JEE Main · Maths · Class 11
Permutations and Combinations: JEE Main previous year questions
126 questions in 101 of the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, asked in 8 of 8 years. Here is what this chapter tests and how.
- Questions
- 126
- in 101 of 108 shifts · 8 of 8 years
- Average a shift
- 1.0
- of 25 Maths · 1.0 since 2024 0.0
- Typical range
- 0.8–1.1
- questions a shift; fewest 0.8, most 1.7
- Weighted estimate
- 1.1
- model, recent years count more · about 4.4 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 Permutations and Combinations
Priority
One of the 6 Maths chapters that took Maths from half to 80% of its questions in the 108 shifts analysed. How bands are set
- Past questions
- 126in 101 of 108 shifts
- Study plan gives it
- 19 hover 12 months; 15 h over 6
Ideas asked most often
- Combinations of Distinct Objects16×
- Fundamental Counting Principle13×
- Distribution of Identical Objects11×
- Permutations with Repetition11×
- Permutations of Distinct Objects10×
24 of the 60 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, 20% tested an idea not asked in an earlier year, so learn the whole chapter, not just the list above.
- Simulation: Fill the places, then count
- Simulation: Glue them together, or keep them apart
- Simulation: Tag the twins, then take the tags off
- Simulation: Selections, and the orders inside them
- Simulation: Patterns in the table of nCr
- Simulation: Where a word sits in the dictionary
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
Permutations and Combinations at a glance
- 01
80%
of its 35 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.
- 02
40%
of the 60 ideas in Lumi's map of the chapter have not been asked or touched on in the shifts analysed.
- 03
56%
of its questions asked for a numerical answer, 1.9 times the Maths average.
- 04
17%
of its questions were rated hard, against 26% across all Maths questions in the same shifts.
Questions a shift, year by year
Out of the 25 Maths questions in a shift. Years differ in how many shifts Lumi analysed, so each year is scaled to one shift.
Raw count: 2017: 1 in 1 shift · 2020: 10 in 12 shifts · 2021: 28 in 24 shifts · 2022: 24 in 24 shifts · 2023: 24 in 12 shifts · 2024: 21 in 18 shifts · 2025: 9 in 8 shifts · 2026: 9 in 9 shifts.
Kind of question
SHARE OF QUESTIONS- Numerical answer56%
- Calculation18%
- Application16%
- Multi-step10%
Most common asks: dictionary rank of a word (3); count triangles from polygon vertices (2); count numbers with divisibility condition (2).
Profile
This chapter in numbers
Where it ranks, how steady it is, and what it costs to study.
- Rank, all JEE chapters
- #34
- of 70 by weighted estimate
- Rank in Maths
- #12
- of 21 chapters
- Share of Maths
- 4.2%
- of its questions, all shifts analysed
- Busiest year
- 2023
- 1.7 questions a shift
- Year to year
- Some swing
- varies by about 0.3 questions a shift
- Long-run direction
- +0.03
- questions a shift, per year
- Easy questions
- 18%
- 17% rated hard
- Numerical answer
- 56%
- 1.9× the Maths rate
- With a figure
- 1%
- graph, diagram or structure
- Study time
- 19 h
- 15 h on a 6-month plan
- Marks per study hour
- 0.23
- #48 of 70 chapters
- Foundation for others
- 55%
- 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
- 202010
- 202128
- 202224
- 202324
- 202421
- 20259
- 20269
- Easy
- Medium
- Hard
What it asks you to do
SHARE OF QUESTIONS- Multi-step40%
- Calculation38%
- Application21%
Coverage
How much of the chapter JEE Main has used
We split the chapter into 60 ideas. In the 108 shifts analysed, JEE Main built a question around 33 of them. 45% 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
- 33
- Touched on in a question
- 3
- Never asked
- 24
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. 11 questions had no close topic in Lumi's map and count for the chapter only.
- Permutations and Combinations · Asked most years1131102322221979
- AP and GP · Asked most years11
- Binomial Coefficients · Asked most years11
| Topic | 2017 | ’20 | 2021 | ’22 | 2023 | ’24 | 2025 | ’26 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permutations and CombinationsAsked most years | 1 | 10 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 7 | 9 | 113 |
| AP and GPAsked most years | · | · | · | 1 | · | · | · | · | 1 |
| Binomial CoefficientsAsked most years | · | · | 1 | · | · | · | · | · | 1 |
- Permutations and Combinations
As a topic: 137 questions in 8 of 8 years, most often numerical value, 52% numerical answer. Recent asks: distribute objects with no empty box; count words with letter-type restrictions; count distributions of people to floors.
- AP and GP
As a topic: 136 questions in 8 of 8 years, most often single correct, 32% numerical answer. Recent asks: sum of series then solve for angle; combined AP and GP parameter problem; numerical: GP sum from trig extrema.
- Binomial Coefficients
As a topic: 67 questions in 8 of 8 years, most often single correct, 48% numerical answer. Recent asks: binomial sum via integration method; equate middle term coefficients of two expansions; numerical: n from equal coefficient condition.
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.
31 ideas inside
- 2 Apr ’25 S1 · Q9The number of sequences of ten terms, whose terms are either 0 or 1 or 2, that contain exactly five 1s and exactly three 2s, is equal to :
easySingle correct
- 4 Apr ’25 S2 · Q22Let m and n, , be two 2-digit numbers. Then the total numbers of pairs , such that , is __________.
hardNumerical value
- 9 Apr ’24 S2 · Q21Let and . Then the number of one-one functions from to is equal…
mediumNumerical value
- 31 Jan ’24 S1 · Q23Read the question
mediumNumerical value
- 12 Apr ’23 S1 · Q4Read the question
mediumSingle correct
- 15 Apr ’23 S1 · Q23Read the question
mediumNumerical value
- 29 Jun ’22 S2 · Q28Read the question
hardNumerical value
- 4 Aug ’21 S2 · Q84Read the question
easyNumerical value
- 26 Aug ’21 S1 · Q87Read the question
hardNumerical value
- 18 Mar ’21 S1 · Q88Read the question
mediumNumerical value
- 18 Mar ’21 S2 · Q84Read the question
hardNumerical value
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; 17 came more than once. These are the repeats, then the ideas new since 2024.
ways to win a series
count numbers with even digit sum
count solutions of linear equation
count words with one letter repeated
count permutations with consecutive condition
dictionary rank of a word
count digit strings using every given digit
count arrangements with not-together restriction
count triangles from collinear point sets
selection with minimum from each section
count digit arrangements with consecutive ap condition
count distributions of people to floors
count triangles from polygon vertices
count placements with every row nonempty
combinatorial inequality and permutation ratio equations
sum of numbers formed from given digits
count digit strings with fixed digit sum
distribute objects with no empty box
count subsets with no consecutive elements
distribution into identical groups
count triangles from polygon vertices
Dots are the 8 years with analysed shifts, 2017 to 2026.
Every question
All 126 Permutations and Combinations 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 20269 questions
- 2 Apr 2026, Shift 1 · Q6The number of seven-digit numbers, that can be formed by using the digits and such that each digit is used at least once,…MediumSingle correct
- 2 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q7Let denote the total number of triangles formed by joining the vertices of an -side regular polygon. If ,…EasySingle correct
- 4 Apr 2026, Shift 1 · Q8The number of ways, of forming a queue of boys and girls such that all the girls are not together, is:EasySingle correct
- 4 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q17Let are non-negative integers and . Then is equal to:MediumSingle correct
- 5 Apr 2026, Shift 1 · Q22Two players A and B play a series of games of badminton. The player, who wins 5 games first, wins the series. Assuming that no game ends…MediumNumerical value
- 5 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q9A box contains 5 blue, 6 yellow and 4 red balls. The number of ways, of drawing 8 balls containing at least two balls of each colour, is :MediumSingle correct
- 6 Apr 2026, Shift 1 · Q7The number of 4-letter words, with or without meaning, each consisting of two vowels and two consonants that can be formed from the…MediumSingle correct
- 6 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q7A building has ground floor and 10 more floors. Nine persons enter in a lift at the ground floor. The lift goes up to the 10…MediumSingle correct
- 8 Apr 2026, Shift 2 · Q9A person has three different bags and four different books. The number of ways, in which he can put these books in the bags so that no bag…EasySingle correct
JEE Main 20259 questions
- 2 Apr 2025, Shift 1 · Q9The number of sequences of ten terms, whose terms are either 0 or 1 or 2, that contain exactly five 1s and exactly three 2s, is equal to :EasySingle correct
- 2 Apr 2025, Shift 2 · Q6The number of ways, in which the letters A, B, C, D, E can be placed in the 8 boxes of the figure below so that no row remains empty and…MediumSingle correctHas a figure
- 3 Apr 2025, Shift 1 · Q21If the number of seven-digit numbers, such that the sum of their digits is even, is ;…MediumNumerical value
- 3 Apr 2025, Shift 2 · Q7Line of slope 2 and line of slope intersect at the origin O. In the first quadrant,…EasySingle correct
- 4 Apr 2025, Shift 2 · Q22Let m and n, , be two 2-digit numbers. Then the total numbers of pairs , such that , is __________.HardNumerical value
- 7 Apr 2025, Shift 1 · Q8From a group of 7 batsmen and 6 bowlers, 10 players are to be chosen for a team, which should include atleast 4 batsmen and atleast 4…MediumSingle correct
- 7 Apr 2025, Shift 1 · Q21For , let denote the set of all subsets of with no two consecutive numbers. For example…MediumNumerical value
- 7 Apr 2025, Shift 2 · Q8Let be the number of all triangles that can be formed by joining the vertices of a regular polygon of sides and be the…MediumSingle correct
- 8 Apr 2025, Shift 2 · Q7There are 12 points in a plane, no three of which are in the same straight line, except 5 points which are collinear. Then the total…EasySingle correct
JEE Main 202421 questions
- 4 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q7There are 5 points on the side AB, excluding A and B, of a triangle ABC. Similarly there are 6 points…MediumSingle correct
- 4 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q24There are 4 men and 5 women in Group A, and 5 men and 4 women in Group B. If 4 persons are selected from each group, then the number of…MediumNumerical value
- 5 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q23The number of ways of getting a sum 16 on throwing a dice four times is ________.MediumNumerical value
- 5 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q1Let the set be partitioned into 3 sets with equal number of elements such that…MediumSingle correct
- 5 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q660 words can be made using all the letters of the word BHBJO, with or without meaning. If these words are written as in a dictionary, then…MediumSingle correct
- 6 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q3The number of triangles whose vertices are at the vertices of a regular octagon but none of whose sides is a side of the octagon isMediumSingle correct
- 6 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q5If all the words with or without meaning made using all the letters of the word "NAGPUR" are arranged as in a dictionary, then the word at…MediumSingle correct
- 6 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q6Let . If , then is equal to :MediumSingle correct
- 8 Apr 2024, Shift 1 · Q23The number of 3-digit numbers, formed using the digits 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, when the repetition of digits is not allowed, and which are not…MediumNumerical value
- 8 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q5The number of ways five alphabets can be chosen from the alphabets of the word MATHEMATICS, where the chosen alphabets are not necessarily…HardSingle correct
- 9 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q21Let and . Then the number of one-one functions from to is equal…MediumNumerical value
- 9 Apr 2024, Shift 2 · Q23The number of integers, between 100 and 1000 having the sum of their digits equals to 14, is ______________.MediumNumerical value
- 1 Feb 2024, Shift 1 · Q4If n is the number of ways five different employees can sit into four indistinguishable offices where any office may have any number of…MediumSingle correct
- 1 Feb 2024, Shift 1 · Q24The number of elements in the set equals __________.MediumNumerical value
- 1 Feb 2024, Shift 2 · Q22The lines are distinct. For all the lines are parallel to each other and all the…MediumNumerical value
- 27 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q5 if and only if :MediumSingle correct
- 29 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q22All the letters of the word "GTWENTY" are written in all possible ways with or without meaning and these words are written as in a…MediumNumerical value
- 30 Jan 2024, Shift 2 · Q23In an examination of Mathematics paper, there are 20 questions of equal marks and the question paper is divided into three sections : ,…MediumNumerical value
- 31 Jan 2024, Shift 1 · Q23The total number of words (with or without meaning) that can be formed out of the letters of the word 'DISTRIBUTION' taken four at a time,…MediumNumerical value
- 31 Jan 2024, Shift 2 · Q5The number of ways in which 21 identical apples can be distributed among three children such that each child gets at least 2 apples, isEasySingle correct
- 31 Jan 2024, Shift 2 · Q6If for some ; and , then …MediumSingle correct
JEE Main 202324 questions
- 6 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q23The number of ways of giving 20 distinct oranges to 3 children such that each child gets at least one orange is ____________MediumNumerical value
- 6 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q8Lexicographic Rank of a Word · Medium · Single correct
- 6 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q22Permutations of Distinct Objects · Medium · Numerical value
- 8 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q1Selection of One or More Objects · Easy · Single correct
- 8 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q6The Block/Tie Method · Medium · Single correct
- 8 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q7Circular Permutations · Medium · Single correct
- 8 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q26Exponent of Prime in n! (Legendre's Formula) · Easy · Numerical value
- 8 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q5The Block/Tie Method · Medium · Single correct
- 10 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q23The Block/Tie Method · Hard · Numerical value
- 10 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q24Combinations of Distinct Objects · Medium · Numerical value
- 10 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q5Distribution of Distinct Objects into Distinct Boxes · Medium · Single correct
- 10 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q23Sum of Numbers Formed by Given Digits · Medium · Numerical value
- 11 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q4Distribution of Identical Objects · Medium · Single correct
- 11 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q30Derangements · Easy · Numerical value
- 11 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q6Lexicographic Rank of a Word · Easy · Single correct
- 11 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q22Total Number of Functions · Medium · Numerical value
- 12 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q4Open the question · Medium · Single correct
- 12 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q23Principle of Inclusion-Exclusion in Counting · Hard · Numerical value
- 13 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q22Multinomial Theorem in Counting · Hard · Numerical value
- 13 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q6Lexicographic Rank of a Word · Easy · Single correct
- 13 Apr 2023, Shift 2 · Q22Fundamental Counting Principle · Medium · Numerical value
- 15 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q6Permutations with Repetition · Medium · Single correct
- 15 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q22Permutations of Distinct Objects · Hard · Numerical value
- 15 Apr 2023, Shift 1 · Q23Open the question · Medium · Numerical value
JEE Main 202224 questions
- 25 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q22Lexicographic Rank of a Word · Medium · Numerical value
- 25 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q3Permutations with Fixed Relative Order · Hard · Single correct
- 26 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q22Permutations with Repetition · Medium · Numerical value
- 26 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q23Fundamental Counting Principle · Medium · Numerical value
- 27 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q28Fundamental Counting Principle · Hard · Numerical value
- 28 Jul 2022, Shift 1 · Q21Fundamental Counting Principle · Medium · Numerical value
- 28 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q82Combinations of Distinct Objects · Easy · Numerical value
- 29 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q7Method of Differences for Telescoping Series · Medium · Single correct
- 29 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q24Permutations with Repetition · Medium · Numerical value
- 30 Jul 2022, Shift 2 · Q65Pascal's Rule Identity · Medium · Single correct
- 24 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q22Permutations with Repetition · Medium · Numerical value
- 24 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q23Arrangements with Positional Parity Restrictions · Hard · Numerical value
- 25 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q22Fundamental Counting Principle · Hard · Numerical value
- 25 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q29Fundamental Counting Principle · Hard · Numerical value
- 25 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q27Permutations of Distinct Objects · Medium · Numerical value
- 26 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q22Combinations of Distinct Objects · Easy · Numerical value
- 26 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q25Principle of Inclusion-Exclusion in Counting · Hard · Numerical value
- 27 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q24The Gap Method · Medium · Numerical value
- 27 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q23Distribution of Identical Objects · Hard · Numerical value
- 28 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q5Fundamental Counting Principle · Medium · Single correct
- 28 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q3Distribution of Identical Objects · Medium · Single correct
- 29 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q30Permutations of Distinct Objects · Medium · Numerical value
- 29 Jun 2022, Shift 2 · Q28Open the question · Hard · Numerical value
- 30 Jun 2022, Shift 1 · Q21Permutations of Distinct Objects · Medium · Numerical value
JEE Main 202128 questions
- 3 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q83Permutations with Repetition · Medium · Numerical value
- 3 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q82Permutations with Repetition · Medium · Numerical value
- 4 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q83Permutations with Repetition · Medium · Numerical value
- 4 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q84Open the question · Easy · Numerical value
- 26 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q81Permutations of Distinct Objects · Easy · Numerical value
- 26 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q87Open the question · Hard · Numerical value
- 26 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q84Sum of Numbers Formed by Given Digits · Medium · Numerical value
- 27 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q83Fundamental Counting Principle · Hard · Numerical value
- 31 Aug 2021, Shift 1 · Q89The Block/Tie Method · Medium · Numerical value
- 31 Aug 2021, Shift 2 · Q82Principle of Inclusion-Exclusion in Counting · Medium · Numerical value
- 24 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q68Combinations of Distinct Objects · Medium · Single correct
- 24 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q71Hockey Stick Identity · Medium · Single correct
- 24 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q85Division of Objects into Groups · Hard · Numerical value
- 25 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q78Distribution of Identical Objects · Medium · Single correct
- 25 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q84Permutations of Distinct Objects · Medium · Numerical value
- 25 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q76Fundamental Counting Principle · Hard · Single correct
- 26 Feb 2021, Shift 1 · Q70Distribution of Identical Objects · Medium · Single correct
- 26 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q79Number of Divisors with Specific Properties · Easy · Single correct
- 26 Feb 2021, Shift 2 · Q88Principle of Inclusion-Exclusion in Counting · Medium · Numerical value
- 22 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q84Fundamental Counting Principle · Easy · Numerical value
- 25 Jul 2021, Shift 1 · Q89Combinations of Distinct Objects · Hard · Numerical value
- 25 Jul 2021, Shift 2 · Q63Permutations of Distinct Objects · Easy · Single correct
- 16 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q73Number of Triangles from Points · Medium · Single correct
- 17 Mar 2021, Shift 1 · Q65Combinations of Distinct Objects · Easy · Single correct
- 17 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q72Triangles from Points with Collinearity · Easy · Single correct
- 18 Mar 2021, Shift 1 · Q65Sum of Numbers Formed by Given Digits · Medium · Single correct
- 18 Mar 2021, Shift 1 · Q88Open the question · Medium · Numerical value
- 18 Mar 2021, Shift 2 · Q84Open the question · Hard · Numerical value
JEE Main 202010 questions
- 8 Jan 2020, Shift 1 · Q75Combinations of Distinct Objects · Easy · Numerical value
- 8 Jan 2020, Shift 2 · Q71Permutations with Repetition · Hard · Numerical value
- 9 Jan 2020, Shift 1 · Q56Permutations of Distinct Objects · Medium · Single correct
- 2 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q71Lexicographic Rank of a Word · Medium · Numerical value
- 2 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q56Number of Diagonals in a Polygon · Medium · Single correct
- 3 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q53Permutations of Distinct Objects · Medium · Single correct
- 3 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q72Distribution of Identical Objects · Medium · Numerical value
- 4 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q72Combinations of Distinct Objects · Easy · Numerical value
- 5 Sep 2020, Shift 1 · Q71Permutations with Repetition · Medium · Numerical value
- 6 Sep 2020, Shift 2 · Q72The Block/Tie Method · Medium · Numerical value
JEE Main 20171 question
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.