Easiest Shift of JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam: Shift Wise Paper Analysis

JEE Main January 2026 Shift Wise Analysis

JEE Main January 2026 is being held in various shifts, and each shift differs in terms of difficulty. A lot of students are asking which shift might be easier or score higher. It is important to know the easiest JEE Main 2026 session 1 shift. Here, we will give a thorough shift wise analysis with the help of the question patterns, difficulty levels, and subject wise insights to understand the performance of each shift and easiest shift of jee mains 2026. As of now, Jan 21 and 22 both shifts and Jan 23 shift 1 is over.

JEE Main 2026 Jan 23 Shift 1 and 2

Here we are sharing the exam analysis for January 23 shift 1 as it is over now:

1. Physics

• The overall difficulty level of the Physics paper was easy.

• The overall difficulty level of the JEE Main 23rd January morning shift Physics section was difficult compared to the 21st jan evening shift and easy with the morning shift of 21st Jan.

• The Physics paper was hard with respect to the maths and chemistry papers.

• JEE Main 22rd January morning shift Physics paper time taking due to its toughness.

Questions were asked about the following Topics:

• 2 questions from Error analysis

• 1 matching-type question from Electrostatics

• 1 question from the Lyman series and de Broglie wavelength

• 2 questions from Optics

• 1 question from Current Electricity

• 1 question from MOI

• 1 question from angular momentum

• 1 question from AC

• 1 question from magnetic effect of current

2. Chemistry

• Overall difficult level of Chemistry was moderate

• Chemistry questions are tricky and time-consuming.

• The overall difficulty level of the Chemistry section in the JEE Main 23 January morning shift was at a similar level compared to the 21 and 22 January shifts.

• The Chemistry paper was tough wrt maths and physics sections.

• The paper was doable for those who went through the proper revision

• The organic include in all questions

• The chemistry section required almost 50-55 minutes to solve

• Paper has statement-based questions

• Organic and inorganic are tougher than physical.

Questions were asked about the following Topics:

• 1 questions from Some basic concepts of chemistry ( Mole Concept)

• 1 question from Chemical Bonding

• 1 question from biomolecules

• 1 question from GOC

• 1 question from Ionisation Energy

• Mix question from chemical and ionic equilibrium

• 1 question from electrochemistry

• 1 question from Chemical Kinetics ( Graph type question)

• 1 question from Amines

3. Maths

• The overall difficulty level of the Mathematics paper in this shift was moderate.

• The Maths paper had lengthy questions.

• The maths section was difficult compared to physics and chemistry.

• This shift's difficulty level was moderate, similar to the shifts that have happened so far.

• The question paper pattern remained the same as in other shifts.

• Mathematics sections had lengthy questions that required time to handle.

• The average time taken for the Mathematics section was approximately 70-80 minutes.

• To score well, students needed clear concepts, good calculation speed, accuracy, and smart use of time while handling other subjects.

Questions were from the following important topics:

• 1 Question from Relation

• 6 Questions from Trigonometry

• 2 Question from Matrices and Determinants (1 Adjoint, 1 Inverse)

• 3 Questions from Vector Algebra and Three-Dimensional Geometry

• Questions from Integral Calculus

• 2 Questions from conic sections

JEE Main Jan 22 Shift 1 and Shift 2

Here we are sharing the exam analysis for January 22 shift 2 as it is over now:

1. Physics

• The overall difficulty level of the Physics paper was moderate.

• The overall difficulty level of the JEE Main 22nd January evening shift Physics section was tougher than the morning shift

• The Physics paper was easy with respect to the maths and chemistry papers.

• JEE Main 22nd January evening shift Physics paper was easy compared to last year's JEE Main.

• The average time taken for physics was approximately 50 minutes

• Students were able to attempt around 18-19 questions in physics

• Fewer questions were from the Chapters having more weightage in general

• 4-5 questions were present of statement based in physics section.

Questions were asked about the following Topics:

• 2 questions from Ray optics

• 2 questions from modern physics

• 3 questions fluid mechanics combined with error measurement (out of which 1 question from surface tension, 1 question from capillary rise)

• 1 question from gravitation (statement based on satellite)

• 1 question from electrostatics (Topic - electric field and potential)

• 1 question current electricity (Topic - mobility of electrons)

• 1 question from laws of motion and rotational motion combined

• 1 question from centre of mass and circular motion combined

• 1 question from thermodynamics

• 1 from semiconductor (Topic - logic gates)

• 1 question from wave optics (statement based on single slit)

• 1 question from magnetism (statement-based)

2. Chemistry

• Overall difficult level of Chemistry was moderate to tough

• The overall difficulty level of the Chemistry section JEE Main 22st January evening shift was easy with respect to the morning shift and 21 jan shifts

• The Chemistry paper was easy wrt maths and difficult wrt physics section.

• The paper was doable for those who went through the proper revision

• Physical chemistry has numerical based questions

• Organic Chemistry weightage is more as compared to physical and inorganic

Questions were asked about the following Topics:

• 2-3 questions from Coordination Chemistry

• 1 question from D-block

• 2 questions from GOC

• 2 question from Periodic Classification (Ionisation Energy)

• 1 questions from salt analysis

• 1 question from Biomolecules

• 2 questions from mole concept

• 1 question from Chemical Bonding

• 1 question from Atomic structure( Wave Number)

• 1 question from Ionic Equilibrium

• 1 question from Amines

• 1 question from Electrochemistry

• 1 from Chemical Kinetics

3. Maths

• The overall difficulty level of the Mathematics paper in this shift was difficult.

• The Maths paper had lengthy questions. Several questions needed careful calculation, which made proper time management very important.

• The maths section was tougher than physics and chemistry.

• The evening shift's difficulty level was tougher than the morning shift.

• The question paper pattern remained constant with other shifts.

• Most of the students attempted almost 7 to 12 questions from this section.

• The average time taken for the Mathematics section was approximately 90 minutes.

• To score well, students needed clear concepts, good calculation speed, accuracy, and smart use of time while handling other subjects.

Questions were from the following important topics:

• 2-3 Question from Vector Algebra and Three-Dimensional Geometry

• 1 Question from Sets

• 1 Question from Integral Calculus

• 1 Question from the Differential equation

• 1 Question from Limit, Continuity, and Differentiability.

• 1 Question from Probability

• 1 Question from Sequence & Series

• 1 Question from Quadratic equation

• 1 Question from Binomial equation

• 3 Questions from Conic Sections (1-1-1 from Parabola, Hyperbola, and Circle)

• 1 Question from Trigonometry

Here we are sharing the exam analysis for January 22 shift 1 as it is over now:

1. Physics:

• The overall difficulty level of the Physics paper was Moderate.

• The overall difficulty level of the JEE Main 22nd January morning shift Physics section was difficult compared to the 21st jan evening shift and easy with the morning shift of 21st Jan.

• The Physics paper was hard with respect to the maths and chemistry papers.

• JEE Main 22nd January morning shift Physics paper time taking due to its toughness.

Questions were asked about the following Topics:

• 2 from gravitation escape velocity

• 3 questions from ray optics

• Statement-based questions from fluid mechanics.

• 1 question from MOI

• 2 questions from electrostatics.

• 1 question from NLM

• 1 from Logic gate

• 1 from the magnetic effect of current

2. Chemistry

• Overall difficult level of Chemistry was moderate

• The overall difficulty level of the Chemistry section JEE Main 22nd January morning shift was tough with respect to the 21 january

• The Chemistry paper was easy wrt maths and physics sections.

• The paper was doable for those who went through the proper revision

• The organic portion had more named reaction questions

• The chemistry section required almost 50 minutes to solve

• The organic portion was more than the inorganic, and the physical section

• Physical chemistry has integer-type questions

Questions were asked about the following Topics:

• 2 questions from General Organic Chemistry ( Reagent Questions)

• 1 question from Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry ( Mole Concept)

• 1 question from Coordination Chemistry (Ion Question)

• 1 question from Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

• 2 questions from p-bock

• 1 question from Ionic Equilibrium

• 2 questions from Chemical Kinetics

• 1 question from salt analysis

• 1 question from d block ( 3dseries)

• 1 question from Biomolecules

• 1 question from Chemical Thermodynamics

3. Maths

• The overall difficulty level of the Mathematics paper was Moderate.

• The Maths paper had lengthy questions. Several questions needed careful calculation, which made proper time management very important.

• The maths section was easier than physics but tougher than chemistry.

• The difficulty level was easier than the two shifts of Day 1 (Jan 21).

• The question paper pattern remained constant with other shifts.

• The average time taken for mathematics was approximately 90 minutes.

• To score well, students needed clear concepts, good calculation speed, accuracy, and smart use of time while handling other subjects.

Questions were from the following important topics:

• Question from Functions

• 1 Question from Matrices

• 3 Questions from Vector Algebra and Three-Dimensional Geometry

• 3 Questions from Integral Calculus

• 3-4 Questions from coordinate geometry(1 hyperbola, 1 straight line)

• The straight line question was based on the shortest distance.

• 1 Question from the Differential equation

• 1 question from Application of derivatives (Area under the curve)

• 1 Question from Probability

• No Questions from Limits

• 1 Question from Sequence & Series

Jee Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 1 and 2 Analysis

Here we are sharing the exam analysis for January 21 shift 2 as it is over now:

1. Physics

• The overall difficulty level of the Physics paper was easy.

• The overall difficulty level of the JEE Main 21st January evening shift Physics section was easier to moderate than the morning shift

• The Physics paper was easy with respect to the maths and chemistry papers.

• JEE Main 21st January evening shift Physics paper was easy compared to last year's JEE Main.

• The physics paper was doable for those who went through the proper revision, because most of the questions were formula-based.

• Some previous year questions were exactly asked in the paper.

Questions were asked about the following Topics:

• 2 questions from capacitors

• 1 question from optics - prism topic

• 2 questions from modern physics (1 from stopping potential)

• 2-3 questions from thermodynamics (degrees of freedom and work done)

• 2 questions from current electricity (1 from equivalent resistance)

• 1 question from semiconductor

• 1 question from the river boat problem (kinematics)

• 1 question from a combination of Newton’s law and rotational motion

• 1 question from circular motion

• 1 question from electrostatics - potential topic

• 1 question from terminal velocity and error measurement

• 1 question from capilary tube

• 1 question from significant figure (addition rule)

• 1 question from magnetism (magnetic field due to current carrying wire)

2. Maths

• The overall difficulty level of the Maths section was Moderate to Hard.

• Mathematics questions were relatively more lengthy and more calculative compared to Shift 1.

• In this shift, Maths questions were comparatively more difficult than Chemistry and Physics questions.

• The Maths paper can be best described as “Moderate but lengthy” in nature. A good number of questions were lengthy and tricky, demanding careful calculations and proper time management.

• Compared to recent JEE Main trends, the level of Mathematics in this shift was slightly on the tougher side due to the emphasis on long calculations and multi-step problem-solving.

• In comparison with Shift 1, Shift 2 was more time-consuming and required higher calculation accuracy and patience from students.

• Mathematics was relatively more challenging than Shift 1, but still approachable for students who were comfortable with lengthy numerical questions.

• Students needed a strong conceptual understanding, along with speed, accuracy, and effective time management, to attempt a good number of questions.

Questions were from the following important topics:

• There were at least 2 Statement-based questions.

• 2 Questions from Functions

• 2 Questions from Matrices

• 2 Questions from Vector algebra

• 3 Questions from Three-Dimensional Geometry

• 1 from Integral Calculus

• 1 question from the Differential equation, which was very easy

• 1 from Parabola, 1 from Circle

• 1 From Inverse Trigonometry, which was easy

• No questions from Limit, Continuity and differentiability.

• 1 question from Probability

3. Chemistry

• Overall difficult level of Chemistry was moderate

• The overall difficulty level of the Chemistry section JEE Main 21st January evening shift was easy with respect to the morning shift.

• The Chemistry paper was easy wrt maths and difficult wrt physics section.

• The paper was doable for those who went through the proper revision

• Some questions are statement-based.

• Direct reaction-based questions

• The organic portion had more named reaction questions

Questions were asked about the following Topics:

• 2 questions from Chemical Bonding

• 1 question from Chemical Kinetics

• 2 questions from p block

• 1 question from Solutions

• 2 questions from Periodic properties

• 1 question from Amines

• 2 questions from Coordination Chemistry

• 1 question from Salt Analysis

Here we are sharing the exam analysis for January 21 shift 1 as it is over now:

1. Physics:

• The overall difficulty level of the JEE Main 21st January morning shift Physics section was easy to moderate.

• The Physics paper was easy wrt maths and more challenging with respect to the chemistry paper.

• JEE Main 21st January morning shift Physics paper was easy compared to last year's JEE Main.

• The paper was doable for those who went through the proper revision, because most of the questions were formula-based.

Questions were asked about the following Topics:

• 1 Question from Thermal properties of fluids (Bernoulli’s Theorem )

• 2 Question from Optics(1-microscope, 1 - Power of lens related)

• 1 Question from semiconductor(Logic Gate)

• 2 Questions from unit and dimension( 1- Dimension , 1 - error)

• 1 Question from Current Electricity

• 1 Question from Calorimetry

• 1 Question from Rotational Motion (Moment of Inertia)

• 1 Question From Kinematics (NLM)

• 1 Question From Gravitation

• 1 Question from Electromagnetic Wave

• 1 Question from EMI (Solenoid)

2. Chemistry:

• The overall difficulty level of the JEE Main 21st January morning shift Chemistry section was tough.

• The Chemistry paper was tough wrt maths and more challenging with respect to the physics paper.

• JEE Main 21st January morning shift Chemistry paper was tough compared to last year's JEE Main.

• The paper was doable for those who went through the proper revision

• Most of the questions were lengthy and statement-based

• Students spend approx 60-70 min in Chemistry

Questions were asked about the following Topics:

• 3 Questions from Coordination Chemistry

• 2 Questions asked about Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

• 2-3 Questions asked from p-block

• 1 Mix question from Chemical and Ionic equilibrium

• 3-4 questions from the Mole concept

• 2 questions from General Organic Chemistry

• 1 question from Biomolecules

• 1 question from Chemical Thermodynamics

• 1 question from Electrochemistry and Redox Reaction.

3. Maths

• Mathematics questions were relatively less lengthy and calculation-intensive compared to Physics and Chemistry.

• The overall difficulty level of the Maths section was Moderate.

• Most questions were lengthy and tricky, requiring good time management and strong calculation accuracy.

• The Maths paper can be best described as “Moderate” in nature.

• Compared to recent JEE Main trends, the level of Mathematics in this shift was less tougher side due to extensive calculations and multi-step solving.

• Mathematics was easier than last year.

• Students needed a clear conceptual understanding, along with speed and precision, to attempt a good number of questions.

Questions were from the following important topics:

• Questions based on Calculus were relatively fewer.

• 2-3 questions were from Vector Algebra and 3D geometry

• 1 question from quadratic equations

• 1 question was from sequence and series

• 1 question was based on PnC and the probability concept combined.

• 2 questions were from straight lines, 1 question from a circle

• 1 question from Matrices, which was a bit lengthy

• 2 questions were from sets and relations.

• Arithmetic and Geometric Progression

• 3 questions were from Conic Sections (1 related to parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola each)

• 1 Question was also from the Application of Derivatives

Easiest Shift of JEE Main 2026- How it Affects the JEE Main Result?

In an easy shift, the competition is defined by accuracy and speed rather than just raw knowledge. Here is how it impacts your results:

• High marks don’t guarantee high percentiles: In an easy shift, everyone scores well, so you need much higher marks (like 230+) just to get a 99 percentile.

• Small mistakes cost you big time: Since the paper is easy, one silly mistake can push your rank down by thousands because many students will have nearly perfect scores.

• The "Easy Paper" trap: You might feel confident scoring 150, but that same score in a hard shift would give you a much better rank than it does in an easy one.

• Normalization levels the field: NTA uses a formula to make sure students in easy shifts don't have an unfair advantage over those who got a hard paper.

• Maths becomes the decider: When many people get the same high total score, NTA looks at your Maths marks first to decide who gets the better rank.

• Higher cutoff marks: To qualify for JEE Advanced, you have to score much higher in an easy session compared to someone in a tough session.

• Accuracy is the key: In these shifts, it’s not about how many hard questions you can solve, but about making sure you don't get the easy ones wrong.

JEE Main Previous Years Easiest Shifts

The below table shows the previous years and also highlights the expected easiest shift for JEE Main 2026. Check them below:

JEE Main 2026 Rank Predictor

The JEE Main 2026 rank predictor is helpful to know how much you can score. Careers360’s JEE Main rank predictor 2026 is a very simple and easy to us tool. Just click on the link, enter basic details, provide the expected marks and submit. The resulting page will show the expected rank. Moreover, aspirants can make use of the JEE Main 2026 college predictor to know their admission chances.

Things to Avoid During the Easiest Shift of JEE Mains 2026

1. Overconfidence: Even if you feel that the shift is easy, don't solve the paper too carelessly. Be focused on every question. Overconfidence can cause silly mistakes.

2. Avoiding difficult questions: Do not avoid questions just because they look difficult. Examine the questions carefully and solve them wisely. Missing easy marks due to neglecting questions can lower your marks.

3. Rushing while solving the paper: Do not answer too fast. Even easy questions should be read carefully. Use your time mindfully to avoid mistakes.

4. Ignoring accuracy and rushing: Don’t try to finish too fast. Getting answers correct is more important than speed. Small careless mistakes can lower your score.

Neglecting revision: Always double-check your answers if time permits. Even easy questions can have silly mistakes. Revision ensures maximum marks.