The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 answer key and response sheet on February 4, 2026, on its official portal at jeemain.nta.nic.in for candidates who appeared in the first session of the engineering entrance exam. This is the first major milestone after the January examinations, allowing students to cross-verify their answers, calculate probable scores, and start preparing for next steps in the admissions journey.

Why the Answer Key Matters

For lakhs of aspirants who appeared for JEE Main 2026 Session 1, the release of the provisional answer key is a crucial moment. It provides an early indication of how they performed on the exam — especially for those aiming for top engineering institutions like NITs, IIITs, and other premier colleges. By comparing their responses with the officially released key, students can estimate their likely score and assess their chances of qualifying for JEE Advanced or meeting cut-off requirements.

Direct Download Link

Candidates can download their provisional answer key and response sheet by visiting the official website:
🔗 https://jeemain.nta.nic.in
Look for the link titled “JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Answer Key & Response Sheet” and log in using your Application Number and Password/Date of Birth.

What’s Included in the Release

The NTA has made available:

• Provisional Answer Key — Official correct answers marked by NTA.

• Response Sheet — Your own answers recorded during the exam.

• Question Paper PDF — The set you attempted for reference.
  All documents are accessible through the candidate login portal.

Steps to Download the JEE Main 2026 Answer Key

To download the answer key and response sheet:

1. Visit jeemain.nta.nic.in.

2. Click on the “JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Answer Key / Response Sheet” link.

3. Enter your Application Number and Password/Date of Birth.

4. Select your exam session and question paper.

5. Download the Response Sheet PDF and Provisional Answer Key.

6. Save copies for score calculation.

Objection Window — Raise Challenges

The NTA has opened a limited objection window for the provisional answer key. Candidates who find any question answer inconsistent with the official key can raise objections online within the stipulated deadline. For each question they challenge, a non-refundable fee (typically ₹200 per question) must be paid during submission. Objections must be supported by valid evidence — and the final answer key will be issued after careful review by NTA experts.

Objection Window:
February 4 – February 5, 2026 (may extend till February 6 in some updates)
Fee: ₹200 per question (non-refundable)

Calculating Your Probable Score

Once you have downloaded the answer key, you can begin estimating your probable score. To calculate:

• +4 marks for each correct answer

• –1 mark for each incorrect answer (Negative Marking)

• No marks for unanswered questions
  This estimated score helps you understand where you stand ahead of the official results.

Important Dates to Remember

Here are the latest official timelines:

• Answer Key Release: February 4, 2026

• Objection Window: February 4 – February 5/6, 2026

• Final Answer Key & Results: Expected by February 12, 2026

• JEE Main 2026 Session 2: Registration opens until February 25, 2026 (details on official site)

What Next After Answer Key

After the objection period closes, the NTA will incorporate valid challenges and release the final answer key. Based on this final key, the official JEE Main 2026 results will be declared. Candidates can then check their scores, percentiles, and ranks. Those who qualify will be eligible to apply for JEE Advanced 2026, the gateway to IITs.

In Summary

The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 provisional answer key is now live on the official portal — marking a significant step in the engineering entrance exam cycle. Candidates are advised to download their response sheets, verify the answer key, raise objections if needed within the deadline, and calculate their estimated scores to plan ahead for admissions and the next phases of the exam process.