JEE Main 2026: 23 January Shift 1 Full Paper Review & Topic Analysis

Key Takeaway

The JEE Main 2026 – 23 January Shift 1 paper was moderate overall, with Physics and Chemistry manageable, and Mathematics the most challenging section due to lengthy calculations and multi‑step problems. Concepts from core NCERT topics dominated, rewarding students with strong fundamentals and time discipline.

Overview of the Exam

The JEE Main 2026 Jan 23 Shift 1 exam was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in computer‑based format with 75 questions (25 per subject) and a maximum of 300 marks. The overall difficulty was moderate to lengthy, and the paper followed the standard NTA pattern seen across other January shifts.

Overall Difficulty Level

Students reported Mathematics as the toughest and Chemistry as the most scoring among the three.

Subject‑Wise Analysis

Physics

The Physics section was moderate, with a mix of conceptual and numerical questions. Topics tested included:

OGcollege Insight:
Physics rewarded strong command over basic concepts and formulas. Most questions were direct applications familiar from previous years.

Chemistry

Chemistry was balanced and NCERT‑centric, making it one of the more scoring sections in this shift. High‑weightage areas included:

OGcollege Insight:
Chemistry favored NCERT fundamentals with a mix of conceptual and numerical reasoning questions — ideal for students with thorough textbooks revision. 

Mathematics

Mathematics was the most time‑consuming section, demanding both precision and planning:

OGcollege Insight:
Mathematics emphasized multi‑step reasoning and calculation accuracy, requiring excellent time management and problem selection.

Key Observations & Trends

• Balanced Difficulty: NTA maintained a consistent difficulty level across subjects, aligning with other January shifts. 
• Math Challenges: Mathematics remained the toughest section due to lengthy multi‑step questions and extensive calculation requirement. 
• Strong NCERT Presence: Chemistry and parts of Physics were largely NCERT‑based, highlighting the importance of textbook revision.
• Time Management Critical: Efficient time distribution between sections helped improve attempts with accuracy.

Preparation Strategy for Upcoming Shifts

1. Focus on Core Concepts First

• Revise NCERT thoroughly for Physics and Chemistry.
• Strengthen Vectors, 3D Geometry, Calculus, and Matrices in Mathematics.

2. Practice Timed Mock Tests

• Timed practice improves pacing under real exam conditions.
• Identify weak areas early and fix logic gaps.

3. Analyze Trends Across Shifts

• Compare January shifts (21st, 22nd, and 23rd) to identify frequently asked topics.
• Customize your revision plan based on topic recurrence.

Contextual Tip

Before fine‑tuning your April session strategy, check your expected percentile using the OGcollege Rank Calculator. To shortlist colleges based on your expected score, use the College Predictor Tool to plan better.

Conclusion

The JEE Main 2026 Jan 23 Shift 1 paper was moderate overall, with equal representation across sections but differing demands — Maths remained calculation‑heavy, Physics leaned on formula application, and Chemistry was NCERT‑oriented and scoring. Students who balanced concept clarity, question selection, and time management are likely to perform better in upcoming shifts.

Verified Sources:

• NTA — Official JEE Main 2026 Notification
• JoSAA — Official Counselling Portal
• Physics Wallah — Shift 1 Analysis Overview