The JEE Main Provisional Answer key is really important because it is released before the NTA announces the final JEE Main answer key and the JEE Main results. Students should definitely check the JEE Main Provisional Answer Key before the JEE Main final answer key comes out.
This comprehensive guide is about the JEE Main provisional answer key. Everything you need to know about the JEE Main provisional answer key. You will learn how to download the JEE Main provisional answer key. We will also explain the JEE Main answer key objection fee
for the NTA JEE Main answer key. Additionally we will provide you with dates and the marking scheme for the JEE Main provisional answer key. If you have any questions about the JEE Main provisional answer key we will answer them in the FAQs section, about the JEE Main provisional answer key.
What Is the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Provisional Answer Key?
JEE Main provisional answer key is something that the NTA makes available to the students of JEE Main. It has all the answers to the questions that were asked in the JEE Main examination. The JEE Main provisional answer key 2026 is very useful for people who took the JEE Main exam because it helps them figure out how they did on the JEE Main exam.
⬇ Download Provisional Answer Key
The provisional key is different from the final answer key because it is open for challenges. Students who find mistakes in the key can say something is wrong by paying a JEE Main answer key objection fee which is ₹200 for each question. The National Testing Agency looks at all the challenges that students send in and then they release the final answer key, which is what they use to calculate the results, for the students who took the test and this final answer key is very important for the National Testing Agency to figure out the final results.
JEE Main 2026 Answer Key Challenge Window
Challenge Duration
- 04 February 2026 to 06 February 2026
- Up to 11:50 PM
Applicable Paper
- Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech.) only
Important Dates for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 2026
Every person who is going to take the JEE Main 2026 exam should remember these dates. Here is a list of all the dates for JEE Main 2026.
| Exam Dates: | 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, and 29 January 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key Release: | 4 February, 2026 |
| Challenge Window Opens: | 4 February, 2026 |
| Challenge Window Closes: | 5 February, 2026 (11:50 PM) |
| Final Result Declaration: | 16 February, 2026 |
The challenge window remains open for a limited period of just two days. Students must submit their objections within this timeframe with proper supporting documents. Missing this deadline means accepting the provisional answers as final.
How to Download JEE Main 2026 Answer Key
Downloading the answer key from the official website is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps to access your provisional answer key and response sheet:
- To start you need to go to the NTA JEE Main website. The website is, at jeemain.nta.nic.in
- To proceed to the step you need to find the link that says “JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Provisional Answer Key”, on the main page of the website. This link is what you should be looking for.
- Click on the answer key link to proceed to the login page
- You need to enter your application number in the space given. You also have to enter your date of birth or your password. Make sure you type these details in the fields that are provided for you.
- Click on the submit button to access your personalized answer key
- Now you will see the answer key in a PDF format on your screen. It will be there with the response sheet that you filled out. The answer key PDF and your response sheet will be there, in front of you.
- Download the PDF file and save it on your device
- Take a printout for future reference and score calculation
Remember to keep your login credentials handy. The website may experience high traffic during initial hours of release, so patience is advised if you face any technical difficulties.
Understanding Your Response Sheet
The National Testing Agency also gives you the response sheet when they give you the answer key. The response sheet is like a copy of what you did during the test. It is a copy of all the answers you gave. This paper shows what you picked for each question, on the test. The response sheet has all your answers that you recorded during the examination.
Your response sheet is like a record of the answers you chose when you took the test. When you look at your response sheet and the official answer key you can see which questions you got right and which ones you got wrong. This helps you figure out your score and see how you did on each part of the test. You need to do this to make sure your score is right and to understand what you are good, at and what you need to work on with the test and your response sheet.
The response sheet also helps in case of any disputes. If you believe your answer was marked incorrectly due to technical issues, the response sheet provides concrete evidence of what you actually selected during the exam.
How to Calculate Your JEE Main 2026 Score
Figuring out your expected score using the answer key is easy if you know how the marking scheme works. The JEE Main exam has a way of giving marks and taking away marks:
For Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Correct Answer: +4 marks
- Incorrect Answer: -1 mark (negative marking)
- Unanswered Question: 0 marks
For Numerical Value Questions:
- Correct Answer: +4 marks
- Incorrect Answer: No negative marking (0 marks)
- Unanswered Question: 0 marks
The formula to figure out your score is:
Total Score = (Number of Correct Answers × 4) – (Number of Incorrect MCQs × 1)
How to Challenge the JEE Main Answer Key 2026
If you think any answer in the key is wrong you can say something about it when you have the chance. The whole process of saying something is wrong happens on the computer. You need to give good reasons why you think it is wrong with some papers to back you up. You have to do this during the time they say you can which’s the specified window, for the provisional key challenge.
Steps to Challenge the JEE Main Answer Key 2026:
Step 1: Login to the official website using your application number and password
Step 2: Navigate to the “Answer Key Challenge” section
Step 3: Look at the questions. Find the ones you want to challenge. You need to review the questions and identify the questions that you want to challenge. This is the step where you decide which questions you want to challenge. To do this you need to pick the question you want. You can do this by clicking the box that is next, to the question. This little box is called a checkbox. When you click on it you are selecting the question.
Step 5: Now you have to pick the option that you think is right from the options that’re available. You need to choose the option, from the available choices.
Step 6: Upload supporting documents as proof (combine all documents in a single PDF file)
Step 7: Save your challenge after reviewing all selections
Now we need to go to the payment section, which’s step 8. This is where we will take care of the payment. The payment section is the thing we have to do it is step 8.
Step 9: Now you have to pay a fee for the questions you are challenging. This fee is ₹200, for each question. You will not get this money back. You have to pay this -refundable processing fee of ₹200 for every question you want to challenge.
Step 10: Complete the payment through debit card, credit card, or net banking
FAQ
Q1. Is the JEE Main provisional answer key released officially?
The National Testing Agency has officially released the JEE Main provisional answer key, on the National Testing Agency website.
Q2.I want to know if I can challenge more than one question at a time?
Candidates can definitely challenge more than one question. They just have to pay the fee for each of the questions they want to challenge.
Q3. Is the challenge fee refundable?
No, the challenge fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
Q4.If my challenge is accepted what happens then?
If your challenge is found correct, NTA will revise the answer in the final answer key.
