JEE Main 2026 Jan 24 Shift 2 Analysis: Difficulty Level, Subject-Wise Review & Student Reactions

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• Updated on 24 Jan, 2026, 6:03 PM, by Ishita Tanwar

The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 January 24 Shift 2 exam concluded at 6 PM. Initial student reactions suggest a moderate to slightly tough paper, with Mathematics being lengthy, Physics concept-based, and Chemistry the most scoring section.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has successfully conducted the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Day 4 Shift 2 examination on January 24, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The exam was held in computer-based test (CBT) mode for BE/BTech aspirants across centres nationwide. Following the conclusion of the exam, initial student feedback and expert reviews provide a clear picture of the paper’s difficulty level and topic distribution.

Overall Difficulty Level – JEE Main Jan 24 Shift 2

Based on early reactions from candidates:

Overall Difficulty: Moderate
The paper was balanced but time-consuming
Mathematics was the most lengthy section
Chemistry emerged as the most scoring
Physics tested conceptual clarity rather than rote learning

Many candidates reported that the paper required strong time management, especially in the second half of the exam.

Subject-Wise JEE Main 2026 Jan 24 Shift 2 Analysis

Physics Analysis

Difficulty Level: Moderate
Questions focused on concept-based application
Key topics reported:
- Fluid Mechanics
- Ray Optics
- Units and Dimensions
- Errors and Measurements
- Semiconductors

Physics was not calculation-heavy but required clear understanding of fundamentals.

Chemistry Analysis

Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
Widely considered the most scoring section
Majority of questions were NCERT-based

Topic weightage observed:

Organic Chemistry: GOC, reaction-based questions
Inorganic Chemistry: Coordination Compounds, Biomolecules
Physical Chemistry: Short numerical and direct formula-based questions

Candidates with strong NCERT revision found Chemistry comfortable.

Mathematics Analysis

Difficulty Level: Moderate to Tough
The lengthiest section of the paper

Major topics included:

Vectors and 3D Geometry
Matrices and Determinants
Sequences and Series
Calculus (mixed application-based problems)

Students noted that while questions were doable, time pressure limited attempts.

JEE Main 2026 Jan 24 Shift 2: Student Reactions

According to candidates exiting exam centres:

The paper was easier than some previous tough shifts
Chemistry helped boost confidence
Mathematics required selective question-solving
Proper time allocation was critical

Overall, students rated the shift as fair and balanced, with no unexpected out-of-syllabus questions.

What to Expect Next After Shift 2 Analysis?

After the completion of Day 4:

Detailed expert paper analysis will be released
Memory-based questions and unofficial answer keys will follow
A combined comparison with other January shifts will be published
NTA is expected to release the provisional answer key within 3–5 days

Candidates should track updates only on the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in.

Key Takeaway for Aspirants

The JEE Main 2026 Jan 24 Shift 2 paper reinforced NTA’s focus on conceptual clarity, NCERT-based preparation, and time management. Aspirants appearing in upcoming shifts should prioritise accuracy over attempts and plan section-wise time usage carefully.

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