
JEE Main 2026 Question Paper 23 January Shift 1 Analysis: The National Testing Agency (NTA) successfully conducted the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 examination for 23 January Shift 1 in computer-based test (CBT) mode. The paper consisted of 75 questions carrying a total of 300 marks, evenly divided among Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
Based on initial student feedback, the JEE Main 23 Jan 2026 Shift 1 question paper review indicates that the exam followed the standard NTA pattern. Candidates appearing in earlier sessions, including the JEE Main 23 January Shift 1 exam, also reported a similar structure, suggesting consistency in the exam format across shifts.
Also Check: JEE Main Session 1 Exam Analysis 2026
JEE Main is a national-level engineering entrance exam conducted twice a year. Each shift follows a fixed structure, allowing candidates three hours to attempt 75 questions online. Performance in JEE Main plays a crucial role in admission to NITs, IIITs, and other engineering institutions across India.
| JEE Main 2026 - 23 January Shift 1 Question Paper Overview | |
| Exam Name | Joint Entrance Examination (Main) – 2026 |
| Authority Name | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Date | 23 January 2026 |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours (180 Minutes) |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Total Questions | 75 Questions (25 per subject) |
| Total Marks | 300 Marks |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for Correct Answer; -1 for Incorrect Answer; 0 for Unattempted |
| Official Website | jeemain.nta.nic.in |
The JEE Main 2026 January 23 Shift 1 paper was rated overall as moderate and calculative. Based on early student reactions, the Physics section was considered easy to moderate, focusing largely on direct formula application and basic concepts. Chemistry was moderate, with questions aligned to the syllabus and concept-based in nature. Mathematics was found to be lengthy, requiring more time due to calculation-heavy and multi-step problems. The exam followed the standard CBT format, and a consolidated difficulty assessment will be updated after analysing broader student feedback.
| Overall Difficulty Level of JEE Main 2026 – 23 January Shift 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Subject | Difficulty level | Topics asked |
| Maths | Moderate and challenging | Vectors & 3D, Matrices, Conic Sections, and Sequence Series |
| Physics | Moderate, a few questions were Calculative | de-broglie, ray optics, modern physics, electrostatics, magnetic effects of current, wave optics, capacitor, semiconductors |
| Chemistry | Moderate and Lengthy | d block, chemical kinetics, more weightage was given to organic chemistry |
| Overall | Moderate and Lengthy | |
A detailed section-wise analysis for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics for JEE Main 23 January 2026 Shift 1 will be updated after proper verification. The subject-wise review will focus on topic coverage, question patterns, and relative difficulty levels.
The Physics section of JEE Main 2026 January 23 Shift 1 was generally rated moderate by candidates. The paper included a noticeable number of statement-based and concept-driven questions, requiring strong theoretical understanding and careful interpretation. Several numerical problems involved lengthy calculations, which increased the time requirement for this section. Overall, the section followed the JEE Main exam pattern, remained syllabus-aligned, and offered a balanced difficulty level without unexpected surprises.
The Chemistry section was moderate in difficulty. Questions were concept-driven, with almost equal weightage given to Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry. Very few questions were directly based on NCERT lines, making conceptual understanding and application more important than rote learning. Overall, the section tested core concepts, clarity, and analytical thinking, rather than straightforward recall.
Also Check: JEE Main 2026 23 January Shift 1 Chemistry Exam Analysis
The Mathematics section emerged as the most challenging part of this shift. The paper was lengthy and demanded strong time management due to long calculations and multi-step questions. Calculus and 3D Geometry carried major weightage, increasing the difficulty level. Accuracy, speed, and conceptual clarity were crucial to perform well in this section.
Also Check: JEE Main 2026 23 Jan Shift 1 Mathematics Exam Analysis
The JEE Main 2026 Jan 23 Shift 1 paper covered a balanced mix of high-weightage and core syllabus topics across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Questions focused on conceptual understanding, formula application, and problem-solving skills in line with the latest NTA pattern.
Also Check: JEE Main Session 1 Question Paper 2026
Vectors & 3D Geometry
Conic Sections
Matrices & Determinants
Sequence & Series
Integration
Limits & Continuity
Straight Line & Circle
Probability
Quadratic Equations
Based on the updated analysis, the JEE Main 2026 January 23 Shift 1 paper has now been compared with other Session 1 shifts conducted on nearby dates. The comparison indicates a largely consistent difficulty level across shifts, aligning with the standard NTA pattern. This shift-wise evaluation supports the normalisation process and ensures fairness in score calculation among candidates from different exam sessions.
The 23 January Shift 1 paper reflects NTA’s ongoing focus on conceptual understanding and balanced difficulty. Analysing this shift can help aspirants track exam trends, identify key topics, and fine-tune their preparation strategy—without drawing early conclusions about cut-offs or scores.
This analysis was drawn from student feedback and reviews post-exam, capturing real insights on question patterns, difficulty levels, and surprises. It highlights key trends for your JEE Main 2026 prep, like high-weightage topics and common pitfalls to sharpen your strategy and boost scores.