JEE Main 2026 January 22 Shift 2 Paper Analysis – Difficulty, Weightage & Student Reactions

The JEE Main 2026 January 22 Shift 2 paper was one of the most discussed shifts of the session, as students felt a noticeable change in difficulty level compared to earlier shifts. Aspirants were keen to know whether this shift was tougher and how normalization might play a role. If you are preparing for upcoming sessions or JEE Advanced, joining a focused JEE Crash Course can help you revise effectively and boost your score in a short time.

Here is a complete, student-friendly and SEO-optimized analysis of JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 Shift 2 based on student feedback and expert review.

Overall Difficulty Level – Jan 22 Shift 2

The overall difficulty level of JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 Shift 2 is rated as:

⚠️ Moderate to Tough

This shift leaned more towards conceptual depth and lengthy calculations, making it tougher than Jan 22 Shift 1.

Subject-wise Paper Analysis

Physics Analysis – Jan 22 Shift 2

Physics was more conceptual and tougher compared to the morning shift.

Physics Highlights:

• Strong focus on Electrodynamics and Modern Physics
• Fewer direct formula-based questions
• Multi-concept questions tested deeper understanding

Physics Difficulty: 🟡 Moderate to Tough

Chemistry Analysis – Jan 22 Shift 2

Chemistry was balanced but slightly trickier than Shift 1.

Chemistry Highlights:

• Inorganic was NCERT-based but with tricky options
• Organic involved conceptual reaction mechanisms
• Physical Chemistry was calculation-oriented

Chemistry Difficulty: 🟡 Moderate

Mathematics Analysis – Jan 22 Shift 2

Mathematics emerged as the toughest section of this shift.

Mathematics Highlights:

• Lengthy, time-consuming problems
• Dominance of Calculus and Coordinate Geometry
• Required strong problem selection strategy

Mathematics Difficulty: 🔴 Tough

Chapter-wise Weightage – Jan 22 Shift 2

Based on memory-based questions:

Physics Weightage

Chemistry Weightage

Mathematics Weightage

Toughness Level Compared to Jan 22 Shift 1

👉 Jan 22 Shift 2 was clearly tougher than the morning shift.

Students’ Reactions – Jan 22 Shift 2

What Students Liked 👍

• Conceptual quality of questions
• Chemistry remained manageable
• Fair paper without surprises

What Troubled Students 👎

• Maths was very lengthy
• Physics needed deep understanding
• Time pressure was high

Common Student Opinion:

“Maths was exhausting, but Chemistry helped balance the paper.”

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Expected Percentile vs Marks – Jan 22 Shift 2

Since this was a tougher shift, normalization may be favorable.

(Indicative only)

What This Shift Teaches Future Aspirants

Based on Jan 22 Shift 2:

• Focus on high-level Calculus
• Strengthen Electrodynamics & EMI
• Practice multi-concept Physics problems
• Improve question selection strategy

Final Verdict – JEE Main 2026 Jan 22 Shift 2

The paper was challenging, concept-heavy, and time-consuming, making it one of the tougher shifts of the session. Students with strong conceptual clarity and exam temperament performed better.

FAQs – 

Q1. Was Jan 22 Shift 2 tougher than Shift 1?

Yes, it was clearly tougher, especially in Mathematics and Physics.

Q2. Which subject was the toughest?

Mathematics was the toughest section in this shift.

Q3. Was Chemistry scoring in this shift?

Yes, Chemistry was moderate and helped balance the overall difficulty.

Q4. Was the paper NCERT based?

Yes, especially Inorganic Chemistry and parts of Physics.

Q5. Is this shift considered low scoring?

Compared to other shifts, yes — due to tough Maths.

Q6. Will normalization favor this shift?

Likely yes, as it was tougher than average.

Q7. Which chapters should students focus on from this shift?

Calculus, EMI, AC, Coordination Compounds, and Vector 3D.