JEE Main 2026: Questions Raised Over Answer Key; NTA Initiates Review Process and Appeals to Students
JEE Main 2026: A similar issue has become a major topic of discussion regarding Session 2 of the JEE Main 2026 examination. At the center of this discussion is a controversy surrounding the answer key for the Chemistry section of the exam held on April 5 (Shift 2).
JEE Main 2026: The engineering entrance examination, JEE Main, is considered one of the most critical exams in the country. Every year, lakhs of students dedicate several years to preparing for this exam in the hope of securing admission to the nation’s prestigious institutions. Consequently, any error or discrepancy associated with the examination becomes a source of anxiety and stress for the students.
A similar issue has become a major topic of discussion regarding Session 2 of the JEE Main 2026 examination. At the center of this discussion is a controversy surrounding the answer key for the Chemistry section of the exam held on April 5 (Shift 2). Several students have claimed that the answer key contains errors, which could adversely affect their scores. This issue quickly garnered attention on social media, prompting students, parents, and educators to express their concerns.
What did the NTA say regarding the Chemistry section answer key?
Responding to this entire matter, the National Testing Agency (NTA) stated that the complaints regarding discrepancies in the Chemistry paper have been taken seriously and are currently under investigation. The NTA also appealed to students not to pay any fee to challenge the answer key until an official clarification regarding this matter is issued. The agency acknowledged that this situation had caused inconvenience to the students and expressed its regret over the same.
Student Outcry on Social Media
Following this incident, the students’ anger was clearly visible on social media. Many students questioned the NTA’s operational procedures and demanded the immediate release of the correct answer key. Some students argued that such errors could impact their future prospects, as every single mark holds immense significance in an examination like JEE. Students and parents also stated that such errors should not occur in an examination of this magnitude, and that accountability for this must be established.
Reports regarding discrepancies in the JEE Chemistry paper (5 April, S2) have been noted on social media and are currently under verification.
— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) April 12, 2026
NTA regrets the inconvenience caused. Candidates are advised not to make any payments related to challenges for these until an official…
When was the Provisional Answer Key Released?
The NTA released the provisional answer key for JEE Main Session 2 (Paper 1 – BE/BTech) on April 11, 2026. Concurrently, students were provided the opportunity to view their response sheets and register objections against the answer key. Students can check their details by logging in to the official website.
When and How was the JEE Main 2026 Exam Conducted?
The JEE Main 2026 Session 2 examination was conducted between April 2 and April 8. The exam was held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode and was organized across 566 examination centers nationwide. Additionally, the examination was conducted in 14 cities abroad. Approximately 11.23 lakh students participated in this examination.
Chemistry Section Answer Key Challenge and Fee
Typically, students pay a fee of ₹200 per question to challenge the provisional answer key; however, this time, specifically regarding the Chemistry paper from Shift 2 on April 5, the NTA has instructed students not to deposit any fee at this stage and to wait for an official update first. The NTA will release the final answer key on April 20, 2026, after reviewing all objections and grievances. If any errors are detected during the review process, they will be rectified, and the students’ final scores will be determined based on the corrected key.
