JEE Main 2026 January 21 Shift 2 Analysis: Paper 'easy to moderate'; maths remains tough

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main 2026) shift 2 exam was easy to moderate in difficulty level as compared to shift 1. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has concluded the second shift of the JEE Main 2026 today, January 21, at 6 pm. JEE Main 2026 January 21 Exam LIVE

According to the students who appeared in the JEE Main 2026 January 21 in shift 2, the overall difficulty level of the exam was easy to moderate. The Mathematics section was easy, followed by chemistry, while physics was slightly tough. The questions were mostly evenly spread across topics.

The NTA JEE Main exam will be conducted for three hours. The JEE Main 2026 day 1 shift 1 was held from 9 am to 12 noon, and shift 2 from 3 pm to 6 pm.

Also read ‘Student-friendly’ JEE Advanced? IITs plan adaptive-testing shift; IIT Kanpur, JAB to lead pilot mock-test

JEE Main 2026 January 21 shift 2 analysis

Sahib, who appeared for JEE Main for the first time, said the shift 2 Physics paper was of moderate difficulty, while Maths was easy. He added that the Physics paper was similar in difficulty to last year’s exam.

Another candidate, Shubham, who appeared for the exam for the first time, said that Maths was slightly tough, but the rest of the JEE Main 2026 Shift 2 paper was easy. He prepared only through online coaching.

Another student, Adarsh, who appeared for the JEE Main 2026 exam , said that Maths was a tough section. This was his first attempt at the exam.

Om, who appeared for JEE Main 2026 Day 1 Shift 2, said the Mathematics section was tough, while Physics and Chemistry were easy. This was his first attempt.

Also read JEE Main 2026 January 21 shift 1 moderate to tough; students find chemistry lengthier than maths

JEE Main 2026 shift 2: Section-wise paper analysis

Based on student reactions and coaching experts’ analysis, the section-wise detailed analysis of the JEE Main 2026 January 21 shift 2 exam is given below.

JEE Main Physics analysis

The overall difficulty level of the JEE Main January 21 shift 2 Physics paper was found to be easy. Most students found the physics section to be of a moderate to difficult level, with questions spread across topics such as mechanics, waves, thermodynamics, optics, and electromagnetism.

Only a few questions came from modern physics, while chapters like AC, EMI, magnetism, and laws of motion were also included. Some previous year questions were exactly asked in the Physics paper

Topic-wise questions

• 2 questions from capacitors
• 1 question from optics - prism topic
• 2 questions from modern physics (1 from stopping potential)
• 2-3 questions from thermodynamics
• 2 questions from current electricity (1 from equivalent resistance)
• 1 question from semiconductor
• 1 question from the river boat problem (kinematics)
• 1 question from a combination of Newton’s law and rotational motion
• 1 question from circular motion
• 1 question from the electrostatics - potential topic
• 1 question on terminal velocity and error measurement

JEE Main Chemistry analysis

The overall difficulty level of the JEE Main January 21 shift 2 Chemistry paper was found to be moderate. The chemistry section was easy to understand and helped save time. Most of the questions were from organic chemistry, followed by inorganic chemistry, with fewer questions from physical chemistry.

Almost two questions were statement-based and direct reaction-based. The organic section had more questions on named reactions.

Topic-wise questions

• 2 questions from Chemical Bonding
• 1 question from Chemical Kinetics
• 2 questions from p block
• 1 question from Solutions
• 2 questions from Periodic properties

JEE Main Mathematics analysis

The overall difficulty level of the JEE Main January 21 shift 2 Math paper was found to be moderate to hard. The mathematics section contained questions from almost all chapters, mainly from calculus. Although not extremely difficult, the questions were lengthy and time-consuming, making mathematics the most challenging section for many students.

Compared to shift 1, shift 2 took more time and needed more accurate calculations and patience from students.

Topic-wise questions

• 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 for Parabola, 1 from Circle