jeemain.nta.nic.in Answer Key 2026: Direct Link to Download JEE Main Response Sheet

NTA JEE Main 2026 Answer Key: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Answer Key on the official website jee.main.nta.nic. Candidates who appeared for the exam on any day between January 21 and January 29, can now download their JEE Main 2026 response sheet and provisional answer key to check their recorded responses and estimate their expected scores before the final NTA JEE Main Result is declared.

The release of the answer key is an important step in the JEE Main result process, as it allows students to evaluate their performance, calculate probable marks, and raise objections in case of discrepancies. The JEE Main answer key correction process, which will be allowed from February 4 to February 5, is an important step after the release of the answer key and response sheet. With intense competition every year, even a single mark can significantly impact a candidate’s rank and eligibility for JEE Advanced. The subject experts will examine all the challenges received and then a final answer key will be released based on which the JEE Main Result 2026 will be declared.

JEE Main 2026 Answer Key Released at jeemain.nta.nic.in

The official JEE Main Answer Key 2026 download link has been activated on the NTA JEE portal. Students can access their answer key and response sheet by logging in using their application number and password or date of birth.

The JEE Main response sheet shows the exact options selected by the candidate during the examination, while the provisional answer key displays the correct answers as per NTA. By comparing both, students can calculate their expected score using the official marking scheme. This process helps in getting an idea of the qualifying chances for JEE Advanced and potential admission to NITs, IIITs, and other participating institutions.

NTA Official Notice for JEE Main 2026 Response Sheet

As per the official notice released by NTA, the JEE (Main) 2026 Session 1 provisional answer keys and candidate response sheets have been released for exams conducted between January 21 and January 29, 2026. Candidates can download them from jeemain.nta.nic.in.

• The answer key challenge window is open till 6th February 2026 (11:50 PM).
• Candidates can raise objections by paying a non-refundable fee of ₹200 per question.
• If any challenge is found valid by subject experts, the answer key will be revised for all candidates, and the final result will be prepared accordingly.

👉 Check: Official Notice by NTA – Download PDF

JEE Main Answer Key, Response Sheet Download Link

The answer key for the JEE Main 2026 test held in January has been released by the National Testing Agency (NTA), and candidates can now download their provisional answer key and response sheet from the official JEE Main website by logging in with their application number and date of birth or password.

Direct Link  - JEE Main 2026 Answer Key

How to Download JEE Main 2026 Response Sheet and Answer Key Online

To download the JEE Main 2026 answer key and response sheet, candidates need to follow the official process provided by NTA. The steps are simple and can be completed in a few minutes:

• Visit the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in
  

• Click on the link for “JEE Main 2026 Answer Key and Response Sheet”
  

• Log in using application number and password/date of birth
  

• Download the response sheet and provisional answer key in PDF format
  

It is advisable to save a copy of the response sheet and answer key for future reference, especially if you plan to challenge any answer during the objection window.

How to Calculate JEE Main 2026 Score Using Answer Key

After downloading the JEE Main 2026 answer key, candidates can calculate their probable score based on the official marking scheme. For every correct answer, marks are awarded, while negative marking applies to incorrect responses.

Use the following marking pattern:

• Correct answer: +4 marks

• Incorrect answer: –1 mark

• Unattempted question: 0 marks

By carefully matching your responses with the official key, you can estimate your score and analyze your performance across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. 

Also Read - JEE Main Qualifying Marks 2026: How Much Marks Required to Qualify for JEE Advanced Exam

JEE Main 2026 Score Calculation Formula:

Total Score = (Number of Correct Answers × 4) – (Number of Wrong Answers × 1)

This will give you a tentative score and may change after the final answer key is released. This early score prediction helps in setting realistic expectations for rank, percentile, and college options.

JEE Main 2026 Answer Key Challenge Process

NTA provides an opportunity to challenge the provisional JEE Main 2026 answer key if any candidate finds a discrepancy. The challenge window remains open for a limited period, and candidates must submit valid proof to support their claim.

After reviewing all challenges, NTA releases the final JEE Main 2026 answer key, which is used to prepare the result. Once the final answer key is published, no further objections are accepted, and the result is declared based on the final answers.

JEE Main 2026 Result Date

Once the objection window is closed and all challenges are reviewed, NTA will publish the final answer key and JEE Main 2026 result on the official website. The result will include the candidate’s percentile score, All India Rank (AIR), and qualifying status for JEE Advanced 2026.

Candidates who qualify will be eligible to appear for JEE Advanced, which will be conducted by IIT Roorkee on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Other candidates can use their JEE Main score for admission to NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutions through JoSAA counselling.

JEE Main 2026 Expected Cutoff (Category-Wise Percentile)

The expected cutoff for JEE Main 2026 is based on previous years’ trends and the anticipated competition level. With the number of candidates increasing every year, the cutoff is expected to remain competitive, especially for the General category.

Expected JEE Main 2026 Cutoff: Category-Wise Percentile

• General (UR): 93 – 95
  

• Gen-EWS: 80 – 82
  

• OBC-NCL: 79 – 81
  

• SC: 60 – 63
  

• ST: 47 – 50
  

• UR-PwD: 0.001 – 1
  

Important Insight: For the General category, the cutoff is expected to remain on the higher side due to increased competition and a rise in the number of test-takers. Candidates aiming for top NITs and IIITs should target a much higher percentile than the qualifying cutoff to secure a good rank.

Factors Affecting JEE Main 2026 Cutoff

The JEE Main cutoff 2026 depends on several important factors that collectively decide the qualifying percentile for each category. These elements influence whether the cutoff goes higher or lower in a particular year:

• Difficulty level of the JEE Main 2026 question paper
  

• Total number of candidates appearing for the exam
  

• Availability of seats in NITs, IIITs, and other participating institutes

• Overall performance of students in the examination

• Previous years’ cutoff trends

If the paper is moderately difficult and participation is high, the cutoff is likely to increase. On the other hand, a more complex paper may slightly reduce the cutoff percentile due to comparatively lower average scores.

What to Do After Checking JEE Main 2026 Answer Key

After checking the JEE Main 2026 response sheet and answer key, students should focus on the next steps. Those expecting to qualify for JEE Advanced should immediately start revision and practice for the advanced-level exam. Candidates aiming for JoSAA counselling should begin researching colleges, previous year cutoffs, and branch-wise admission trends to make informed choices during counselling.

Also Check JEE Main Marks vs Percentile 2026: Session 1 Shift-wise Detailed Analysis

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