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Sunday, 25 October

JEE Main · Chemistry · Class 11

Hydrocarbons: JEE Main previous year questions

94 questions in 68 of the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, asked in 8 of 8 years. Here is what this chapter tests and how.

Study this chapter
Questions
94
in 68 of 108 shifts · 8 of 8 years
Average a shift
0.8
of 25 Chemistry · 0.8 since 2024 0.0
Typical range
0.5–0.9
questions a shift; fewest 0.3, most 1.1
Weighted estimate
0.8
model, recent years count more · about 3.2 marks
  • Typical range (fact)
  • Average a shift (fact)
  • Weighted estimate (model)

Questions are counted per shift, out of the 25 each subject has, in the shifts Lumi analysed; papers that offered 30 a subject (2017, 2021–2024) are scaled to 25. Typical range: the middle six of the eight years (2017, 2020–2026), leaving out the single highest and lowest year. The average and the range are historical fact. The weighted estimate is a model: each year's share, with recent years counting more (half-life three years), and chapters NTA dropped from the syllabus set near zero. It is a guide to effort, not a forecast of the paper.

What to do

How to spend time on Hydrocarbons

Priority

Lower priority

One of the 6 Chemistry chapters that shared the last fifth of Chemistry questions in the 108 shifts analysed. How bands are set

Past questions
94in 68 of 108 shifts
Study plan gives it
14 hover 12 months; 10 h over 6
Study this chapter →

Ideas asked most often

  1. Reductive Ozonolysis Products16×
  2. Markovnikov's Rule Application13×
  3. Ranking Activating Groups6×
  4. Enumeration of Structural Isomers5×
  5. Carbocation Rearrangements5×

35 of the 86 ideas in Lumi’s map of this chapter have not been asked or touched in the shifts analysed. Of its idea-tagged questions from 2024 on, 24% tested an idea not asked in an earlier year, so learn the whole chapter, not just the list above.

Within each subject, chapters in NTA's 2026 syllabus are ranked by their average questions a shift over all 8 years analysed (history, not the model). Going down that list, the chapters that together held the first half of the subject's questions are Must do; the next ones, up to 80%, are Should do; the rest are Lower priority.

Key findings

Hydrocarbons at a glance

  1. 01

    76%

    of its 29 questions from 2024 on that Lumi matched to an idea tested one JEE Main had asked in an earlier year; 100% came from a topic asked in an earlier year.

  2. 02

    41%

    of the 86 ideas in Lumi's map of the chapter have not been asked or touched on in the shifts analysed.

  3. 03

    23%

    of its questions asked for a numerical answer, 0.8 times the Chemistry average.

  4. 04

    17%

    of its questions were rated hard, against 6% across all Chemistry questions in the same shifts.

Questions a shift, year by year

Out of the 25 Chemistry questions in a shift. Years differ in how many shifts Lumi analysed, so each year is scaled to one shift.

0240.8’171.1’200.8’210.8’220.3’230.9’240.5’250.9’26

Raw count: 2017: 1 in 1 shift · 2020: 13 in 12 shifts · 2021: 22 in 24 shifts · 2022: 22 in 24 shifts · 2023: 5 in 12 shifts · 2024: 19 in 18 shifts · 2025: 4 in 8 shifts · 2026: 8 in 9 shifts.

Kind of question

SHARE OF QUESTIONS
  • Diagram based38%
  • Numerical answer23%
  • Application16%
  • Multi-step6%
  • Two statements5%
  • Conceptual4%
  • Recall, single correct3%
  • Assertion–reason2%
  • Match the list1%

Most common asks: predict product of reaction (12); predict product of reaction sequence (5); order/ranking of reactivity toward electrophile (3).

Profile

This chapter in numbers

Where it ranks, how steady it is, and what it costs to study.

Rank, all JEE chapters
#51
of 70 by weighted estimate
Rank in Chemistry
#19
of 21 chapters
Share of Chemistry
3.0%
of its questions, all shifts analysed
Busiest year
2020
1.1 questions a shift
Year to year
Some swing
varies by about 0.2 questions a shift
Long-run direction
-0.03
questions a shift, per year
Easy questions
20%
17% rated hard
Numerical answer
23%
0.8× the Chemistry rate
With a figure
62%
graph, diagram or structure
Study time
14 h
10 h on a 6-month plan
Marks per study hour
0.23
#38 of 70 chapters
Foundation for others
5%
of its ideas are used in other chapters

Difficulty, year by year

Each question rated easy, medium or hard. Each bar is that year’s split, so years compare directly; the number is the questions in that year’s analysed shifts (1 to 24 shifts a year).

  • 20171
  • 202013
  • 202122
  • 202222
  • 20235
  • 202419
  • 20254
  • 20268
  • Easy
  • Medium
  • Hard

What it asks you to do

SHARE OF QUESTIONS
  • Multi-step36%
  • Application33%
  • Conceptual18%
  • Calculation5%
  • Recall5%
  • Diagram reading2%

Coverage

How much of the chapter JEE Main has used

We split the chapter into 86 ideas. In the 108 shifts analysed, JEE Main built a question around 42 of them. Most of the chapter has never been the main idea of a question, so past questions alone leave most of it out.

Asked as the main idea
42
Touched on in a question
9
Never asked
35

Topics

What repeats, topic by topic

This chapter's questions per topic in each year's analysed shifts. The number is the count; the shade is scaled to one shift, so a year with more analysed shifts (1 to 24 a year) does not look darker. 5 questions had no close topic in Lumi's map and count for the chapter only.

’17’20’21’22’23’24’25’26
015+questions in that year’s analysed shifts, shaded per shift
  • Alkenes and Alkynes

    As a topic: 82 questions in 8 of 8 years, most often diagram based, 16% numerical answer. Recent asks: statement I/II on diazonium and alkene reactions; identify compounds in reaction sequence; deduce compound from reaction sequence.

  • Alkanes and Free Radicals

    As a topic: 35 questions in 7 of 8 years, most often diagram based, 23% numerical answer.

  • Aromatic Hydrocarbons

    As a topic: 75 questions in 7 of 8 years, most often diagram based, 19% numerical answer. Recent asks: count aromatic species from structures; numerical: pi electrons in product of named reactions; count correct statements on Friedel-Crafts alkylation.

  • Resonance and Hyperconjugation

    As a topic: 28 questions in 8 of 8 years, most often single correct, 11% numerical answer.

Drill down

Topic, idea, question

Open a topic to see every idea JEE Main tested inside it, then open an idea to read the questions. Each row shows its 8 years.

  • Open46 · 49%61215272

    18 ideas inside

    • OpenRepeated11 · 24%242
    • OpenRepeated7 · 15%24
    • OpenRepeated4 · 9%2
    • OpenRepeated3 · 7%2
    • OpenRepeated3 · 7%2
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • Open2 · 4%2
    • Open2 · 4%2
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
  • Open16 · 17%5225
  • Open16 · 17%346
  • Open2 · 2%
  • Open2 · 2%
  • Open2 · 2%
  • Open2 · 2%
  • Open1 · 1%
  • Open1 · 1%
  • Open1 · 1%

Squares are the 8 years with analysed shifts, 2017 to 2026. A number is the questions that year when there is more than one; the shade is scaled to one shift, so a year with more analysed shifts (1 to 24 a year) does not look darker. Share is of the level above.

Ideas

The exact ideas JEE Main has asked

Inside the topics, 29 different ideas were tested; 19 came more than once. These are the repeats, then the ideas new since 2024.

Dots are the 8 years with analysed shifts, 2017 to 2026.

Every question

All 94 Hydrocarbons questions

Newest first, shift by shift. The newest 40 show their opening words; older ones name the idea they tested. Each opens with its options and the official answer.

JEE Main 20268 questions

  1. 2 Apr 2026, Shift 1 · Q72Consider the isomers of hydrocarbon with molecular formula C5H10\mathrm{C_5H_{10}}. These isomers do not decolourise KMnO4\mathrm{KMnO_4}…HardNumerical value
  2. 2 Apr 2026, Shift 1 · Q73One mole of an alkane (x) requires 88 mole oxygen for complete combustion. Sum of number of carbon and hydrogen atoms in the alkane (x)…EasyNumerical value
  3. 2 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q64The compound (X) on heating in the presence of anhydrous AlCl3_3 and HCl gas gives 2,4-dimethyl pentane (ii) aromatization gives toluene…EasySingle correct
  4. 4 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q64Compound (X) is subjected to the sequence of reactions as shown above. Molar mass of the major product (Y) formed is ________…MediumDiagram basedHas a figure
  5. 5 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q63IUPAC name of the some alkenes are given below. Find out the correct stability order. A. 2-Methylbut-2-ene B. ciscis-But-2-ene C. 2,…MediumSingle correct
  6. 6 Apr 2026, Shift 1 · Q65Given below are two statements: Statement I: Methane can be prepared by decarboxylation of sodium ethanoate, Kolbe's electrolysis of…MediumTwo statements
  7. 6 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q72An alkane (Y) requires 8 moles of oxygen for complete combustion and on chlorination with Cl2/hν\mathrm{Cl_2}/h\nu, (Y) gives only one…MediumNumerical value
  8. 8 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q65n-Butane on monochlorination under photochemical condition gives an optically active compound "P". "P" on further chlorination gives…MediumSingle correct

JEE Main 20254 questions

  1. 2 Apr 2025, Shift 1 · Q65Designate whether each of the following compounds is aromatic or not aromatic.MediumSingle correctHas a figure
  2. 2 Apr 2025, Shift 2 · Q66Given below are two statements : Statement (I) : Neopentane forms only one monosubstituted derivative. Statement (II) : Melting point of…MediumTwo statements
  3. 3 Apr 2025, Shift 1 · Q65Which compound would give 3-methyl-6-oxoheptanal upon ozonolysis?MediumDiagram basedHas a figure
  4. 7 Apr 2025, Shift 1 · Q67Given below are two statements: Statement I: Ozonolysis followed by treatment with Zn, H2O\mathrm{H_2O} of cis-2-butene gives ethanal.…MediumTwo statements

JEE Main 202419 questions

  1. 5 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q75Identify A and B in the given chemical reaction sequence : Benzene + succinic anhydride (cyclic five-membered anhydride)…MediumDiagram basedHas a figure
  2. 5 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q79Consider the given chemical reaction : cyclohexene →HeatKMnO4−H2SO4\xrightarrow[\text{Heat}]{\mathrm{KMnO_4-H_2SO_4}} Product "A" Product "A" is :EasySingle correctHas a figure
  3. 6 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q88The major product of the following reaction is P. CH3C=C−CH3\mathrm{CH_3C = C - CH_3}…MediumNumerical valueHas a figure
  4. 6 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q74Four aromatic compounds are shown: (I) toluene (benzene ring with CH3\mathrm{CH_3}), (II) benzene, (III) anisole (benzene ring with…EasyDiagram basedHas a figure
  5. 6 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q75The incorrect statement regarding the geometrical isomers of 2-butene is :EasySingle correct
  6. 8 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q74IUPAC name of following hydrocarbon(X) is : CH3−CH−CH2−CH2−CH−CH−CH2−CH3\mathrm{CH_3-CH-CH_2-CH_2-CH-CH-CH_2-CH_3} (branch CH3\mathrm{CH_3} below the 2nd, 5th and…EasySingle correctHas a figure
  7. 9 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q74The incorrect statement regarding ethyne isEasySingle correct
  8. 9 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q90Number of compounds from the following which cannot\textbf{cannot} undergo Friedel-Crafts reactions is:________ toluene, nitrobenzene, xylene,…MediumNumerical value
  9. 1 Feb 2024, Shift 2 · Q74The set of meta directing functional groups from the following sets is :EasySingle correct
  10. 1 Feb 2024, Shift 2 · Q75In the given reactions identify A and B H2+A→Pd/C\mathrm{H_2 + A \xrightarrow{Pd/C}} [figure: alkene with CH3\mathrm{CH_3} (upper left) and…EasyOtherHas a figure
  11. 1 Feb 2024, Shift 2 · Q88Total number of isomeric compounds (including stereoisomers) formed by monochlorination of 2-methylbutane is ________.MediumNumerical value
  12. 29 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q74Identify product A and product B :MediumDiagram basedHas a figure
  13. 29 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q89[figure: trans-2-butene drawn as CH3_3 and H on the left carbon, H and CH3_3 on the right carbon (CH3_3 top-left, H bottom-left, H…EasyNumerical valueHas a figure
  14. 30 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q71Which of the following molecule/species is most stable ?MediumDiagram basedHas a figure
  15. 30 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q72Compound A formed in the following reaction reacts with B gives the product C. Find out A and B.…EasyOtherHas a figure
  16. 31 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q87Number of alkanes obtained on electrolysis of a mixture of CH3COONa\mathrm{CH_3COONa} and C2H5COONa\mathrm{C_2H_5COONa} is _________.MediumNumerical value
  17. 31 Jan 2024, Shift 2 · Q73The correct order of reactivity in electrophilic substitution reaction of the following compounds is :EasyDiagram basedHas a figure
  18. 31 Jan 2024, Shift 2 · Q75Major product of the following reaction is -HardDiagram basedHas a figure
  19. 31 Jan 2024, Shift 2 · Q87Number of isomeric products formed by monochlorination of 2-methylbutane in presence of sunlight is __________.MediumNumerical value

JEE Main 20235 questions

  1. 6 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q89Number of bromo derivatives obtained on treating ethane with excess of Br2\mathrm{Br_2} in diffused sunlight is ________HardNumerical value
  2. 8 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q89Molar mass of the hydrocarbon (X) which on ozonolysis consumes one mole of O3\mathrm{O_3} per mole of (X) and gives one mole each of…MediumNumerical value
  3. 10 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q74The major product ‘P’ formed in the given reaction is [structure: naphthalene ring bearing CH2CH3\mathrm{CH_2CH_3} at one position of one…MediumDiagram basedHas a figure
  4. 12 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q75[figure: 2-hexene --(i) O3\mathrm{O_3}, (ii) H2O\mathrm{H_2O}--> Products] The two products formed in above reaction are -EasySingle correctHas a figure
  5. 13 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q74In the following reaction 'X' is CH3(CH2)4CH3→ΔAnhy.AlCl3/HCl\mathrm{CH_3(CH_2)_4CH_3}\xrightarrow[\Delta]{\text{Anhy.AlCl}_3/\text{HCl}} 'X' (major product)MediumDiagram basedHas a figure

JEE Main 202222 questions

  1. 25 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q73A compound 'A' on reaction with 'X' and 'Y' produces the same major product but different by product 'a' and 'b'. Oxidation of 'a' gives a…MediumSingle correctHas a figure
  2. 25 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q73Major product of the following reaction is [figure: skeletal drawing, left to right: a C=C double bond at the left end whose inner carbon…MediumDiagram basedHas a figure
  3. 27 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q74Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and, the other is labelled as Reason R. Assertion A: [6] Annulene, [8]…MediumAssertion–reasonHas a figure
  4. 27 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q73Major product ‘B’ of the following reaction sequence is : CH3−C(CH3)=CH−CH3\mathrm{CH_3-C(CH_3)=CH-CH_3} →CH3OHBr2\xrightarrow[\mathrm{CH_3OH}]{\mathrm{Br_2}} A…HardDiagram basedHas a figure
  5. 28 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q73Oxymercuration-Demercuration · Medium · Single correct · has a figure
  6. 28 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q43Ranking Activating Groups · Medium · Single correct
  7. 29 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q73Reductive Ozonolysis Products · Hard · Diagram based · has a figure
  8. 29 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q89Theoretical and Percent Yield · Medium · Numerical value
  9. 30 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q60Oxidative Cleavage with Hot KMnO4 · Hard · Numerical value · has a figure
  10. 24 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q90Markovnikov's Rule Application · Hard · Numerical value
  11. 24 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q74Open the question · Medium · Two statements
  12. 25 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q73Markovnikov's Rule Application · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  13. 25 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q90Mole and Avogadro Calculations · Easy · Numerical value
  14. 25 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q75Halohydrin Formation Regiochemistry · Hard · Diagram based · has a figure
  15. 26 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q73Oxymercuration-Demercuration · Medium · Single correct · has a figure
  16. 27 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q74Reductive Ozonolysis Products · Medium · Single correct
  17. 27 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q73Alkylation of Terminal Alkynes · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  18. 28 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q72Huckel's Rule (4n+2) · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  19. 28 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q73Markovnikov's Rule Application · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  20. 29 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q73Oxidative Cleavage with Hot KMnO4 · Medium · Single correct
  21. 29 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q74Friedel-Crafts Alkylation · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  22. 30 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q89Reductive Ozonolysis Products · Hard · Numerical value

JEE Main 202122 questions

  1. 4 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q43Stereoselective Alkyne Reduction · Easy · Single correct · has a figure
  2. 4 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q42Reductive Ozonolysis Products · Medium · Match the list · has a figure
  3. 26 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q42Reactivity-Selectivity Principle · Easy · Single correct · has a figure
  4. 26 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q43Markovnikov's Rule Application · Medium · Single correct · has a figure
  5. 31 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q44Halohydrin Formation Regiochemistry · Medium · Assertion–reason
  6. 31 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q42Ethane and Butane Conformers · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  7. 24 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q41Carbocation Rearrangements · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  8. 24 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q42Controlled Oxidation Catalysts · Easy · Single correct
  9. 24 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q45Selective Alcohol Oxidation · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  10. 25 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q43Aromatization (Reforming) of Alkanes · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  11. 25 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q59Gattermann-Koch Formylation · Medium · Numerical value
  12. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q42Cyclic Polymerization of Alkynes · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  13. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q43Open the question · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  14. 22 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q59Enumeration of Structural Isomers · Medium · Numerical value
  15. 22 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q60Theoretical and Percent Yield · Easy · Numerical value
  16. 25 Jul 2021, Shift 1 · Q42Reductive Ozonolysis Products · Medium · Single correct
  17. 25 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q60Halogenation Anti-Addition Stereochemistry · Medium · Numerical value · has a figure
  18. 16 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q43Alkyne Ozonolysis · Medium · Single correct · has a figure
  19. 16 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q44Allylic Halogenation with NBS · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  20. 17 Mar 2021, Shift 1 · Q43Carbocation Rearrangements · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  21. 17 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q44KMnO4 Oxidation of Tertiary Alkanes · Medium · Two statements
  22. 17 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q45Markovnikov's Rule Application · Easy · Single correct · has a figure

JEE Main 202013 questions

  1. 8 Jan 2020, Shift 1 · Q43Open the question · Hard · Diagram based · has a figure
  2. 8 Jan 2020, Shift 2 · Q42Reductive Ozonolysis Products · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  3. 8 Jan 2020, Shift 2 · Q45Hydroboration-Oxidation · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  4. 8 Jan 2020, Shift 2 · Q50Friedel-Crafts Alkylation · Medium · Numerical value
  5. 9 Jan 2020, Shift 1 · Q39Friedel-Crafts Failure on Deactivated Rings · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  6. 9 Jan 2020, Shift 1 · Q43Kucherov Alkyne Hydration · Medium · Diagram based · has a figure
  7. 9 Jan 2020, Shift 1 · Q44Heat of Hydrogenation · Hard · Diagram based · has a figure
  8. 2 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q41Carbocation Rearrangements · Hard · Diagram based · has a figure
  9. 3 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q41Chiral Centers · Hard · Single correct · has a figure
  10. 3 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q50Stereochemistry of Free Radical Halogenation · Hard · Numerical value
  11. 4 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q44Alkylation of Terminal Alkynes · Hard · Diagram based · has a figure
  12. 5 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q28Intramolecular Friedel-Crafts · Hard · Diagram based · has a figure
  13. 6 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q30Peroxide Effect (Anti-Markovnikov) · Medium · Single correct · has a figure

JEE Main 20171 question

  1. 2 Apr 2017 (offline) · Q58Peroxide Effect (Anti-Markovnikov) · Medium · Single correct

Questions from the official JEE Main papers published by NTA. Chapter, topic and idea tags, counts and notes are Lumi’s. Pattern: Asked most years.

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