The JEE Main exam is one of the largest engineering entrance tests in India. On April 11, 2026, the National Testing Agency (NTA) released the provisional answer key for the JEE Main 2026 Session 2, a significant development for the approximately 11.23 lakh candidates who participated in the exam held from April 2 to April 8, 2026.
Conducted across 566 examination centres in 304 cities within India and 14 cities abroad, the exam saw a remarkable attendance rate of 93% for Paper 1 and 73% for Paper 2. Candidates can now access their response sheets and question papers to evaluate their performance and determine if they wish to challenge any answers.
Students have the opportunity to contest the provisional answer key for a fee of ₹200 per question. However, the NTA has advised candidates to refrain from making any payments related to challenges until an official clarification regarding discrepancies in the Chemistry section is issued. “NTA regrets the inconvenience caused. Candidates are advised not to make any payments related to challenges for these until an official clarification is issued,” stated an NTA representative.
Frustration among students is palpable, with one candidate expressing, “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?? RELEASE THE CORRECT ANS KEY ASAP AND ISSUE AN APOLOGY REGARDING THE MENTAL TORTURE YOU HAVE GIVEN TO THIS SHIFT CHILDREN.” Another student added, “This discrepancy cannot be dismissed with just an apology from NTA. Accountability must be ensured.”
As candidates await the final answer key, expected to be released on April 20, 2026, they are encouraged to analyze their responses and raise objections if necessary. The objection process requires supporting documents for justification, and candidates should be aware that the challenge fee is non-refundable, even if the challenge is accepted.
In a bid to enhance communication, the NTA has begun sharing exam-related information through social media platforms. Updates will include essential information related to admit cards, exam dates, results, and other important announcements. “Students can now receive real-time updates, exam alerts and all essential information in one place,” the NTA noted.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact nature of discrepancies in the Chemistry exam, leaving many candidates anxious as they prepare to navigate the objection process. As the situation unfolds, the NTA’s commitment to transparency and accountability will be closely monitored by both students and educational observers alike.
