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Sunday, 25 October

JEE Main · Chemistry · Class 11

Hydrogen: JEE Main previous year questions

This chapter is not in NTA's JEE Main 2026 syllabus. It had 61 questions in the shifts Lumi analysed; they are kept here for reference.

Questions
61
in 59 of 108 shifts · 5 of 8 years
Average a shift
0.4
of 25 Chemistry · 0.0 since 2024 -0.5
Typical range
0.0–0.8
questions a shift; fewest 0.0, most 0.9
Syllabus
Dropped
NTA JEE Main 2026 syllabus
  • 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.

Key findings

Hydrogen at a glance

  1. 01

    35%

    of the 48 ideas in Lumi's map of the chapter have not been asked or touched on in the shifts analysed.

  2. 02

    8%

    of its questions asked for a numerical answer, 0.3 times the Chemistry average.

  3. 03

    0%

    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.

0240’170.5’200.9’210.6’220.8’230’240.1’250’26

Raw count: 2017: 0 in 1 shift · 2020: 6 in 12 shifts · 2021: 25 in 24 shifts · 2022: 17 in 24 shifts · 2023: 12 in 12 shifts · 2024: 0 in 18 shifts · 2025: 1 in 8 shifts · 2026: 0 in 9 shifts.

Kind of question

SHARE OF QUESTIONS
  • Recall, single correct56%
  • Two statements10%
  • Assertion–reason10%
  • Numerical answer8%
  • Conceptual7%
  • Application5%
  • Match the list3%
  • Calculation2%

Most common asks: definition recall (3); assertion-reason on hydrogen isotopes (2); reagent identification (1).

Profile

This chapter in numbers

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

Syllabus
Dropped
NTA JEE Main 2026
Last asked
2025
Share of Chemistry
1.5%
of its questions, all shifts analysed
Busiest year
2021
0.9 questions a shift
Year to year
Swings a lot
varies by about 0.3 questions a shift
Long-run direction
-0.02
questions a shift, per year
Easy questions
64%
0% rated hard
Numerical answer
8%
0.3× the Chemistry rate
With a figure
0%
graph, diagram or structure
Foundation for others
1%
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).

  • 2017
  • 20206
  • 202125
  • 202217
  • 202312
  • 2024
  • 20251
  • 2026
  • Easy
  • Medium
  • Hard

What it asks you to do

SHARE OF QUESTIONS
  • Recall69%
  • Conceptual20%
  • Calculation7%
  • Application5%

Coverage

How much of the chapter JEE Main has used

We split the chapter into 48 ideas. In the 108 shifts analysed, JEE Main built a question around 29 of them. 40% of the chapter has never been the main idea of a question, so past questions alone leave part of it out.

Asked as the main idea
29
Touched on in a question
2
Never asked
17

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. 3 questions had no close topic in Lumi's map and count for the chapter only.

’17’20’21’22’23’24’25’26
023+questions in that year’s analysed shifts, shaded per shift
  • Hydrogen and Hydrides

    As a topic: 62 questions in 4 of 8 years, most often single correct, 8% numerical answer.

  • Cation Analysis

    As a topic: 21 questions in 6 of 8 years, most often single correct, 10% numerical answer.

  • Mole Concept

    As a topic: 80 questions in 8 of 8 years, most often numerical value, 65% numerical answer. Recent asks: match list on atoms in given masses; statement I/II on mole fraction and Raoult deviation; empirical formula from mass percentage.

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.

  • Open56 · 92%6231611

    27 ideas inside

    • OpenRepeated5 · 9%2
    • OpenRepeated4 · 7%22
    • Open3 · 5%3
    • OpenRepeated3 · 5%2
    • OpenRepeated3 · 5%2
    • OpenRepeated3 · 5%2
    • OpenRepeated3 · 5%2
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • Open2 · 4%2
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • Open2 · 4%2
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • OpenRepeated2 · 4%
    • Open2 · 4%2
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
    • Open1 · 2%
  • Open1 · 2%
  • Open1 · 2%

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, 27 different ideas were tested; 20 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 61 Hydrogen 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 20251 question

  1. 7 Apr 2025, Shift 1 · Q63When a salt is treated with sodium hydroxide solution it gives gas X. On passing gas X through reagent Y a brown coloured precipitate is…EasySingle correct

JEE Main 202312 questions

  1. 6 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q66Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R. Assertion A : Loss of electron from…MediumAssertion–reason
  2. 6 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q88In an ice crystal, each water molecule is hydrogen bonded to ______________ neighbouring molecules.EasyNumerical value
  3. 8 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q66The water gas on reacting with cobalt as a catalyst formsEasySingle correct
  4. 8 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q66Which of the following can reduce decomposition of H2O2\mathrm{H_2O_2} on exposure to lightMediumSingle correct
  5. 10 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q65Given below are two reactions, involved in the commercial production of dihydrogen (H2\mathrm{H_2}). The two reactions are carried out at…EasySingle correct
  6. 10 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q66Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R Assertion A : Physical properties of…EasyAssertion–reason
  7. 11 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q66Given below are two statements: Statement-I : Methane and steam passed over a heated Ni catalyst produces hydrogen gas. Statement-II :…EasyTwo statements
  8. 11 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q66Which hydride among the following is less stable?EasySingle correct
  9. 12 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q67Match List I with List II LIST I (Type of Hydride) / LIST II (Example) A. Electron deficient hydride - I. MgH2\mathrm{MgH_2} B. Electron…EasyMatch the list
  10. 13 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q66Given below are two statements : Statement I: Permutit process is more efficient compared to the synthetic resin method for the softening…MediumTwo statements
  11. 13 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q66Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R. Assertion A : Isotopes of hydrogen…MediumAssertion–reason
  12. 15 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q66During water-gas shift reactionEasySingle correct

JEE Main 202217 questions

  1. 25 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q68High purity (>99.95%) dihydrogen is obtained byEasySingle correct
  2. 26 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q65Which of the following can be used to prevent the decomposition of H2O2\mathrm{H_2O_2} ?EasySingle correct
  3. 26 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q68The products obtained from a reaction of hydrogen peroxide and acidified potassium permanganate areEasySingle correct
  4. 27 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q68Given below are two statements. Statement I: Hydrogen peroxide can act as an oxidizing agent in both acidic and basic conditions.…MediumTwo statements
  5. 28 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q67The metal salts formed during softening of hardwater using Clark's method are :EasySingle correct
  6. 28 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q34The products obtained during treatment of hard water using Clark's method are :EasySingle correct
  7. 29 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q67Given below are two statements. Statement I: Stannane is an example of a molecular hydride. Statement II: Stannane is a planar molecule.…EasyTwo statements
  8. 30 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q37The hardness of water is generally expressed in terms of CaCO3\mathrm{CaCO_3} equivalent. The possible reasons are as follows: (A) Its molar…MediumOther
  9. 24 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q68The highest industrial consumption of molecular hydrogen is to produce compounds of element :EasySingle correct
  10. 24 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q68In the industrial production of which of the following, molecular hydrogen is obtained as a byproduct ?EasySingle correct
  11. 26 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q68Consider the following reaction : 2HSO4−(aq)→(2) Hydrolysis(1) Electrolysis2HSO4−+2H++A\mathrm{2HSO_4^-(aq)\xrightarrow[(2)\ Hydrolysis]{(1)\ Electrolysis}2HSO_4^-+2H^++\textbf{A}} The…MediumSingle correct
  12. 26 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q65Boiling of hard water is helpful in removing the temporary hardness by converting calcium hydrogen carbonate and magnesium hydrogen…EasySingle correct
  13. 27 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q67Addition of H2SO4\mathrm{H_2SO_4} to BaO2\mathrm{BaO_2} produces :EasySingle correct
  14. 28 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q65Dihydrogen reacts with CuO to giveEasySingle correct
  15. 28 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q68Hydrogen has three isotopes : protium (1^1H) , deuterium (2^2H or D) and tritium (3^3H or T) . They have nearly same chemical…EasySingle correct
  16. 29 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q68Which one of the following reactions indicates the reducing ability of hydrogen peroxide in basic medium ?MediumSingle correct
  17. 30 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q68Match List - I with List - II : List - I (a) Sodium hydride (b) Silane (c) Vanadium hydride (d) Aluminium hydride List - II (i) Lewis acid…MediumMatch the list

JEE Main 202125 questions

  1. 3 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q60The strength of 25 volume solution of hydrogen peroxide in percentage is ________ ×10−110^{-1}. (Nearest integer)EasyNumerical value
  2. 3 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q35Which one of the following statements is incorrect? A. The correct order of increasing first ionization enthalpy is Li < H < F. B. Out of…MediumOther
  3. 4 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q37Naturally occurring hydrogen contains three isotopes, protium (H), deuterium (D) and tritium (T). What is correct order of heat of…EasySingle correct
  4. 4 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q34H2O2\mathrm{H_2O_2} reacts with MnO4−\mathrm{MnO_4^-} in basic medium to produceMediumSingle correct
  5. 26 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q36Which one of the following methods is most suitable for preparing deionized water ?EasySingle correct
  6. 26 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q36Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A) : Heavy water is…MediumAssertion–reason
  7. 27 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q37Deuterium resembles hydrogen in properties but :EasySingle correct
  8. 27 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q34The oxide that gives H2O2\mathrm{H_2O_2} most readily on treatment with H2O\mathrm{H_2O} is :MediumSingle correct
  9. 31 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q37Given below are two statements : Statement I : The process of producing syn-gas is called gasification of coal. Statement II : The…EasyTwo statements
  10. 31 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q58The number of hydrogen bonded water molecule(s) associated with stoichiometry CuSO4⋅5H2O\mathrm{CuSO_4\cdot 5H_2O} is __________.MediumNumerical value
  11. 31 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q34H-H Bond Dissociation Enthalpy · Medium · Single correct
  12. 24 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q36Open the question · Easy · Assertion–reason
  13. 25 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q36Oxidizing Action of H2O2 · Easy · Single correct
  14. 25 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q36Syngas Production via Reforming · Easy · Single correct
  15. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q35Heavy Water Properties · Easy · Other
  16. 26 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q35Radioactive Decay of Tritium · Easy · Single correct
  17. 22 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q36Radioactive Decay of Tritium · Easy · Single correct
  18. 25 Jul 2021, Shift 1 · Q35H-H Bond Dissociation Enthalpy · Medium · Single correct
  19. 25 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q36Metallic or Interstitial · Easy · Single correct
  20. 16 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q35Redox Behavior of Hydrogen Peroxide · Medium · Other
  21. 16 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q42Ionic or Saline Hydrides · Easy · Two statements
  22. 17 Mar 2021, Shift 1 · Q35Heavy Water Properties · Easy · Other
  23. 17 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q36Ion-Exchange Resins for Water Softening · Easy · Single correct
  24. 18 Mar 2021, Shift 1 · Q36Temporary Hardness and Clark's Method · Medium · Assertion–reason
  25. 18 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q36Oxidizing Action of H2O2 · Medium · Other

JEE Main 20206 questions

  1. 8 Jan 2020, Shift 2 · Q34Isotopes of Hydrogen · Easy · Single correct
  2. 9 Jan 2020, Shift 1 · Q49Causes of Temporary and Permanent Hardness · Medium · Numerical value
  3. 3 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q49Volume Strength of H2O2 · Medium · Numerical value
  4. 3 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q33Volume Strength of H2O2 · Medium · Single correct
  5. 5 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q35Water-Gas Shift Reaction · Easy · Single correct
  6. 6 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q34High Purity Dihydrogen Preparation · Easy · 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.

More Chemistry, Class 11

All JEE Main chaptersJEE Main Chemistry analysisStudy plan