The JEE Main 2026 exam for January 24th, Shift 1, was found to be of moderate difficulty by students. The exam took place across India on January 24th, 2026. The Maths section was reported as the toughest, while Physics and Chemistry were considered moderate.
The JEE Main exam is a crucial entrance test for engineering colleges in India. This year's January session continues with multiple shifts to accommodate many students. The exam for B.Tech and B.E. courses includes subjects like Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
Exam Paper Analysis
Students who took the exam on January 24th in the first shift shared their feedback. Many felt the overall paper was manageable. The exam followed the expected syllabus and pattern.
Here's a breakdown of how each subject was perceived:
| Subject | Difficulty Level |
| Physics | Moderate and Lengthy |
| Chemistry | Moderate |
| Mathematics | Lengthy and the toughest of the three |
Mathematics: Many students found the Maths section long and challenging. It required a good understanding of concepts and sometimes multiple steps to solve problems. This made it time-consuming for some.
Physics: The Physics paper was generally seen as moderately difficult. Questions covered common topics like mechanics, optics, and electricity. While many questions were standard, some required deeper thinking.
Chemistry: The Chemistry section was also considered moderate. It included a few questions based on statements and topics like salts and coordination compounds.
Expected Cutoff Marks
Based on the exam difficulty and student performance, experts have provided an estimated cutoff for JEE Main 2026. These scores help predict chances of admission into engineering programs.
| Category | Expected Cutoff Score |
| General | 93.3045326 |
| Gen-EWS | 81.4387917 |
| OBC-NCL | 80.7456432 |
| SC | 61.3526948 |
| ST | 48.2456783 |
| UR-PwD | 0.0082349 |
Candidates are advised to check the official JEE Main website for the exact cutoff scores and further updates regarding the exam and results.
