Overview of JEE Main 2026 January 28 Exam Shifts

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), continued its Session 1 on January 28 with Paper 1 for Bachelor of Engineering (BE)/Bachelor of Technology (BTech) aspirants. This date marked a significant day in the multi-day exam schedule, featuring two shifts: Shift 1 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and Shift 2 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Held across numerous centers in India, including major hubs like Kota, Delhi, and Mumbai, the exam drew thousands of students aiming for admission to premier institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and other centrally funded technical institutions (CFTIs).

Unlike the initial days of the session starting January 21, January 28 brought a mix of anticipation and scrutiny from students who had analyzed prior shifts. Early reports indicated smooth logistics with admit cards released specifically for January 28 and 29 candidates, ensuring biometric verification and timely entry. However, some centers in Kota reported minor technical glitches during Shift 1, sparking discussions on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit. This article delves into student reactions, subject-wise breakdowns, and expert analyses, providing a comprehensive resource for aspirants, parents, and educators navigating the competitive landscape of Indian higher education engineering admissions.

For those preparing for future engineering careers, platforms like higher ed jobs offer insights into post-JEE opportunities in academia and industry.

Overall Difficulty Level Across Both Shifts

Student feedback and initial expert reviews pegged the January 28 papers as moderate in overall difficulty, a consistent trend observed throughout Session 1. In Shift 1, a majority of students rated the paper as moderate, with some describing it as balanced yet time-intensive. Shift 2 echoed this sentiment, though Mathematics emerged as the differentiating factor pushing the perceived toughness higher for some.

Compared to earlier shifts like January 23 Shift 2—often cited as the toughest—January 28 was relatively more approachable. Aakash Institute's analysis highlighted that well-prepared students could attempt 70-80% of questions comfortably, emphasizing conceptual clarity over rote learning. This moderation aligns with NTA's normalization process, which adjusts scores across shifts to account for varying difficulty levels, ensuring fairness in percentile calculations.

• Shift 1: Moderate (Physics and Chemistry easy-moderate, Maths moderate-difficult)
• Shift 2: Moderate (Similar pattern, with slightly tougher numericals in Maths)
• Good attempts: 65-75 questions out of 90 for top percentiles

Such patterns underscore the importance of time management, a skill vital for success in higher education entrance exams leading to top universities.

Physics Section: Easy to Moderate with Strong Conceptual Focus

Physics in both shifts was largely student-friendly, rated easy to moderate by most. Questions spanned core topics like Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Modern Physics, and Optics, drawing heavily from NCERT textbooks. Numerical problems were straightforward, avoiding excessive calculations, which allowed students to focus on application-based understanding.

In Shift 1, approximately 20-22 questions were comfortably attemptable, with high weightage on Kinematics and Thermodynamics. Students from Resonance noted that the section tested fundamental concepts without tricky twists, contrasting with tougher Physics in prior years. Shift 2 maintained this level, though a few questions on Wave Optics demanded deeper insights.

Experts from Physics Wallah (PW) praised the section for promoting analytical skills essential for engineering curricula at IITs and NITs. For aspirants, this reinforces the value of consistent practice through mock tests available on platforms offering higher ed career advice.

Chemistry: Balanced and NCERT-Centric, Easy-Moderate

Chemistry emerged as the scoring section, rated easy to moderate across shifts. Organic Chemistry dominated with questions on reaction mechanisms and named reactions, while Physical Chemistry featured numericals on Thermodynamics and Equilibrium. Inorganic Chemistry stuck to factual recalls from periodic trends and coordination compounds.

Student reactions on YouTube live sessions highlighted the predictability, with many achieving near-perfect attempts. Aakash's Ajay Sharma described it as well-balanced, enabling 23-25 attempts safely. This NCERT alignment benefits students from diverse college backgrounds preparing for university-level chemistry courses.

• Organic: 35-40% weightage, mechanism-focused
• Physical: Straightforward calculations
• Inorganic: Memory-based, high-scoring

Mathematics: The Time-Consuming Challenge, Moderate to Difficult

Mathematics proved the stumbling block, labeled moderate to difficult and lengthy in both shifts. Topics like Calculus (Integrals, Differential Equations), Algebra (Matrices, Determinants), and Coordinate Geometry carried heavy weightage, featuring lengthy calculations and multi-step problems.

Students reported spending 70-80 minutes on this section alone, with tricky questions in Vectors and 3D Geometry. Matrix Education's feedback indicated 10-14 safe attempts for good scores. This trend mirrors Session 1's pattern, where Maths has been the differentiator for top ranks.

For those eyeing faculty or research roles post-graduation, strengthening Maths aligns with demands in research jobs at Indian universities.

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Live Student Reactions from Exam Centers

Post-exam buzz on Reddit's r/JEENEETards and X was vibrant. Shift 1 students from Delhi centers called it "doable but lengthy," with one tweeting, "Maths ate my time!" Kota aspirants mentioned minor server issues but praised the moderate level overall.

Shift 2 reactions echoed: "Chemistry saved the day," per Instagram reels from Resonance students. Ankur Singh from NDTV interview noted moderate difficulty, attemptable for 200+ scorers. These real-time insights reflect the high-stakes pressure on India's youth pursuing engineering degrees.

Coaching Institutes' Expert Analysis

Leading institutes provided memory-based papers and solutions promptly. Allen and Resonance ranked Shift 1 as moderate, with detailed topic weightage. PW's daily analysis confirmed Maths as lengthy, advising focus on high-yield chapters for remaining exams.

Aakash emphasized balanced syllabus coverage, aiding predictions for JEE Advanced. These analyses are gold for students targeting university admissions and beyond, including lecturer positions via lecturer jobs.

Comparison with Previous Session 1 Shifts

January 28 was easier than January 23 Shift 2 (toughest) but similar to January 24. Physics and Chemistry trended easier, while Maths remained consistent in challenge. Year-over-year, 2026 appears slightly tougher than 2025 due to calculation intensity.

Expected Cutoffs, Percentiles, and Normalization Impact

Preliminary cutoffs: General 91-94 percentile, OBC 78-81. Normalization will boost scores from tougher shifts like this. NTA's tie-breaking rules prioritize higher Maths marks, influencing ranks for NIT allocations.

These trends guide counseling for JoSAA, linking to broader higher education pathways.

Implications for JEE Advanced and University Admissions

Moderate papers favor consistent performers for Advanced qualifiers (top 2.5 lakh). Strong Chemistry boosts overall percentiles, crucial for IIT dreams. Universities like BITS Pilani may see shifted preferences if NIT cutoffs rise.

Explore India higher ed opportunities for state-wise university insights.

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Preparation Tips and Actionable Insights for Aspirants

• Prioritize Maths time management via timed mocks
• Revise NCERT for Chemistry scoring
• Analyze weak topics from memory-based papers
• Stay updated via NTA site for answer keys

Session 2 registration opens soon; use this analysis to refine strategies. For career guidance, visit academic CV tips.

Future Outlook: Session 2 and Beyond

With Session 1 wrapping up January 29 (Paper 2), expect similar moderate trends. Results mid-February will shape Advanced prep. NTA's focus on fairness amid glitches highlights evolving exam tech in Indian higher education.

Position yourself for success with resources like rate my professor, higher ed jobs, and career advice. In conclusion, January 28's paper rewarded preparation, setting a constructive tone for aspiring engineers.