JEE Main 2026 Final Answer Key: 9 Questions Dropped, Here Is What It Means for Students
National Testing Agency has dropped 9 questions in the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 final answer key. Students from the affected shifts will get full 4 marks for each dropped question. Results are expected soon, and even a small increase in marks can change percentile and rank.
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JEE Main 2026 Final Answer Key Questions Dropped:: National Testing Agency has released the final answer key for JEE Main 2026 Session 1. There is an important update for students. A total of 9 questions have been removed from the paper after expert review. This means many candidates will get bonus marks. Since the final answer key is used to prepare the result, this change can directly affect your final score and percentile. If you appeared for the January session, here is a simple explanation of what is happening and how it may impact your rank.
JEE Main 2026 Final Answer Key PDF Download Link
Why Were 9 Questions Dropped
After the exam, NTA first releases a provisional answer key. Students can check their answers and raise objections if they think something is wrong.
Here is what happens next in simple terms:
- Students submit objections with proof.
- The questions are sent to subject experts.
- Experts check whether the objection is correct.
- Based on their decision, the final answer key is released.
For JEE Main 2026 Session 1, a total of 9 questions have been dropped from the final answer key. However, the National Testing Agency has not issued any official notification explaining the exact reason behind dropping these questions.
What Bonus Marks Will You Get
For the 9 dropped questions, every student who appeared in that particular shift will get full 4 marks. It does not matter whether you attempted that question or left it blank. You will still receive the marks. However, this benefit will apply only if the dropped question was from your shift.
For the 4 questions with multiple correct answers, students who selected any one of the correct options will get full marks. In simple words, many students may see their marks increase slightly.
Why This Small Increase Matters
JEE Main is a highly competitive exam. Even 1 or 2 extra marks can improve your percentile. Since percentile decides your All India Rank, a small score change can make a noticeable difference, especially for students aiming for top colleges. Because marks are normalized shift wise, bonus marks can slightly change percentile calculations across different sessions.
How to Check the Final Answer Key
The final answer key is available on the official website and can be downloaded without login.
Steps to follow:
- Visit jeemain.nta.nic.in
- Click on JEE Main 2026 Final Answer Key Session 1
- Open the PDF file
- Download it
- Match it with your response sheet to calculate your updated score
This will help you understand what your expected result might look like.
When Will the Result Be Announced
Now that the final answer key has been released, the Session 1 result is expected very soon on February 16, 2026. Students will be able to check their scorecard by logging in on the official website. Keep your application number and password ready to avoid any last minute problems.