The eagerly awaited NTA JEE Mains Answer Key 2026 is one of the most critical steps in the post-exam phase for engineering aspirants across India. Candidates who appeared in the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exams are now closely watching for the release of the provisional answer key, response sheets, and associated updates from the National Testing Agency (NTA) — the official conducting body of the exam.
In this article, we break down everything you need to know about the answer key release date, download process, objection window, and how it plays into your final result.
Background Context: What is the NTA JEE Mains Answer Key?
The JEE Main Answer Key 2026 is an official document released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) that contains correct answers to all questions asked in the JEE Main exam. Candidates use this document to:
Cross-check their responses.
Estimate their probable score before results are announced.
Understand performance trends and compare subject-wise accuracy.
The answer key is released in two stages:
Provisional Answer Key — released first and open for objections.
Final Answer Key — released after reviewing challenges and objections.
Official Release Dates – What’s Happening Now?
According to recent news updates:
Provisional Answer Key & Response Sheet Release: February 4, 2026.
Answer Key Objection Window: February 4 – February 5, 2026.
Session 1 Result Date: By February 12, 2026, with percentile scores.
These dates are part of the official NTA schedule for JEE Main 2026 Session 1. More updates are being published daily as aspirants download the documents and begin
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to accessing your answer key and response sheet:
Visit the official JEE Main portal: nta.nic.in.
Click the link labeled “JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Answer Key / Response Sheet”.
Log in using your application number, password/date of birth, and captcha.
Download the provisional answer key PDF and response sheet for your session.
Save or print a copy for your own records.
This process allows candidates to check their marked answers against the official answer key and understand their likely performance.
Response Sheet – What’s That?
The response sheet contains the answers marked by the candidate during the exam, showing:
The question ID
Option selected by the candidate
Correct answer from the answer key
This is essential for accurate score estimation and helps in identifying which questions were answered incorrectly.
How to Challenge the Provisional Answer Key
If you believe any answer in the provisional key is incorrect, you can:
Log in to your JEE Main student dashboard.
Choose the question you want to challenge.
Attach supporting documents (textbook proof, NCERT, etc.).
Pay a challenge fee per question (usually ₹200).
Submit before the deadline — February 5, 2026.
Only challenges backed with valid evidence are considered, and the final answer key is updated after review.
How to Estimate Your Score Using the Answer Key
Once your response sheet and answer key are downloaded:
Take a printout of both documents.
Compare your marked answers with the answer key.
Use the JEE Main marking scheme:
+4 for every correct answer.
−1 for every incorrect answer.
0 for unattempted questions.
Total estimated score = (Number of correct answers × 4) − (Number of incorrect answers × 1).
This gives you a practical range of your likely performance even before the official results drop.
What Happens After the Answer Key
After the challenge period and final key is released:
NTA processes all objections submitted.
Final answer key is published.
Official result with percentile scores is announced.
Qualifying candidates proceed to further rounds or counselling processes.
For Session 1 results, percentile scores are expected by February 12, 2026.
Conclusion
The NTA JEE Mains Answer Key 2026 is a major milestone for engineering aspirants following the exam. With the provisional key set to release on February 4, 2026, students can now begin evaluating their performance, raise challenges if necessary, and gear up for the final results.
Stay updated with official announcements, follow the download steps accurately, and use the answer key to estimate your scores before final results. Good luck to all candidates — your engineering journey is now one step closer!
Read also : AIIMS CRE Group A B C Result 2026
