How to Study Inorganic Chemistry for JEE Main 2026: Best Preparation Tips & Topic-Wise Strategy

Let’s be honest, when most students hear Inorganic Chemistry, the first reaction is usually a deep sigh. But here’s the truth: Inorganic Chemistry is one of the easiest sections to score in JEE Main, once you understand how to approach it. You don’t “solve” it, you remember it, revise it, and connect the dots. It’s less about grinding through problems and more about building patterns in your head.

If you’re preparing for the JEE Main exam 2026, this guide will show you how to study Inorganic Chemistry efficiently, topic by topic, month by month, without losing your sanity.

JEE Main 2026 Inorganic Chemistry Study Guide Overview

Inorganic Chemistry might not seem exciting at first glance, but it’s one of the most scoring and predictable parts of JEE Main 2026. Unlike Physical or Organic Chemistry, there’s no lengthy math or tricky mechanism, just clear facts, trends, and patterns. The key lies in understanding why elements behave the way they do, not just memorising blindly. A smart approach is small, consistent study sessions, quick recaps, and daily fact revision. This can easily turn this section into a guaranteed score booster. If you plan and revise right, Inorganic Chemistry can be your easiest way to secure marks in the JEE Main 2026.

Why Inorganic Chemistry is Important for JEE Main 2026

Inorganic Chemistry often feels like the “memory game” of JEE prep, but it’s actually one of the most scoring sections in the entire paper. Unlike lengthy numerical problems in Physics or tricky mechanisms in Organic, Inorganic questions are direct and factual; you either know them or you don’t.

Here’s why it’s so important:

• Around 30–35% of the Chemistry section is Inorganic every year.
• Questions are mostly concept- or memory-based, which means high accuracy if you revise well.
• NCERT covers almost everything you need; no need for complex books.
• It’s time-efficient,  most questions can be answered in under a minute.
• Acts as a rank booster when other sections feel lengthy.

Inorganic rewards consistent revision and careful reading. Students who spend 15–20 minutes daily revising NCERT often score higher than those who cram it all at the end. Treat it as your “guaranteed marks” section, the part that saves your score when other areas get tricky.

Step-by-Step Strategy to Study Inorganic Chemistry for JEE Main 2026

Inorganic Chemistry can feel overwhelming at first: too many facts, names, and exceptions. But with a structured strategy, it becomes simple and manageable.

Here’s a step-by-step plan:

1. Start with NCERT. Read every line, highlight definitions, reactions, and periodic trends.
2. Understand, don’t memorize blindly. Try to connect properties to electronic configuration or atomic structure.
3. Make topic-wise notes. Keep short lists for periodic trends, oxidation states, and coordination numbers.
4. Create flashcards for elements and reactions, they help during revision.
5. Solve past JEE questions right after finishing each chapter.
6. Revisit weak areas weekly. Regular revision prevents forgetting.
7. Take short quizzes to check retention.

Breaking your study into small, consistent chunks is more effective than long, random study sessions. Inorganic is about frequency, not duration: 20 minutes every day beats 3 hours once a week.

Best Books and Resources for JEE Main 2026 Inorganic Chemistry Preparation

You don’t need ten books for Inorganic Chemistry, just a few quality resources and consistent revision.

Here’s what actually works:

• NCERT (Class 11 & 12) — Read it multiple times. Most JEE Main questions come straight from here.
• J.D. Lee (Concise Inorganic Chemistry) – Use only for understanding concepts, not memorizing. Great for clarity on complex topics.
• VK Jaiswal (Arihant Series) – Ideal for practice after finishing NCERT. Has topic-wise objective questions.
• Previous Year JEE Papers – The best tool to understand patterns and frequently asked areas.
• Coaching Notes or PW/Disha Handbooks – Use them for quick recap summaries and tricky exceptions.

Pro tip: Don’t jump into reference books before mastering NCERT. Even toppers stick to NCERT for 80% of their prep.

Chapter-Wise Weightage for JEE Main 2026 Inorganic Chemistry

Here is the chapter-wise weightage for JEE Main 2026 Inorganic Chemistry:

How to Revise Inorganic Chemistry Effectively for JEE Main 2026?

Revision is everything in Inorganic Chemistry as without it, facts fade fast. Here’s a practical approach that works:

• Divide chapters into small clusters: p-block, d-block, Coordination Compounds, etc.
• Revise from your own notes, not the textbook. Condensed notes help recall faster.
• Use color codes: highlight exceptions in one color and periodic trends in another.
• Practice recall. Cover your notes and try to write everything you remember.
• Do daily 10-minute micro-revision: revise one topic before bed.
• Attempt past year question sets weekly. This keeps your mind exam-ready.
• Focus heavily on NCERT diagrams and tables — they’re often directly tested.

Instead of reading passively, quiz yourself. Active recall is the difference between recognizing facts and truly knowing them.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in JEE Main Inorganic Chemistry Preparation 2026

Many students lose easy marks in Inorganic because of avoidable mistakes. Don’t repeat these:

• Skipping NCERT lines. Every sentence matters. Even side notes can turn into questions.
• Relying only on coaching material. They’re helpful, but never a substitute for NCERT.
• Ignoring exceptions. These appear in at least 2–3 questions every paper.
• Not revising regularly. Cramming before exams doesn’t work for memory-heavy subjects.
• Confusing trends. Always understand why trends occur — don’t just memorize order.
• Neglecting diagrams and tables. Questions often come directly from them.

Inorganic Chemistry Short Notes and Tricks for JEE Main 2026

When revision time is short, smart notes make all the difference. Here’s how to make yours:

• Use tables for trends — atomic size, ionization energy, electron affinity.
• List key exceptions. For example: “Boron behaves differently from its group.”
• Use mnemonics. Like “BANGALORE” for remembering periodic groups.
• Highlight oxidation states and color of compounds.
• Add reaction summaries: one-liners like Cu²⁺ + NH₃ → deep blue complex.
• Write one formula per line for easy scanning.

Tricks that help:

• Elements in the same group show similar behavior — learn by comparison.
• Link reactions to oxidation states — it makes recall faster.
• Avoid memorizing randomly; always connect properties logically.

Keep your notes short, colorful, and visual because that’s how your brain remembers faster.

Topic-Wise Study Plan for JEE Main 2026 Inorganic Chemistry

Here’s a smart weekly plan to complete and revise Inorganic efficiently:

Week 1–2:

• Periodic Table and Periodicity
• Chemical Bonding

Week 3–4:

• s-block and p-block Elements (Group 1–14)

Week 5:

• Hydrogen and its Compounds
• Environmental Chemistry (light reading)

Week 6:

• Coordination Compounds
• Metallurgy

Week 7:

• d-block and f-block Elements

Week 8:

• Complete Revision + PYQ practice

Tips:

• Study one topic from Inorganic daily for 30–45 minutes.
• Keep revising older topics alongside new ones.
• Practice 10 MCQs per topic after reading.
• End each week with a short test.

Following this plan ensures full coverage with minimal stress.

Last-Month Strategy for JEE Main 2026 Inorganic Chemistry

The final month before JEE is for recall, not new learning. Follow this plan:

• Week 1: Revise all periodic trends, oxidation states, and basic principles.
• Week 2: Focus on p-block and Coordination Compounds.
• Week 3: Solve PYQs from 2019–2024 — they repeat patterns often.
• Week 4: Do mock tests and revise only your short notes.

Extra Tips:

• Don’t touch on new topics.
• Spend 20–30 minutes daily revising NCERT tables.
• Revise color, shape, and formula-based facts daily — they’re easy scoring.
• Use weekends for full-syllabus revision tests.

This month should feel like recap mode, not panic mode.

Time Management Tips for JEE Main 2026 Inorganic Chemistry Section

In JEE, every minute counts. Here’s how to manage your time for Inorganic:

• Daily: 30 minutes of revision, one topic at a time.
• Weekly: 1 hour for mock practice or PYQs.
• During exam: Attempt Inorganic first — it’s quick and builds confidence.
• Spend less than 25 minutes on all Chemistry questions total.
• Skip lengthy calculation-based problems early on.

Remember: Inorganic isn’t about thinking, it’s about remembering. The faster you recall, the more time you save for tougher sections. Moreover, practice quick recall. Reading a question should instantly trigger the fact. That’s your edge.

Expert Tips to Score High in JEE Main 2026 Inorganic Chemistry

Here’s what toppers and teachers consistently advise:

• Read NCERT line-by-line — multiple times.
• Mark every exception separately.
• Create a “fact sheet” — a one-page summary for last-minute revision.
• Mix topics while revising to test your memory connections.
• Use flashcards for visual recall (great for colors, formulas, oxidation states).
• Do PYQs twice: once topic-wise, once as full mocks.
• Stay consistent. 15–20 minutes daily adds up to hours of mastery.

FAQs on JEE Main 2026 Inorganic Chemistry Study Plan

1. Is NCERT enough for Inorganic Chemistry in JEE Main 2026?

Pretty much, yes. Most JEE Main Inorganic questions come straight from the NCERT lines or examples. Just make sure you’ve read it properly — not skimmed. Highlight key facts, note exceptions, and revise them often. A quick glance before the exam can help you recall details instantly.

2. How should I revise Inorganic Chemistry?

Revise little and often. Go through your notes or NCERT every two weeks, then do rapid-fire reviews before the exam. Flashcards and short notes work wonders.

3. Which chapters are most important?

Focus on p-block, Coordination Compounds, and Periodic Trends — they’re the marks-heavy zones. The rest, revise smartly.