JEE Main Answer Key 2026 Session 1 LIVE UpdatesJEE Main Answer Key 2026 Session 1: The National Testing Agency released provisional answer key and response sheet of JEE Main 2026 Session 1 on February 4, 2025 . If you appeared for the Session 1 exam, you can access JEE Main 2026 Answer Key Session 1 along with response sheets. NTA has activated provisional answer challenge window that will remain open until February 5, 2026, at jeemain.nta.nic.in . NTA has announced through X handle that final results will be available for test takers by February 12, 2026.
Obtain direct JEE Main Answer Key 2026 Session 1 Download and Challenge Link ( Activated) You can also access JEE Main Response Sheet 2026 Session 1 Direct Link here.
You are advised to keep your application number and date of birth handy to obtain JEE Main Answer Key January 2026. The portal will also provide you with a PDF of the question paper so that you can match your responses and estimate the correct answers. You can get clarity of scores that you can obtain beforehand via provisional answer keys.
JEE Main Answer Key 2026 Session 1 Challenge Window Open
If you appeared for the examination held between January 21 and January 29, 2026, and find any answer incorrect, raise objections against the same. To submit challenges, attach proof, and you are required to pay challenge fee of Rs 200 per question. Do note, it is one time facility provided by NTA, and challenges can be made through online modes such as UPI, debit card, credit card, or net banking. Any challenge submitted without valid proof will not be considered by the subject experts appointed by NTA. Correct challenges raised by you will be considered, and final JEE Main Answer Key 2026 Session 1 will be released accordingly.
Keep checking the Live Blog for download link of JEE Main Answer Key 2026 Session 1, Repsonse Sheet, Expected Percentiles, and more!
JEE Main Answer Key 2026 Session 1 LIVE Updates
10 00 AM IST - 05 Feb'26
Challenge Window Limited to Two Days
You can challenge the provisional key only from February 4 to February 5, 2026. Late challenges are not accepted. Each challenge requires Rs 200 per question. Proper selection ensures accurate final key revision.
09 00 AM IST - 05 Feb'26
JEE Main 2026 Percentile vs Raw Score: Key Difference
Raw score is just marks you obtained; percentile is relative performance among peers in your shift. Both matter to estimate expected rank. Normalization ensures percentile reflects fairness across multiple exam sessions.
08 00 AM IST - 05 Feb'26
Provisional Answer Key Facilitates Early Strategy for Session 2
Even before final results, analyzing your mistakes using the provisional answer key can help you improve preparation for Session 2. Focus on weak topics identified while reviewing your response sheet and key comparisons.
07 00 AM IST - 05 Feb'26
Tie-Breaking Also Considers Age if Scores Match
If all subject scores are identical, NTA gives preference to older candidates. Knowing this helps you anticipate your possible final rank if you share scores with other candidates.
06 00 AM IST - 05 Feb'26
Normalization Formula in JEE Main 2026 Session 1 is Shift-Based
Percentile = (100 × Number of candidates who scored equal to or less than you ÷ Total number of candidates in your session). This ensures fairness across shifts. Your estimated percentile using the provisional key can give a preliminary idea but official values may differ slightly.
05 00 AM IST - 05 Feb'26
Final Answer Key Determines Official Percentiles
The final answer key, released after review of valid challenges, is used for calculating official normalized percentiles. Your rank and eligibility for admission rounds will be based solely on this key. The provisional key is just a reference point.
04 00 AM IST - 05 Feb'26
Response Sheet Review Can Avoid Wrong Objections
Your JEE Main January 2026 response sheet shows the exact option selected for each question. Review it thoroughly before submitting objections. Incorrect objections can waste the challenge fee and have no impact. A careful comparison ensures accuracy in estimating normalized scores.
03 00 AM IST - 05 Feb'26
Challenges May Affect Final Normalized Score
If your challenge to the provisional key is accepted, it may alter the raw score, which in turn affects the percentile after normalization. Carefully selecting only valid challenges is essential. Changes in a single answer can impact final ranks significantly.
02 00 AM IST - 05 Feb'26
Tie-Breaking Priority to Subject Scores
In case of identical total scores, Mathematics marks are considered first, followed by Physics and Chemistry. This can change ranks even if your overall score seems identical to another candidate. Being aware of this helps you estimate rank ranges more accurately.
12 00 AM IST - 05 Feb'26
Session-Wise Cutoff Prediction Possible
Using your estimated percentile from the provisional key, you can predict session-wise cutoffs. These cutoffs help determine eligibility for counselling or advanced rounds. While provisional estimation isn’t final, it gives you a realistic idea of where you stand.
11 00 PM IST - 04 Feb'26
Normalization Across Shifts Ensures Fair Ranking
Since exams are held in multiple shifts, NTA applies normalization to ensure fairness. Percentiles are calculated shift-wise before merging. This means your percentile may slightly differ from raw score expectations. The provisional key helps you gauge approximate performance, but final percentile depends on normalization.
10 00 PM IST - 04 Feb'26
Tie-Breaking Rule in JEE Main 2026 Session 1
If two or more test takers obtain the same percentile, NTA uses tie-breaking rules to determine merit. Priority is given to higher marks in Mathematics, followed by Physics, Chemistry, and then earlier age. Knowing this helps you understand how final ranks may differ even if scores appear similar. This is relevant when estimating your tentative rank.
09 00 PM IST - 04 Feb'26
Raw Score Calculation Using Provisional Answer Key
By comparing your responses with the provisional key, you can calculate your raw score. Correct answers are awarded +4 marks and wrong answers are penalized -1 mark. Unattempted questions carry zero. This raw score forms the basis for percentile normalization and rank estimation.
08 00 PM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 1,050 Rank Likely at 99.93+ Percentile
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲ 1,050 99.93+ 247.7+ 236.7+ 222.7+ 07 00 PM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 1,000 Rank Expected at 99.933+ Percentile with 223 Marks (Approx) in Tough Paper
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲ 1,000 99.933+ 247.82+ 236.85+ 223.06+ 06 00 PM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 950 Rank Likely at 99.937+ Percentile in Session 1
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲ 950 99.937+ 247.98+ 237.05+ 223.54+ 05 00 PM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 900 Rank Expected at 99.94+ Percentile with 237 Marks in Medium Level Paper
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲ 900 99.94+ 248.1+ 237.2+ 223.9+ 04 00 PM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 850 Rank Likely at 99.943+ Percentile in JEE Main 2026 Session 1
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲ 850 99.943+ 248.19+ 237.38+ 224.26+ 03 00 PM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 800 Rank Expected at 99.947+ Percentile with Approx 225 in Tough Paper
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲ 800 99.947+ 248.31+ 237.62+ 224.74+ 02 00 PM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 750 Rank Likely at 99.95+ Percentile with Around 238 Marks in Medium Paper
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲ 750 99.95+ 248.4+ 237.8+ 225.1+ 01 00 PM IST - 04 Feb'26
In JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Top 700 Rank Expected at 99.953+ Percentile
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲700 99.953+ 248.52+ 237.95+ 225.46+ 12 30 PM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 650 Rank Likely at 99.957+ Percentile with Around 226 in Tough Paper
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲650 99.957+ 248.68+ 238.15+ 225.94+ 12 00 PM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 600 Rank Expected at 99.96+ Percentile with Approx 238 Marks in Medium Test
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲600 99.96+ 248.8+ 238.3+ 226.3+ 11 30 AM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 550 Rank Predicted at 99.963+ Percentile in Session 1 of JEE Main 2026
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲550 99.963+ 248.92+ 238.48+ 226.69+ 11 00 AM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 500 Rank Expected at 99.967+ Percentile with 227 Marks in Tough Paper
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲500 99.967+ 249.08+ 238.72+ 227.21+ 10 30 AM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 450 Rank Likely at 99.97+ Percentile in JEE Main 2026 Session 1
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲450 99.97+ 249.2+ 238.72+ 227.6+ 10 00 AM IST - 04 Feb'26
In Session 1 Top 400 Rank Expected at 99.973+ Percentile
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲400 99.973+ 249.32+ 239.05+ 227.96+ 09 30 AM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 350 Rank Likely at 99.977+ Percentile with 228 Marks in Tough Paper
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲ 350 99.977+ 249.48+ 239.25+ 228.44+ 09 00 AM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 300 Rank Expected at 99.98+ Percentile in JEE Mains January 2026
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲ 300 99.98+ 249.6+ 239.4+ 228.8+ 08 30 AM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 250 Rank Likely at 99.983+ Percentile with 240 Marks in Moderate Paper
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲ 250 99.983+ 249.72+ 239.58+ 229.16+ 08 00 AM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 200 Rank Expected at 99.987+ Percentile in JEE Mains 2026 Session 1
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲ 200 99.987+ 249.88+ 239.82+ 229.64+ 07 00 AM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 150 Rank Likely at 99.99+ Percentile with 240+ Marks in Medium and 230+ in Tough Paper
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲150 99.99+ 250+ 240+ 230+ 06 00 AM IST - 04 Feb'26
Top 100 Rank Expected at 99.993+ Percentile with 243+ Marks in Medium, and 233+ in Tough Paper
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲100 99.993+ 251.5+ 243+ 233+ 05 00 AM IST - 04 Feb'26
99.997+ Percentile Likely with 253.5+ Marks in Easy, 245+ in Medium, and 237+ in Tough Paper
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough ≲ 50 99.997+ 253.5+ 245+ 237+ 04 00 AM IST - 04 Feb'26
Official X Handle Remains Primary Update Source
NTA has been actively sharing updates through its official X handle. You should follow it for real-time confirmations. Any change in timelines will be communicated there first. Avoid relying on unverified sources.
03 00 AM IST - 04 Feb'26
Final Answer Key to Decide Eligibility for Further Admission Rounds
Your eligibility for counselling and further admission processes depends on scores derived from the final answer key. Institutions will rely only on official scorecards. Provisional estimates have no formal validity. You should download and store your final scorecard securely. This will be required for future processes.
02 00 AM IST - 04 Feb'26
No Separate Notification for Final Answer Key Release
NTA does not issue a separate notification before releasing the final answer key. You are required to check the official website regularly for updates. The final key will appear directly on the portal. It will replace the provisional version. Once released, it cannot be challenged further.
01 00 AM IST - 04 Feb'26
Subject-Wise Impact of JEE Main 2026 January Answer Key Corrections
Corrections in the answer key can impact subject-wise scores differently. Even one revised answer can influence overall normalization. You may notice changes in your estimated marks after final key release. This highlights the importance of the challenge process. Final percentiles will reflect these revisions.
12 00 AM IST - 04 Feb'26
Challenge Fee Payment Confirms Objection Submission
Your challenge will be considered valid only after successful payment. Merely selecting a question does not confirm submission. You should verify payment status on the portal. Any incomplete transaction may lead to rejection of the objection. Keep a copy of the payment confirmation for reference.
11 00 PM IST - 03 Feb'26
Multiple Challenges Allowed in Single Login Session
NTA allows you to challenge multiple questions in a single login session. You can select all disputed questions before making a consolidated payment. This reduces login repetition and saves time. However, each question will be charged separately. Ensure all selections are reviewed before final submission.
10 00 PM IST - 03 Feb'26
100+ Percentile Expected with 240+ Marks in Tough Paper
Rank Expected Percentile Expected Marks for Easy Expected Marks for Medium Expected Marks for Tough 1 100+ 255+ 247+ 240+ 09 00 PM IST - 03 Feb'26
Response Sheet Shows Exact Options Selected by You
Your JEE Main 2026 Session1 response sheet will display the exact option you selected for each question during the examination. This helps eliminate confusion while matching answers. You should carefully compare response IDs with the question paper PDF. Any mismatch should be checked thoroughly before raising objections. This document serves as a verified record of your exam attempt.
08 00 PM IST - 03 Feb'26
Heavy Traffic Expected on Portal on JEE Main Answer Key 2026 Session 1 Day
Due to high login volume, the JEE Main portal may respond slowly on February 4. You are advised to remain patient and try again if the page fails to load. Clearing cache or using alternate browsers may help. NTA usually stabilizes the portal within a few hours. Avoid repeated logins to prevent errors.
07 00 PM IST - 03 Feb'26
No Individual Communication on Challenge Acceptance
NTA will not inform you individually about accepted or rejected challenges. The only indication will be changes reflected in the final answer key. You should check the final key once released. The decision taken by NTA experts will be final. No further correspondence will be allowed.
06 00 PM IST - 03 Feb'26
Answer Key Helps You Prepare for JEE Main 2026 Session 2
By analysing your test performance through the answer key, you can identify weak and strong topics. This analysis can help you improve your preparation for JEE Main Session 2. You should focus on topics where errors occurred. The response sheet provides clear insight into time management and accuracy.
05 00 PM IST - 03 Feb'26
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Results to Be Declared by February 12
NTA has announced that the results for Session 1 will be available by February 12, 2026. These results will include your percentile scores for each subject, as well as an overall score. You will be able to download your scorecard from the official website. The results will be based solely on the final answer key, and no requests for re-evaluation will be accepted after the results are announced.
04 00 PM IST - 03 Feb'26
Normalization to Decide Percentiles Across Shifts
Your percentile will be calculated using normalization across different shifts. Raw scores alone do not determine final rankings. The provisional answer key only helps in estimating marks. Official percentiles will be released with results.
03 00 PM IST - 03 Feb'26
One-Time Opportunity to Challenge Provisional Answer Key
NTA has clarified that the challenge window is a one-time facility. Once the window closes on February 5, 2026, no further objections will be accepted. You should not wait until the last minute to submit challenges. Late submissions will not be considered under any circumstances. This rule applies to all candidates uniformly.
02 40 PM IST - 03 Feb'26
Subject Experts to Review All Valid Challenges
All objections raised within the deadline will be reviewed by subject experts appointed by NTA. You will not receive individual updates on the status of your challenge. If found correct, the answer key will be revised accordingly. This revised version becomes the final answer key. Your final score depends on this expert-reviewed key.
02 20 PM IST - 03 Feb'26
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Answer Key Release Time Predicted
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Answer Key release time has not been officially announced yet, but the National Testing Agency (NTA) has confirmed that the provisional answer key will be released on February 4, 2026. As per expert predictions, the answer key is expected to be published in the evening hours, likely around 5 PM, if not, then by 8 or 11 PM.
02 00 PM IST - 03 Feb'26
Challenge Fee of Rs 200 per Question Is Non-Refundable
For every answer you challenge, a non-refundable fee of Rs 200 must be paid. Even if your challenge is rejected, the amount will not be returned. You should raise objections only when you are confident and have valid proof. Multiple questions can be challenged in a single session. Payment must be completed for submission to be valid.
01 40 PM IST - 03 Feb'26
Provisional Session 1 Answer Key to be Released Shift-Wise
NTA will publish the answer key separately for each shift and paper. You must check the key corresponding to your exam date and shift. Using a wrong shift’s answer key may lead to incorrect score estimation. The shift-wise release ensures fairness across multiple sessions. You are advised to double-check shift details before challenging any answer.
01 20 PM IST - 03 Feb'26
JEE Main Question Paper 2026 PDF Helps in Accurate Score Estimation
The availability of the question paper PDF allows you to cross-check every question attempted. You can match the question IDs with your response sheet and the provisional key. This process helps you calculate your expected raw score. Accurate estimation depends on correct matching of shift-wise papers. You should ensure you refer to your specific session only.
01 00 PM IST - 03 Feb'26
Login Credentials Required to Access JEE Main Response Sheet 2025 Session 1
To download your response sheet and answer key, you must log in using your application number and date of birth. Without valid credentials, access to the documents will not be permitted. You are advised to retrieve forgotten credentials in advance. The portal may experience heavy traffic on release day. Early login can help you avoid delays.
12 40 PM IST - 03 Feb'26
Direct JEE Main Provisional Answer Key 2026 Session 1 Download Link to Go Live
NTA will activate the direct download link for the JEE Main Answer Key 2026 Session 1 on its portal once released. You will be able to access the answer key, response sheet, and question paper from the same login dashboard. This page will provide you the live link as soon as it is activated. You are advised to keep your login credentials ready to avoid last-minute delays. Heavy traffic is expected on the portal.
12 20 PM IST - 03 Feb'26
JEE Main Response Sheet and Question Paper PDF to Be Released Together
Along with the provisional answer key, you will get access to your response sheet and the question paper PDF on February 4. This will allow you to match the answers you marked during the exam with the official provisional answers. By using these documents together, you can estimate your probable score in advance. You will need your application number and date of birth to log in. This step is essential for accurate score analysis before results.
11 50 AM IST - 03 Feb'26
NTA Confirms JEE Main Answer Key 2026 Session 1 Release Date via X
The National Testing Agency has officially confirmed through its X handle that the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 provisional answer key and response sheet will be released on February 4, 2026. If you appeared for the January session, you will be able to access the answer key directly from the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. Along with the key, NTA will also release your recorded responses. This confirmation puts an end to speculation around the release timeline. You are advised to rely only on official sources for updates.
