JEE Main 2026 January 21 Answer Key – Shift 1 & 2 Paper Review

Shift 1 and Shift 2 of JEE Main 2026, Session 1, took place on January 21, 2026. Numerous students registered and participated in the exam. It is administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and serves as an entry-level exam for the NITs, IIITs, JEE Advanced, and other top Indian Engineering Colleges.

The exam’s first day drew a flurry of comments on participants’ time management, overall structure, and exam difficulty. Based on the input that students and a few subject matter experts provided, please find below a thorough review of both shifts on January 21.

JEE Main Overview of the Morning Shift (Shift 1)

The first shift took place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. as JEE Main 2026 students from the various disciplines took questions in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

This shift is considered moderate in difficulty by many participants. Of the three subjects tested, Mathematics is noted to have taken the most time. Some participants felt that a substantial number of Multi-Step questions, requiring calculations and detailed reading, contributed to the time lost at each question in the section.

Students found Physics to be conceptually balanced and considered it to be similar to last year’s papers. Students found Chemistry to contain tricky conceptual questions that required more of an understanding of the material rather than rote memorization. They found accuracy and time management to be key factors in the successful completion of the paper.

JEE Main Afternoon Shift (shift 2) Overview

The second shift ran from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Students felt that this shift was easier than the morning shift, although the paper structures remained the same.

Students described Physics and Chemistry as more straightforward, and thanked familiar question patterns. Again, Mathematics took time but students who practiced a lot felt they could do more.

They felt that with good time management, they could achieve a lot.

JEE Main Difficulty Level – Section WiseOverall

The morning and evening shift was moderately to moderately difficult

• They described Mathematics as long with a lot of complex calculations.
• They praised Physics as one that tested understanding rather than rote formula memorization.
• They described Chemistry as having a good balance of theory with numbers and was conceptual in an interesting way.

The balance of cross-subjects meant that well-prepared students could show their knowledge, while carelessness could score lower.

Memory-Based Solutions and Answer Keys

Memory-based questions and solutions were created and based on answer keys created by experts and coaching centers. These answer keys helped students approximate their score and evaluate their performance before the NTA released their answer key.

While the solutions provided are useful for estimating your score, candidates are encouraged to wait for the NTA answer key to score their paper and raise challenges to obtain y final scores.

Student Reactions from the Exam Venues

Reactions and feedback are provided by students after every exam.

• The morning group appeared to contain more questions requiring calculation.
• The afternoon group seemed to have questions in Physics and Chemistry that were easier.
• Mathematics posed questions requiring strategic time management in both groups.
• Some questions posed more Chemistry concepts than were anticipated, and more than were expected.

These responses are useful for future candidates in subsequent shifts, as they illustrate what to expect.

Advice Regarding The Classifications of Paper Leaks

During the exam period, social media was filled with the claim that papers were leaked. The authorities have confirmed that these breaches do not exist, and the students are asked not believe these sources that are not from the internet. It is better for candidates to wait for official announcements and educational platforms that are trusted.

What’s Next After JEE Main?

The JEE Main January session continues on other dates. After the conclusion of the shifts, NTA will post the official answer key. The result will be declared in early February 2026.

From these analyses, students can make any necessary adjustments to their preparation for the upcoming shifts or settle their minds in anticipation of the results and the subsequent counselling process.

Conclusion

The JEE Main 2026 January 21 Shift 1 & 2 exams laid down a balanced tone for the session, testing conceptual understanding and the ability to manage time. No section was particularly tough, but it was the strategic and accurate approach to the questions that set the performance level across the board.

With the available answer keys and analyses, candidates can see where they stand and focus on the next steps in their journey to the engineering entrance.