The wait is almost over for lakhs of engineering aspirants. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to release the JEE Main 2026 Response Sheet Session 1 Provisional Answer Key on February 4, 2026, on its official website jeemain.nta.nic.in. Candidates who appeared for the January session examinations can download their response sheet, question paper, and provisional answer key using their login credentials.
This step is crucial as it allows students to calculate their tentative scores and raise objections, if any, before the declaration of final results.
π΄ JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Answer Key: Key Highlights
- Exam Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Exam Name: Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026
- Session: Session 1 (January)
- Exam Dates: January 21, 22, 23, 24, 28 & 29, 2026
- Answer Key Release Date: February 4, 2026
- Objection Window: February 4 to February 5, 2026
- Final Answer Key: After reviewing challenges
- Official Website: jeemain.nta.nic.in
π What Is JEE Main 2026 Response Sheet?
The JEE Main Response Sheet is a document that shows:
- Questions attempted by the candidate
- Options selected for each question
- Question ID and option ID
When matched with the provisional answer key, candidates can accurately estimate their probable score even before the official result is announced.
π₯οΈ How to Download JEE Main 2026 Response Sheet & Answer Key?
Follow these simple steps to access your response sheet and provisional answer key:
- Visit the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in
- Click on the link βJEE Main 2026 Session 1 Answer Key & Response Sheetβ
- Log in using your Application Number and Password/Date of Birth
- View and download:
- Candidate response sheet
- Question paper
- Provisional answer key
- Save the PDF for future reference
π Candidates are advised to download and verify all details carefully.
β How to Challenge JEE Main 2026 Provisional Answer Key?
If a candidate finds any discrepancy in the provisional answer key, NTA provides an opportunity to raise objections online.
π Steps to Raise Objection:
- Visit jeemain.nta.nic.in
- Log in under Candidate Login
- Click on βChallenge Answer Keyβ
- Select the question(s) to challenge
- Upload supporting documents/explanations
- Pay the objection fee per question (as notified by NTA)
- Submit the challenge
β° Last date to raise objections: February 5, 2026
π What Happens After the Objection Window Closes?
- NTA will review all challenges submitted by candidates
- Subject experts will examine the objections
- If a challenge is found valid, the answer key will be revised
- A final JEE Main 2026 answer key will be published
- Results will be prepared only on the basis of the final answer key
As per the tentative schedule, the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 result is expected by February 12, 2026.
π How to Calculate Probable Score Using Answer Key?
Candidates can calculate their expected score using the official marking scheme:
- Correct Answer: +4 marks
- Incorrect Answer: β1 mark
- Unattempted Question: 0 mark
For numerical-value questions, marks are awarded only if the answer matches exactly.
π― Why JEE Main Answer Key Is Important?
- Helps estimate raw score before result
- Allows transparency in evaluation
- Gives a chance to correct genuine errors
- Useful for predicting percentile and rank
- Assists in planning for Session 2 or JEE Advanced
π Important Instructions for Candidates
- Use only the official answer key released by NTA
- Submit objections within the deadline
- Ensure supporting documents are clear and relevant
- Objection fee is non-refundable
- Regularly check jeemain.nta.nic.in for updates
β Final Words
The release of the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Response Sheet and Provisional Answer Key is a major milestone in the examination process. Candidates should make full use of this window to verify their responses and raise objections, if required. This ensures fairness and accuracy before final results are declared.
For all authentic updates related to answer keys, objections, results, and counselling, rely only on the official NTA website jeemain.nta.nic.in.
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