The JEE Mains answer key is one of the most important documents for students who appear in the Joint Entrance Examination (Main). Every year, lakhs of aspirants eagerly wait for the release of the answer key to analyze their performance and estimate their scores before the official results are declared. In this detailed blog post, you will get complete and plagiarism-free information about the JEE Mains answer key 2026, including release date expectations, how to download it, how to calculate marks, objection process, final answer key, result impact, and much more.
What is JEE Mains Answer Key?
The JEE Mains answer key is an official document released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) that contains correct answers to all questions asked in the JEE Main examination. It helps candidates compare their attempted answers with the officially approved solutions.
Using the JEE Mains answer key, students can calculate their expected scores and analyze their chances of qualifying for JEE Advanced or securing admission to NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutes.
Importance of JEE Mains Answer Key
The JEE Mains answer key plays a crucial role in the examination process. It brings transparency and allows candidates to verify the correctness of answers evaluated by NTA.
Key benefits of the JEE Mains answer key include early performance analysis, score prediction before results, understanding mistakes, and ensuring fair evaluation. It also allows students to raise objections if they find any discrepancy.
Types of JEE Mains Answer Key
There are mainly two types of JEE Mains answer key released by NTA.
Provisional Answer Key
The provisional answer key is released first. Candidates can challenge this key if they believe any answer is incorrect.
Final Answer Key
After reviewing all challenges, NTA releases the final JEE Mains answer key. This version is used for result preparation and cannot be challenged further.
JEE Mains Answer Key 2026 Release Date (Expected)
The JEE Mains answer key 2026 is usually released a few days after the examination concludes. For each session and shift, NTA publishes the answer key along with the response sheet.
Generally, the provisional answer key is released within 3–5 days after the exam, while the final answer key is released shortly before the result announcement.
JEE Mains Answer Key 2026 – Overview Table
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Joint Entrance Examination (Main) 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency |
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test |
| Answer Key Release Mode | Online |
| Types of Answer Key | Provisional & Final |
| Objection Facility | Available for Provisional Key |
| Official Use | Score Calculation & Result |
How to Download JEE Mains Answer Key 2026
Downloading the JEE Mains answer key is a simple online process. Candidates need to log in using their application number and password or date of birth.
Steps to download JEE Mains answer key:
First, visit the official JEE Main portal.
Log in using your credentials.
Click on the link for JEE Mains answer key 2026.
Download the PDF for your respective shift and paper. Save it for score calculation.
JEE Mains Response Sheet Explained
Along with the JEE Mains answer key, NTA also releases the response sheet. The response sheet shows the answers selected by the candidate during the examination.
By matching the response sheet with the JEE Mains answer key, candidates can accurately calculate their expected marks.
How to Calculate Score Using JEE Mains Answer Key
Using the JEE Mains answer key, candidates can calculate their tentative score by following the official marking scheme.
JEE Main Marking Scheme
| Response Type | Marks Awarded |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | +4 Marks |
| Incorrect Answer | -1 Mark |
| Unattempted Question | 0 Marks |
Formula to calculate score:
Total Score = (Correct Answers × 4) – (Incorrect Answers × 1)
This calculated score gives a fair idea of the candidate’s performance before results.
JEE Mains Answer Key Objection Process
The JEE Mains answer key objection process allows candidates to challenge any answer they believe is incorrect.
Candidates must submit objections online by paying a non-refundable fee per question. Proper justification or supporting documents are recommended to strengthen the claim.
Read More – SSC GD Syllabus 2026 PDF: Exam Pattern, Subject Wise Syllabus
Steps to Challenge JEE Mains Answer Key
Login to the candidate portal.
Select the question to challenge.
Upload supporting explanation.
Pay the objection fee.
Submit the challenge.
NTA reviews all objections carefully before releasing the final JEE Mains answer key.
JEE Mains Final Answer Key
The final JEE Mains answer key is released after considering all valid objections. It reflects the corrected answers, if any, and is used to prepare the final result.
No further objections are allowed once the final answer key is published.
Impact of JEE Mains Answer Key on Result
The JEE Mains answer key directly impacts the result and rank of candidates. Any correction in the final answer key can lead to score changes, which may affect percentile and All India Rank.
This is why reviewing the provisional JEE Mains answer key is extremely important.
JEE Mains Answer Key and Percentile Calculation
The raw score calculated using the JEE Mains answer key is later converted into percentile scores through the normalization process.
Percentile scores ensure fairness by comparing candidates across different shifts.
JEE Mains Answer Key for Different Shifts
NTA releases separate JEE Mains answer key PDFs for each shift and paper. Candidates must ensure they download the correct answer key according to their exam date and shift.
JEE Mains Answer Key – Common Mistakes Students Make
Many students calculate scores using the wrong shift answer key or forget negative marking. Always use the official JEE Mains answer key and correct marking scheme.
JEE Mains Answer Key for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
The JEE Mains answer key is provided subject-wise, covering Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. This helps students analyze their subject-wise performance in detail.
Benefits of Analyzing JEE Mains Answer Key
Analyzing the JEE Mains answer key helps students identify weak areas, understand exam patterns, and plan better for future attempts or JEE Advanced.
JEE Mains Answer Key and Cut-Off Prediction
Using the JEE Mains answer key, candidates can estimate whether they are likely to clear the cut-off for JEE Advanced or desired colleges.
Important Link
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Answer Key | Soon |
JEE Mains Answer Key – Frequently Asked Questions
Is JEE Mains answer key released for all sessions?
Yes, NTA releases the JEE Mains answer key separately for each session.
Can I challenge the final answer key?
No, only the provisional JEE Mains answer key can be challenged.