The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially uploaded the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Final Answer Key for BE/BTech (Paper 1) on its official website jeemain.nta.nic.in. More than 13 lakh candidates who appeared for the national-level engineering entrance examination can now calculate their probable scores by comparing their response sheets with the final answer key.
As per the final key, 9 questions have been dropped from the Session 1 paper. Candidates will be awarded full marks for these dropped questions as per NTA’s marking policy.
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Overview
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exams were conducted from January 21 to January 29, 2026, in two shifts daily across various centres in India and abroad.
The provisional answer key was released on February 4, and candidates were allowed to raise objections until February 6, by paying a fee of ₹200 per question.
Objections Raised by Students & Coaching Federation
The Coaching Federation of India (CFI) and several students identified 17 alleged errors in the provisional answer key. Among these:
- 10 questions were reportedly eligible for bonus marks
- Others involved numerical discrepancies,
- Ambiguous wording,
- Multiple correct answers,
- Incorrect answer options
After reviewing the challenges, the NTA dropped 9 questions in the final answer key.
How to Calculate JEE Main 2026 Score
Candidates can estimate their probable scores using the final key:
- +4 marks for each correct answer
- -1 mark for each incorrect answer
- No negative marking for dropped questions (full marks awarded)
By matching their response sheet with the final key, candidates can predict their performance ahead of the official result.
JEE Main 2026 Result Date
The NTA will declare the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Result by February 16, 2026. The result will be available online at jeemain.nta.nic.in.
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Registration
Candidates who are not satisfied with their Session 1 performance can apply for JEE Main Session 2.
- Registration Last Date: February 25, 2026
- Session 2 Exam Dates: April 2 to April 9, 2026
NTA has clarified that the best of the two scores (Session 1 and Session 2) will be considered for preparing the final rank list.
Candidates who have already registered earlier only need to log in and pay the Session 2 examination fee using their existing credentials.
Quick Reference Summary
| Event | Details |
| Final Answer Key Release | Available Now |
| Questions Dropped | 9 |
| Session 1 Exam Dates | January 21–29, 2026 |
| Result Date | By February 16, 2026 |
| Session 2 Registration Deadline | February 25, 2026 |
| Session 2 Exam Dates | April 2–9, 2026 |
| Official Website | jeemain.nta.nic.in |
Important Points for Candidates
- Download the final answer key PDF from the official portal.
- Calculate your expected score before the result announcement.
- Consider applying for Session 2 if aiming to improve your rank.
- Keep login credentials ready for result and Session 2 fee payment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| Has NTA released the JEE Main 2026 final answer key? |
| Yes, the final answer key for Session 1 (Paper 1) has been uploaded on jeemain.nta.nic.in. |
| How many questions were dropped in JEE Main 2026 Session 1? |
| A total of 9 questions were dropped in the final answer key. |
| When will JEE Main 2026 Session 1 result be announced? |
| The result will be declared by February 16, 2026. |
| Can candidates apply for Session 2 if not satisfied with Session 1? |
| Yes, candidates can register for Session 2 until February 25, 2026. |
| What are the Session 2 exam dates? |
| Session 2 will be conducted from April 2 to April 9, 2026. |
| Will the best score be considered for ranking? |
| Yes, the best of the two session scores will be used for the final rank list. |
| What was the objection fee for provisional answer key challenges? |
| Candidates had to pay ₹200 per question. |
| Where can I check the JEE Main 2026 final answer key? |
| On the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in. |
The release of the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Final Answer Key marks a significant step before the declaration of results. With 9 questions dropped, candidates can now accurately estimate their scores. Those aiming for improvement should consider registering for Session 2 before February 25, 2026. For authentic updates and results, visit the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in, and bookmark this page for future announcements, for more details and check answer key CLICK HERE
