JEE Main 2026 Jan 28 Shift 1 Paper Analysis: Difficulty, Weightage & Student Reactions

The JEE Main 2026 January 28 Shift 1 exam was conducted by NTA in the morning session. Based on student feedback and exam pattern observations, 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

Overall Difficulty Level – Jan 28 Shift 1

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

Subject-wise Paper Analysis – Jan 28 Shift 1

Physics Analysis

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Physics was largely concept-based with a mix of numerical and theory questions. The paper followed a predictable JEE Main pattern.

Important Topics Asked:

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

Student Reaction:

Physics was balanced and manageable with clear concepts.

Chemistry Analysis

Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate

Chemistry was NCERT-dominant, making it one of the more scoring sections 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 the most time-consuming section in this shift, with lengthy calculation-based 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 28 Shift 1

Expected Marks vs Percentile (Indicative)

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

Student Reactions – Jan 28 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 28 Shift 1 was considered more balanced than tougher shifts like Jan 22 Shift 2, but still required strong time management.

What Students Should Learn from Jan 28 Shift 1

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

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

Final Verdict – JEE Main 2026 Jan 28 Shift 1

The JEE Main 2026 January 28 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 effective time management were able to perform well.

FAQs

Q1. What was the difficulty level of Jan 28 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 content.

Q4. Was Jan 28 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.