JEE Main Answer Key 2026: NTA Reviews April 5 Chemistry Discrepancies; Students Advised to Wait on Challenges

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially acknowledged potential discrepancies within the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main 2026) Session 2 results. Specifically, the agency is investigating reports of errors in the Chemistry paper conducted during the April 5 shift. In a significant move to protect student interests, the NTA has advised candidates to hold off on paying challenge fees for these specific questions while an internal review is underway.

This development comes shortly after the release of the provisional answer keys and candidate response sheets on April 11. While the objection window is technically open, the sudden advisory regarding the April 5 Chemistry section has caused a stir among the lakhs of engineering aspirants awaiting their final scores. For those tracking the latest education news, this intervention by the NTA highlights the complexities involved in managing one of the world's largest computer-based entrance tests.

Understanding the April 5 Chemistry Paper Issue

Following the publication of the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 provisional answer key, a wave of concern spread across student communities. The primary focus of these grievances involves the Chemistry section of the April 5 exam. Numerous candidates reported that the official answers provided by the NTA did not align with the standard solutions or the responses they recorded during the examination.

The discrepancy appears to be localized. While students have flagged significant issues with Chemistry, the Physics and Mathematics sections for the same shift are reportedly consistent with expectations. The NTA’s decision to review this specific paper suggests that a technical or clerical error may have occurred during the key-generation process or the uploading of the response sheets.

In response to these mounting concerns, the NTA issued a statement confirming that they are looking into the matter. They have explicitly requested that students do not rush to pay the challenge fee for the April 5 Chemistry questions. This is a departure from the standard protocol, where students are usually required to pay a non-refundable processing fee of Rs 200 per question challenged.

Student Feedback and Social Media Outcry

The digital landscape has been flooded with testimonials from students and parents who noticed glaring inconsistencies in their response sheets. Beyond simple incorrect answers in the key, some candidates have alleged that their entire response sheet does not reflect the exam they actually took.

One notable case involved a parent claiming that their child’s response sheet for the April 5 Shift 1 session showed a completely different question order and set of marked options than what the student remembered. Such reports of "mismatched" data have added a layer of urgency to the NTA's review. Many students also noted that they were receiving unexpected negative marks, which could drastically alter their final percentile and rank.

Staying updated with education trends is vital for students in these high-stakes environments, as even a single-mark fluctuation can lead to a difference of thousands of ranks in the JEE Main merit list. The anxiety is particularly high because the scores from Session 2 are often the final chance for students to improve their standings before the JEE Advanced registration begins.

The Challenge Window and Fee Structure

Under normal circumstances, the NTA provides a narrow window for candidates to raise objections against the provisional answer key. For the 2026 Session 2, this window was scheduled to remain open until April 13.

The standard procedure involves:

1. Logging into the official portal using application numbers and dates of birth.
2. Comparing the provisional key with the individual response sheet.
3. Selecting the question ID to be challenged and providing supporting evidence.
4. Paying a processing fee of Rs 200 for every objection raised.

However, with the current investigation into the April 5 Chemistry paper, the NTA aims to prevent students from spending money on objections that the agency might resolve through a blanket correction. If the NTA identifies a universal error, they typically update the key for all candidates, rendering individual challenges unnecessary.

JEE Main 2026 Session 2: Participation Statistics

The scale of the JEE Main examination remains massive, with over 11 lakh students participating in the second session. The high attendance rates underscore the competitive nature of the exam and why accuracy in the answer key is paramount.

Category	Registered (India)	Registered (Abroad)	Approximate Attendance
BE / BTech (Paper 1)	11.06 Lakh	4,229	93% (~10.33 Lakh)
BArch / BPlanning (Paper 2)	54,953	270	73% (~40,300)

The high stakes of these numbers mean that any error in the answer key can lead to widespread legal and academic repercussions. The NTA has expressed its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the examination process and has apologized for the inconvenience caused to the student community.

Navigating the Response Sheet Discrepancies

For students who feel their response sheets are incorrect, the situation requires patience. The NTA’s internal review is expected to clarify whether the issue was a display error on the portal or a deeper problem with the data processing. Candidates are encouraged to keep a saved copy of their current response sheets and the provisional key for their records.

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What Should Candidates Do Now?

1. Wait for Official Notification: Monitor the NTA's official website for a follow-up circular regarding the April 5 Chemistry paper.
2. Review Other Sections: Continue to verify Physics and Mathematics responses. If there are errors in those sections, the standard challenge process still applies.
3. Avoid Premature Payments: Do not pay the Rs 200 fee for the flagged Chemistry questions until the NTA provides a final verdict on the review.
4. Prepare Documentation: If you still intend to challenge other questions, ensure you have your textbook references or scanned PDF proofs ready for upload.

![Placeholder: Chart showing the distribution of JEE Main candidates across different shifts in Session 2]

## FAQ

1. Why did the NTA ask students not to pay the challenge fee for the April 5 Chemistry paper?

The NTA is currently reviewing reports of technical errors and answer key discrepancies specifically for the Chemistry section of the April 5 exam. To prevent students from unnecessarily paying for challenges that the agency may fix automatically, they have advised waiting for an official update.

2. Is the objection window still open for other shifts and subjects?

Yes, the objection window for other shifts and subjects remains active until the deadline (typically April 13). The advisory against paying fees currently applies specifically to the flagged issues in the April 5 Chemistry session.

3. What happens if the NTA finds an error in the answer key?

If an error is confirmed, the NTA will release a "Final Answer Key" with the corrected options. All candidates' scores will be recalculated based on this final key. If a question is found to be technically incorrect or has multiple right answers, marks may be awarded to all students who attempted it, depending on the NTA's specific policy for that year.

4. How much is the fee for challenging the JEE Main answer key?

The standard processing fee is Rs 200 per question challenged. This fee is generally non-refundable, which is why the NTA's advisory is important for students looking to avoid unnecessary costs.

Conclusion

The NTA's proactive stance in reviewing the April 5 Chemistry paper is a necessary step in ensuring the fairness of the JEE Main 2026. While the delay in the finalization of the answer key can be stressful for aspirants, a corrected and verified key is essential for an accurate merit list. Candidates should remain calm and wait for the official notification before proceeding with financial transactions on the portal. For the most reliable updates, always verify information on the official jeemain.nta.ac.in website.