The National Testing Agency (NTA) will hold the JEE Main Session 1 exam in January 2026 . This important engineering entrance exam will take place from January 21 to January 30, 2026 . Students preparing for the chemistry section should pay close attention to the “Principles Related to Practical Chemistry” unit. This part of the syllabus usually includes 1 to 2 questions out of the 25 chemistry questions in each exam shift. This means it makes up about 1.47% to 3.3% of the total chemistry marks.
Understanding Practical Chemistry topics is key for scoring well. These topics cover common experiments and analysis methods used in chemistry labs. Candidates can find the important topics for JEE Main 2026 Practical Chemistry below to help with their studies.
JEE Main 2026 Practical Chemistry Important Topics
Here are the main topics and their sub-topics that students should prepare for the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exam:
| Main Topic | Sub-Topics to Study |
| Detection of Elements | Nitrogen, Sulphur, and Halogens in Organic Compounds |
| Methods for Elemental Analysis | Dumas Method, Kjeldahl Method, Fractional Distillation |
| Functional Group Detection | Hydroxyl (-OH), Carboxyl (-COOH), Carbonyl (>C=O), and Amino (-NH₂) Groups |
| Preparation of Inorganic Salts | Mohr's Salt, Potash Alum |
| Preparation of Organic Compounds | Acetanilide, p-Nitro Acetanilide, Aniline, Iodoform |
| Titration Exercise | Acid-base titrations, understanding equivalence points |
| Redox Reaction Exercise | Reactions involving oxidation and reduction, balancing equations |
| Salt Analysis | Identification of Anions (negative ions) |
Why Practical Chemistry Matters
The “Principles Related to Practical Chemistry” unit helps students connect theoretical knowledge with real-world applications in the lab. Questions from this section often involve concepts like identifying unknown substances based on their reactions, understanding the steps in a chemical process, and interpreting experimental results. For instance, knowing how to detect nitrogen using the Lassaigne's test, or understanding the calculations in a titration, are direct applications of practical chemistry.
Even though this section contributes 1 to 2 questions , these questions are often straightforward if you have studied the practical aspects properly. They can be crucial for boosting your overall score and percentile in the highly competitive JEE Main exam. Mastering these topics shows a deeper understanding of chemistry, which is valuable for future engineering studies.
How to Prepare for Practical Chemistry
To prepare effectively for the Practical Chemistry section, students should go beyond just memorising names. It is important to understand the 'why' and 'how' behind each experiment and analytical technique. Here are clear steps for preparation:
- Study Reaction Mechanisms: Understand the chemical reactions involved in each test. For example, why certain reagents are used for detecting specific elements or functional groups.
- Focus on Experimental Procedures: Learn the actual steps involved in methods like Dumas or Kjeldahl. Questions might test your knowledge of the sequence or conditions required.
- Practice Identifying Observations: Many practical chemistry questions ask about visible changes such as colour changes, gas bubbles, or the formation of solid precipitates. Make flashcards for important observations.
- Review Apparatus and Safety: Be familiar with common laboratory glassware and equipment, and basic safety rules. Though less common, knowing these basics can help.
- Solve Numerical Problems: Practice calculations related to titrations (e.g., finding unknown concentrations) and elemental analysis (e.g., calculating percentage of elements).
- Refer to NCERT Textbooks: The NCERT Class 11 and 12 chemistry practical manuals are excellent resources for these topics.
By following these steps, students can build a strong foundation in Practical Chemistry. This will not only help them score well in JEE Main but also provide a solid understanding for their engineering journey. Studying these important Practical Chemistry topics can significantly help students achieve a good rank in the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exam. Keep practicing and revise these concepts regularly for strong preparation.
