JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Complete Analysis: Paper Difficulty, Student Reactions, and What's Next

The National Testing Agency (NTA) wrapped up JEE Main 2026 Session 1 with Paper 2 on January 29. This final paper tested B.Arch (Paper 2A) and B.Planning (Paper 2B) candidates, marking the end of an intense examination period that began in late January.

Students across the country breathed a sigh of relief as they walked out of examination centres, many already discussing their performance and comparing notes with peers. The session tested not just their knowledge but also their ability to handle pressure and manage time effectively.

How Did Session 1 Unfold?

JEE Main 2026 Session 1 ran from January 22 to January 29. The BE/BTech Paper 1 was conducted across multiple shifts over several days, while Paper 2 for architecture and planning students had a single shift on the final day.

The exam followed a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format, with strict protocols in place at all centres. Students had to report early, undergo thorough frisking, and follow guidelines that prohibited mobile phones, calculators, watches, and even metal accessories.

Breaking Down the B.Arch and B.Planning Papers

The January 29 exam started at 9 am and concluded at 12:30 pm. Both B.Arch and B.Planning papers shared common sections but differed in their specialised components, which significantly impacted the overall difficulty.

B.Arch Paper Review

Students found the B.Arch paper moderate overall. According to feedback collected by Physics Wallah, the Mathematics section proved to be the toughest challenge. The Drawing and Aptitude sections ranged from easy to moderate, giving students some breathing room.

The Drawing section tested creativity, proportion sense, and basic sketching skills. There was no negative marking here, which allowed students to attempt all questions without fear of penalty. The Aptitude section covered logical reasoning and general awareness, staying true to the standard pattern.

B.Planning Paper Review

For B.Planning aspirants, the Planning section fell in the easy to moderate range. The Aptitude section mirrored this difficulty level. However, Mathematics once again emerged as the deal-breaker, with most students rating it as difficult.

The Planning section included questions on urban development, spatial planning, and environmental awareness. Students who had practised previous year papers found the question types familiar.

What Made Mathematics So Challenging?

Across both papers, Mathematics consistently troubled students. The section was calculation-heavy and time-consuming. Questions from Integral Calculus, Conic Sections, and Algebra dominated the paper.

Many students reported that while the concepts were not unfamiliar, the lengthy calculations made it hard to complete the section within time. This became a test of speed and accuracy, not just understanding.

Topics like 3D Geometry, Vectors, and Complex Numbers had moderate representation. The negative marking of one mark for each wrong answer added extra pressure, forcing students to choose between attempting risky questions or leaving them blank.

How Did the BE/BTech Papers Perform?

The BE/BTech papers conducted from January 22 to 28 showed interesting patterns. The difficulty varied across shifts, with some proving notably tougher than others.

Physics Analysis

Physics ranged from easy to moderate across shifts. January 28 morning shift students found it particularly manageable. Electromagnetism carried higher weightage, while Optics and Waves had fewer questions.

Topics like Electromagnetic Waves, Thermodynamics, and Modern Physics were well-represented. Some numerical problems required time, but students with strong fundamentals managed them well. The conceptual questions tested deep understanding rather than rote learning.

Chemistry Analysis

Chemistry turned out to be the most scoring section across all shifts. Questions stuck close to NCERT content, with many being direct or requiring minimal derivation.

Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry received balanced coverage, with Organic Chemistry getting slightly more questions. Statement-based questions appeared frequently, rewarding students who had studied their textbooks thoroughly.

Students who attempted all Chemistry questions carefully could secure high marks in this section, potentially compensating for tougher sections.

Mathematics Analysis

Mathematics emerged as the key differentiator in BE/BTech papers too. Ujjwal Singh, Founding CEO of Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya, noted that it tested time management and accuracy more than pure knowledge.

The shifts on January 22 (Shift 2), January 23 (both shifts), and January 28 (Shift 2) were among the toughest. Algebra appeared dominant, while Coordinate Geometry maintained moderate presence.

The lengthy nature of problems meant students had to make smart choices about which questions to attempt and which to skip. This decision-making ability separated top scorers from average performers.

Student Reactions and Experiences

Ankur Singh, who appeared for the January 28 BE/BTech exam, shared his experience. "Overall, the paper was good and of moderate difficulty. Mathematics was quite lengthy. Physics was tough, while Chemistry was comparatively easy. If your basics are clear, the exam can be beneficial."

Another student, Aashutosh Kumar Ojha, emphasised the importance of Class 11 fundamentals. "If your Class 11 basics are clear, the paper can be quite easy. Mathematics was largely calculative, with most questions from Class 11. Physics was mostly formula-based. In Chemistry, organic was very easy, while inorganic was moderate."

These reactions highlight a common theme: strong fundamentals and proper time management made all the difference.

Understanding the Marking Scheme

Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 followed a clear marking pattern. Section A contained 20 multiple-choice questions per subject in BE/BTech papers. Each correct answer fetched 4 marks, while each wrong answer resulted in a deduction of 1 mark.

Section B had 5 numerical questions per subject. All were compulsory. Students had to enter integer values using an on-screen keypad. This section also followed the same marking scheme with negative marking.

For B.Arch and B.Planning, the Mathematics and Aptitude sections had negative marking, but the Drawing section did not. This allowed students to freely express their creativity without worrying about penalties.

What Experts Are Saying

Ajay Sharma, National Academic Director (Engineering) at Aakash Educational Services Limited, provided detailed analysis. "JEE Main Session 1 of 2026 measured learning maturity. The paper consistently challenged students to prioritise judgment over speed."

He added that the session was moderate overall, with higher shift-wise variation than 2025. The difficulty level was comparable to 2024-25, making normalisation important across shifts.

This normalisation process ensures fairness. Since different students face different question papers, NTA uses a percentile-based system. Your percentile shows how you performed compared to all other candidates, not just your raw score.

What Happens Next?

NTA will release the answer key soon on the official website. Students can download their response sheets and compare them with the answer key to estimate their scores.

To calculate your expected score, count your correct and incorrect answers. Add 4 marks for each correct answer and subtract 1 mark for each wrong answer. This gives you a rough estimate, though the final percentile will depend on normalisation.

The official results for Session 1 will be declared on February 12, 2026. Students can check their scores, percentiles, and ranks on the NTA website.

Qualified candidates will be eligible for JoSAA counselling, where they can choose colleges and branches based on their ranks. The counselling process involves multiple rounds of seat allotment, giving students several opportunities to secure admission.

Session 2 on the Horizon

JEE Main 2026 Session 2 is scheduled for April 1-10, 2026. Students who want to improve their scores can appear again. NTA will consider the best of the two scores for final ranking.

This two-session system gives students a safety net. If Session 1 did not go as planned, they have another chance. Many toppers have improved their ranks significantly in the second attempt.

Results for Session 2 will be announced by April 20, 2026.

Important Reminders for Future Candidates

NTA issued strong warnings about fake paper leak claims circulating on social media. Several fraudulent advertisements promised leaked question papers in exchange for money or personal information.

The agency made it clear that question papers are never shared, sold, or leaked through any platform. Students should avoid such scams that only lead to financial loss and unnecessary stress.

Candidates should only trust official NTA communications and the official website for all exam-related information.

Key Takeaways from Session 1

Session 1 taught some valuable lessons. Time management proved critical, especially in Mathematics. Students who could quickly identify which questions to attempt and which to skip performed better.

NCERT textbooks remained the foundation, particularly for Chemistry. Direct questions from NCERT rewarded thorough reading and understanding.

Class 11 concepts held significant weightage, especially in Mathematics and Physics. Students who had strong fundamentals from Class 11 found many questions manageable.

The session tested not just knowledge but also decision-making under pressure. Knowing when to move on from a difficult question was as important as solving easy ones correctly.

With Session 1 complete, students can now focus on their preparation strategy for Session 2 or prepare for JEE Advanced if they have qualified. The journey continues, but this milestone marks an important step toward engineering dreams.