JEE Main Answer Key 2026: Direct Link. Steps to Download

The JEE Main 2026 exam is an important national-level exam for aspirants looking for admission in top engineering courses. JEE Main acts as a gateway for top engineering colleges like IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. After the JEE Main exam is conducted, the candidates start looking for the JEE Main answer key. 

The JEE Main Answer Key 2026 is one of the most-awaited releases for you if you are preparing for the JEE Main exam. It not only helps you assess your performance but also helps you get an idea of your expected cutoff. In this article, you can check the information on the JEE Main Session 1 Answer Key and Solutions, and the JEE Main Session 2 Answer Key and Solutions. 

When Will the JEE Main 2026 Answer Key be Released?

The JEE Main 2026 answer key is released after the completion of every session. The answer key for the session 1 exam, which will be conducted in January, will be released a few days after the exam concludes, i.e, around the first and second week of February. For Session 2, usually held in April, the answer key will follow a similar timeline to release, in April third or fourth week.

After the release of the JEE Main answer Key 2026, the Answer key links will be added in the table below:

Read More: JEE Main Exam Dates 2026

How Can I Download the Official JEE Main 2026 Answer Key?

The JEE Main answer key 2026 for sessions 1 and 2 will be released in February and April 2026, respectively. After the release of the answer key, it will be made available to download on the official website by the authorities. You can download the JEE Main 2026 answer key by following these steps.

Step 1: Visit the JEE Main Official Website.

Step 2: Log in to your Account using your application number and password.

Step 3: Find the Answer Key Section, look for the link titled “JEE Main Answer Key 2026.”

Step 4: Click on the link to download the answer key for Session 1 or Session 2. The answer key will be available in PDF format for easy download. 

Read More: Minimum JEE Main 2026 Rank Required for NIT Durgapur

JEE Main Answer Key 2026 Session 1 PDF

The JEE Main Session 1 answer key 2026 will be made available soon after the JEE Main January exam concludes, in PDF form. After the exam concludes, the provisional answer key will be released. You can download the provisional answer key to tally it with your response sheet. This will give you an estimated score you will acquire in the exam..

If any discrepancy is noticed in the JEE Main provisional answer key, you can raise an objection to the provisional answer key. The final answer key will be released after the objections have been reviewed, and the results will be calculated accordingly.

JEE Main Answer Key 2026 Session 2 PDF

The JEE Main Session 2 answer key 2026 will be released in April third week. The Session 2 answer key will also be released in a PDF form.

The JEE session 2 answer key can be downloaded by following the same steps as those of session 1. There will be an objection window available for session 2 as well, after reviewing which the final answer key will be released on the official website of NTA. 

How to Calculate Score Using the JEE Main Answer Key 2026?

After the release of the JEE Main answer key, the next step is to calculate the JEE Main scores. The JEE Main estimated scores can be calculated form the answer key, by the official marking scheme:

JEE Main Marking Scheme:

• Correct Answer: +4 marks
• Incorrect Answer: -1 mark
• Unanswered Question: 0 marks

Steps to Calculate Your Score:

1. Count the Correct Answers: Calculate how many answers you marked correctly and multiply that by 4 (the positive marking).
2. Count the Incorrect Answers: For each incorrect answer, deduct 1 mark.
3. Unanswered Questions: Ignore unanswered questions, as they do not affect your score.

Steps to Challenge JEE Main Provisional Answer Key 2026 

Before the release of the JEE Main final answer key,  the provisional answer key is released. NTA allows you to raise objections to the provisional answer key if there is any discrepancy in it. You can raise objections to the provisional answer key by following these steps

Step 1. Log in to Your Account: Visit the NTA JEE Main website and log in using your application number and password.

Step 2. Access the Answer Key: Navigate to the section where the provisional answer key is posted.

Step 3. Select the Question: Choose the question you believe to be incorrect and provide the correct answer.

Step 4. Pay the Fee: A small fee is required for each question challenged 

Step 5. Submit the Challenge: After reviewing the answers, submit your objection. You will receive an acknowledgment for your challenge.

Check This: JEE Main Counselling 2026

JEE Main 2026 Answer Key Challenge Fee  

To challenge the provisional answer key, NTA has decided to charge a minimum fee to object.

The fee for challenging the questions is typically INR 200 per question. This fee must be paid online through the portal during the objection process. If the challenge is found to be valid, the fee is refunded. However, if the challenge is found to be incorrect, the fee is non-refundable. Steps to Pay the Challenge Fee are as follows:

1. Select the questions you wish to challenge.
2. Follow the prompts to make the payment using a debit card, credit card, or other available methods.
3. Submit the challenge after completing the payment.

Read More: JEE Main Cutoff 2026

Documents Required to Support JEE Main Answer Key Challenge

To support your objection, a list of documents needs to be submitted once you raise the objection to the provisional answer key. These documents may include:

1. Reference material: A book or study material needs to be submitted to prove your objection.
2. Official Sources: Any official document proving the alternative solution.
3. Reasoning: A brief explanation of why the proposed answer is incorrect and how the correct answer is obtained.

What Is the Process After the Final Answer Key is Released?

Once the final answer key for JEE Main 2026 is released, the JEE Main result will be released by NTA on the basis of the answer key. After the final answer key release, the following process will take place:

• Release of Results: Based on the final answer key, NTA will declare your JEE Main results. The result will be released in scorecard form. The scorecard will contain your scores and your rank.
• JEE Advanced Eligibility: If you meet the JEE Main cutoff criteria, you can appear for the JEE Advanced exam.
• Admission to the Colleges: The final process after the JEE Main answer key 2026 will be participating in the counselling process and getting admission to the colleges. 

JEE Main 2026 answer key plays an important role in analysing your performance in the JEE Main exam even before the release of the JEE Main result 2026. From downloading the answer key, calculating your score, to challenging the provisional answers, this document plays an important role in the overall examination process. Follow the correct steps and instructions to check and download the JEE Main answer key 2026.