BREAKING: The JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Final Answer Key has been officially released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) today, April 20, 2026 at 1:15 PM IST, on the official portal jeemain.nta.nic.in. The release of the final answer key signals that the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Result is now imminent and expected to go live on the same portal any time today. Approximately 11.06 lakh students who appeared for the April session of JEE Main 2026, conducted from April 2 to 8, 2026, are waiting with bated breath for the result that will determine their All India Rank, JEE Advanced 2026 eligibility, and gateway to admission at NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.

In a significant development, two questions from Physics have been dropped in the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Final Answer Key. All candidates from the affected shifts will receive bonus marks for these dropped questions, which could shift scores and ranks for lakhs of aspirants.

JEE Main 2026 Session 2: Key Updates as of Today, April 20

• Final Answer Key Released: April 20, 2026 at 1:15 PM IST
• Questions Dropped: 2 questions from Physics
• Result Expected: Today, April 20, 2026 (anytime on the portal)
• Session 2 Exam Dates: April 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8, 2026
• Total Candidates (Session 2): Approximately 11.06 lakh
• Provisional Answer Key Released: April 11, 2026
• Objection Window: April 11 to 13, 2026
• Official Website: jeemain.nta.nic.in
• Login Credentials: Application Number and Password or Date of Birth

2 Physics Questions Dropped: What It Means for Your Score

The NTA has dropped two Physics questions from the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Final Answer Key. The specific dropped questions are:

• Question ID 6911211245 had two correct option IDs: 6911214242 and 6911214244
• Question ID 6911212216 had two correct option IDs: 6911217682 and 6911217683

As per NTA policy, when a question is dropped or found to have multiple correct answers, all candidates from the shifts in which those questions appeared will receive bonus marks of 4 marks per dropped question, regardless of whether they attempted it or not. This could positively impact the raw scores and percentile of several candidates, potentially shifting thousands of ranks, especially in the highly competitive 90 to 99 percentile band.

Candidates who had attempted these questions and marked any answer will receive 4 bonus marks for each dropped question. Those who left them unattempted will also receive the same 4 marks each, making this a universal score adjustment for all affected candidates in the relevant shifts.

How to Download JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Final Answer Key

The final answer key is currently live. Candidates can download it by following these steps:

• Visit the official JEE Main website at jeemain.nta.nic.in
• On the homepage, click on the link titled "JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Final Answer Key"
• A new login window will open
• Enter your Application Number and Password or Date of Birth
• Click Submit to access your dashboard
• The final answer key PDF for your shift will be available for download
• Download and save it for reference

Use the final answer key along with your response sheet to calculate your most accurate expected score before the result goes live.

How to Calculate Your JEE Main 2026 Score Using the Final Answer Key

Now that the final answer key is out, candidates can calculate their most accurate raw score using this formula:

Total Score = (Number of Correct Answers × 4) minus (Number of Incorrect Answers × 1)

Additionally, add 4 marks for each dropped question if it appeared in your shift, regardless of whether you attempted it. The maximum marks for JEE Main Paper 1 is 300, covering Physics (100 marks), Chemistry (100 marks), and Mathematics (100 marks). Integer‑type questions carry no negative marking.

NTA will then convert your raw score into an NTA percentile score using the normalization formula:

Percentile = 100 × (Number of candidates in your session who scored equal to or less than you) ÷ (Total candidates in that session)

How to Check JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Result When Live

Once the result link is activated today on jeemain.nta.nic.in, follow these steps:

• Visit jeemain.nta.nic.in on your browser or smartphone
• On the homepage, click on the link titled "View JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Result" or "JEE Main Result 2026"
• The candidate login window will open
• Enter your Application Number and your Password or Date of Birth
• Click on Submit to access your scorecard dashboard
• Your JEE Main 2026 scorecard will display subject‑wise NTA percentile scores for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, overall NTA score, All India Rank (AIR), Category Rank, and JEE Advanced 2026 eligibility status
• Download the scorecard PDF immediately and save multiple copies
• Take a printout for use in JEE Advanced registration, JoSAA counselling, and all future admissions

If the official website is slow due to heavy traffic, candidates can also access their scorecard through DigiLocker at digilocker.gov.in by searching for JEE Main Scorecard under the NTA section.

What the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Result Scorecard Contains

The final combined JEE Main 2026 scorecard released today includes:

• Candidate's Full Name and Application Number
• Subject‑wise NTA Percentile Score for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
• Overall NTA Percentile Score (out of 100)
• All India Rank (AIR) - Final, based on best score across Session 1 and Session 2
• Category Rank (General, OBC‑NCL, SC, ST, EWS, PwBD)
• JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility: Yes or No
• State Code of Eligibility

The NTA score displayed on the scorecard is a percentile, not raw marks. Final admissions to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs through JoSAA are determined by the AIR on this scorecard, not by percentile alone.

JEE Main 2026 Tie‑Breaking Rule Explained

Since the JEE Main result is calculated to seven decimal places, ties are rare but can still occur. When two or more candidates secure identical overall NTA percentile scores, NTA applies the following tie‑breaking rules in sequence:

• Step 1: The candidate with the higher NTA percentile in Mathematics is ranked higher
• Step 2: If still tied, the candidate with the higher NTA percentile in Physics is ranked higher
• Step 3: If still tied, the candidate with the higher NTA percentile in Chemistry is ranked higher
• Step 4: If still tied, the older candidate (higher age) is ranked higher

This rule applies only for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech). Candidates should be aware that a slight improvement in their Mathematics or Physics score in Session 2 compared to Session 1 could directly improve their final AIR through this tie‑breaking mechanism.

JEE Main 2026 Expected Cutoff for JEE Advanced 2026

The official cutoff for JEE Advanced 2026 eligibility is being released along with the result today. Only the top 2.5 lakh candidates from the combined JEE Main 2026 merit list will be eligible to register for JEE Advanced 2026. Based on previous year trends, the expected category‑wise qualifying cutoff is:

• General: Approximately 93.2 to 95 percentile
• EWS: Approximately 80 to 82 percentile
• OBC‑NCL: Approximately 80 to 82 percentile
• SC: Approximately 61 to 64 percentile
• ST: Approximately 47 to 50 percentile
• PwBD: Approximately 0.11 percentile

The official NTA‑declared cutoff will be available on the result page at jeemain.nta.nic.in today. JEE Advanced 2026 is scheduled to be held on May 17, 2026, conducted by IIT Roorkee.

JEE Main 2026 Expected Marks vs Percentile for Session 2

• 290 to 300 marks: 100 percentile
• 250 marks and above: 99.95 percentile and above
• 200 marks: Approximately 99.57 to 99.68 percentile
• 175 to 185 marks: Approximately 99 percentile
• 120 to 150 marks: Approximately 95 to 98 percentile
• 100 marks: Approximately AIR 47,000 to 58,000
• 90 to 95 percentile: Strong admission possibility at NITs and IIITs

Note: The dropped Physics questions may alter these estimates upward for candidates in affected shifts by adding bonus marks.

JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Recap: 12 Students Scored 100 Percentile

For reference, the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 result was declared on February 16, 2026. A total of 13,55,293 candidates registered and 13,04,653 appeared, recording an attendance of 96.26%. Twelve candidates secured a perfect 100 percentile NTA score in Session 1. Rajasthan dominated with three 100 percentile scorers: Kabeer Chhillar, Chiranjib Kar, and Arnav Gautam. Andhra Pradesh contributed two toppers: Narendrababu Gari Mahith and Pasala Mohith. Ashi Grewal from Haryana was the top female candidate with 99.9969766 percentile. NTA withheld the results of 68 candidates for suspected unfair practices.

The final combined toppers list for both Session 1 and Session 2 will be released with today's Session 2 result.

What to Do Right Now - Your Action Checklist

In the next 2 hours:

• Download the final answer key now and calculate your estimated raw score
• Add 4 bonus marks for each of the 2 dropped Physics questions if they appeared in your shift
• Estimate your percentile using the marks vs percentile table above

When the result goes live today:

• Log in immediately at jeemain.nta.nic.in with your Application Number and Password
• Check your AIR and JEE Advanced 2026 eligibility status on the scorecard
• Download and save the scorecard PDF instantly
• Take multiple printouts for admissions

If you qualified for JEE Advanced 2026 (score says Yes):

• Begin JEE Advanced 2026 registration immediately when it opens
• JEE Advanced 2026 exam date: May 17, 2026, by IIT Roorkee

If you did not qualify for JEE Advanced but have a strong rank:

• Register for JoSAA 2026 counselling, expected in the fourth week of June 2026
• JoSAA manages over 62,853 seats across 32 NITs, 26 IIITs, and 45 GFTIs
• Track your state counselling board for state‑quota engineering seats

JEE Main 2026 Important Upcoming Dates

• Final Answer Key: Released today, April 20, 2026 at 1:15 PM IST
• Session 2 Result: Declaring today, April 20, 2026
• Scorecard Free Download Deadline: July 31, 2026
• JEE Advanced 2026 Exam: May 17, 2026 (IIT Roorkee)
• JoSAA 2026 Counselling: Expected fourth week of June 2026

Frequently Asked Questions on JEE Main Result 2026 Session 2

Q. When is the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 result declared? The result is declaring today, April 20, 2026 at jeemain.nta.nic.in, following the release of the final answer key at 1:15 PM IST.

Q. How many Physics questions were dropped in the final answer key? Two Physics questions have been dropped. All candidates from affected shifts will receive 4 bonus marks each for these questions.

Q. What is the tie‑breaking rule for JEE Main 2026? Ties are broken in order: higher percentile in Mathematics, then Physics, then Chemistry, then the older candidate.

Q. How many candidates qualify for JEE Advanced 2026? The top 2.5 lakh candidates from the combined JEE Main 2026 merit list will be eligible for JEE Advanced 2026.

Q. When is JEE Advanced 2026? JEE Advanced 2026 is scheduled for May 17, 2026, conducted by IIT Roorkee.

Q. Can I challenge the JEE Main final result? No. Once the final answer key is published and the result is declared, no re‑evaluation or challenge is permitted.

Q. How long is the JEE Main scorecard available for free? Until July 31, 2026. After that, a fee applies.

Track the result link going live right now at jeemain.nta.nic.in. For JEE Advanced 2026 registration, JoSAA counselling dates, and NIT admission cutoffs, keep this page bookmarked.