The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exam continued on Jan 24, 2026, where a big number of students showed up for the Shift 1 (Morning) examination, which was held from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Immediately after the exam was over, initial student feedback and expert views started coming out from various examination centers across India.
Based on early feedback, the JEE Main Session 1 January 24 Shift 1 Exam Analysis suggests that the test was of moderate difficulty but quite lengthy. The exam, to a large extent, was solvable, but running out of time seemed to be the greatest difficulty, particularly for Mathematics and Physics. Chemistry, however, did not take up as much time and was more of a scoring section
JEE Main Exam January 24 Shift 1 Difficulty Level: Overall Overview
The majority of the students who took the exam in the first shift of JEE Main on January 24 rated its difficulty level as Moderate but Lengthy. The paper was not very difficult conceptually, but its time-consuming nature posed a challenge in attempting a larger number of questions with accurate solutions.
Some students stated that just Physics was almost 1 hour time-consuming and also that 5–6 minutes per Mathematics question was a lot, thus, hardly any buffer time was left.
Key Takeaways of JEE Main 2026 Session 1 January 24 Shift 1 Exam Analysis
- The overall paper was of moderate difficulty, but the length of the paper created more pressure on the students.
- Mathematics remained the most difficult and time-consuming section.
- Physics was of moderate difficulty and was calculation-heavy, along with a few conceptual twists.
- Chemistry was relatively less difficult, and the paper was less lengthy compared to other sections.
- The paper was reported to be easier than the January 23 sessions, but still very tiring and exhausting.
- The efficient management of time was the key factor that influenced the overall number of attempts.
JEE Main 2026 Shift 1 Paper Analysis: Subject-Wise Difficulty Level
Below is the JEE Main January 24 Shift 1 Subject Wise Analysis based on student responses:
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Key Focus Areas |
| Mathematics | Moderate to Tough (Lengthy) | Calculus, Algebra, Vectors |
| Physics | Moderate (Lengthy) | Optics, Modern Physics, Electricity |
| Chemistry | Easy to Moderate | Physical & Inorganic Chemistry |
| Overall | Moderate but Lengthy | Balanced but time-intensive |
JEE Main 2026 Mathematics Analysis – January 24 Shift 1
The JEE Main Mathematics January 24 Shift 1 was considered a tough section by many on account of the length of the paper, although the questions were generally quite easy. Students struggled to attempt many questions because each problem demanded detailed calculations.
Key Topics Covered:
- Calculus – Integration and Differentiation
- Algebra – Matrices, Sequences & Series
- Vectors and 3D Geometry
- Probability (moderate level)
- Coordinate Geometry (lengthy problems)
Student Feedback on Maths: “Maths was not conceptually very hard, but extremely lengthy. Choosing the right questions was very important.”
JEE Main 2026 Physics Analysis – January 24 Shift 1
The JEE Main Physics January 24 Shift 1 paper was at a level between easy and hard. It required the students to have a clear conceptual understanding and also to be very careful with the calculations. A good number of students remarked that they felt Physics took up more time than it should have.
Key Topics Covered:
- Ray Optics (Microscope, Prism)
- Modern Physics
- Current Electricity
- Potentiometer
- Units, Dimensions, and Error Analysis
JEE Main Physics Paper Review 2026 (Student Opinion): “Physics was lengthy and calculation-based. Knowing formulas alone was not enough.”
JEE Main 2026 Chemistry Analysis – January 24 Shift 1
Most of the candidates agreed that JEE Main Chemistry January 24 Shift 1 was the highest scoring section. A good part of questions was very simple and also quite familiar, thus students had time left for the more difficult sections.
Key Topics Covered:
- Physical Chemistry – Higher weightage
- Inorganic Chemistry – Coordination compounds, Salt analysis
- Statement-based questions (3–4 reported)
- Limited Organic Chemistry
Student Feedback on Chemistry: “Chemistry was manageable and balanced. Time taken was much less compared to Maths and Physics.”
JEE Main January 24 Shift 1 Student Reactions
The overall sentiment among students was mixed but stable. While many appreciated the manageable difficulty level, the length of the paper remained the biggest concern.
Common Student Reactions:
- Paper was easier than January 23 shifts
- Maths was the toughest section
- Chemistry helped increase attempts
- Physics demanded patience and accuracy
| Aspect | Student Response |
| Overall Difficulty | Moderate |
| Toughest Section | Mathematics |
| Most Scoring | Chemistry |
| Time Management | Very Challenging |
JEE Main 2026 Jan 24 Shift 1 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
| Component | Details |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Question Type | 20 MCQs + 10 NATs (Attempt any 5) per subject |
| Marking Scheme | +4 correct, −1 incorrect (MCQs), No negative for NAT |
JEE Main Exam 2026 January 24 Shift 1 Question Paper & Answer Key
| Subject | Status |
| Physics Paper & Solutions | To be Available |
| Chemistry Paper & Solutions | To be Available |
| Mathematics Paper & Solutions | To be Available |
Memory-based question papers and solutions are expected to be released by coaching institutes shortly after the exam.
How to Download JEE Main 2026 January 24 Shift 1 Question Paper Solutions?
The JEE Main 2026 January 24 shift 1 students who appeared for the test can check their memory-based question paper and answer key to estimate their score, and also see which topics they are weak in. However, one should not forget that the official question paper will not be given in the form of hard copies right after the exam to the candidates, as JEE Main is a computer-based test.
- Go to the official JEE Main website or the other authorized educational and coaching institutes’ websites.
- Find the “JEE Main 2026 January Session Question Paper & Solutions” section on the website.
- Choose January 24-Shift 1 (Morning) from the drop-down menu. Get the PDF file with the memory-based questions and the solutions.
JEE Main January 2026 Exam Review: Good Attempts & Expected Score
Based on early analysis and expert insights:
- Safe Attempts: 45–50 questions
- Good Score: 140+ marks
- 99 Percentile Expectation: ~175–180 marks
- Top Scorers: 200+ marks with high accuracy
Expected Percentile Cut-Off (Tentative):
- General: 92–94
- OBC-NCL / EWS: 78–80
- SC: 58–60
- ST: 45–48
Expert Tips for Upcoming JEE Main 2026 Shifts
- Put sections that save time, such as Chemistry at the top
- Decide on Maths problems prudently; stay away from long traps
- Give your attention to Optics, Modern Physics, and Electricity
- Go over the memory-based questions of previous shifts
- Accuracy matters more than numerous blind attempts
Conclusion
The JEE Main Session 1 January 24 Shift 1 Exam Analysis reveals that the paper judged to be of moderate difficulty was quite demanding due to its length. Students having firmly established concepts, chose questions wisely, and managed their time effectively were considerably ahead in their results. Chemistry was the highest-scoring subject, and Mathematics was still the most challenging part.
Those candidates conducting their examinations in the forthcoming shifts must deeply consider this JEE Main 2026 January 24 Shift 1 Analysis in order to adjust their playbook and get the best out of their performance.
