JEE Main Jan 28 Shift 1 Analysis: Mathematics Remains Tough; Overall Paper Rated Moderate but Time-Consuming
Today, January 28, 2026, marks one of the most significant days in the engineering entrance calendar as the first session of JEE Main 2026 enters its final stretch. With the morning shift concluding at noon, lakhs of aspirants are now analyzing their performance to gauge their potential percentiles. As the afternoon shift begins, the pressure is on for the final batch of students to wrap up this session.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has successfully concluded the morning shift (Shift 1) of the JEE Main 2026 January 28 exam. As the first session of the year nears its end, the trend of a "balanced but challenging" paper continues. Initial feedback from students and experts suggests that while Physics and Chemistry remained within the approachable "Moderate" territory, Mathematics continued to be the formidable gatekeeper, characterized by lengthy calculations and complex conceptual intersections.
For regular updates on the answer key release and marks vs. percentile trends, follow Only Education News.
Section-Wise Difficulty Breakdown
| Subject | Difficulty Level | Key Highlights |
| Mathematics | Difficult | Lengthy calculations; heavy focus on Calculus and Algebra. |
| Physics | Moderate | Formulas-based but required conceptual clarity in Mechanics. |
| Chemistry | Moderate | Balanced mix of Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry. |
Topic-Wise Insights
Mathematics: The Time Cruncher
The Mathematics section was the most demanding, with students reporting that many questions required more than the average allotted time. Topics such as Calculus, Vectors, 3D Geometry, and Coordinate Geometry dominated the paper. Questions on Probability and Matrices were also noted for their tricky nature, requiring a deep dive into fundamental properties.
Physics: Conceptually Solid
Physics was rated moderate. Questions were spread across Mechanics, Electromagnetism, and Modern Physics. While many questions were direct applications of formulas, a few required a strong grasp of conceptual nuances, particularly in Electrostatics and Optics.
Chemistry: The Scoring Section
Chemistry remained the most scoring part of the paper. Inorganic Chemistry questions were largely NCERT-based, making them quick to solve for well-prepared students. Organic Chemistry saw questions on named reactions and mechanisms, while Physical Chemistry was primarily confined to the numerical-value section.
Biometrics and Future Steps
The NTA has implemented strict Face Authentication and Aadhaar Biometrics for the exams on January 28 and 29 to ensure a fair testing environment. With Shift 2 currently underway, the January session will soon conclude, shifting the focus to the Session 2 Registration, which is already live.
Aspirants are advised to keep their application numbers ready for the official response sheet release, expected in the first week of February. For a detailed breakdown of college cut-offs and the JEE Advanced eligibility criteria, follow Only Education News.