OUT NOW: JEE Main 2026 (Session 1) Official Answer Key & Response Sheet Released

The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), was successfully completed between January 21 – 29, 2026. This session covered aspirants across India and 15 cities outside India for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) and Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning).

The wait is finally over. The NTA has officially released the Provisional Answer Keys and Recorded Response Sheets for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech). These are the two most critical documents candidates need to gauge their performance before the final results are declared.

This article covers the official release timeline, the extended objection window deadline, fees, direct download links for question papers, and the step-by-step process to challenge the answer key.

Key Highlights: Dates & Deadlines

Event	Details
Exam Dates (Session 1)	Jan 21, 22, 23, 24, 28 (Paper 1) & Jan 29 (Paper 2)
Answer Key Status	LIVE NOW (Released Feb 4, 2026)
Objection Window Opens	February 4, 2026
Objection Window Closes	February 6, 2026 (up to 11:50 PM)
Processing Fee	₹ 200/- per question (Non-refundable)
Official Website	jeemain.nta.nic.in

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What Are the Answer Key & Response Sheet?

• Provisional Answer Key: An official document by the NTA listing the correct option ID for every question asked in the exam.
• Recorded Response Sheet: A personalized document showing the exact answers you marked during the computer-based test.

By comparing these two documents, you can estimate your raw score using the official marking scheme (+4 for correct, −1 for incorrect).

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Free PDF Downloads: JEE Main 2026 Question Papers (Session 1)

We have compiled the response sheets (Question Papers) for all shifts of the Session 1 exam. You can download them below to practice or analyze the difficulty level of different shifts.

> Disclaimer: These are student response sheets. The option marked as "Chosen Option" is what a candidate selected, not necessarily the correct answer. Please cross-check questions with the official NTA Answer Key.

Exam Date	Shift 1 (Morning)	Shift 2 (Afternoon)
January 21, 2026	Download PDF	Download PDF
January 22, 2026	Download PDF	Download PDF
January 23, 2026	Download PDF	Download PDF
January 24, 2026	Download PDF	Download PDF
January 28, 2026	Download PDF	Download PDF

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Official Release Details

The NTA released the documents for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) on February 4, 2026.

Critical Deadline Alert: The window to raise objections is strictly limited. The challenge facility is available from 04 February 2026 to 06 February 2026. The absolute deadline to submit a challenge and pay the fee is 11:50 PM on February 6, 2026.

Note: No challenges will be entertained after this deadline, and challenges submitted without the requisite fee will be summarily rejected.

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How to Challenge the Answer Key (Step-by-Step)

If you believe an official answer is incorrect, you can challenge it by following the procedure in Annexure 1 of the public notice:

1. Visit the Portal: Go to https://jeemain.nta.nic.in/.
2. Login: Click on 'Challenge (s) regarding Answer Key'. Log in using your Application Number and Password.
3. Direct Link to Check Answer Key and Response Sheet: Click Here
4. View Your Questions: You will see the Question IDs for Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
5. Check the Key: The column labeled 'Correct Option' contains the NTA’s official answer ID.
6. Submit Challenge:
   • If you disagree with the key, select the check box ☑ next to the Option ID you believe is correct.
   • Upload Proof: You can upload supporting documents (calculations/textbook references) by selecting 'Choose File and Upload' (all in a single PDF file).
7. Pay & Save:
   • Scroll down and click 'Save your claim'.
   • Review your challenges and click 'Save your claim and Pay Fee finally'.
   • Pay the non-refundable processing fee of ₹ 200/- per question.

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Expert Tips for Candidates

• Act Fast: Don't wait until 11:50 PM on Feb 6. The website traffic will be high.
• Save Your PDF: The Response Sheet is only available for a short time. Download and save a copy immediately. You will need it for admission counseling later, and it will not be accessible once the results are out.
• Check Paper 2: Currently, the notice explicitly highlights Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) keys. Paper 2A/2B candidates should keep a close watch on the portal for updates.

Role of the Answer Key and Response Sheet in JEE Main 2026

1. Performance Estimation

Using the answer key and response sheet together, a candidate can calculate an estimated score by:

• Counting the number of correct and incorrect answers.
• Applying the official marking scheme (+4 for correct, −1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted in MCQs). 

This helps understand likely results before the official scores are declared.

2. Transparency and Challenges

The objection process gives candidates the right to contest answers they believe are incorrect. NTA reviews these challenges before issuing the final answer key, which is used to prepare the official result and ranks. 

Final Answer Key & Result

After reviewing all challenges and objections:

• A final answer key is prepared.
• The Session 1 result for JEE Main 2026, including scores and NTA percentile, is expected by February 12, 2026. 

Final answer key and result are typically released together, and candidates can log in to check their results on the official portal using their credentials.

Also See:

• JEE Main 2026 Result Date & Expected Cutoff: Scorecard Out by Feb 12
• OUT NOW: JEE Main 2026 (Session 1) Official Answer Key & Response Sheet Released
• Which Was the Toughest Shift in JEE Main Jan 2026? (Normalization Explained)
• JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Registration Started – Apply Online @ jeemain.nta.nic.in
• JEE Main 2026 Marks vs Percentile: Check Your Expected Rank

Conclusion 

The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 official answer key and individual response sheet were scheduled and released on February 4, 2026, on the jeemain.nta.nic.in portal. This update allows candidates to gauge expected performance, raise objections between February 4–6, and prepare for the final results to be announced by February 12, 2026.

These documents are critical for an accurate self-assessment before official results are declared and highlight the NTA’s focus on transparency in the competitive entrance exam process.