Most Hardest Shift of JEE Main 2026 – Daily Shift-Wise Difficulty & Paper Review
Since JEE Main is conducted across multiple days and shifts, the difficulty level naturally varies from one shift to another. Some shifts turn out to be tougher due to lengthy Mathematics, higher numerical load, or time-consuming questions, while others feel comparatively easier.
Based on student feedback and paper analysis available till now, the JEE Main 2026 January 22 Shift 2 is considered the toughest shift of JEE Mains till now. The increased difficulty was mainly due to a very lengthy and calculation-heavy Mathematics section, which significantly impacted overall attempts and time management.
This page provides a clear and updated analysis of the toughest and easiest shifts of JEE Main 2026, based on real student reactions, subject-wise difficulty trends, and expert reviews. It also explains how shift difficulty influences marks vs percentile, helping students set realistic expectations.
The analysis will be updated regularly as upcoming shifts conclude and more verified feedback becomes available.
Toughest Shift of JEE Main 2026 Session 1 (So Far)
Based on the student feedback received till now, average attempts, and subject-wise difficulty comparison, the toughest shift of JEE Main 2026 Session 1 so far is:
🔴 JEE Main 2026 – January 22 Shift 2
This shift was widely reported as the most hardest shift of JEE Main 2026 till now, mainly because of the overall paper balance and the high difficulty level of Mathematics.
Why January 22 Shift 2 Was Considered Toughest
Mathematics was very lengthy and time-consuming
Multiple questions required long calculations and multi-step solving
Time management became difficult for most students
Average attempts were lower compared to other shifts
Even well-prepared candidates found Maths challenging
Although Physics and Chemistry were comparatively manageable, the difficulty of Mathematics dominated the overall paper level, making this shift stand out as the toughest.
Subject-Wise Reason Behind the Toughest Shift on JEE Mains 2026
The toughness of a JEE Main shift usually depends more on subject distribution than on the number of difficult questions.
Mathematics
Primary reason behind the toughest shift
Lengthy numerical problems
Required strong calculation speed
Several questions took more than average time to solve
Physics
Mostly moderate and concept-based
Fewer lengthy numericals compared to Maths
Manageable for students with conceptual clarity
Chemistry
NCERT-based and scoring
Organic and Inorganic Chemistry dominated
Physical Chemistry had limited numerical load
👉 A shift with lengthy Mathematics automatically feels tougher, even if Physics and Chemistry are easy or moderate.
Toughest Shift of JEE Mains Till Now (Session 1)
Among all the shifts conducted till now in JEE Main 2026, January 22 Shift 2 remains the toughest shift of JEE Mains till now.
However, it is important to note that:
Upcoming shifts on 23, 24, 28, and 29 January are yet to be analysed
The toughest shift ranking may change based on future papers
Final conclusions are drawn only after all shifts are completed
Easiest Shift of JEE Mains 2026 (So Far)
Based on student reactions and early difficulty comparison:
🟢 JEE Main 2026 – January 22 Shift 1 is currently considered the easiest shift of JEE Mains 2026 so far.
Why JEE Main 2026 January 22 Shift 1 Felt Easier
Physics questions were straightforward
Chemistry was highly NCERT-oriented and scoring
Mathematics was calculative but not overly lengthy
Better attempt rate reported by candidates
This shift had a more balanced paper structure, making it comparatively comfortable for most students.
Toughest Shift of JEE Mains in Last 5 Years – Trend Analysis
There is no fixed pattern when it comes to the toughest shift of JEE Mains in the last 5 years.
Observed Trends:
In some years, initial shifts were tougher
In other years, mid-session shifts turned out to be difficult
Toughness generally resulted from:
Lengthy Mathematics
Calculation-heavy Physics
Uneven subject balance
Because of this variation, predicting the toughest shift in advance is not reliable.
Shift-Wise JEE Main Exam Analysis 2026 (Session 1)
Based on feedback received so far, most shifts have been rated Moderate, with variations mainly at the subject level, especially Mathematics.
⚠️ Difficulty levels mentioned below are based on student reactions and Expert Analysis may be updated after further verification.
JEE Main Session 1 2026 – Shift-Wise Analysis Links
Students can use the table below to quickly access day-wise and shift-wise JEE Main 2026 exam analysis pages. Each link provides a detailed review of difficulty level, subject-wise analysis, and student feedback for the respective shift.
This section is updated regularly as new shifts conclude and verified analysis becomes available.
FAQs on Toughest Shift of JEE Main 2026 Session 1 – Difficulty Analysis
1. Which is the toughest shift of JEE Main 2026 Session 1?
Based on student feedback and exam analysis available till now, JEE Main 2026 January 22 Shift 2 is considered the toughest shift of Session 1. The difficulty was mainly due to a very lengthy and calculation-heavy Mathematics section.
2. Which is the most hardest shift of JEE Main 2026 till now?
Among all shifts conducted so far in JEE Main 2026, January 22 Shift 2 is regarded as the most hardest shift, as it recorded lower average attempts and higher time pressure, especially in Mathematics.
3. Which is the easiest shift of JEE Mains 2026 so far?
Based on early analysis, JEE Main 2026 January 22 Shift 1 is considered the easiest shift so far. Physics and Chemistry were straightforward, and Mathematics was calculative but manageable.
4. Does a tougher shift mean lower percentile in JEE Main?
No. A tougher shift usually results in lower average scores, which leads to lower raw score cut-offs. Due to the percentile normalisation process, students can still achieve a good percentile even with comparatively lower marks.
5.Is there any fixed pattern for the toughest shift in JEE Mains?
No, there is no fixed pattern. In some years, early shifts were toughest, while in others, mid-session shifts were more difficult. The toughness depends on subject balance and question length, not the shift order.
6. Will JEE Mains 2026 be tougher than previous years?
JEE Mains 2026 is not significantly tougher than previous years. The overall difficulty remains moderate, but some shifts may feel tougher due to lengthy Mathematics and time-consuming questions.
7. What usually makes a JEE Main shift tough?
A JEE Main shift becomes tough mainly due to:
Lengthy Mathematics questions
High numerical load in Physics
Uneven subject distribution
Time management pressure
8. How many shifts are there in JEE Main 2026 Session 1?
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 is conducted across multiple days with two shifts per day, resulting in 10 total shifts for the B.E/B.Tech examination.
9. Can the toughest shift of JEE Main 2026 change later?
Yes. The toughest shift ranking may change once all remaining shifts are conducted and analysed. Final conclusions are made only after complete student feedback is reviewed.
10. Why is knowing the toughest shift of JEE Main important?
Knowing the toughest and easiest shifts helps students:
Understand marks vs percentile trends
Set realistic expectations
Reduce post-exam anxiety
Compare performance fairly across shifts
