The JEE Main 2026 Answer Key has been released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for Session 1. Candidates can now download the final answer key PDF and check the latest updates for Session 2 from the official website.
The JEE Main 2026 Answer Key for Session 1 has been officially finalized, and the focus has now shifted to the upcoming April session. The National Testing Agency (NTA) released the Session 1 Final Answer Key on February 16, 2026, which served as the basis for the January results. As of today, March 30, 2026, the NTA has activated the city intimation slips and admit cards for JEE Main 2026 Session 2, with the exam scheduled to begin on April 2, 2026. This article provides the direct links to download the past final keys and the upcoming schedule for the April attempt.
JEE Main 2026 Answer Key Direct Link
Candidates can access the official PDFs and candidate login portal for both sessions through the links provided below.
- Official Website: jeemain.nta.nic.in
- Session 1 Final Answer Key PDF: Download Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) Final Key
- Session 2 Admit Card Login: Click Here to Download Session 2 Admit Card
Highlights
Key details regarding the JEE Main 2026 Answer Key and exam status:
- Exam Name: Joint Entrance Examination (Main) 2026
- Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Session 1 Status: Final Answer Key Released (Feb 16); 9 questions dropped.
- Session 2 Status: Admit Cards LIVE; Exam starts April 2.
- Marking Scheme: +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect, +4 for dropped questions.
Important Dates for JEE Main 2026
The NTA has revised the Session 2 calendar. Below is the updated timeline for the JEE Main 2026 Answer Key and results:
| Event | Session 1 (January) | Session 2 (April) |
| Exam Dates | Jan 21 – Jan 29, 2026 | April 2 – April 8, 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key | February 4, 2026 | Mid-April 2026 (Expected) |
| Objection Window | Feb 4 – Feb 6, 2026 | 2-3 days after release |
| Final Answer Key Release | February 16, 2026 | Late April 2026 (Expected) |
| Result Declaration | February 16, 2026 | By May 2026 |
How to Check/Download JEE Main 2026 Answer Key
Once the NTA releases the provisional or final JEE Main 2026 Answer Key, follow these steps:
- Visit the official NTA website: jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- For Final Key: Click on the public notice link titled “Final Answer Key for JEE (Main) 2026 Session 1“. It will open as a direct PDF.
- For Provisional Key/Response Sheet: Click on the “Candidate Login” or “Answer Key Challenge” link.
- Enter your Application Number and Date of Birth/Password.
- View your recorded responses and the official answer key side-by-side.
- Download the PDF for calculating your marks.
Dropped Questions & Marking Rules
The JEE Main 2026 Answer Key for Session 1 saw 9 questions dropped by the NTA after expert review. As per the official policy:
- Section A (MCQs): If a question is dropped, all candidates who appeared in that shift receive +4 marks, regardless of whether they attempted it.
- Section B (Numerical): If a question is dropped, +4 marks are awarded only to those who attempted the question.
- Scaled Score: These raw marks are then converted into NTA Percentile Scores using the normalization process.
Details Mentioned in Final Answer Key
The official JEE Main 2026 Answer Key PDF includes:
- Exam Date and Shift timing.
- Subject Name (Mathematics, Physics, or Chemistry).
- Question ID: A unique 10-digit identifier for each problem.
- Correct Option ID: The unique ID of the final accepted answer.
- Dropped Status: Indicated if the question was canceled.
Important Links
- JEE Main 2026 Session 2 City Intimation Slip
- NTA Normalization Policy & Percentile Calculator
- JEE Advanced 2026 Registration (Starts April 23)
- Top NITs Cutoff Ranks 2026
FAQs on JEE Main 2026 Answer Key
Q1. Can I challenge the JEE Main 2026 Final Answer Key? No, the NTA does not entertain any challenges against the Final Answer Key. The decisions made by the expert panel are binding and are used to prepare the final results.
Q2. When will the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Answer Key be available? The provisional answer key for the April session is typically released 3 to 4 days after the last exam date (expected around April 11-12, 2026).
Q3. What is the fee for challenging the provisional answer key? Candidates must pay a non-refundable processing fee of ₹200 per question challenged using a credit/debit card or net banking.
Q4. Where can I find the question papers for Session 1? The NTA has released the Session 1 question papers along with the final answer keys on the official website. You can also find memory-based solutions from institutes like Aakash and Resonance.
Conclusion
The JEE Main 2026 Answer Key for Session 1 is already finalized, marking the completion of the January cycle. Students should now focus entirely on the Session 2 Exam starting April 2. Ensure you have downloaded your admit card and checked your allotted city. We will provide a direct link to the Session 2 provisional answer key immediately after the April exams conclude.
