The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exam, conducted on January 28, followed a familiar NTA blueprint in both shifts. No out-of-syllabus shocks. No pattern twists. Yet, the experience across Shift 1 (Morning) and Shift 2 (Evening) was not identical. One shift leaned on balance. The other leaned on endurance.
This combined JEE Main 2026 January 28 Exam Analysis compares both shifts side by side difficulty level, subject-wise trends, student reactions, and scoring potential. So, aspirants can get a clear, grounded picture of how the paper actually played out.
What this analysis covers
- Overall difficulty comparison (Shift 1 vs Shift 2)
- Subject-wise difficulty and question nature
- Student reactions from exam centres
- Good attempts and expected score range
- Key takeaways for upcoming shifts and sessions
Overall Difficulty Level: JEE Main 2026 January 28 Exam Analysis Shift-wise Comparison
| Shift | Overall Difficulty | Core Character |
| Shift 1 (9 AM – 12 PM) | Moderate | Balanced paper, Maths lengthy |
| Shift 2 (3 PM – 6 PM) | Moderate | Maths-heavy, time pressure |
Verdict: Both shifts were moderate in overall difficulty and aligned closely with the NTA pattern seen throughout Session 1. Shift 1 felt more balanced across subjects, while Shift 2 demanded sharper time management due to a tougher Mathematics section.
JEE Main 2026 January 28 Exam Analysis: Subject-wise Difficulty Comparison
Mathematics
| Shift | Difficulty | Nature of Questions |
| Shift 1 | Moderate & Lengthy | Calculation-heavy, multi-step |
| Shift 2 | Moderate to Tough | Long problems, time-consuming |
Insight: Mathematics was the defining section on January 28. In both shifts, question selection mattered more than brute attempts. Shift 2 felt tougher because lengthy calculations reduced overall attempts.
Physics
| Shift | Difficulty | Nature of Questions |
| Shift 1 | Moderate | Conceptual + numerical |
| Shift 2 | Moderate | Application-based numericals |
Common Topics: Mechanics, Current Electricity, Thermodynamics, Optics, Modern Physics
Insight: Physics rewarded conceptual clarity. Formula memorisation alone wasn’t enough. Students with strong fundamentals managed this section comfortably in both shifts.
Chemistry
| Shift | Difficulty | Nature of Questions |
| Shift 1 | Easy to Moderate | NCERT-based |
| Shift 2 | Moderate | NCERT-driven, theory-focused |
Common Topics: Chemical Bonding, Coordination Compounds, Physical Chemistry basics, Organic fundamentals
Insight: Chemistry remained the most scoring subject on January 28. NCERT familiarity played a decisive role, especially for students aiming to balance time lost in Mathematics.
Student Reactions: JEE Main 2026 January 28 Exam Analysis Shift 1 vs Shift 2
| Aspect | Shift 1 | Shift 2 |
| Overall Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate |
| Toughest Section | Mathematics | Mathematics |
| Most Scoring Section | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Time Pressure | Manageable | High |
| Comparison with Earlier Days | Similar to Jan 22 | Easier than Jan 23 |
What students consistently said:
- Chemistry helped stabilise attempts
- Maths needed smart selection
- Physics tested understanding, not memory
Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme (Both Shifts)
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
- Questions per Subject: 20 MCQs + 10 NATs (Attempt any 5)
- Marking Scheme:
- +4 for correct answers
- −1 for incorrect MCQs
- No negative marking for NATs
Good Attempts & Expected Score Range (Indicative)
| Metric | Expected Range |
| Safe Attempts | 48–55 questions |
| Good Score | 145–160 marks |
| 99 Percentile Zone | ~170–185 marks |
| Top Scores | 200+ with strong accuracy |
Final cut-offs will depend on normalisation across shifts.
Day-wise & Shift-wise Comparison (At a Glance)
| Date | Shift | Overall Difficulty | Physics | Chemistry | Mathematics | Core Challenge |
| Jan 21 | Shift 1 | Moderate | Easy–Moderate | Easy | Tough | Lengthy Maths |
| Shift 2 | Easy–Moderate | Easy | Easy–Moderate | Tough & Lengthy | Time management | |
| Jan 22 | Shift 1 | Easy–Moderate | Time-consuming | Easy | Moderate | Speed vs accuracy |
| Shift 2 | Moderate | Balanced | Conceptual | Moderate | Concept clarity | |
| Jan 23 | Shift 1 | Moderate–Tough | Moderate | Lengthy | Tough | Mental stamina |
| Shift 2 | Moderate–Hard | Tough (Advanced-like) | Statement-based | Moderate | Endurance + calculations | |
| Jan 24 | Shift 1 | Moderate | Lengthy | Scoring | Lengthy | Sustained speed |
| Shift 2 | Moderate & Lengthy | Scoring | Tough & calculation-heavy | Lengthy | Fatigue control | |
| Jan 28 | Shift 1 | Moderate | Conceptual | Scoring | Lengthy | Balance under time pressure |
| Shift 2 | Moderate | Conceptual | Scoring | Tough & lengthy | Smart selection |
Download JEE Main 2026 January 28 Question Papers & Solutions by Aakash
Since JEE Main is conducted in CBT mode, official papers are not released immediately. Aakash provides memory-based question papers with detailed expert solutions for accurate self-evaluation.
How to download:
- Visit Aakash’s exam analysis or digital learning section
- Open JEE Main 2026 January Session – Question Papers & Solutions
- Select January 28 – Shift 1 or Shift 2
- Download subject-wise PDFs for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
These solutions focus on approach, time strategy, and accuracy, not just final answers.
What January 28 Teaches Future Aspirants
- Don’t underestimate length in moderate papers
- NCERT remains non-negotiable for Chemistry
- Maths rewards selection, not over-attempting
- Physics needs understanding, not shortcuts
- Accuracy matters more than raw attempts due to normalisation
Final Takeaway
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 January 28 exam stayed true to NTA’s steady approach: predictable structure, moderate difficulty, and high emphasis on time management. Shift 1 rewarded balance. Shift 2 tested patience.
For students with clear fundamentals and disciplined execution, both shifts offered enough room to score well. Stay calm. Choose wisely. Trust your preparation.
FAQs
Q1. Was JEE Main January 28 an easy paper?
No. Both shifts were moderate. The challenge came from length and calculations, especially in Mathematics.
Q2. Which shift was tougher on January 28?
Shift 2 felt slightly tougher due to a more time-consuming Maths section.
Q3. Which subject was the most scoring?
Chemistry, in both shifts, thanks to NCERT-based questions.
Q4. Does shift difficulty affect final results?
No. Normalisation ensures fairness across all shifts.
Q5. How should students use this analysis?
To improve time management, refine question selection, and understand evolving exam trends.
