Check the JEE Main Session 1 Paper analysis for Jan 21, shift 1 in this article. All the information about the difficulty level, no. of good attempts etc. is available here.
The JEE Main January 21, shift 1 exam concluded at 12 PM. As per the students' reaction, the overall exam difficulty level was moderate to difficult. Mathematics was tough and lengthy, making it the most challenging section of the paper. Most questions were formula-based and time-consuming, requiring multiple calculation steps. Physics was considered easy and scoring by most students. The JEE Main questions were mostly direct and formula-based, allowing quick solving. Chemistry was moderate.
This JEE Main exam analysis article covers all the details about the Shift 1 exam, including the difficulty level, subject-wise analysis, and the number of good attempts. The JEE Main 2026 January 21 Shift 1 Question Paper will be added to this article.
JEE Main Session 1 Question Paper 2026 – Jan 21 Shift 1
The JEE Main Jan 21 Shift 1 paper had Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics sections. There were 90 questions in total, out of which 75 were to be attempted. Each subject had 30 questions divided into Section A and Section B.
- Section A: MCQs
- Section B: Numerical value-based questions
The paper was well-structured, and questions were mostly NCERT-based. The overall difficulty level of the JEE Main January 21 Shift 1 paper was Average. The paper was well-balanced, with Physics being the easiest, Chemistry being of a moderate level, and Mathematics being the toughest and most time-consuming section. There are mixed reactions from candidates about difficiulty level of Physics and Chemistry.
The JEE Main Jan 21 shift 1 memory-based question paper with solution has been added to the PDF.
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JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 1 Question Paper |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 1 Difficulty Level – Overall
The overall difficulty level of JEE Main January 21 Shift 1, as per the students' reaction, is as follows:
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JEE Main Overall Difficulty Level |
Moderate |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 1 Subject-Wise Analysis
The JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 1 subject-wise detailed analysis has been added below:
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JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 1 |
Difficulty Level |
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Physics |
Moderate |
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Chemistry |
Moderate |
|
Biology |
Difficult |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 1 Physics Analysis
The JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 1 Physics paper analysis, including the overall nature, question type, difficulty level, and important topics are added below:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Overall Nature | Moderate and scoring section |
| Question Type | Mostly direct, formula-based questions |
| Numerical Level | Moderate, More calculations |
| Concept Source | Largely NCERT-based (Class 12 dominance) |
| Difficulty Level | Moderate to Difficult |
| Good Attempts | 20–22 questions (out of 25 in Physics) |
JEE Main Physics Important Topics Asked
- Current Electricity
- Mechanics
- Modern Physics
- Optics
- Thermodynamics
JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 1 Chemistry Analysis
The JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 1 Chemistry paper analysis, including the overall nature, question type, difficulty level, and important topics are added below:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Overall Nature | Easy to Moderate |
| Question Type | Mostly NCERT-based, mix of Inorganic (more) and Organic (difficult) |
| Numerical Level | Moderate (some calculations in Physical Chemistry, mostly theory in Inorganic) |
| Concept Source | NCERT Textbook and Class 11–12 concepts |
| Difficulty Level | Easy (Inorganic), Moderate to Difficult (Organic) |
| Good Attempts | 18 |
JEE Main Chemistry Important Topics Asked
- Mole COncept
- Coordination
- Chemical Bonding
JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 1 Mathematics Analysis
The JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 1 Mathematics paper analysis, including the overall nature, question type, difficulty level, and important topics, is added below:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Overall Nature | Moderate and Time-Consuming |
| Question Type | Formula-based, Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, Algebra, Vectors, Trigonometry |
| Numerical Level | Moderate to Tough (mostly lengthy, time-consuming problems) |
| Concept Source | Class 11–12 NCERT, standard formulas |
| Difficulty Level | Tough to Moderate |
| Good Attempts | 14 |
JEE Main Mathematics Important Topics Asked
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Calculus
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Coordinate Geometry
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Algebra
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Vectors and 3D Geometry
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Trigonometry
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Probability and Statistics
JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 1 Topic Weightage & Trends
The JEE Main 2026 shift one held on January 21 was of moderate and was moderate and time-consuming overall. Analysing the topic-wise weightage and trends will help the candidates appearing for future shifts on what areas to focus on and plan their preparation strategies for.
Mathematics
The mathematics section was the most time-consuming. Out of 25 questions, 10-11 questions were from calculus and coordinate geometry, 4-5 questions were from algebra, and some of the other questions were from vectors and trigonometry. The vectors and trigonometry questions were tricky.
JEE Main Mathematics Trends
- Most of the questions were from calculus and coordinate geometry, which means focusing on higher topics is very important during the preparation.
- Questions from algebra were moderately difficult and mostly formula-based.
- Vectors and trigonometry are important topics for conceptual clarity.
Good Attempts: Around 14 questions.
Difficulty Level: Tough to Moderate.
Physics
Physics was considered easy to moderate. Most of the questions were formula-based. Around 4 questions were asked about current electricity. 3 questions were asked about optics. Some other questions were from mechanics and modern physics.
JEE Main Physics Trends
- The numerical and concept based question asked in the exam were mainly from class 12 NCERT topics.
- Students who practiced and revised the derivations and formula application found the physics part easy and most scoring.
Good Attempts: 15 questions
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Tough
Chemistry
The chemistry subject in the JEE Main exam was totally NCERT-based. Inorganic chemistry dominates the exam paper. The organic chemistry questions were comparatively tricky. And some moderate type numericals were asked from the physical chemistry.
JEE Main Chemistry Trends
- Inorganic chemistry dominated the exam, highlighting the importance of NCERT theory.
- Organic chemistry requires an understanding of reaction mechanisms and structures
Good Attempts: 18 questions
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
JEE Main Jan 21 Shift 1 Good Attempt
The JEE Main expected number of good attempts is as follows.
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Overall Good Attempts: 40–45 questions
(Maths: 14, Physics: 15, Chemistry: 18) -
Score Range: 160-180 scores.
JEE Main Good Attempts vs Marks vs Percentile PDF
This PDF explains how good attempts in JEE Main translate into expected marks and percentile, helping you to assess your performance, predict results, and plan admission strategies accurately.
| JEE Main Good Attempts vs Marks vs Percentile PDF | Download PDF |
Overall, the JEE Main 2026 January 21 shift 1 paper was moderate to difficult. Physics and chemistry were manageable and scoring specially for students who had strong NCERT preparation. Mathematics was lengthy and time-consuming because of some difficult, formula-based questions. Based on the students' reactions, there were around 40-45 good attempts in all three subjects. Which, if acquired by candidates, can help them get a good score in the JEE Main exam. Candidates appearing for future shifts must focus on NCERT preparation. Time management skills for solving lengthy mathematical formula-based questions and choosing questions smartly in the exam will help maximise your scores.
