JEE Main 2026 January 21 Paper Analysis OUT: Difficulty Level, Review

JEE Main 2026 January 21 Paper Analysis Shift 1

As the exam is concluded, we are providing you with the JEE Main 2026 January 21 paper analysis shift 1 below: Watch this section to get the details about the JEE Main 2026 question paper.

1. JEE Main Physics Analysis:

• 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. JEE Main Chemistry Analysis:

• 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. JEE Main Maths Analysis:

• 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

JEE Mains 2026 Jan 21 Paper Analysis Shift 2

The JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 paper analysis shift 2 is uploaded as the shift is over. Check this place for the latest update.

1. JEE Main Physics Analysis

• 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 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. JEE Main Maths Analysis

• 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. JEE Main Chemistry Analysis

• 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 question.

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

Also check- JEE Main 2026 January 21 Shift 2 Question Paper | JEE Main 2026 Jan 21 Shift 2 Answer Key

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

This part is a detailed JEE Main 2026 January 21 Question Paper Analysis of the first and second shifts, which illustrate the difficulty of the subjects, the trends of the topics, and which shifts students found to be relatively easier. We have provided January 21 shift 1 and shift 2 pdf links as they are over now.

Careers360 Live Class Analysis

As the JEE Main Jan 21 exam is over, we have updated this section with direct links to the Careers360 YouTube Live sessions. You can now watch experts discussing the questions and sharing the overview.

Shift 1

Shift 2

JEE Main 2026 Marks vs Percentile Table

We have given JEE Main 2026 Marks vs Percentile Table for your reference. Check it below:

Strategy for the Coming JEE Main Shifts and Attempts

Based on JEE Main 2026 January 21 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 Bonding. 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)

JEE Main 2026 Score for Desired Colleges

JEE Main 2026 scores play a crucial role in determining admission to top engineering colleges across India. Below, you can check it:

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 Previous Year Analysis

1. Mathematics was widely considered the most difficult and exhausting part of the 2025 exam. In almost every shift, students struggled not because the concepts were unknown, but because the calculations were extremely long and complex. It acted as a "speed-breaker," forcing students to spend more time than planned on a single question. The most important topics included Vectors & 3D Geometry, Calculus, and Matrices. Because of the high difficulty level, this section usually decides the final rank for top-scoring students.

2. Physics generally stayed at a moderate difficulty level and was very scoring for students with clear basics. Most questions were based on direct formulas or simple concepts, especially in topics like Modern Physics, Current Electricity, and Mechanics. While there were some tricky conceptual questions, they were fewer in number compared to the direct ones. Many candidates found Physics to be the most balanced section, as it wasn't as lengthy as Maths nor as memory-based as Chemistry.

Chemistry was the easiest and fastest section for the majority of aspirants. The paper was heavily based on the NCERT textbooks, meaning if you knew your book well, you could finish this section in less than 45 minutes. Organic and Inorganic Chemistry were very direct, while Physical Chemistry was mostly limited to the numerical section. High-weightage topics included Coordination Compounds, GOC, and Chemical Bonding. It was the "score-booster" subject that allowed students to save time for the tougher Mathematics section.