JEE Main 2026 Final Answer Key Released by NTA
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially published the final answer key for the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 examination, specifically for the BE/BTech (Paper 1) candidates. This release marks a crucial milestone for the over 13 lakh students who appeared for the engineering entrance test, as they can now cross-check their responses and estimate their probable scores with greater accuracy.
One of the most notable aspects of this final answer key is the removal of nine questions from the evaluation process. These questions have been dropped after careful review, and they will not be considered when calculating the final results. This adjustment is expected to bring more clarity and fairness to the scoring methodology.
Examination Timeline and Previous Updates
The Session 1 examination was conducted over a nine-day window, from January 21 to January 29, with two shifts held each day. Following the successful completion of the exams, the NTA released the provisional answer key on February 4. Candidates were then given the opportunity to raise objections against any answers they believed to be incorrect. This objection window remained open until February 6, with a nominal fee of 200 rupees charged per question challenged.
After thoroughly reviewing all the objections submitted by candidates, the testing agency has now finalized the answer key and made it available on the official portal. Students are advised to visit the designated website and download the document using their registered login credentials.
Results and Score Calculation
With the final answer key now in place, the NTA is all set to announce the results for Session 1 candidates by February 16. Once the results are declared, students will be able to see their normalized scores and percentile rankings. It is important to note that the final answer key serves as the definitive reference for result preparation, and no further changes will be entertained at this stage.
Session 2 Registration and Exam Schedule
For those candidates who may not be fully satisfied with their Session 1 performance, there is still an opportunity to improve their scores. The NTA has opened registrations for Session 2 of JEE Main 2026, and interested students can apply until February 25. Importantly, those who have already registered for the exam can simply log in with their existing credentials and pay the applicable fee to secure their spot for the next session.
A key detail to keep in mind is that when preparing the final merit list, the NTA will consider the better of the two scores obtained across both sessions. This policy works in favor of candidates, as it ensures that a strong performance in either session can be counted toward the final ranking.
The Session 2 examination is scheduled to take place from April 2 to April 9. This gives aspirants ample time to prepare and potentially enhance their results. With the final answer key now available, students can analyze their current standing and make informed decisions about whether to appear for the second session.
All candidates are encouraged to visit the official NTA website and download the final answer key to begin calculating their expected scores. The process is straightforward and requires only the login details that were used during the application process.
