The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 response sheets and provisional answer key have been officially released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on February 4, 2026. This is a major update for lakhs of engineering aspirants who appeared in the January session exams. Candidates can now access their recorded responses, cross-check answers against the provisional key, estimate tentative scores, and raise objections if needed.
Key Highlights of JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Answer Key Release
- Release Date: February 4, 2026 (today)
- Official Website: jeemain.nta.nic.in
- Exam Conducted: January 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, and 29, 2026 (Paper 1: B.E./B.Tech on most dates; Paper 2A/2B: B.Arch/B.Planning on January 29)
- Provisional Answer Key: Available for download via candidate login
- Response Sheet: Individual recorded responses (what you marked during the exam) released alongside the key
- Objection Window: Open from February 4 to February 6, 2026 (check exact deadline on official site; some sources mention till Feb 5 or 6)
- Challenge Fee: ₹200 per challenged question (non-refundable, payable online)
- Final Answer Key & Result: Expected by mid-February 2026 (around February 12, based on trends)
The release allows candidates to verify their performance before the final results. Over 13 lakh students appeared in Session 1, making this one of the most competitive editions.
How to Download JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Answer Key and Response Sheet
- Visit the official NTA JEE Main website: jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- Look for the link: “Display of Provisional Answer Keys and Recorded Response Sheet” or “Challenge(s) regarding Answer Key”.
- Log in using your application number and password/date of birth.
- Download the provisional answer key PDF, response sheet, and question paper (if available).
- Compare your responses with the key to calculate a tentative score (remember +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect in most sections).
Direct Link: Access via the official portal (login required; no generic direct PDF link as it’s candidate-specific).
Steps to Raise Objections/Challenges
- Log in to the portal.
- Select the question(s) you wish to challenge.
- Provide supporting justification/documents if required.
- Pay the fee per question.
- Submit before the deadline—NTA will review valid challenges and may revise the final key.
Only paid, justified challenges are considered. NTA’s decision is final.
What’s Next After Answer Key?
- Final Answer Key: Released after reviewing challenges (likely early February).
- JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Result: Expected by February 12, 2026 (includes NTA score, percentile, and All India Rank).
- Session 2 Registration: Already open for April attempt (exam dates: early April 2026).
- Counselling: Via JoSAA for NITs/IIITs/GFTIs (after both sessions).
Candidates are advised to regularly check jeemain.nta.nic.in for any updates, as NTA may issue clarifications. Keep your login credentials handy and avoid unofficial sources for downloads to prevent misinformation.
This release is a crucial step toward transparency in the evaluation process. Best of luck to all JEE aspirants—use this to analyze your performance wisely and prepare for Session 2 if aiming higher! For any official queries, contact NTA helpline: 011-40759000 or jeemain@nta.ac.in.
