JEE Main 2026 Session 1 (Jan 28) Exam Analysis: Students Call Paper Moderate; Maths Lengthy, Physics Easiest

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 – January 28 B.E./B.Tech exam today across centres in India and abroad. Lakhs of engineering aspirants appeared in the Computer-Based Test, marking the first major national-level exam of the year.

With JEE Main scores playing a crucial role in NIT admissions, IIIT admissions, and IIT JEE Advanced eligibility, candidates were eager to know the difficulty level, subject-wise analysis, and expected cut-offs.

Here is a detailed breakdown of today’s exam based on student reactions, expert reviews, and coaching institute inputs.

📌 Overall Difficulty Level

Most students reported that today’s paper was Moderate, maintaining the typical trend of recent JEE Main exams.

Physics: Easy & formula-based

Chemistry: Moderate, NCERT-focused

Maths: Lengthy & calculation-heavy

Students completing the paper said that time management was the biggest challenge, especially due to the Maths section.

📘 Subject-Wise Analysis

🔹 Physics – Easiest of All Three

A large number of students called Physics “scoring” and “straightforward”.

Key Highlights:

Mostly formula-based questions

Several direct questions from NCERT

Emphasis on Mechanics, Current Electricity, Optics

Numerical questions were solvable within 30–45 seconds each

Experts say Physics could boost overall percentile for many students.

🔹 Chemistry – Moderate, But NCERT-Heavy

Chemistry followed the JEE Main tradition of prioritising NCERT theory.

Important Observations:

Organic Chemistry dominated

Questions from Biomolecules, Polymers, Environmental Chemistry

Physical chemistry contained a few trick-based numericals

Inorganic questions directly from NCERT diagrams and tables

Students who prepared NCERT thoroughly found this section easier.

🔹 Maths – Lengthy & Time-Consuming

Maths was considered the most challenging part of the paper.

Key Points:

Heavy on Calculus, Coordinate Geometry & Algebra

Multiple case-based questions

Several long numerical-type problems

Students struggled with time consumption, not difficulty

Experts say this section will likely be the cut-off decider.

📝 Types of Questions Asked

MCQs + Numerical Value Type (NVT)

More weightage to application-based questions

Mix of theoretical & numerical problems

📊 Expected Cut-Off for JEE Main 2026 (Session 1)

Based on today’s difficulty trends:

General Category: 88–92

OBC–NCL: 74–78

EWS: 70–75

SC: 45–50

ST: 40–45

These numbers may adjust after all exam days conclude.

📅 What’s Next? JEE Main 2026 Paper 2 Tomorrow

NTA will conduct JEE Main Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Plan) on January 29

⏰ Shift Timing: 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Paper 2 includes:

Mathematics

Aptitude

Drawing / Planning (depending on the course)

Candidates must carry:

JEE Main Admit Card

Valid ID Proof

Self-Declaration Form (if required)

🧪 Student Reactions: What Test-Takers Said

“Maths was tough and lengthy.”

“Physics was the easiest. I finished it in 30 minutes.”

“Chemistry was mostly NCERT-based.”

“Paper was balanced but time management was key.”