JEE Main · Chemistry · Haloalkanes and Haloarenes
Aromatic Hydrocarbons: JEE Main previous year questions
75 questions in the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, in 7 of 8 years. Pattern: Asked most years. 35 came in 2024–26. Here is how it is asked and which ideas come back.
- Questions
- 75
- in 53 of 108 shifts
- Years asked
- 7/8
- last asked 2026
- Weighted estimate
- 0.6
- model; history: 0.5 a shift on average, typically 0.4–0.7
Key findings
- 01
Asked in 7 of 8 years with analysed shifts and in 53 of 108 shifts: 75 questions, #24 of 196 topics.
- 02
41% of its questions since 2020 tested an idea no earlier year had asked; 26 repeated an idea from the year before.
- 03
The most repeated idea is Ortho-Para vs Meta Directing, asked 11 times in 11 shifts (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026), most often as “identify site of electrophilic attack in diagram”.
- 04
JEE Main has asked 21 of the 51 ideas in this topic; 21 have never been asked, directly or inside another question.
- 05
Mostly asked as diagram based (45%); 19% need a numerical answer, 23% are easy and 11% hard. It went up from 0.4 to 0.8 questions a shift since 2024.
- 06
The skill tested most is conceptual (28%), then application (27%).
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.
Raw count: 2017: 0 in 1 shift · 2020: 5 in 12 shifts · 2021: 15 in 24 shifts · 2022: 13 in 24 shifts · 2023: 7 in 12 shifts · 2024: 25 in 18 shifts · 2025: 4 in 8 shifts · 2026: 6 in 9 shifts.
- Up to 2023
- 0.4
- a shift, of 25
- Since 2024
- 0.8
- +0.4
- Usual gap
- 1.0 yrs
- between years asking it
- Shifts with it
- 53/108
- 49% of analysed shifts
Recent framings
- count aromatic species from structures
- numerical: pi electrons in product of named reactions
- count correct statements on Friedel-Crafts alkylation
Revise first
- Ortho-Para vs Meta Directing · asked 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026
- Huckel's Rule (4n+2) · asked 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
- Friedel-Crafts Alkylation · asked 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026
How it is asked
Difficulty, format and skill
Across all 75 questions on Aromatic Hydrocarbons since 2017.
Difficulty
QUESTIONS- Easy17 · 23%
- Medium50 · 67%
- Hard8 · 11%
Format
SHARE- Diagram based · 34 Q45%
- Single correct · 16 Q21%
- Numerical value · 14 Q19%
- Other · 5 Q7%
- Two statements · 3 Q4%
- Assertion–reason · 2 Q3%
- Match the list · 1 Q1%
Skill tested
SHARE- Conceptual · 21 Q28%
- Application · 20 Q27%
- Multi-step · 20 Q27%
- Recall · 6 Q8%
- Diagram reading · 6 Q8%
- Calculation · 2 Q3%
Repeats
New idea, or one asked before?
Each column is a year. Blue questions tested an idea no earlier year had asked; navy ones went back to an idea from an earlier year. 2017 is the first year, so everything in it counts as new. Heights are question counts, and Lumi analysed 1 to 24 shifts a year, so compare the split inside a column rather than heights across years.
- Idea asked for the first time
- Idea asked in an earlier year
Coverage of the topic
JEE Main has asked 21 of the 51 ideas in this topic. 21 have never been asked yet.
- Asked directly21 · 41%
- Touched inside another question9 · 18%
- Never asked21 · 41%
Ideas come from Lumi’s JEE syllabus map. A never-asked idea is not a safe skip: across all of JEE Main, 22% of questions since 2024 tested an idea no earlier year had asked.
Drill down
Chapter, idea, question
Every idea JEE Main tested in this topic, with its eight years. Open one to read the questions.
12 ideas inside
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
Every idea inside this topic
21 different ideas were tested; 14 came more than once.
identify site of electrophilic attack in diagram
Diagram based · 11 shifts · 2 numericalcount aromatic species from structures
Diagram based · 8 shifts · 2 numericalmatch list on reactions and mechanism type
Diagram based · 7 shifts · 1 numericalmass of product from sequence
Diagram based · 6 shifts · 2 numericalorder/ranking of reactivity toward electrophile
Diagram based · 6 shiftspi electrons in product of named reactions
Single correct · 5 shifts · 2 numericalorder/ranking of reactivity toward nucleophile
Diagram based · 5 shiftspredict product of reaction
Diagram based · 4 shifts · 1 numericalreactant mass from product mass
Numerical value · 3 shifts · 1 numericalpredict product of reaction sequence
Diagram based · 2 shifts · 1 numericalidentify aromatic compounds among structures
Assertion–reason · 3 shiftsstatement i/ii on aniline reactivity
Assertion–reason · 3 shiftscount compounds failing a reaction
Diagram based · 2 shifts · 1 numericalpredict product of reaction sequence
Diagram based · 2 shiftsidentify intermediate not formed in mechanism
Diagram based · 1 shiftpredict product of friedel-crafts acylation
Diagram based · 1 shiftpredict product of reaction
Diagram based · 1 shiftcount hydrogens in addition product of benzene
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numericalpredict product of reaction sequence
Diagram based · 1 shiftreagent sequence for 4-bromo-2-nitroethylbenzene
Single correct · 1 shiftidentify reaction that does not occur
Diagram based · 1 shift
| Idea | Years asked | Times | Shifts | Format | Numerical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ortho-Para vs Meta Directingidentify site of electrophilic attack in diagram | 11 | 11 | Diagram basedApplication | 2 | |
| Huckel's Rule (4n+2)count aromatic species from structures | 8 | 8 | Diagram basedDiagram reading | 2 | |
| Friedel-Crafts Alkylationmatch list on reactions and mechanism type | 7 | 7 | Diagram basedApplication | 1 | |
| Side-chain Oxidationmass of product from sequence | 6 | 6 | Diagram basedApplication | 2 | |
| Ranking Activating Groupsorder/ranking of reactivity toward electrophile | 6 | 6 | Diagram basedConceptual | – | |
| Gattermann-Koch Formylationpi electrons in product of named reactions | 5 | 5 | Single correctMulti-step | 2 | |
| SNAr and Meisenheimer Complexorder/ranking of reactivity toward nucleophile | 5 | 5 | Diagram basedApplication | – | |
| Friedel-Crafts Acylation and Acylium Ionpredict product of reaction | 4 | 4 | Diagram basedApplication | 1 | |
| Nitrating Mixture and Nitronium Ion Generationreactant mass from product mass | 3 | 3 | Numerical valueApplication | 1 | |
| Synergic Directing Effects in Di-substituted Benzenespredict product of reaction sequence | 3 | 2 | Diagram basedMulti-step | 1 | |
| Annulene Planarity and Aromaticityidentify aromatic compounds among structures | 3 | 3 | Assertion–reasonConceptual | – | |
| Friedel-Crafts Failure with Anilinestatement i/ii on aniline reactivity | 3 | 3 | Assertion–reasonConceptual | – | |
| Friedel-Crafts Failure on Deactivated Ringscount compounds failing a reaction | 2 | 2 | Diagram basedApplication | 1 | |
| Intramolecular Friedel-Craftspredict product of reaction sequence | 2 | 2 | Diagram basedMulti-step | – | |
| EAS Sigma Complex Mechanismidentify intermediate not formed in mechanism | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedDiagram reading | – | |
| Halogen Directing Exceptionpredict product of friedel-crafts acylation | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedApplication | – | |
| Birch Reduction Regioselectivitypredict product of reaction | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedApplication | – | |
| Radical Chlorination of Benzene (BHC Formation)count hydrogens in addition product of benzene | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueCalculation | 1 | |
| Role of Lewis Acids in Halogenationpredict product of reaction sequence | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedMulti-step | – | |
| Bypassing FC Alkylation Rearrangementsreagent sequence for 4-bromo-2-nitroethylbenzene | 1 | 1 | Single correctMulti-step | – | |
| Friedel-Crafts Failure with Anilineidentify reaction that does not occur | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedConceptual | – |
Times and shifts count every analysed shift. Across JEE Main, 78% of questions since 2024 went back to an idea an earlier year had asked; the rest were new. All repeated ideas
Every question
Aromatic Hydrocarbons questions, year by year
The newest 40 show their opening words as they appeared in the official paper; older ones name the idea they tested. Open one for its options and the official answer.
JEE Main 20266 questions in 5 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 1Q66For the given molecule, "", the preferred site for the attack of the electrophile is :
Idea: Ortho-Para vs Meta Directing
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 4 Apr, Shift 1Q72Consider the following sequence of reactions to give the major product (X) benzene…
Idea: Side-chain Oxidation
MediumNumerical value · figure - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q56Match the LIST-I with LIST-II List-I (Reaction): A. Williamson Synthesis B. Friedel Craft Reaction C. Bromination of vinyl benzene D.…
Idea: Friedel-Crafts Alkylation
EasyMatch the list - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q65For the following Friedel Craft's alkylation reaction, which of the statements are correct? [figure: benzene + n-propyl chloride…
Idea: Friedel-Crafts Alkylation
MediumOther · figure - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q64The total number of aromatic compounds/species from the following is [figures: p-benzoquinone; tropylium cation (cycloheptatrienyl…
Idea: Huckel's Rule (4n+2)
Asked the year beforeMediumOther · figure - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q72'' is the product which is obtained from benzene by reacting it with carbon monoxide and hydrogen chloride in the presence of cuprous…
Idea: Gattermann-Koch Formylation
MediumNumerical value
JEE Main 20254 questions in 3 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 1Q65Designate whether each of the following compounds is aromatic or not aromatic.
Idea: Huckel's Rule (4n+2)
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct · figure - 3 Apr, Shift 2Q67In the following series of reactions identify the major products A & B respectively Bromobenzene…
Idea: Synergic Directing Effects in Di-substituted Benzenes
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 3 Apr, Shift 2Q74X g of nitrobenzene on nitration gave 4.2 g of m-dinitrobenzene. X = __________ g. (nearest integer) [Given : molar mass (in…
Idea: Nitrating Mixture and Nitronium Ion Generation
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q66Choose the correct set of reagents for the following conversion. Ethyl benzene → [structure: p-bromostyrene, i.e. benzene ring with CH=CH2…
Idea: Ortho-Para vs Meta Directing
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct · figure
JEE Main 202425 questions in 14 shifts
- 4 Apr, Shift 1Q89The number of the correct reaction(s) among the following is ________. (A) [benzene + benzoyl chloride (),…
Idea: Friedel-Crafts Acylation and Acylium Ion
MediumNumerical value · figure - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q74Given below are two statements : Statement I : Nitration of benzene involves the following step -…
Idea: Nitrating Mixture and Nitronium Ion Generation
EasyTwo statements · figure - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q75Identify A and B in the given chemical reaction sequence : Benzene + succinic anhydride (cyclic five-membered anhydride)…
Idea: Friedel-Crafts Acylation and Acylium Ion
MediumDiagram based · figure - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q89The product (C) in the following sequence of reactions has ________ bonds. n-propylbenzene (benzene ring bearing a three-carbon…
Idea: Side-chain Oxidation
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value · figure - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q74Four aromatic compounds are shown: (I) toluene (benzene ring with ), (II) benzene, (III) anisole (benzene ring with…
Idea: Ranking Activating Groups
Asked the year beforeEasyDiagram based · figure - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q79The major products formed : Anisole (benzene ring with ) 'A'…
Idea: Synergic Directing Effects in Di-substituted Benzenes
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q89Reaction: ethoxybenzene (benzene ring with ) P (major product)…
Idea: Synergic Directing Effects in Di-substituted Benzenes
New ideaMediumNumerical value · figure - 8 Apr, Shift 1Q76Which of the following are aromatic? A. [figure: fused bicyclic ring system, two six-membered rings] B. [figure: benzene ring with a vinyl…
Idea: Annulene Planarity and Aromaticity
MediumOther · figure - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q88Total number of aromatic compounds among the following compounds is ________.
Idea: Huckel's Rule (4n+2)
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value · figure - 9 Apr, Shift 1Q72[figure: benzene + succinic anhydride (cyclic five-membered anhydride) A…
Idea: Intramolecular Friedel-Crafts
MediumSingle correct · figure - 9 Apr, Shift 1Q75Identify major product "X" formed in the following reaction : [figure: benzene…
Idea: Gattermann-Koch Formylation
EasySingle correct · figure - 9 Apr, Shift 2Q90Number of compounds from the following which undergo Friedel-Crafts reactions is:________ toluene, nitrobenzene, xylene,…
Idea: Friedel-Crafts Failure on Deactivated Rings
MediumNumerical value - 1 Feb, Shift 1Q77Given below are two statements : Statement (I) : The group in Aniline is ortho and para directing and a powerful…
Idea: Friedel-Crafts Failure with Aniline
EasyTwo statements - 1 Feb, Shift 1Q78Which of the following compound will most easily be attacked by an electrophile ?
Idea: Ranking Activating Groups
Asked the year beforeEasyDiagram based · figure - 1 Feb, Shift 1Q88Total number of deactivating groups in aromatic electrophilic substitution reaction among the following is ________.…
Idea: Ortho-Para vs Meta Directing
MediumNumerical value · figure - 1 Feb, Shift 2Q74The set of meta directing functional groups from the following sets is :
Idea: Ortho-Para vs Meta Directing
EasySingle correct - 27 Jan, Shift 1Q88Among the following, total number of meta directing functional groups is __________. (Integer based)…
Idea: Ortho-Para vs Meta Directing
EasyNumerical value - 27 Jan, Shift 1Q89Among the given organic compounds, the total number of aromatic compounds is __________. (A) [figure] (B) [figure] (C) [figure] (D) [figure]
Idea: Huckel's Rule (4n+2)
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value · figure - 29 Jan, Shift 1Q80The arenium ion which is not involved in the bromination of Aniline is ________.
Idea: EAS Sigma Complex Mechanism
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure - 30 Jan, Shift 1Q71Which of the following molecule/species is most stable ?
Idea: Huckel's Rule (4n+2)
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 30 Jan, Shift 1Q75In the given reactions, identify the reagent A and reagent B. [Scheme: toluene reacts via two routes to give benzaldehyde. Route 1: "A" +…
Idea: Side-chain Oxidation
Asked the year beforeMediumOther · figure - 31 Jan, Shift 2Q73The correct order of reactivity in electrophilic substitution reaction of the following compounds is :
Idea: Ranking Activating Groups
Asked the year beforeEasyDiagram based · figure - 31 Jan, Shift 2Q76Identify A and B in the following reaction sequence. [reaction: bromobenzene --(Conc HNO)--> A --((i) NaOH, (ii) HCl)--> B]
Idea: SNAr and Meisenheimer Complex
Asked the year beforeHardDiagram based · figure - 31 Jan, Shift 2Q77Identify major product 'P' formed in the following reaction. [reaction: benzene + benzoyl chloride (CHCOCl) --(Anhydrous…
Idea: Friedel-Crafts Acylation and Acylium Ion
EasyDiagram based · figure - 31 Jan, Shift 2Q78Identify the name reaction. [reaction: benzene + CO, HCl --(anhydrous AlCl/CuCl)--> benzaldehyde (CHCHO)]
Idea: Gattermann-Koch Formylation
EasySingle correct · figure
JEE Main 20237 questions in 6 shifts
- 8 Apr, Shift 2Q73The correct order of reactivity of following haloarenes towards nucleophilic substitution with aqueous NaOH is : A. [chlorobenzene] B.…
Idea: SNAr and Meisenheimer Complex
MediumSingle correct · figure - 10 Apr, Shift 1Q74The major product ‘P’ formed in the given reaction is [structure: naphthalene ring bearing at one position of one…
Idea: Side-chain Oxidation
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 10 Apr, Shift 2Q74The major product 'P' formed in the given reaction is:
Idea: Friedel-Crafts Alkylation
Asked the year beforeHardDiagram based · figure - 11 Apr, Shift 1Q73Arrange the following compounds in increasing order of rate of aromatic electrophilic substitution reaction (a) 1-tetralol: tetralin with…
Idea: Ranking Activating Groups
Asked the year beforeHardDiagram based · figure - 13 Apr, Shift 2Q74Given below are two statements : Statement I : Tropolone is an aromatic compound and has 8 electrons. Statement II : electrons…
Idea: Huckel's Rule (4n+2)
Asked the year beforeHardTwo statements - 15 Apr, Shift 1 · Q73Ranking Activating GroupsAsked the year beforeMedium
- 15 Apr, Shift 1 · Q74Halogen Directing ExceptionNew ideaEasy
JEE Main 202213 questions in 8 shifts
- 26 Jul, Shift 1 · Q73Annulene Planarity and AromaticityNew ideaMedium
- 26 Jul, Shift 1 · Q76Birch Reduction RegioselectivityNew ideaHard
- 26 Jul, Shift 1 · Q80Friedel-Crafts Failure with AnilineNew ideaMedium
- 26 Jul, Shift 1 · Q90Radical Chlorination of Benzene (BHC Formation)New ideaEasy
- 27 Jul, Shift 1 · Q74Annulene Planarity and AromaticityNew ideaMedium
- 28 Jul, Shift 2 · Q43Ranking Activating GroupsNew ideaMedium
- 24 Jun, Shift 1 · Q73Ortho-Para vs Meta DirectingAsked the year beforeMedium
- 26 Jun, Shift 2 · Q72Side-chain OxidationAsked the year beforeMedium
- 26 Jun, Shift 2 · Q74Ortho-Para vs Meta DirectingAsked the year beforeMedium
- 27 Jun, Shift 2 · Q74Role of Lewis Acids in HalogenationNew ideaMedium
- 28 Jun, Shift 1 · Q72Huckel's Rule (4n+2)Asked the year beforeMedium
- 29 Jun, Shift 2 · Q74Friedel-Crafts AlkylationAsked the year beforeMedium
- 29 Jun, Shift 2 · Q76Friedel-Crafts Failure with AnilineNew ideaEasy
JEE Main 202115 questions in 12 shifts
- 3 Aug, Shift 1 · Q44SNAr and Meisenheimer ComplexNew ideaMedium
- 3 Aug, Shift 2 · Q43SNAr and Meisenheimer ComplexNew ideaMedium
- 3 Aug, Shift 2 · Q46Gattermann-Koch FormylationNew ideaMedium
- 4 Aug, Shift 1 · Q45Side-chain OxidationNew ideaEasy
- 26 Aug, Shift 1 · Q46Ortho-Para vs Meta DirectingNew ideaMedium
- 26 Aug, Shift 2 · Q44Ortho-Para vs Meta DirectingNew ideaMedium
- 31 Aug, Shift 2 · Q45Friedel-Crafts Acylation and Acylium IonNew ideaMedium
- 31 Aug, Shift 2 · Q46Ortho-Para vs Meta DirectingNew ideaMedium
- 24 Feb, Shift 2 · Q45SNAr and Meisenheimer ComplexNew ideaMedium
- 25 Feb, Shift 1 · Q59Gattermann-Koch FormylationNew ideaMedium
- 25 Feb, Shift 2 · Q42Friedel-Crafts AlkylationAsked the year beforeMedium
- 25 Feb, Shift 2 · Q44Bypassing FC Alkylation RearrangementsNew ideaHard
- 22 Jul, Shift 2 · Q48Friedel-Crafts Failure with AnilineNew ideaEasy
- 17 Mar, Shift 1 · Q42Huckel's Rule (4n+2)New ideaEasy
- 18 Mar, Shift 2 · Q48Ortho-Para vs Meta DirectingNew ideaMedium
JEE Main 20205 questions in 5 shifts
- 8 Jan, Shift 2 · Q50Friedel-Crafts AlkylationNew ideaMedium
- 9 Jan, Shift 1 · Q39Friedel-Crafts Failure on Deactivated RingsNew ideaMedium
- 2 Sep, Shift 2 · Q40Nitrating Mixture and Nitronium Ion GenerationNew ideaMedium
- 4 Sep, Shift 2 · Q45Friedel-Crafts AlkylationNew ideaHard
- 5 Sep, Shift 1 · Q28Intramolecular Friedel-CraftsNew ideaHard
Questions from the official JEE Main Paper 1 shifts published by NTA (CBSE for 2017). Questions NTA dropped are left out. Topic and idea tags, counts and notes are Lumi’s.