JEE Main Answer Key 2026: The National Testing Agency (NTA) releases the JEE Main answer key shortly after each exam session. The provisional answer key for Session 1 was released in February 2026 and JEE Main Session 2 answer key is expected to be released in April 2026. Candidates can access the answer key by logging in with their application number and date of birth on the official website. The response sheet is also provided along with the JEE Main answer key, which helps students compare their answers and estimate their probable scores. If candidates notice any errors, they have the option to challenge the JEE Mains provisional answer key by paying ₹200 per question within the specified objection period. NTA will publish the final answer key after reviewing all the challenges, which will be used to prepare the JEE Main 2026 results.
To download the JEE Main Answer Key 2026, candidates need to visit the official website and follow a few simple steps. The answer key helps the candidate estimate their score before the results are declared and also allows the student to raise objections if needed.
The Steps to download the JEE Main 2026 Answer Key include:
Step 1: Go to the official NTA website jeemain.nta.nic.in
Step 2: Click on the link that says “JEE Main 2026 Answer Key”
Step 3: Log in using your Application Number and Date of Birth or Password
Step 4: The answer key will appear on the screen; download and save it
Step 5: You can also download your response sheet to compare your answers
JEE Main Answer Key Release Date 2026
Event | Date |
| JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam | 21 January 2026 to 30 January 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key Session 1 | Paper 1 (B.E. / B.Tech): 04-06 February 2026 Paper 2 (B. Arch and B. Planning): 19-20 February 2026 |
| Objection Window | Paper 1 (B.E. / B.Tech): 04-06 February 2026 Paper 2 (B. Arch and B. Planning): 19-20 February 2026 |
| Final Answer Key Release | Paper 1 (B.E. / B.Tech): 11 February 2026 Paper 2 (B. Arch and B. Planning): 23 February 2026 |
| Session 1 Result Declaration | Paper 1 (B.E. / B.Tech): 12 February 2026 Paper 2 (B. Arch and B. Planning): 24 February 2026 |
| JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Exam | 2 April 2026 to 9 April 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key Release | Paper 1 (B.E. / B.Tech): 11-13 April 2026 Paper 2 (B. Arch and B. Planning): 25-27 April 2026 |
| Objection Window | Paper 1 (B.E. / B.Tech): 11-13 April 2026 Paper 2 (B. Arch and B. Planning): 25-27 April 2026 |
| Final Answer Key Release | Paper 1 (B.E. / B.Tech): 19 April 2026 Paper 2 (B. Arch and B. Planning): 04 May 2026 |
| Session 2 Result Declaration | Paper 1 (B.E. / B.Tech): 20 April 2026 Paper 2 (B. Arch and B. Planning): 05 May 2026 |
The JEE Main Answer Key 2026 will be officially released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for both the January and April sessions. Candidates can download the JEE Main final answer key in PDF format to verify their responses and estimate scores. Below is a table with direct links to download the answer keys for 2026 and previous years:
JEE Main Answer Key PDF Download Links
Year | Session(s) | Download Link |
| 2025 | Session 2 | JEE Main 2025 answer key session 2.pdf |
| 2025 | Session 1 | JEE Main 2025 answer key session 1.pdf |
| 2024 | Session 2 | JEE Main 2024 answer key session 2.pdf |
| 2023 | Session 2 | JEE Main 2023 answer key session 2.pdf |
| 2022 | Session 2 | JEE Main 2022 answer key session 2.pdf |
| 2021 | Session 2 | JEE Main 2021 answer key session 2.pdf |
JEE Main 2026 Marking Scheme
Question Type | Correct Answer | Incorrect Answer | Unanswered |
| MCQs (All Papers) | +4 | –1 | 0 |
| NVQs (All Papers) | +4 | –1 | 0 |
| Drawing (Paper 2A only) | Evaluated subjectively | — | — |
Note: Candidates can use this formula to calculate their expected score:
Total Score = (Correct Answers × 2 - Incorrect answer × -1)
How to Challenge the JEE Main Answer Key?
If the candidate finds an error in the JEE Main Answer Key 2026, they can object to the official objection window. This process allows candidates to challenge specific questions or answers by providing valid proof and paying a nominal fee.
Steps to Raise an Objection Against the JEE Main Answer Key:
Visit the official website – jeemain.nta.nic.in
Log in using your Application Number and Password or Date of Birth
Click on the link for “Challenge Answer Key”
Select the question(s) you want to challenge
Upload supporting documents or explanations for your objection
Pay the objection fee (INR 200 per question) via online payment methods
Submit your objection and save the confirmation for future reference
Once the objection window closes, NTA reviews all challenges. If the objection raised is found valid, the answer key is updated and the final version is released. It is important to note that the obligation-raising fee is non-refundable, even if the JEE Main answer key challenge is accepted.
How to Calculate Marks with an Answer Key
To calculate your total marks in JEE Main 2026 using the answer key, follow these simple steps:
Download the official Provisional Answer Key and your response sheet from jeemain.nta.nic.in
Match your answers with the correct options given in the answer key
Count the number of correct and incorrect answers
Apply the official marking scheme: +4 marks for each correct answer, −1 mark for each incorrect answer and 0 marks for unattempted questions
Example:
If you attempted 90 questions in total:
Correct answers = 65
Incorrect answers = 15
Unattempted = 10
Then your score will be: Total Marks = (65 × 4) − (15 × 1) = 260 − 15 = 245 marks
Frequently Asked Questions
The JEE Mains provisional answer key 2026 for Session 1 is expected to be released in February 2026, a few days after the exams scheduled from 21 January 2026 to 30 January 2026.
Candidates can download the answer key from the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in by logging in with their Application Number and Date of Birth or Password, then clicking on the link for the respective session’s answer key. Response sheets will also be available for download.
If candidates find errors in the provisional answer key, they can challenge it within a specified window by selecting the question, uploading supporting documents and paying a fee of INR 200 per question as an objection fee.
As per NTA guidelines, each correct answer gives +4 marks, each wrong answer deducts 1 mark and no marks are deducted for unattempted questions. Subjective evaluation applies to the Drawing section in Paper 2A.
Candidates use their response sheet to tally correct and incorrect answers, then calculate the score using: Total Score = (Correct Answers × 4) − (Incorrect Answers × 1). For example, if you have 65 correct and 15 incorrect answers, your score would be (65 × 4) − (15 × 1) = 260 − 15 = 245.