JEE Main 2026 Answer Key Out on Feb 4:How to Download, Challenge & Result Date

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the JEE Main 2026 provisional answer key date. According to the official communication, JEE Main 2026 provisional answer key is set to be released on 4 February 2026. The JEE Main answer key will be available in a PDF format on the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in. Candidates need their application number and password to access JEE Main 2026 answer key. JEE Main answer key challenge date has been announced too. After the answer key declaration, the challenge window will open on 4 February and will remain open till 5 February 2026.

NTA is also set to declare the following: 

• Candidate response sheet 
• Question paper for the January session examination

The JEE Main 2026 January session exam concluded on 29 January. JEE Main answer key 2026 will help students to check correct answers, calculate their expected scores and challenge any discrepancies through the official objection window. NTA will open the JEE Main answer key challenge window after the declaration of the answer key.

A few days earlier, the authority had released the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 city intimation slip.

JEE Main 2026 January 21 Shift 1 Paper Rated Moderate to Tough

JEE Main 2026 Important Dates and Answer Key Schedule

The NTA has given these fresh dates for JEE Main answer key and challenge window:

JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates at a Glance

The NTA conducted the JEE Main 2026 exam on:

• B.E/B.Tech (Paper 1): January 21, 22, 23, 24 and 28 (two shifts daily)
• B.Arch & B.Planning (Paper 2): January 29 (first shift)

Must Check: JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam Dates

JEE Main 2026 Answer Key Release Date 

Here is the expected timeline of JEE Main answer key release:

Check Here:  JEE Main 2026 exam details.

How to Check JEE Main Answer Key 2026?

Steps to download the JEE Main 2026 Answer Key PDF, response sheet and question paper:

• Visit jeemain.nta.nic.in
• Click on the link for ‘JEE Main 2026 Answer Key-Session 1’
• Log in using application number and password
• The answer key PDF will appear
• Download and save it

Along with the answer key, candidates must also download: 

• JEE Main 2026 response sheet 
• JEE Main 2026 question paper 

Why JEE Main 2026 Answer Key Is Important?

Why JEE Main Answer Key necessary for candidates?

• Check correct and incorrect responses.
• Calculate scores before results (potential scores).
• Remember that scores can fluctuate depending on the drop of a question by NTA.
• Estimate chances of qualifying for JEE Advanced 2026.
• Identify errors.
• Challenge incorrect answers.

How to Challenge JEE Main 2026 Answer Key?

Once the JEE Main answer key is out, NTA will open the challenge window. So that students can raise objections. Then, the authorities will get all the objections reviewed. The final answer key will be released only after the resolution of valid challenges. Candidates can raise objections by following these steps:

• Log in to the candidate portal
• Select the question to be challenged
• Upload supporting proof or explanation
• Pay the prescribed fee per question
• Submit the objection

Important:

• The challenge fee is non-refundable.
• Objections without valid proof will be rejected. 

How to Calculate Marks Using JEE Main 2026 Answer Key?

Official marking scheme is important for counting the scores via the JEE Main answer key 2026:

Formula:
Total Score = (Correct Answers × 4) – (Incorrect Answers × 1)

Details on JEE Main 2026 Answer Key

The provisional answer key has the following details:

• Question ID and question text
• All options with option IDs
• Correct option with ID
• Option selected by the candidate with ID

JEE Main 2026 Result Date

JEE Main 2026 result will be declared on:

• Session 1: February 12, 2026
• Session 2: April 20, 2026

Candidates must check the official sources to track the updates related to JEE Main answer key and the JEE Main session 1 results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques: Can objections be raised against JEE Main response sheet?

Ans: Yes. Candidates can raise objections once the JEE Main answer key is released. Candidates have to pay a non-refundable amount to raise objections. 

Ques: When will NTA issue the JEE Main answer key for the session 1 exam?

Ans: NTA will release the answer key on 4 February 2026. The JEE Main exams concluded on 29 January 2026. 

Ques: What was the difficulty level of JEE Main 2026 session 1 exam?

Ans: The paper was moderate to tough. Here is what students said:

• JEE Main 2026 paper is moderate to tough.
• Chemistry was lengthy.
• Mathematics emerged as the toughest section.
• Physics was easy to moderate.