JEE Main 2026 Jan 24 Shift 1 Paper Analysis: Difficulty, Weightage & Student Reactions

The JEE Main 2026 January 24 Shift 1 exam was conducted by NTA in the morning session. Based on student feedback and exam pattern observation, the paper followed the standard JEE Main structure with a balanced mix of conceptual understanding and calculation-based questions.

This detailed analysis covers:

• Overall paper difficulty
• Subject-wise review
• Chapter-wise weightage trends
• Toughness level
• Student reactions
• Performance outlook for aspirants

Overall Difficulty Level – Jan 24 Shift 1

📌 Students reported that the paper was balanced, but Mathematics required better time management.

Subject-wise Paper Analysis – Jan 24 Shift 1

Physics Analysis

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Physics questions were concept-driven and aligned with the NCERT syllabus. Students with clear fundamentals found this section manageable.

Important Topics Asked:

• Electrostatics
• Magnetic Effects of Current
• Ray Optics
• Thermodynamics
• Modern Physics

Student Reaction:

Physics was straightforward and not very tricky.

Chemistry Analysis

Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

Chemistry was largely NCERT-based, making it a scoring section for prepared students.

Important Topics Asked:

• Coordination Compounds
• Biomolecules
• Chemical Kinetics
• Thermodynamics
• Organic Reaction Mechanism

Student Reaction:

Chemistry was direct and theory-based, mostly from NCERT.

Mathematics Analysis

Difficulty Level: Moderate to Tough

Mathematics was time-consuming with lengthy calculation-based problems and multi-step questions.

Important Topics Asked:

• Vector & 3D Geometry
• Matrices and Determinants
• Integration
• Differential Calculus
• Conic Sections

Student Reaction:

Maths was lengthy and required strong speed and accuracy.

Chapter-wise Weightage Trend (Observed)

Physics

• Electrostatics & Magnetism
• Optics
• Modern Physics

Chemistry

• Inorganic Chemistry (NCERT)
• Physical Chemistry numericals
• Organic Chemistry reactions

Mathematics

• Calculus
• Vector & 3D Geometry
• Algebra
• Coordinate Geometry

Good Attempts & Expected Performance – Jan 24 Shift 1

Expected Marks vs Percentile (Indicative)

👉 Students can estimate their percentile using a detailed JEE Mains Marks vs Percentile analysis.

Student Reactions – Jan 24 Shift 1

What Students Liked 👍

• Predictable paper pattern
• Physics and Chemistry were manageable
• No out-of-syllabus questions

What Students Found Difficult 👎

• Lengthy Mathematics
• Time pressure in calculations

Overall Student Opinion:

“The paper was balanced, but Mathematics decided the final performance.”

Comparison with Other Shifts

📌 Jan 24 Shift 1 was more balanced compared to tougher shifts like Jan 22 Shift 2.

What Students Should Learn from Jan 24 Shift 1

• NCERT remains the key for Chemistry
• Speed and accuracy matter in Mathematics
• Strong conceptual clarity helps in Physics
• Time-based mock practice is essential

For students preparing for upcoming sessions or JEE Advanced, joining a focused JEE Crash Course can significantly improve revision efficiency and score potential.

Final Verdict – JEE Main 2026 Jan 24 Shift 1

The JEE Main 2026 January 24 Shift 1 paper followed the standard NTA pattern with:

• Moderate Physics
• NCERT-based and scoring Chemistry
• Lengthy and decisive Mathematics

Students with good fundamentals and time management skills were able to perform well.

FAQs

Q1. What was the difficulty level of Jan 24 Shift 1?

The overall difficulty level was moderate.

Q2. Which section was toughest in this shift?

Mathematics was the most time-consuming section.

Q3. Was Chemistry NCERT-based?

Yes, Chemistry questions were largely based on NCERT.

Q4. Was Jan 24 Shift 1 a scoring shift?

Yes, it was a balanced and moderately scoring shift.

Q5. How can I predict my percentile from marks?

You can use the JEE Mains Marks vs Percentile guide to estimate your percentile.