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JEE Main 2026January Session

JEE Main 2026 — Shift-wise Difficulty Analysis

NTA conducts JEE Main across multiple shifts. Raw marks are normalized via NTA's percentile formula, so a tougher shift allows lower marks for the same percentile. The table below shows marks required at key percentile thresholds for each January 2026 shift.

Key Insight: Shift difficulty does NOT affect your final percentile

Even if you scored lower in a tough shift, your percentile is normalized — so there is NO advantage or disadvantage based on which shift you get. A 99 percentile in the toughest shift and a 99 percentile in the easiest shift carry identical weight in the final merit list.

January 2026 — Shift-wise Marks at Key Percentiles

Source: Post-exam analysis (Aakash, Vedantu, PW)
ShiftDifficultyMarks at 99th %ileMarks at 95th %ileMarks at 90th %ile
Jan 22 S1 (Morning)Moderate195155130
Jan 22 S2 (Evening)Easy215170145
Jan 23 S1 (Morning)Tough182145120
Jan 23 S2 (Evening)Moderate198158133
Jan 24 S1 (Morning)Easy212168142
Jan 24 S2 (Evening)Tough178141116
Jan 28 S1 (Morning)Moderate192152127
Jan 28 S2 (Evening)Easy208164138

Data from post-exam reviews. Values represent approximate marks required for that percentile within that specific shift. Final NTA scores may differ slightly after official normalization.

Which Shifts Were Toughest?

Toughest: Jan 24 S2 (Evening) — 178 marks for 99th percentile

The January 24 evening shift had the lowest score at 99th percentile (178 marks), making it the hardest shift of the January 2026 session. If you sat this shift and scored 160+, you likely performed very well relative to peers.

Also Tough: Jan 23 S1 (Morning) — 182 marks for 99th percentile

The January 23 morning shift was the second hardest, with the paper being considered difficult especially in Mathematics. Students who appeared in this shift needed only 145 marks for 95th percentile.

Easiest: Jan 22 S2 (Evening) — 215 marks for 99th percentile

The January 22 evening session was the easiest of the lot. A 99th percentile required 215 marks, showing the paper was more straightforward. But remember — NTA's normalization ensures this does not give an unfair advantage over other shifts.

Tips if you got a tough shift

  • Do not panic — focus on your percentile, not raw marks.
  • A lower raw score in a tough shift can yield the same or better percentile than a higher score in an easy shift.
  • NTA's normalization formula adjusts for shift difficulty before computing your final score.
  • Compare your marks against the shift-specific benchmarks above, not the overall cut-off marks.
  • Use the rank predictor below with your shift selected to get an accurate AIR estimate.

Get your shift-normalized rank estimate

Our rank predictor accounts for your specific shift difficulty when estimating your AIR.

Use Rank Predictor with Shift Selector →