prey to such claims, stressing that these are attempts to mislead and defraud aspirants.
“Claims of paper leaks being circulated on social media are fake and misleading,” the NTA said, advising candidates to avoid sharing personal information or making any payments based on unverified messages, calls or posts.
NTA will end shift two for session one at 6 pm.
NTA has observed some pages are claiming that exam has been leaked. The Agency denies such reports and have asked students to look for information from the official website.
The Mathematics paper was difficult and lengthy. 36 percent questions were asked from the Class 11 syllabus and 64 percent from the Class 12 syllabus. 36 percent questions were asked from Algebra, 28 percent from Calculus, 12 percent from Vector and Three-Dimensional Geometry, 8 percent from Trigonometry, and 16 percent from Coordinate Geometry.
--Vinod Kumawat, President, ALLEN Career Institute, Kota
Compared to last year, the paper had fewer direct and more formula-based questions that required critical thinking and conceptual clarity. The overall difficulty level of the exam was moderate, but students were required to apply concepts rather than rely on rote learning.
In Chemistry, the paper was more calculative, with questions demanding deeper conceptual understanding. Some students noted time-management challenges, as solving these questions required careful analysis. Overall, the Chemistry section ranged from easy to moderate in difficulty, with Organic Chemistry having relatively straightforward, NCERT-based questions. However, the increased focus on the application made the section more time-consuming than expected.
--Pankaj Sijariya, Chief Content Officer, PhysicsWallah (PW)
The Physics paper followed a pattern similar to previous years and was balanced in its overall approach. The first shift was moderate in difficulty, with a mix of calculation-based and conceptual questions, allowing students to manage the section comfortably. The paper was not lengthy, and students who maintained a steady pace should have been able to complete it within the given time.
The weightage across topics remained largely consistent, with key areas such as Modern Physics, Rotation, and Current Electricity continuing to carry importance. The level of questions from these chapters was moderate and largely doable. Students who had a clear understanding of concepts and were well-prepared with formulas, even from comparatively challenging chapters, would have found the paper approachable and manageable. Overall, the Physics section tested both understanding and application without introducing unexpected difficulty.
--Rajwant Singh, Professor, PhysicsWallah (PW)
The Mathematics paper was of moderate difficulty, with a good balance between easier and more challenging questions. The calculations were not lengthy, and the paper was well distributed, with questions covering all major chapters. Students who had prepared thoroughly using previous years’ question papers would have found the exam comfortable and doable, as several questions followed familiar patterns. While a few questions were tricky and required careful thinking, they were neither excessively tough nor time-consuming. Overall, the paper maintained a balanced level of difficulty. For upcoming shifts, students are advised to revise the previous years’ Questions (PYQs) carefully, as similar questions have appeared again. A strong command over fundamentals and consistent practice with past papers will be the key to performing well in the exam
--Abhishek Jain, Faculty, PhysicsWallah (PW)
As per JEE 2026 students, they found Chemistry lengthy and Maths and Physics moderate. 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. know more
Physics emerged as relatively easier compared to Mathematics and Chemistry, though it was not entirely direct. The section leaned more towards conceptual understanding than simple formula application. Well-prepared students with clarity in fundamentals would have found this section manageable and confidence-building, allowing them to secure steady scores without excessive time pressure.
–Ujjwal Singh, Founding CEO, Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya
Chemistry maintained a moderate level of difficulty, offering a balanced mix of straightforward and thought-provoking questions. A few questions from Organic Chemistry stood out as particularly tricky, requiring careful reading and a strong grasp of fundamentals. Students who relied on conceptual understanding rather than surface-level memorisation were better equipped to handle these nuances. Overall, Chemistry remained approachable but demanded attentiveness and precision.Chemistry was all about in-depth concepts at granular level.
–Ujjwal Singh, Founding CEO, Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya
Mathematics proved to be the most challenging section of the paper. Several questions were time-consuming and required lengthy calculations, making speed and accuracy critical for success. 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. Learners with strong calculation skills and sustained practice in handling complex problems were better positioned to navigate this section effectively.
--Ujjwal Singh, Founding CEO, Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya
In the JEE Main January 21 Shift 1 examination, Mathematics featured several high‑weightage topics. Key areas included Vector 3D, Sequence and Series, Quadratics, Binomials, Straight Line, Circle, Parabola, and Hyperbola. These chapters contributed significantly to the paper, making them crucial for students aiming to maximise their scores in the Mathematics section.
The JEE Main January 21, 2026 Physics paper review highlighted that many of the problems were formula-based, requiring direct application of fundamental principles. The overall trend in this shift continued to emphasize core concepts, reinforcing the importance of a strong grasp of basics. Students noted that numerical value questions were prominent, and many sought out the official questions and answers afterward to cross-check their methods and ensure accuracy in their approach. This pattern reflected the exam’s focus on testing conceptual clarity alongside problem-solving skills, according to Physics Wallah.
In the JEE Main January 21 Shift 1 examination, several Physics topics carried high weightage. These included Ray Optics, Gravitation, Semiconductors, Rotation, Wave Optics, and Current Electricity Students reported that these areas featured prominently in the paper, making them crucial for scoring well in the Physics section.
Based on student feedback, Organic Chemistry carried the highest weightage in the Chemistry section, with several questions focused on topics such as Chemical Bonding and Organic Chemistry. Reports from the exam centre confirmed that the JEE Main January 21 Shift 1 examination had concluded, and candidates widely regarded Chemistry as the toughest section of the paper. In comparison, Physics and Mathematics were assessed as moderate in difficulty, making Chemistry the most challenging subject for aspirants in this session.
The JEE Main January 21 Shift 1 examination concluded at 12 PM, with subject-wise difficulty levels reported by students. Mathematics was rated as moderate but time-consuming, with major questions drawn from topics such as Vector 3D, Sequence and Series, and Quadratics. Chemistry was considered lengthy and demanding, with many aspirants noting that it took nearly an hour to complete; notably, six to seven questions were based on statements. Physics was also assessed as moderate, featuring questions from areas including Wave Optics, Kinematics, and Thermodynamics. Overall, the paper required careful time management across all three subjects.
In 2024, the overall difficulty level in JEE Main was moderate to difficult. In 2024, the number of 100 percentilers had increased by 13 candidates in comparison to 2023 as a total of 56 candidates have received 100 NTA score in Paper 1 (BE/BTech).
In 2024, for general category candidates, the cut off for JEE Advanced was 93.23 which was up from 90.77 in 2023, up from 88.4 in 2022 and 87.9 in 2021. The qualifying scores for general candidates were 90.3 and 89.7 in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
For SC candidates, the cut-off was 60.09, which was a big jump from 51.97 in 2023, as against 43.08 in 2022, 46.8 in 2021, 50.1 in 2020, and 54.01 in 2019. Cut-off for ST students was 46.69 in 2024, up from 37.23 in 2023, 26.7 in 2022, 34.6 in 2021. The bar was higher in 2020 and 2019 with qualifying scores at 39.06 and 44.3 respectively.
The OBC (non-creamy layer) cut off had also increased to 79.67 last year from 73.61 in 2023, as against 67 in 2022, 68.02 in 2021, 72.8 in 2020. For the EWS category candidates, the cut off last year was 75.62, as compared to 2023’s 63.11.
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 had been from inorganic chemistry, while organic and physical chemistry had contributed about 35% each. The paper further included statement-based and matching-list questions within the single-option format.
NTA has concluded the shift one of the first session at 12 noon. The second shift will start at 3 pm and will continue till 6 pm.
In 2024, the overall difficulty level in JEE Main was moderate to difficult. In 2024, the number of 100 percentilers had increased by 13 candidates in comparison to 2023 as a total of 56 candidates have received 100 NTA score in Paper 1 (BE/BTech).
In the same year, for general category candidates, the cut off for JEE Advanced was 93.23 which was up from 90.77 in 2023, up from 88.4 in 2022 and 87.9 in 2021. The qualifying scores for general candidates were 90.3 and 89.7 in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
According to the academic desk of Vidyamandir Classes, the JEE Main paper in 2025 in the morning session was easy to moderate. Chemistry was well-balanced, with physical, organic, and inorganic chemistry topics being almost equally represented. A significant portion of the chemistry was aligned with NCERT, and questions did not come from the deleted topics in the NCERT syllabus.
The chemistry paper was easy in the morning shift, according to Dr. Brijesh Maheshwari, Director, Allen Career Institute Pvt. Ltd. 30% questions were asked from inorganic chemistry, 35% each from organic and physical chemistry. Statement and matching list questions were also asked in single option questions in the paper.
For the drawing section of Paper 2 in the main session one, candidates must bring their own geometry box set, pencils, erasers, and colour pencils or crayons. The use of watercolours on the drawing sheet is not allowed.
– Diabetic students are permitted to carry essential eatables such as sugar tablets and fruits (e.g., bananas, apples, oranges) along with a transparent water bottle. However, packed food items like chocolates, candy, and sandwiches are not allowed.
–The JEE Main session 1 admit card must be dropped in the designated drop box while leaving the JEE Main exam hall. NTA said the answers would not be evaluated if the candidates failed to deposit their admit cards.
– Avoid wearing accessories with metallic elements such as rings, bracelets, and earrings.
– Footwear with thick soles is not permitted.
– Wear simple and comfortable clothing.
– Scarves should not be worn.
– The following items are strictly prohibited inside the exam centre: instruments, geometry boxes, pencil boxes, handbags, purses, any paper or stationery, textual materials, food and water, mobile phones, earphones, microphones, pagers, calculators, docupens, slide rules, log tables, cameras, tape recorders, metallic items, and electronic gadgets or devices.
– Candidates must bring a printed copy of their JEE Main 2026 session one admit card.
– Along with the admit card, they must carry an original photo identity proof.
– A recent photograph must be affixed to the admit card. Carrying two additional copies of the same photograph is advisable.
– One passport-size photograph, identical to the one uploaded with the Main session one application form, is required for the attendance sheet
The first shift of the JEE Main 2026 January session exam started at 9 am and will continue till 12 noon, while the second shift will begin at 3 pm and continue till 6 pm.
Shift 1 of JEE Main 2026 January session begins.
Diabetic students can carry eatables like sugar tablets or fruits like bananas, apples and oranges and transparent water bottles to the JEE Main exam hall. However, they will not be allowed to carry packed foods like chocolates, candy or sandwiches.
The JEE Main 2026 admit cards will have to be dropped in the designated dropbox while leaving the exam hall.
The shift 1 of exam begins at 9 am today. Candidates will have to take their admit cards, photo ID card and passport size photograph to the exam centre.
- JEE Main 2026 admit card
- Photo ID card
- Passport sized photograph
NTA will conduct paper 1 of JEE Main on January 21, 2026. Paper 1 is the BTech or the BE paper. It will comprise of two sections- A and B. The JEE Main Section A contains 20 questions for each subject - physics, chemistry and maths and JEE Main section B will comprise of five questions.
The first shift of the JEE Main 2026 January session exam will start at 9 am and continue till 12 noon, while the second shift will begin at 3 pm and continue till 6 pm.
– Date of the JEE Main examination
– Shift and timings of the test
– Venue of the test
– Reporting time at the centre
– Gate closing time of the centre
NTA has released admit cards for those appearing for JEE Main 2026 from January 21-24. For those who will appear for January 28 and 29 exams, the JEE admit cards will be out later at jeemain.nta.nic.in
– Avoid certain things to stay both physically and mentally healthy
– Junk and processed food were strictly avoided, as maintaining good health was the top priority during that phase.
– Special attention was paid to diet, along with ensuring adequate sleep of around 8–9 hours every day, to remain fresh and focused.
– Fixating on the marks scored in the final few mock tests was avoided.
– Instead of stressing over numbers, the focus remained on learning from each paper and identifying areas of improvement.
– Very difficult or unfamiliar mock papers were avoided during the last few days.
The optimal way to answer the Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) question paper is different for everyone. It depends on the individual strengths of the candidate, their comfort level, and their temperament for the examination. Each student has their own methodology when it comes to answering questions, and therefore this methodology should be personal rather than taken from student-to-student. You should trust whatever strategy you have practiced during your mocks. The JEE Main exam rewards consistency, clarity, and confidence, so if your plan lets you concentrate and finish the paper, it’s the correct one for you. The order is much less important than your execution under time pressure.
Read More | JEE Main 2026: What is the right order to answer the JEE Main 2026 question paper?
- Maximum marks: 20
- This Section contains five questions for each subject, all must be attempted
- This Section contains questions whose answers are to be filled as a numerical value
- Candidates are advised to do the calculations with the constants given (if any) in the questions. The answer should be rounded off to the nearest integer
- For each question, enter the correct integer value of the answer using the mouse and the onscreen virtual numeric keypad in the place designated to enter the answer
- The JEE Main Section A contains 20 questions for each subject
- Total marks is 80
- Each question has four options.
- Only one of the four options is the most appropriate or best answer, which will be considered the correct answer
The JEE Main 2026 admit cards must be dropped in the designated dropbox while leaving the exam hall. Failure to do so may result in non-evaluation of the answers, the NTA said.
Diabetic students will be allowed to carry eatables like sugar tablets or fruits like bananas, apples and oranges and transparent water bottles to the JEE Main exam hall. However, they will not be allowed to carry packed foods like chocolates, candy or sandwiches.
Sikh candidates are permitted to wear their religious articles - Kara and Kirpan.
Blank paper sheets for rough work of A4 size will be provided in the JEE Main examination hall. Candidates must write their name and roll number at the top of each of the sheets and must drop the sheets in the designated drop box without fail, before leaving the exam hall.
Apart from the biometric attendance and frisking at entry, if a candidate goes bio-breaks and toilet, they candidate will have to undergo the mandatory frisking and biometrics again.
- Instrument
- Geometry box
- Pencil box
- Handbag
- Purse
- Any kind of paper
- Stationery
- Textual material - printed or written material
- Eatables and water (loose or packed)
- Mobile phone
- Ear phone
- Microphone
- Pager
- Calculator
- DocuPen
- Slide rules
- Log tables
- Camera
- Tape recorder
- Electronic watches with facilities of calculator
- Any metallic item
- Electronic gadgets or devices
The candidate must enter the required details on the attendance sheet in legible handwriting. They should put their signature, left hand thumb impression and paste the photograph at the appropriate place during the examination. They should ensure that their left-hand impression is clear and not smudged.
- Admit Card downloaded from the NTA website. The JEE Main admit card should be a clear printout, preferably in colour on A4 size paper
- Candidate must carry at least two passport photographs. One passport size photograph (same as uploaded with the online application form) is to be pasted on the attendance sheet at the centre.
- A valid photo ID proof as uploaded in online application form in original. Photocopies or images stored on mobile phones etc. will not be accepted. Candidates will not be allowed to enter the examination centre, without identity verification.
- Candidates whose live photographs do not match the photographs available in their Aadhaar during the filling of the application form or those who registered using any other identity proof must carry the requisite certificate in original duly signed or attested by the Principal or Head Master or any Class-I Gazetted Officer, such as Tehsildar, Revenue Officer, SDM, DM/Class-I Gazetted Officer ofthe Indian Embassy (for NRI candidates), as per format shared in their registered email ID and notified vide NTA Public Notice dated 02 January 2026
Candidates were provided an option to register through Aadhaar. Those candidates who did not register through Aadhaar or chose authentication through non-Aadhaar options are required to report early on the day of the examination - at least 1 hour before the gate closing time - to get their biometrics recorded at the exam centre.
Candidates taking the JEE Main 2026 exam will have to reach the exam well in advance. The JEE Main admit card has mentioned a reporting time. Candidates will have to arrive at the reporting time. If candidates report beyond the gate closing time of the centre, they will not be allowed to enter the test venue, NTA said.
NTA has asked the candidates to check these on the JEE Main 2026 admit card after downloading:
- Date of the examination
- Shift and timings of the test
- Venue of the test
- Reporting time at the centre
- Gate closing time of the centre
– JEE Main January 2026 application number
– Password
– Security pin
NTA, on January 17, released the JEE Main 2026 hall tickets for January 21 to 24 exams only. The JEE admit cards for January 28 and 29 exams will be released later, NTA said while releasing the JEE Main 2026 hall tickets. Registered candidates will be able to download their hall tickets from the official website at jeemain.nta.nic.in.
The JEE Main paper 1 or the BE and BTech paper will be held on January 21, 22, 23, 24 and 28. The JEE Main paper 1 will be held in two shifts – one in the morning (9 am to 12 noon) and second in the afternoon (3 pm to 6 pm).
The JEE Main Paper 2 or the 2A BArch, Paper 2B BPlanning or Paper 2A and 2B both will all be held on January 30. The JEE Main paper 2 will be held only in one shift from 9 am to 12.30 pm).
The first session of JEE Main 2026 is set to be held between January 21 and 29, 2026, and the next session will be held between April 2 and 9, 2026.
Candidates are not allowed to carry instrument, geometry, pencil box, handbag, purse, any kind of paper, stationery, textual material - printed or written material, eatables and water (loose or packed), mobile phone, ear phone, microphone, pager, calculator, docupen, slide rules, log tables, camera, tape recorder, electronic watches with facilities of calculator, any metallic item or electronic gadgets, or devices in the examination hall or room. There may not be any provision for safe keeping of valuables at the centre.
