JEE Advanced 2026 Question Paper with Solution: Download PDF, Answer Key & Paper Analysis (May 17)
JEE Advanced 2026 was conducted on May 17, 2026 by IIT Roorkee in CBT mode. Paper 1 (9 AM–12 PM) and Paper 2 (2:30 PM–5:30 PM) had 54 questions each. Overall difficulty was moderate to difficult. The provisional answer key releases on May 25 at jeeadv.ac.in and results on June 1, 2026.
Table of Contents
- JEE Advanced 2026 Question Paper PDF — Download (Paper 1 & 2)
- How to Calculate Your JEE Advanced 2026 Score
- JEE Advanced 2026 Paper Analysis — Subject-wise Difficulty & Topic Distribution
- How Was JEE Advanced 2026 vs 2025? Expert Review
- JEE Advanced 2026 Expected Cutoff — Category-wise Predictions
- What to Do After JEE Advanced 2026?
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JEE Advanced 2026 Question Paper PDF — Download (Paper 1 & 2)
JEE Advanced 2026 was conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode on May 17, 2026. IIT Roorkee has released the official question papers at jeeadv.ac.in. eSaral's expert faculty provides unofficial solutions available below. The official provisional answer key will be released on May 25, 2026.
| Paper | Question Paper PDF | Unofficial Answer Key | Video Solutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (9 AM – 12 PM) | Download | Answer Key | Watch |
| Paper 2 (2:30 PM – 5:30 PM) | Download | Answer Key | Watch |
Note: eSaral's unofficial answer key is typically published within 2–3 hours of the exam ending. IIT Roorkee releases candidate response sheets on May 21, 2026 at 5 PM. Provisional answer key releases May 25. Bookmark this page for instant access.
Expert Tip by Saransh Gupta, IIT Bombay AIR-41: JEE Advanced 2026 follows a complex multi-type marking scheme — full marks, partial marks, and negative marks vary by question type. Always match your response sheet (released May 21) with the official key, not just memory-based keys.
Important Dates & Key Schedule
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Date | May 17, 2026 | Completed |
| Response Sheet | May 21, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Provisional Answer Key | May 25, 2026 (10:00 AM) | Upcoming |
| Objection Window | May 25–26, 2026 (₹200/question) | Upcoming |
| Results & Final Key | June 1, 2026 (10:00 AM) | Upcoming |
| JoSAA Counselling Registration | June 2, 2026 | Upcoming |
How to Calculate Your JEE Advanced 2026 Score
JEE Advanced 2026 uses a complex marking scheme with multiple question types — single correct MCQ, multi-correct MCQ, numerical value, and matrix match — each carrying different marks. Follow these steps precisely:
Step 1: Download your response sheet from the candidate portal at jeeadv.ac.in on May 21, 2026 using your registration number and date of birth.
Step 2: Download the provisional answer key for both Paper 1 and Paper 2 from jeeadv.ac.in on May 25 at 10 AM.
Step 3: Match question by question using the Question ID and Option ID on your response sheet — this prevents errors from different question orderings.
Step 4: Apply the marking scheme below by question type to get your section-wise and total score.
Step 5: Cross-reference your score with the expected cutoff and marks vs rank data in the section below.
JEE Advanced 2026 — Marking Scheme (Paper 1 & Paper 2)
| Question Type | Correct | Partial | Incorrect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Correct MCQ | +3 | 0 | −1 |
| Multi Correct MCQ (all correct) | +4 | +1 to +3 | −2 |
| Numerical Value Type | +4 | 0 | 0 (no negative) |
| Matrix Match Type | +3 per correct row | 0 | −1 per wrong row |
Total Score = Σ (Marks per correct response) − Σ (Negative marks for incorrect)
Expert Tip by eSaral IIT Faculty: For multi-correct questions, partial marking is given only when you select some (not all) correct options and NO incorrect option. If even one incorrect option is selected, −2 marks apply regardless of how many correct options you also chose. This asymmetry catches many students off guard.
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JEE Advanced 2026 Paper Analysis — Subject-wise Difficulty & Topic Distribution
JEE Advanced 2026 — May 17, 2026 | Conducted by IIT Roorkee Overall difficulty: Moderate to Difficult | Mode: CBT | Paper 1: 54 Qs | Paper 2: 54 Qs
Paper 1 Difficulty Order: Mathematics ≥ Physics > Chemistry Paper 2 Difficulty Order: Physics > Mathematics > Chemistry
Physics — Moderate to Difficult Paper 1 + Paper 2 combined Mechanics and electrodynamics dominated with multi-step, conceptually intensive questions. Numerical value type questions in Physics were the most time-consuming.
| Topic | Expected Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanics (Rotation, SHM, Gravitation) | 7–9 Qs | Hard |
| Electrostatics & Current Electricity | 6–8 Qs | Moderate–Hard |
| Optics (Ray & Wave) | 4–5 Qs | Moderate |
| Modern Physics & Nuclear | 4–5 Qs | Moderate |
| Thermodynamics & Waves | 3–4 Qs | Easy–Moderate |
Good attempt: 16+ | Strong attempt: 22+ | Safe score: 55–70
Mathematics — Difficult (Lengthy) Paper 1 + Paper 2 combined Maths was rated the most challenging section in Paper 1, described by students as lengthy and calculation-heavy. Calculus and Coordinate Geometry were most prominent.
| Topic | Expected Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Integral & Differential Calculus | 8–10 Qs | Hard |
| Coordinate Geometry (Conics) | 6–7 Qs | Hard |
| Algebra (Matrices, Complex Numbers) | 5–7 Qs | Moderate–Hard |
| Probability & Statistics | 3–4 Qs | Moderate |
| Vectors & 3D Geometry | 3–4 Qs | Moderate |
Good attempt: 14+ | Strong attempt: 20+ | Safe score: 50–65
Chemistry — Moderate Paper 1 + Paper 2 combined Chemistry was the most scoring section for well-prepared students. Organic reaction mechanisms and coordination compounds required deep conceptual clarity.
| Topic | Expected Questions | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Organic Chemistry (Reactions, Mechanisms) | 9–11 Qs | Moderate |
| Coordination Compounds & d-Block | 5–6 Qs | Moderate–Hard |
| Physical Chemistry (Thermodynamics, Equilibrium) | 6–8 Qs | Moderate |
| p-Block Elements | 3–5 Qs | Easy–Moderate |
| Electrochemistry & Kinetics | 3–4 Qs | Easy |
Good attempt: 20+ | Strong attempt: 25+ | Safe score: 65–80
How Was JEE Advanced 2026 vs 2025? Expert Review
Based on eSaral faculty analysis and student reactions on May 17, 2026: JEE Advanced 2026 was rated moderate to difficult overall — broadly comparable to JEE Advanced 2025 which was held on May 18, 2025. Physics and Maths were the toughest sections; Chemistry remained the most accessible.
| Parameter | JEE Advanced 2025 | JEE Advanced 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Difficulty | Moderate–Difficult | Moderate–Difficult |
| Physics | Moderate–Hard | Hard (lengthy, tricky) |
| Mathematics | Difficult (lengthy) | Difficult (lengthy) |
| Chemistry | Moderate | Moderate (most scoring) |
| Questions per paper | 54 | 54 |
| Good Total Attempt | 60–70 | 55–65 (estimated) |
| Top Qualifying Score (CRL) | ~145 marks | ~135–150 marks (estimated) |
| Registered Candidates | ~1.87 lakh | ~2.5 lakh eligible |
| Conducting IIT | IIT Kanpur | IIT Roorkee |
JEE Advanced 2026 Expected Cutoff — Category-wise Predictions
The JEE Advanced qualifying cutoff is the minimum aggregate marks a candidate must score to be eligible for IIT admission via JoSAA counselling. Below are estimated cutoffs based on 2023–2025 trends and the 2026 paper difficulty.
| Category | Expected Min % in Each Subject | Expected Aggregate (out of 360) |
|---|---|---|
| Common Rank List (CRL / General) | ~10% per subject | ~135–150 marks |
| General – EWS | ~9% | ~120–135 marks |
| OBC – NCL | ~9% | ~120–135 marks |
| SC | ~5% | ~65–75 marks |
| ST | ~5% | ~65–75 marks |
| PwD | ~5% | ~65–75 marks |
Important: The qualifying cutoff is for rank list eligibility — not for admission to a specific IIT or branch. For top IITs like IIT Bombay (CSE), candidates typically need 280+ marks (CRL rank under ~200). The official cutoff is released with results on June 1 at jeeadv.ac.in.
JEE Advanced 2026 Marks vs Rank (Estimated)
| Score Range (out of 360) | Expected CRL Rank |
|---|---|
| 300+ | Top 100 |
| 250–300 | 100–500 |
| 200–250 | 500–2,000 |
| 150–200 | 2,000–5,000 |
| 135–150 | 5,000–10,000 (qualifying zone) |
What to Do After JEE Advanced 2026?
- Calculate your expected score using the marking scheme above. Do this once calmly, using memory-based answers, before the official response sheet drops on May 21.
- Watch eSaral's expert paper analysis. Our IIT faculty break down each section, identify high-weightage questions, and estimate the cutoff live. Don't rely on WhatsApp groups for analysis.
- Use a rank predictor. Once you have your estimated score, a JEE Advanced rank predictor (based on 2024–2025 data) gives you a fair estimate of your probable AIR and IIT options.
- Research IITs and branches. Based on your expected rank, shortlist 10–15 IIT + NIT combinations across categories. JoSAA counselling opens June 2, 2026 — registration starts then.
- If your score is below expectations: JEE Advanced allows two attempts. A structured dropper year with IIT Bombay-trained faculty who understand what IIT actually tests can make the difference between a good rank and an exceptional one.
JEE Advanced 2026 score below target? Start 2027 the right way. eSaral's JEE Dropper Course is built by IIT Bombay faculty who've been inside the exam. Kota-quality teaching, online and offline — structured from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions.
When will the JEE Advanced 2026 question paper with solution PDF be available?
The official JEE Advanced 2026 question papers are already released at jeeadv.ac.in (Paper 1 and Paper 2, May 17). Unofficial solutions from eSaral and other coaching institutes are typically available within 2–3 hours of the exam. The official provisional answer key releases May 25 at 10 AM; the final key and results come on June 1.
How do I calculate my JEE Advanced 2026 score from the answer key?
Download your response sheet (May 21) and the provisional answer key (May 25) from jeeadv.ac.in. Match Question IDs carefully — the marking scheme varies by question type: Single correct (+3/−1), Multi-correct (+4 to +1 partial / −2 if wrong), Numerical (+4 / no negative), Matrix Match (+3 per row / −1 per wrong row). Total up all marks for your final score.
What is the expected JEE Advanced 2026 cutoff for general category?
The JEE Advanced 2026 qualifying cutoff for the Common Rank List (General category) is expected to be around 135–150 marks out of 360, based on the paper's moderate-to-difficult difficulty and 2023–2025 trend data. Each subject also has a minimum threshold of around 10%. The official cutoff is released with results on June 1 at jeeadv.ac.in.
How difficult was JEE Advanced 2026 compared to JEE Advanced 2025?
JEE Advanced 2026 was rated moderate to difficult — broadly similar to JEE Advanced 2025. Physics was tricky and conceptually intensive in both years. Maths was the toughest section in Paper 1 due to lengthy calculations. Chemistry was the most accessible and scoring section. Overall good attempts are estimated at 55–65 questions across both papers combined.
Can I challenge the JEE Advanced 2026 provisional answer key?
Yes. After IIT Roorkee releases the provisional answer key on May 25 at 10 AM, candidates can submit objections at jeeadv.ac.in until May 26, 5 PM. Each challenge requires a fee of ₹200 per question. If your challenge is accepted and the answer key is revised, the fee is fully refunded. The final, unchallengeable key and results are released on June 1.