The National Testing Agency (NTA) concluded Shift 1 of the Joint Entrance Test in Engineering (JEE) Main 2026 at 12 PM. The expert analysis indicates that the overall difficulty level was moderate, with higher shift-wise variation than in 2025 and a difficulty level comparable to 2024–25, making normalisation important across shifts.
Sharing an overall paper review, Ujjwal Singh, Founding CEO, Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya, said, “What stood out in JEE Main Session 1 of 2026 was its intent to measure learning maturity. The paper consistently challenged students to prioritise judgement over speed, deciding where to invest time, which questions to leave, and how to balance accuracy with effort. It wasn’t about knowing more, but about thinking better under exam conditions.”
Mathematics emerged as the key differentiator, with lengthy and calculation-heavy questions testing time management and accuracy. Chemistry was the most scoring section, strongly NCERT-based and largely direct. Physics ranged from easy to moderate, turning tougher in some shifts due to a mix of conceptual and numerical questions.
Shifts such as 22 Jan (Shift 2), 23 Jan (Shifts 1 & 2), and 28 Jan (Shift 2) were among the toughest, driven mainly by Maths and select Physics questions.
Overall, JEE Main 2026 tested students’ ability to manage variability, apply concepts under time pressure, and perform consistently across shifts.
Shift 2 to Conclude at 6 PM, Paper Review Soon
Meanwhile, JEE Mains 2026 shift 2 will end at 6 PM. Following that, we will share a section-wise and overall paper review.
Check JEE Main 2025 Jan 28 Shift 1, 2 Analysis
