JEE Main 2026 Jan 23 Paper Analysis Shift 1, 2 (Out): Difficulty Level, Student Reactions

JEE Main 2026 January 21 Question Paper Analysis Shift 1 & Shift 2

We have provided pdf link for January 21 shift 1 and shift 2 pdf links are shared as they are over.

JEE Mains 2026 Jan 23 Paper Analysis Shift 1

In this section, we are providing you with a detailed analysis of the JEE Main shift 1 of Jan 23.

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 similar to yesterday.

• The Physics paper was easy with respect to the maths and chemistry papers.
• JEE Main 23rd January morning shift Physics paper was formula-based.

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 the 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 slightly tougher 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 questions comprised a balanced mix of concepts from Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry.

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

• Paper has statement-based questions

• Organic and inorganic are tougher than physical.

• For better scoring in Chemistry students should study beyond NCERT as well.

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

• 2-3 Mix question from chemical and ionic equilibrium

• 1 question from electrochemistry

• 1 question from Chemical Kinetics ( Graph type question)

• 1 question from Amines

• 2 questions from Periodic Classification

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.

• Questions were from mixed chapters and concepts.

• 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

• 4 Questions from Integral Calculus

• 2 Questions from conic sections

• 1 Question from the Differential equation

• 2 Question from Probability

• No Questions from Limits

• 1 Question from Sequence & Series

JEE Mains 2026 Jan 23 Paper Analysis Shift 2

In this section, we are providing the JEE Main 2026 January 23 Question Paper Analysis of shift 2.

1. Physics:

• The overall difficulty level of the Physics paper was on the tougher side.

• The overall difficulty level of the JEE Main 23rd January evening shift Physics section was tougher than the morning shift

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

• The average time taken for physics was approximately 60 minutes

• Students were able to attempt around 10-11 questions in physics

• No questions were asked about wave optics, alternating current, and modern physics

Questions were asked about the following Topics:

• 1 question from laws of motion (Topic - momentum conservation)

• 1 question from rotational motion (Topic - moment of inertia)

• 2 questions from EM waves

• 2-3 from ray optics (Topic- Prism, lens dipped in liquid)

• 2-3 from thermodynamics

• 2 fluid mechanics (Terminal velocity, viscosity, combined with error measurement)

• 1 from electrostatic (Topic - Electric potential energy)

• 1 from semiconductor (Topic - Logic gates)

• 1 question from kinematics (Topic - Relative motion)

2. Chemistry:

• Overall difficult level of Chemistry was easy to moderate

• The overall difficulty level of the Chemistry section JEE Main 23rd January evening shift was easy with respect to the morning shift and 22 and 21st January shifts

• The Difficulty level of the Chemistry paper was similar to maths and easier than the Physics section.

• The paper has almost 8 statement-based and three to four assertion-reasoning questions

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

• Physical chemistry has numerically based questions

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

Questions were asked about the following Topics:

• 2 questions from coordination compound

• 1 question from Chemical Bonding

• 2 questions from Structure of atom

3. Maths:

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

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

• The maths section was relatively easier than physics and chemistry.

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

• Most of the students attempted almost 8 to 12 questions from this section.

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

• Scoring well required a strong grip on concepts, precision, accuracy in calculations, and smart time management while balancing other subjects.

Questions were from the following important topics:

• 2 Questions from Vector Algebra and 1 question from Three-Dimensional Geometry

• 1-2 Question from Integral Calculus

• 1 Question from the Differential equation

• Question from Limit, Continuity, and Differentiability.

• 1 Question from Probability

• Question from Sequence & Series

• Question from the Binomial equation

• 5-6 Questions from Conic Sections

• 1 Question from Trigonometry

JEE Main 2026 Exam Day-wise Question Papers and Answer Keys

Live Class Analysis of Careers60

Careers360 is hosting a Live Class for the JEE Main 2026 January 23 Question Paper Analysis to help students understand the paper patterns in real time. These live sessions are highly valuable for those appearing in later shifts, as they provide an immediate look at what the NTA is focusing on this year.

Shift 1

Shift 2

JEE Main 2026 January 23 Question Paper Analysis Shift 1 & Shift 2 – Comparison

Wondering how the Jan 23 paper of JEE Main 2026 went? Here is a simple breakdown of the January 23 shifts. It is JEE Mains 2026 Jan 23 question paper review in which we are comparing Shift 1 and Shift 2 to see which one was tougher.

Strategy for Coming JEE Main Shifts and Attempts

Based on JEE Main 2026 January 23 Question Paper Analysis and previous year analysis, students appearing in coming shifts or April session must focus on points given below:

1. Firstly students need to give priority to High Weightage Topics and topics that are frequently asked in exams like for Physics focus on Modern Physics, Current Electricity, Units & Dimensions, Kinematics, Laws of Motion. For Chemistry focus on Inorganic Chemistry specially NCERT for this, GOC, Coordination Compounds and Chemical Bond YB ing. For Maths focus on Vectors & 3D Geometry, Matrices & Determinants, Limits & Continuity, Differential Calculus.
2. Try to manage time effectively. Students must avoid lengthy problems in the starting

3. Students must practice a good number of mock tests before the actual exam as it will help them to identify weak areas and help them to improve speed and accuracy.

4. Try to get insights from previous shifts as concepts are frequently repeated.

Students can refer to ebooks given below:

• JEE Main Exam's High Scoring Chapters and Topics

• JEE Main 2026 Sample Paper

• JEE Main Previous 10 Year Questions with Detailed Solutions (2016-2025)

How to Attempt JEE Main Exam Effectively

It is very important for students to follow a pre planned strategy during the exam as it will help them to score good percentile in JEE Mains.

1. Students must identify which section they want to start as a good start can help them to boost their confidence. Most students prefer to finish Chemistry first, this subject is comparatively easy and largely based on NCERT. Then attempt Physics, as most of the questions are formula based and conceptually direct. At last attempt Maths here focus mainly on familiar and manageable questions.

2. Then first try to solve only those questions that can be done within 30-40 seconds. Then, move to moderate questions that require slightly longer calculations. Then at last move on to lengthy or confusing questions.

3. Try to use elimination methods if possible. Remove incorrect options

4. Keep a time frame into your mind like Solve Chemistry within 30 to 35 minutes, then Physics within 40 to 45 minutes and then give the remaining time to Maths.

• JEE Main 2026 Chemistry Important Formulas

• JEE Main 2026 Physics Important Formulas

• JEE Main 2026 Maths Important Formulas

JEE Main 2026 January Session Pdf Links

Below, we have provided the memory-based questions and analysis pdf links for Jan 21 and Jan 22 both shifts.

Comparison between January 21, 22 & 23 Shifts

Want to know the overall comparison between the Jan 21, 22 and 23 paper of JEE Main 2026? Here is a simple breakdown of all the shifts. It is a JEE Mains 2026 Jan 21, 22 and 23 question paper review in which we have compare these shifts to see which one was tougher.

JEE Main Previous Year Exam Analysis

1. Mathematics: Mathematics was the most difficult and the most time consuming section of the 2025 paper. Most students considered it to be "difficult" since the questions required long, multi- step calculations. Major topics included Vectors & 3D Geometry, Calculus, and Matrices. Because it was so time-intensive, it often acted as the "speed-breaker" of the paper, making it hard for students to finish on time.

2. Physics: Physics was generally at a moderate level and was very scoring. Most questions were formula-based and conceptual, making it easier for students with strong basics. High-weightage topics included Mechanics, Modern Physics, and Current Electricity. In many shifts, students found Physics to be the most balanced section, as the questions were direct and less complicated than Mathematics.

3. Chemistry: Chemistry was the easiest and fastest section for the majority of candidates. Almost all questions were taken directly from NCERT textbooks, especially for Inorganic and Organic Chemistry. Although there were some numerical problems in Physical Chemistry, they were mostly very simple. This section made students' overall marks go up very quickly, as it was the one that needed the least amount of calculation.