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Students aspiring to secure admission into top engineering colleges across India may finally see the end of their long wait. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release the JEE Main 2026 provisional answer key and candidate response sheet today, February 4, 2026. These documents are crucial for candidates who appeared in the first session of the examination held between January 21 and January 28, 2026.

According to official sources, both the provisional answer key and the response sheet will be made available on the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in. Candidates will be able to access them by logging in using their application number and date of birth or password.

This release will allow students to evaluate their performance, estimate their probable scores, and plan their preparation strategy for the upcoming session.

Objection Window to Open Along with Answer Key

Once the provisional answer key is uploaded, NTA will activate the objection or challenge window for candidates who believe that any answer has been marked incorrectly. This facility is especially important for students who want their responses to be reviewed before the final result is prepared.

Candidates can submit their objections starting today through the designated link on the official portal. However, only paid challenges will be accepted. Any objection submitted without valid supporting proof or without paying the prescribed fee will not be considered.

Students are advised to carefully review each answer before raising objections and ensure that their challenges are submitted within the given deadline, as late submissions will not be entertained under any circumstances.

Massive Student Participation in January Session

The January session of JEE Main 2026 witnessed impressive participation from students across the country. As per available data, a total of 13,00,368 candidates appeared for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech). The overall attendance rate was recorded at 96.26 percent, reflecting the seriousness and importance of the examination.

Among the total candidates, 4,314 students from the PwD (Persons with Disabilities) category also took part in the exam, highlighting inclusive participation.

Regarding the difficulty level, most shifts were reported to be of moderate difficulty. Compared to last year, the paper was more balanced overall. However, many students found the Mathematics section lengthy and slightly challenging, while Physics and Chemistry were considered manageable in most shifts.

Understanding the Marking Scheme

To calculate their expected scores accurately, students must understand the marking scheme followed in JEE Main 2026:

• +4 marks for every correct answer

• -1 mark for every incorrect answer

• No marks for unanswered or marked-for-review questions

By matching their responses with the provisional answer key, candidates can estimate their tentative score. This self-assessment helps students analyze their strengths and weaknesses and refine their preparation strategy for the next session.

Result Date and Ranking Process

As per the NTA schedule, the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 result will be declared on February 12, 2026. However, students must note that the All India Rank (AIR) will not be released immediately after the January session.

The final rank list and official cut-off will be announced only after the April 2026 session results are declared. NTA will consider the best score out of both sessions for determining the final rank. This system gives students another opportunity to improve their performance in the second attempt.

Key Changes Introduced This Year

Several small but significant changes have been implemented in JEE Main 2026:

• Application fees for foreign examination centers have been increased

• The total number of exam centers has been slightly reduced

• The list of zonal institutes and test cities has been updated

• Minor administrative adjustments have been introduced to streamline the examination process

Students are strongly advised to rely only on information published on the official NTA website and avoid unofficial sources that may spread misinformation.

What Students Should Do Next

Candidates should regularly check the official portal for updates regarding:

• Provisional answer key release

• Objection window deadlines

• Final answer key

• Result announcement

Downloading the response sheet and carefully matching answers will give students clarity about their expected performance and help them plan for the next stage of preparation.

With lakhs of aspirants eagerly awaiting the answer key and response sheet, today marks an important milestone in the JEE Main 2026 journey. Staying informed and acting within deadlines will be crucial for every candidate aiming for success in this highly competitive examination.