- By Sarju Saran Tiwari
- Sun, 17 May 2026 12:18 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 1 Analysis: The first paper of the JEE Advanced 2026 concluded at 12:00 PM across multiple examination centres in India. The exam is being conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, which is responsible for organising the national-level engineering entrance test this year. Lakhs of aspirants aiming for admission into prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology appeared for the examination.
According to early feedback from students and coaching institutes, the overall difficulty level of Paper 1 ranged from moderate to tough, with Mathematics reported as the most challenging section. Physics was considered conceptually moderate, while Chemistry appeared relatively easier compared to previous years. The second paper of the exam will begin at 2:30 PM and conclude at 5:30 PM, completing the full exam cycle for the day.
JEE Advanced 2026 Exam Schedule:
| Exam Details | Shift 1 Timing | Shift 2 Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting at Centre | 07:00 AM | 12:30 PM |
| Entry to Exam Hall | 07:30 AM | 01:00 PM |
| Last Entry | 08:30 AM | 02:00 PM |
| Exam Start | 09:00 AM | 02:30 PM |
| Exam End | 12:00 PM | 05:30 PM |
Paper 1 Subject-Wise Difficulty Level:
Experts from major coaching institutes indicated that the Mathematics section was lengthy and calculation-intensive, making it the toughest portion of the paper. Physics included several conceptual and numerical questions focusing on mechanics, electromagnetism, and modern physics.
Chemistry, on the other hand, was comparatively balanced, with questions evenly distributed across physical, organic, and inorganic topics. Overall, Paper 1 required strong conceptual clarity and time management skills.
Expected Cutoff for JEE Advanced 2026
Based on the difficulty level and early student feedback, experts predict the qualifying cutoff to remain close to previous years. The estimated qualifying marks are likely to fall in the following ranges:
General (CRL): 85–95 aggregate marks
EWS / OBC-NCL: 74–84 marks
SC / ST: 42–48 marks
PwD: Around 42–48 marks
The official cutoff will be released along with the results by Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee on June 1, 2026.
Student Reactions After Paper 1?
Many candidates described the paper as challenging but manageable. Students reported that while Physics and Chemistry questions were familiar, Mathematics required additional time due to lengthy calculations.
Some aspirants said the exam pattern was similar to previous years, but question framing demanded deeper conceptual understanding. Coaching experts believe that candidates who managed their time effectively in Paper 1 will have a strong advantage in Paper 2.
What to Expect in Paper 2?
The second shift of the JEE Advanced 2026 will begin at 2:30 PM and end at 5:30 PM. Like Paper 1, it will include questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics with multiple formats such as numerical answer type and multiple-choice questions.
After the completion of Paper 2, coaching institutes will release memory-based question papers, answer keys, and detailed solutions, helping candidates estimate their expected scores and rank in the exam.