Last Updated:

JEE Main 2026 Result LIVE: NTA Releases Final Answer Key, 12 Perfect Scorers, 9 Questions Dropped

Published: February 16, 2026 | 8:45 PM IST
Updated: February 17, 2026 | 14: 43 AM IST

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially declared the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 result along with the final answer key on February 16, 2026. A total of 12 students secured a perfect 100 percentile, while 9 questions were dropped across multiple shifts, significantly impacting final scores. The result, topper list and updated marking scheme are now available on the official portal.

According to official data released by the National Testing Agency, multiple answer corrections and an answer key ID mismatch triggered score recalculations for thousands of candidates across India.

JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Highlights

• Result declared: February 16, 2026
• Total 100 percentile scorers: 12
• Questions dropped: 9
• Final answer key released: Yes
• Result website: jeemain.nta.nic.in
• Withheld results: 68 candidates

Education experts say this is one of the most technically complex JEE Main evaluations in recent years due to multiple correct answers and normalization adjustments across shifts.

Official JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Statistics

Exam Participation & Attendance

• Total Registered: 13,55,293 candidates
• Total Appeared: 13,04,653 candidates
• Attendance Rate: 96.26%

Students across the country reported confusion regarding score calculations after the final answer key revisions. Many candidates are now recalculating expected ranks based on updated normalization and dropped question benefits.

Gender-wise Appearance

• Male: 8,55,085
• Female: 4,49,568

Performance Milestones

• Perfect 100 Percentile Scorers: 12 Candidates
• Female Topper: Ashi Grewal (99.9969766)

Education experts say this is one of the most technically complex JEE Main evaluations in recent years due to multiple correct answers and cross-shift normalization adjustments.

Category-wise Toppers

• Gen-EWS: Shresth Jasoria (99.9992442)
• SC: Deva Srivedh (99.9992271)
• ST: Daksh Sehra (99.9938620)
• PwBD: Arsh Jain (99.9100843)

How to Check JEE Main 2026 Result

• Visit jeemain.nta.nic.in
• Enter application number and password
• Download scorecard

Unfair Means Cases:-

Results of 68 candidates were withheld due to identity discrepancies or unfair practices.

JEE Main 2026 January Attempt Final Key Highlights

Here’s what the official final key confirms:

• Total Questions Dropped: 9 (across all shifts)
• Total Validated Challenges: 13 major corrections accepted
• Multiple Correct Numerical Answers: Several questions now allow 2 correct responses
• High Attendance: Approx. 13 lakh candidates appeared

This makes JEE Main 2026 Session 1 one of the most corrected January attempts in recent years.

Shift-Wise Dropped & Corrected Questions

Date	21-Jan	22-Jan	23-Jan	24-Jan	28-Jan	Total
Physics	–	1	2	2	2	7
Chemistry	1	–	1	–	2	4
Mathematics	–	–	–	1	1	2
Total Count	1	1	3	3	5	13*
*Note: Total reflects primary challenges acknowledged in the final domestic key.

Primary objections acknowledged before finalization.

Physics saw the highest corrections especially in Jan 23 and Jan 24 shifts, where conceptual ambiguity triggered successful challenges.

How 9 Dropped Questions Affect Your Score (Very Important)

The NTA follows a strict marking protocol.

Rule 1: If Question is Dropped (Null & Void)

✔ +4 Marks for EVERY candidate
✔ Attempted / Skipped / Wrong doesn’t matter
✔ No negative marking

This means even if you left it blank you still gain 4 marks.

Rule 2: If Multiple Correct Answers Exist

• Marked any correct option → +4
• Skipped → 0
• Marked wrong option → -1

In some numerical cases, both “3” and “6” are correct answers — meaning two interpretations were accepted.

The Viral “NTA Glitch” Explained (Most Students Are Reading It Wrong)

Social media claims:-

“NTA changed my correct answer to wrong!”

Reality:
In 90% of cases, it’s NOT an error it’s an Option ID mapping misunderstanding.

The Ascending ID Rule (This Is Critical)

The National Testing Agency does NOT use A/B/C/D directly.

Instead, it uses internal Option IDs sorted in ascending order.

How To Verify Correctly:

• Locate the 4 Option IDs in your response sheet.
• Arrange them from smallest to largest.
• Assign:-

1 → Smallest ID

2 → Second smallest

3 → Third smallest

4 → Largest

Match this position with the “Correct Option” number in the Final Key PDF.

Example:

If your option IDs were:

• …95
• …92
• …98
• …93

Sorted order:

• …92 (Option 1)
• …93 (Option 2)
• …95 (Option 3)
• …98 (Option 4)

If Final Key says “3” → correct answer is …95.

It doesn’t matter where it appeared on your screen.

👉 Most “answer changes” are just this mapping confusion.

Real Errors Identified (Where Debate Is Valid)

While most confusion is ID-based, experts confirm:

• Factual inconsistencies in Jan 21 Shift 1 (Physics)
• Logical ambiguity in Jan 24 Shift 1
• Certain mathematical interpretations accepted late

These corrections may significantly impact percentiles due to the Math Percentile Anchor Effect where even small mark shifts cause big rank movement in moderate-difficulty papers.

Why JEE Main 2026 January Result May Be Highly Volatile

Because:–

• 9 universal +4 bonuses increase overall marks.
• Multiple-answer validation boosts mid-score ranges.
• Physics-heavy corrections affect competitive percentiles.
• High attendance intensifies normalization sensitivity.
• Small changes = Big percentile shifts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What You Should Do Right Now

• Recalculate using sorted Option IDs
• Add +4 marks for every dropped question
• Recheck numerical multiple-answer cases
• Wait for official result before assuming rank

Final Verdict:-

JEE Main 2026 January Attempt is not “rigged” it’s misunderstood.

The biggest mistake students are making is reading the final key incorrectly.

If calculated properly, many candidates may see a positive surprise in their final result.

Stay calm. Verify correctly. Wait strategically.

Strategic Preparation for April Attempt (Session 2)

With Session 1 concluded, focus now shifts to April Attempt.

MyExams.AI launches Dhurandhar 2.0 Test Series for final revision phase:–

• 10 Full-Length JEE Main Tests
• AI-Based Percentile Analysis
• Weak Area Detection
• Starts: March 10, 2026
• Alternate Day Tests until March 28

This is the crucial phase to boost rank before final cutoff trends stabilize.

Author:- Editorial Team MyExams.AI
Category:- Education News / Entrance Exams