Provisional answer keys for JEE Main 2026 session 1 indicate two standout performers — Arnav Gautam and Pasala Mohith — each achieving a perfect score of 300 out of 300 marks based on their response sheets and keys. This performance positions them as joint top contenders for All India Rank 1 (AIR 1) for the year.
JEE Main 2026 Provisional AIR 1 Standouts & Score Insights
As per the provisional JEE Main 2026 answer keys released before the official result, both Arnav Gautam and Pasala Mohith scored 300/300, placing them in a tie for AIR 1 in the session 1 exam. These top scores reflect exceptional performance across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics sections of the test. Arnav Gautam’s achievement was highlighted in early reporting on the session 1 results, with coaching institutes and preliminary data pointing to his perfect performance and likely top rank.
JEE Main 2026 Official Result & AIR Publication
While the provisional keys and response sheets give early insight into possible rankings, the National Testing Agency (NTA) will officially declare the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 results along with All India Ranks and percentiles on the result date. This announcement is expected soon on the official portal jeemain.nta.nic.in. In the official result release, the final AIR list will account for normalization across shifts and include percentile calculations, which determine the final rank positions of all candidates. Both hands-on performance and statistical adjustments play a role in the final ranking process.
What Does This Mean for Engineering Aspirants?
Achieving AIR 1 with a perfect score places Gautam and Mohith at the top of a highly competitive field of over a million aspirants nationwide. It also sets high benchmarks for premier engineering counselling like JoSAA, where AIR positions heavily influence placement opportunities in NITs, IIITs and IITs. The final JEE Main 2026 results will offer comprehensive scorecards and rank lists that candidates can use for counselling registration and choice filling for engineering admissions.