JEE Main 2026 January 23 LIVE: Shift 1 memory-based question papers analysis updates

Candidates can access the Free JEE Main mock tests 2026 from the “National Test Abhyas” mobile app. The JEE Main mock tests will help improve problem-solving efficiency and make aspirants familiar with the exam pattern, style, and difficulty level of the question paper.

The dress code for JEE Mains 2026 applicants is as follows.

• Candidates can wear jackets, sweaters, or full-sleeve clothes, but these should not have any metal parts.
• Male candidates can wear trousers, jeans, or shirts, as long as there are no metal buttons or zippers.
• Female candidates can wear salwar-kameez or similar comfortable clothes that are easy to check during security.
• Sikh candidates are allowed to wear and carry religious items like Kara and Kirpan.

The JEE Main 2026 January 23 shift 1 will be concluded in one hour by the National Testing Agency (NTA). 

The JEE Main cut-offs for BTech at the National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli (NIT) last year closed at 14,978. Similarly, NIT Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim also saw high cut-off ranks. 

NIT Tiruchirappalli BTech cut-off. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)

Mathematics was the most challenging for candidates in the JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 exams. As per the student's reaction, the JEE Main 2026 day 2 exam for Maths section was lengthy and several questions needed careful calculations. The Maths section in the shift 2 was the toughest in comparison to Chemistry and Physics. 

The JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 shift 2 will end at 12 noon. Once the exam is over, coaching centres and subject experts will be doing analysis of the paper. 

The JEE Main 2026 exam for Jan 22 shift 2 were held for BTech candidates, containing questions from Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Here are the subject-wise questions:
Physics

• 2 questions from Ray optics
• 2 modern physics
•  3 fluid mechanics (1 from surface tension)
•  1 question from gravitation (statement based on satellite)
•  1 question from electrostatics (electric field and potential)
•  1 current electricity (mobility of electrons)
•  1 question from laws of motion and rotational motion
•  1 question from com and circular motion
•  1 question from thermodynamics
•  1 from semiconductor (logic gates)

Chemistry

•  1 question from Coordination Chemistry
•  1 question from D-block
•  2 questions from GOC
•  1 question from Periodic Classification (Ionisation Energy)
•  1 question from salt analysis
•  1 question from Biomolecules

Maths

• 1 question from binomoial
•  Question from tangent was there, which was removed from the syllabus.
•  1-2 Questions from Functions
•  Questions from Matrices
•  2-3 Question from Vector Algebra and Three-Dimensional Geometry
•  1 Questions from Sets

Yes, there will be negative marking in the JEE Mains 2026 exams. Candidates will be given four marks for each correct response, whereas one mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer. Notably no marks will be taken for not answering a question or unanswered questions.

The JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 shift 1 exam was challenging for candidates. Ujjwal Singh, founding CEO of Infinity Learn states that the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 paper for Jan 22 shift 1 presented aspirants with a familiar yet demanding challenge, staying largely consistent with the January 2025 session in terms of structure and overall standard. 

The exam rewarded conceptual clarity and disciplined preparation, while also placing strong emphasis on time management—particularly in the numerical sections. Physics provided relative comfort, Chemistry demanded careful attention, and Mathematics once again emerged as the decisive differentiator.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is conducting all the JEE Main 2026 exams, and it has started the JEE Main 2026 day 3 shift 1 exam for BTech or BE candidates. The shift 1 exam will be held from 9 am to 12 noon, while the shift 2, also held for BTech candidates, will take place from 3 pm to 6 pm.

JEE Main 2026 seating arrangement of an exam centre. (Image source: Careers360)

If any candidate will be found using unfair means or violating the exam rules, will be debarred from the ongoing as well as remaining exams. They will also be banned from appearing in JEE Main up to 3 years, depending on the severity of the exam rule violation. 

No, electronic watch with calculator facility is not allowed inside the JEE Main 2026 exam hall. Even other instruments such as geometry, pencil box, and handbag along with paper, stationery, or textual materials are also not allowed. 

The JEE Mains 2026 day 3 shift 1 question paper analysis will be available after the shift ends at 12 noon. The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the JEE Mains 2026 day 3 shift 2 from 3 pm to 6 pm.

Female candidates appearing for the JEE Main 2026 exam are allowed to wear salwar-kameez or similar clothing suitable for security checks. While sikh candidates are also allowed to wear their religious articles such as KARA and KIRPAN. In case of footwear, candidates can wear simple sandal without metal parts. 

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the JEE Main 2026 day 3 exam in dual shifts. The morning shift will be held from 9 am to 12 noon, while the afternoon shift will be conducted from 3 pm to 6 pm. 

The entry to the JEE Main 2026 Jan 23 shift 1 has begun for morning session candidates. 

The JEE Mains 2026 Jan 23 exam entry will be allowed as per the reporting and gate closing timing mentioned on the JEE Main 2026 admit card. The JEE Mains 2026 exam hall ticket should be carried  at all time along with a valid photo ID. Candidates must report early if Aadhaar authentication was not completed to complete biometric verification. 

Candidates should be aware that arriving late at the JEE Main exam centres can create hindrance in the entry process. 

The JEE Mains 2026 day 2 shift 2 exam was moderate in difficulty level, as per students' reactions. While Mathematics section was lengthy, Chemistry was moderate and Physics was also moderate as compared to January 21 exam. 

The JEE Mains 2026 dress code for female candidates include salwar-kameez or similar clothing suitable for security checks. Sikh candidates are allowed to wear religious kits such as KARA and KIRPAN. In case of footwear, candidates can wear simple sandal without metal parts. 

• Instrument,
• Geometry,
• Pencil box,
• Handbag,
• Paper, stationery, or textual material,
• Eatables and water,
• Mobile phone, ear phone, microphone, pager, calculator, docupen,
• Slide rules, log tables,
• Camera, tape recorder,
• Watch, electronic watch with calculator facilities.
• Any metallic item or electronic gadgets.

“Diabetic students will be allowed to carry eatables like sugar tablets/fruits (like bananas/apples/oranges) and transparent water bottles to the Examination Hall/Room. However, they will not be allowed to carry packed foods like chocolates/candy/sandwiches, etc,” it said.

As per the JEE Main dress code, Sikh candidates are permitted to wear their religious articles i.e. "KARA" and "KIRPAN".

Candidates who will be appearing for the computer-based JEE Mains 2026 today can check the exam day guidelines from the list given below. 

• Candidates should report to the exam centre as per the reporting time mentioned on the JEE Main admit card.
• Entry to the exam centre will not be permitted after the gate closing time.
• Candidates should undergo biometric verification and identity checks before entering the exam hall.
• If a candidate leaves the examination hall for a bio-break, biometric verification and frisking will be carried out again before re-entry.
• Electronic devices such as mobile phones, calculators, smart watches, and Bluetooth-enabled items are not allowed inside the exam hall.
• Candidates should not carry bags, books, papers, or personal belongings to the exam centre.
• Rough work should be done only on the sheets provided at the centre.
• Any unfair means or violation of exam rules may lead to disqualification.

Final-round JoSAA data shows wide variation in JEE Main cut-off ranks for BTech Mechanical Engineering at NITs under the home state open category. Among leading institutes, NIT Surathkal, Tiruchirappalli, and Warangal closed within the top 20,000 ranks, while mid-tier NITs such as Allahabad, Jaipur, and Jalandhar recorded higher closing ranks. Newer NITs including Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim saw significantly higher cut-offs, reflecting differences in demand and seat availability across institutes.

Read More: JEE Main 2026: NIT BTech mechanical engineering cut-offs and rank variations across institutes

The JEE Main 2026 examinations held on January 21 and January 22 concluded with varying difficulty levels across shifts, based on student responses and expert analysis. The January 21 papers were largely rated moderate to tough, with Chemistry emerging as the most challenging section, followed by Mathematics and Physics. On January 22, the Day 2 shift 1 paper was assessed as easy to moderate overall, though Chemistry continued to be reported as the toughest section, while Mathematics was lengthy and Physics included statement-based questions. Experts indicated that the moderate nature of the papers across both days may result in higher percentiles being achieved at relatively lower scores compared to easier exam sessions.

The NTA has specified a dress code for JEE Main candidates and a list of permitted and prohibited items. Candidates should not carry mobile phones, electronic gadgets, stationery, eatables, or watches with calculators. Diabetic students may carry sugar tablets or fruits and transparent water bottles.

Any candidate leaving the exam hall for a bio-break or toilet visit will be required to undergo frisking and biometric verification again before re-entry, as per NTA guidelines.

Candidates should carry at least two passport-size photographs matching the one uploaded in the application form. One photo will be pasted on the attendance sheet. In case of a mismatch, original certificates signed by the principal, headmaster, or a Class-1 Gazetted officer may be required.

A review of the past three years’ JoSAA data shows a steady decline in closing ranks for IIT Bombay’s Aerospace Engineering programme. In 2025, 17,209 candidates opted for the course, with the open category gender-neutral closing rank dropping to 2,361 from 2,394 in 2024. The data also reflects changes across other categories, including EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, and female-only seats. For the academic year 2025-26, IIT Bombay offered 1,006 BTech seats, including 51 for PwBD candidates, across 12 engineering disciplines with reservation applied as per category.

Read More: JEE Main 2026: IIT Bombay Aerospace Engineering closing ranks fall steadily; course-wise seat matrix 

JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 paper analysis. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Candidates appearing for the JEE Main 2026 Jan 23 exam will have to carry a valid photo ID in original, the same as uploaded in the application form. Photocopies or mobile images will not be accepted. A printout of the JEE Main admit card from jeemain.nta.nic.in is mandatory, preferably in color on A4 paper.

The NTA has clarified that candidates arriving after the gate closing time will not be permitted entry. First shift is scheduled from 9 am to 12 noon and second shift from 3 pm to 6 pm. Gate timings are 7-8:30 am for the morning shift and 1-2:30 pm for the evening shift. Candidates without Aadhaar verification must reach the centre at least one hour before the gate closes

The JEE Main 2026 January 22 shift 2 exam was reported as moderate in difficulty by candidates. Students noted that the mathematics section was lengthy, while chemistry was moderate. Physics was perceived as moderate compared to the January 21 paper. Overall, time management was crucial, particularly in mathematics, due to calculation-intensive questions.

Read More: JEE Main 2026 January 22 shift 2 difficulty level moderate; Mathematics toughest, say experts

NTA has prohibited electronic devices, watches, jewellery, belts, and accessories inside the JEE Main 2026 examination hall and has advised candidates to follow the prescribed dress code to avoid delays during security checks. The agency has also informed that all exam centres will be monitored through CCTV cameras and fitted with jammers, and any violation of examination rules will invite action as per guidelines.

NTA has advised candidates to verify the examination centre location in advance and plan travel time accordingly. On the day of the exam, reporting should be done strictly as per the admit card, as no entry will be allowed after the gate closing time.

JEE Main 2026 exam entry will be allowed only as per the reporting and gate closing time mentioned on the admit card. Candidates should carry the admit card and a valid photo ID, follow the prescribed dress code, and report early if Aadhaar authentication was not completed to complete biometric verification. Late entry and prohibited items will not be permitted.