JEE Main 2026 Jan 28 Shift 1 Analysis: Technical Glitches in Kota, Lengthy Maths
JEE Main 2026 Jan 28 Shift 1 was overall moderate but very lengthy. Mathematics was the toughest section, while Physics and Chemistry were manageable. Significant technical glitches were reported in Kota, but affected students received compensatory time. The paper was easier than the Jan 23 Shift 2 but harder than last year’s average.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the Day 5, Shift 1 of the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exam today, January 28. While the overall paper was rated moderate, the session was marred by reports of technical glitches at several exam centres in Kota.
Despite the connectivity issues, candidates were given compensatory time, ensuring a fair chance to complete the B.E./B.Tech (Paper 1) test.
1. Technical Glitches at Kota Exam Centres
According to real-time reports from students in the coaching hub of Kota, the morning shift (9 AM – 12 PM) faced significant disruptions:
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System Freezes: Multiple candidates reported computers hanging mid-exam.
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Network Lag: Server connectivity issues delayed the loading of questions.
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NTA Response: Invigilators at affected centres confirmed that additional time was provided to all candidates who lost minutes due to these technical hurdles.
2. JEE Main 2026 Jan 28 Shift 1 Difficulty Level
The consensus among experts from Aakash, Allen, and Resonance, as well as student reactions, points to a moderate but lengthy paper.
Subject-Wise Analysis
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Key Topics Asked |
| Mathematics | Difficult & Lengthy | Vectors & 3D Geometry, Integration, Matrices, Differential Equations, Limits. |
| Physics | Moderate | Ray Optics, Electrostatics, Semiconductors, Thermodynamics, Current Electricity. |
| Chemistry | Easy to Moderate | Organic Named Reactions, Coordination Compounds, d-block, Biomolecules. |
Expert Insight: Mathematics continues to be the "rank decider" in 2026. While easier than the "toughest shift" (Jan 23 Shift 2), the Jan 28 morning shift required high-speed calculation to finish on time.
3. Sectional Highlights & Weightage
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Physics: Highly formula-based with a focus on Modern Physics and Mechanics. Several questions were direct applications of NCERT formulas.
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Chemistry: Heavily dominated by Organic Chemistry. Physical Chemistry questions were primarily confined to the Numerical Section.
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Mathematics: Stayed true to the 2026 trend of being calculation-intensive. Candidates reported struggling with Coordinate Geometry and Calculus due to the sheer length of the steps.
4. Expected Marks vs Percentile (Jan 28 Shift 1)
Based on the moderate difficulty and technical delays, here is the projected score requirement for top percentiles:
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99.9 Percentile: 228+ Marks
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99 Percentile: 170 - 175 Marks
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95 Percentile: 110 - 115 Marks