NTA is expected to release the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 response sheet and provisional answer key by early February. Learn about the objection fee, the challenge process for incorrect questions, and how to calculate your expected NTA score.

Following the successful completion of the Session 1 engineering entrance exams on January 29, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is now preparing to activate the next phase of the admission cycle. Millions of engineering aspirants are currently awaiting the release of their digital response sheets, which provide a personalized record of every option marked during the computer-based test. As of January 31, 2026, sources close to the NTA indicate that the provisional answer key and the subsequent challenge window will likely go live on the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in, within the first week of February.

Accessing the Digital Response Sheet

The response sheet is an essential document for candidates seeking to verify the accuracy of their performance. It contains the question IDs, the options provided by the agency, and the specific choice recorded by the student on the day of the exam. This transparency ensures that students can cross-reference their work before the final results are processed by the NTA.

• Login Credentials: Aspirants will need their Application Number and Date of Birth (or Password) to access their individual response records.
• Download Window: The link is typically active for only 2 to 3 days, making it imperative for students to save a PDF copy immediately.
• Score Estimation: By comparing the marked answers with the provisional key, students can calculate their raw scores using the +4 and -1 marking scheme.
• Normalization Data: The Session 1 data from these sheets is eventually used to calculate the multi-shift percentile scores.

Navigating the Answer Key Challenge Window

Alongside the recorded responses, the agency opens a formal challenge window to address potential discrepancies in the provisional answer key. If a candidate finds that a provided solution is incorrect or that a question has multiple valid answers, they can submit an objection through the portal. This challenge mechanism is vital for maintaining the integrity of the high-stakes examination.

Every challenge submitted is reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts. If an objection is found to be valid, the answer key is revised, and the benefit of the correction is extended to all candidates who attempted that specific question. However, the fee remains non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the Session 1 review.

Final Score Calculation and Result Compilation

Once the challenge period concludes, the NTA will begin the final compilation of results. No individual grievances are entertained after the window closes, as the final answer key serves as the absolute benchmark for the 2026 ranking.

• Final Key Release: Usually published 24 hours before the result declaration.
• Result Date: Expected to be announced by February 12, 2026.
• NTA Score: The raw scores from the response sheet are converted into a percentile score based on the relative performance of all students in that shift.
• Session 2 Preparation: Candidates unsatisfied with their Session 1 performance can use the feedback from their response sheet to adjust their strategy for the April attempt.

Conclusion

The upcoming release of the JEE Main 2026 response sheet marks the beginning of the "verification phase" for engineering hopefuls. By providing a clear challenge window, the NTA ensures that the Session 1 results are both fair and accurate. Candidates are advised to keep their login details ready and have their reference materials prepared to act quickly once the objection link is activated. With the results expected in mid-February, the next few days will be the final opportunity for students to interact with their examination data before the competitive landscape shifts toward the second session.