The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 Session 1 began today, January 21, 2026. Lakhs of students across India took part in the first shift. The Shift 1 exam ended at 12 PM. Most students found the paper to be of moderate difficulty. It was similar to previous year exams. The second shift of JEE Main 2026 began at 3 PM today and will end at 6 PM.
Students appearing for Shift 2 must follow strict entry rules. The exam centre gates closed at 2:30 PM. Students had to report early to complete important checks like biometric verification and security. No student was allowed inside after the gates closed.
JEE Main 2026 Shift 2 Timings and Entry Details
For students taking the afternoon shift, entry to the exam hall started from 1 PM. Here are the important timings for Shift 2:
| Event | Shift 2 (Afternoon) |
| Reporting and Entry | 1 PM to 2:30 PM |
| Last Entry Allowed | 2:30 PM |
| Instructions by Invigilator | 2:30 PM to 2:50 PM |
| Log in to Read Instructions | 2:50 PM |
| Test Commences | 3 PM |
| Test Concludes | 6 PM |
Important Rules for Shift 2 Exam Day
Students must remember these rules for the exam:
- Reach the exam centre on time as per the reporting schedule.
- Ensure your Aadhaar biometric authentication is working and not locked.
- Carry all necessary documents like your admit card and ID proof.
- Do not carry any items that are not allowed inside the exam hall.
- You can carry one transparent simple ballpoint pen.
- You can carry a transparent water bottle.
JEE Main 2026 Shift 1 Analysis: What Students Said
After the first shift, students and experts shared their views on the exam. They said the JEE Main Day 1 Shift 1 paper was moderate overall. There were no big surprises in how the questions were asked or what topics were covered. Here is a quick look at the difficulty for each subject:
| Subject | Difficulty Level |
| Physics | Moderate |
| Chemistry | Easy |
| Mathematics | Tough |
| Overall Exam | Moderate and balanced |
What to Expect After JEE Main 2026 Exams
After Shift 1, students can use the analysis to understand the exam better. Based on initial feedback, it is expected that Shift 2 might be slightly harder than Shift 1. This might be true especially for Physics and Mathematics sections.
The JEE Main exam uses a special process called normalisation. This process helps to make scores fair, even if different shifts have different difficulty levels. Last year’s results showed that even small changes in difficulty could affect a student's final percentile score.
Once Shift 2 finishes at 6 PM today, students can expect to find the following information:
- Question papers based on student memory.
- More detailed student reactions about the exam.
- An initial look at the difficulty level and what a good score might be.
- Unofficial answer keys and discussions will become available.
Students should stay updated for further announcements regarding answer keys and results from official sources.
