The JEE Main 2026 Chemistry paper is a critical part of your exam. It tests not just your knowledge of Chemistry but also how well you manage your time during the real exam. Each and every question and every mark matters. NTA frequently revises the weightage given to chapters in Chemistry. Over the last couple of years, chapters, such as Coordination Compounds, Thermodynamics, Organic Chemistry have gained more importance while Alkyl Halides & Hydrocarbons, Polymers are losing ground. The chapters that are gaining weightage are usually those with a strong conceptual basis or related to core NCERT topics. By identifying the shift in JEE Main Chemistry weightage and focusing on chapters gaining importance you can use your study time wisely and improve your scores in the exam.
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How JEE Main Chemistry Weightage Has Shifted in the Recent Years
Based on the recent data and previous trends on JEE Main Chemistry, here is a detailed topic wise table showing chapters that are gaining importance (increasing weightage) and those losing their ground or having relatively lower weightage. This will help to prioritize study time smartly.
Chemistry Topics | Weightage Range | Trend | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure | 6–7% | Stable and consistent | Core conceptual topic, frequently asked |
Coordination Compounds | 8–10% | Gaining | Important inorganic chemistry topic |
Electrochemistry | 3–4% | Losing | Losing depth, fewer questions expected |
Equilibrium | 4–5% | Losing | Fewer questions asked |
Thermodynamics | 6–8% | Stable | Important Physical Chemistry topic |
Organic Chemistry - Basic Principles | 5–8% | Gaining | Includes isomerism, reaction mechanisms |
p-Block Elements | 5–8% | Gaining | Covers groups 15-18, well tested |
Atomic Structure | 3–6% | Stable | Fundamental chapter with steady questions |
Chemical Kinetics | 4–6% | Stable | Conceptual, moderately weighted |
Redox Reactions | 3–6% | Losing | Low-moderate weighatge and fewe questions asked |
Alkyl Halides & Hydrocarbons | 3–6% | Losing slightly | Still important but fewer questions recently |
Aldehydes, Ketones & Carboxylic Acids | 3–6% | Stable | Consistent weightage in organic chemistry |
Biomolecules & Polymers | 0–3% | Losing | Low frequency, relatively easy questions |
Nuclear & Environmental Chemistry | 4–6% | Gaining | Emerging importance in recent exams |
This focused approach will help optimize your study plan by allocating more time to high weightage conceptually important chapters and ensure better score improvement in JEE Main Chemistry 2026.
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Topics Gaining Importance in JEE Main Chemistry 2026
1. Coordination Compounds
Coordination Compounds is one of the most important chapters for you this year. It carries nearly 10% weightage in the real exam. This chapter involves an understanding of naming conventions, oxidation states, isomerism, hybridization and valence bond theory. The questions from this chapter are logical and pattern based for better understanding. Werner's theory, ligands, coordination number, IUPAC nomenclature are among the repeatedly asked topics from this chapter. Once you understand the question pattern you can easily score from this chapter without wasting much time. It is a high scoring topic that requires regular practice and patience.
2. Chemical Kinetics
Chemical Kinetics has also gained importance these days with more questions focusing on reaction rates, order of reactions and molecularity. In this part both the numerical and theory parts of this chapter are essential for good marks in the JEE Mains 2026 exam. The concepts here are fundamental and usually predictable so you have to carefully study and practice for better results. Focus on topics, like Order of reaction, molecularity, and rate law, Arrhenius equation and activation energy from past years' papers to score high.
3. Organic Chemistry
In Organic Chemistry, weightage of chapters related to oxygen-containing compounds like aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids has now increased to nearly 7% in the JEE Mains exam. You can expect 1-2 reaction-based problems from these topics. The questions are pretty straightforward and aims to test your conceptual understanding. Understanding the mechanisms and reactions in these chapters can boost your score by a marginal level.
4. Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is another important topic in Physical Chemistry, with steady but high importance. With 2-4 questions every year, Chemical Thermodynamics contribites to around 6-12% of the total weightage in JEE Main Chemistry. Questions related to energy changes, enthalpy, entropy and the laws of thermodynamics are common and easy to score. A strong grip of these concepts helps in solving many related problems across different chapters in Chemistry.
5. d and f Block Elements
Chapters dealing with the d and f block elements (transition elements, lanthanides, actinides) have maintained moderate consistency in JEE Mains. 1-2 questions contributing to 4-7% of total weightage can be expected in 2026. You should concentrate on the properties, common compounds and oxidation states as questions from these appear frequently. Doing regular practice can improve your score and you won't miss any questions appearing from this topic.
Important Topics Losing Ground in JEE Main Chemistry 2026
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1. Redox Reactions
Redox Reactions as a standalone topic has fewer questions though parts of it are merged within Electrochemistry. The chapter maintains a low weightage of 3-4%, carrying not more than one question. So we suggest you study this topic to understand the basics but avoid spending excessive time here.
2. Polymers
Polymers is yet another low-weightage topic (nearly 2-3%) from where typically one question is asked every year. However, the trend may vary across JEE Main exam shifts, so it is best not to skip these chapters completely. Instead, review JEE Main previous year question papers with solutions PDF and practice similar questions to get the minimal marks.
3. Stereochemistry
Stereochemistry and haloalkanes also continue to appear but according to the new trend they appear with lower frequency. The expected weightage of these chapters in JEE Mains 2026 Chemistry is 3-4%, which means only 1-2 questions will likely be asked. Although these chapters can be tricky but their reduced weightage means you can manage them with regular revision rather than extensive study.
How to Prepare Smartly for JEE Main Chemistry 2026
Divide each chapter into smaller and manageable sections to prevent feeling overwhelmed. Always focus on understanding basic concepts before moving to advanced problems.
Prepare short concept-based notes for each topic. Use diagrams, key terms and flowcharts to simplify revision later.
Practice questions topic wise in multiple sessions for better retention gain. You have to keep revisiting difficult problems until you can solve them accurately and confidently.
Compile a single sheet containing key formulas,definitions and concepts. After that revise this sheet frequently to reinforce quick recall during exams.
Attempt chapters with high-scoring potential first while taking JEE Main 2026 mock test . Analyze each test to identify weak areas and improve time management.
Use the same notes and solved examples for both JEE Main and board exams. Doing this integrated approach saves time, reduces stress and ensures efficient preparation.
JEE Main Chemistry 2026 demands smart and balanced preparation. Don’t just focus on tough chapters or popular myths. Chapters like Coordination Compounds, Chemical Kinetics and Thermodynamics now have more weightage. While chapters like Redox Reactions and Solid State Chemistry have lower emphasis. Preparing overlooked chapters with care and regular practice can boost your score significantly. You should follow a disciplined study plan and stay consistent. You also have to focus on scoring topics to improve your rank in JEE Main Chemistry 2026.
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FAQs
Divide chapters into manageable sections, make concept notes, practice topic-wise, compile a single sheet of key formulas, attempt high-scoring chapters first in mock tests, and use an integrated approach for JEE Main 2026 and 12th Board exams.
Thermodynamics typically contributes 2–4 questions, accounting for approximately 6–12% of the total weightage in JEE Main Chemistry. You can expect 3-4 questions from this chapter.
Coordination Compounds are expected to carry a significant weightage of 8–10% in the JEE Main 2026 Chemistry paper.
Electrochemistry, Equilibrium, Redox Reactions, Alkyl Halides & Hydrocarbons, Biomolecules & Polymers, and Stereochemistry are gradually losing importance in JEE Main Chemistry section.
Topics like Coordination Compounds, Organic Chemistry - Basic Principles (including oxygen-containing compounds like aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids), p-Block Elements, Nuclear & Environmental Chemistry, and Chemical Kinetics are gaining importance for JEE Mains 2026 Chemistry.
Key chapters to focus on include:
- Coordination Compounds
- Chemical Kinetics
- Thermodynamics
- Electrochemistry
- Organic Chemistry (Aldehydes, Ketones, and Carboxylic Acids)
- Prioritize high-weightage chapters.
- Break chapters into smaller, manageable sections.
- Solve PYQs and take mock tests to assess progress.
- Maintain a formula sheet for quick revision.
- Combine JEE and board exam preparation to save time.
Make short notes, go over questions from previous years, and focus on chapters with a lot of weight. To save time and stress then you must make a formula sheet, take practice tests in a smart way and combine your JEE and board exam preparation. So the regular revision is key to success.
Biomolecules and Polymers are not as important in JEE Main 2026. These chapters are still important but you don't need to spend as much time on them. So first, focus on learning the most important topics from where questions come most of the time and also focus on the basic fundamentals and then review these chapters if needed.
The p-Block Elements (groups 15–18) are becoming more important in JEE Main 2026 and the questions are well-tested. It's important for you to know their properties, compounds and oxidation states because questions from this chapter come up a lot.
If you are preparing for the JEE Mains 2026 then in Physical Chemistry you must give more priority to the topics such as thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, and electrochemistry etc. These chapters are strong in terms of ideas and often come up in the exam so you need to really understand them and practice them often.
You have to pay more attention to chapters that are getting more important like Coordination Compounds, Chemical Kinetics, and Electrochemistry. Spend more time on these but you also review those chapters that are less important like Solid State Chemistry and Stereochemistry.
Yes, the chapters like Redox Reactions, Solid State Chemistry and some Organic Chemistry topics (like hydrocarbons and polymers) have seen a decrease in their weightage. These subjects are still important but they don't show up as often on the test.
In JEE Main 2026 Chemistry, you need to focus on the Coordination Compounds, Chemical Kinetics, Thermodynamics, Electrochemistry, and Organic Chemistry (especially oxygen-containing compounds like aldehydes and ketones) will be more important. You should study these chapters more carefully because they are more likely to show up on tests.
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