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.