JEE Main · Chemistry · Biomolecules
Carbohydrates: JEE Main previous year questions
50 questions in the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, in 8 of 8 years. Pattern: Asked most years. 14 came in 2024–26. Here is how it is asked and which ideas come back.
- Questions
- 50
- in 47 of 108 shifts
- Years asked
- 8/8
- last asked 2026
- Weighted estimate
- 0.4
- model; history: 0.5 a shift on average, typically 0.3–0.7
Key findings
- 01
Asked in 8 of 8 years with analysed shifts and in 47 of 108 shifts: 50 questions, #57 of 196 topics. It came in every year with analysed shifts.
- 02
57% of its questions since 2020 tested an idea no earlier year had asked; 10 repeated an idea from the year before.
- 03
The most repeated idea is Reducing vs Non-reducing Sugars, asked 4 times in 4 shifts (2017, 2022, 2023, 2026), most often as “statement i/ii on disaccharides”.
- 04
JEE Main has asked 25 of the 38 ideas in this topic; 8 have never been asked, directly or inside another question.
- 05
Mostly asked as single correct (52%); 2% need a numerical answer, 42% are easy and 10% hard.
- 06
The skill tested most is recall (52%), then conceptual (18%).
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: 1 in 1 shift · 2020: 7 in 12 shifts · 2021: 13 in 24 shifts · 2022: 12 in 24 shifts · 2023: 3 in 12 shifts · 2024: 6 in 18 shifts · 2025: 2 in 8 shifts · 2026: 6 in 9 shifts.
- Up to 2023
- 0.5
- a shift, of 25
- Since 2024
- 0.4
- -0.1
- Usual gap
- 1.3 yrs
- between years asking it
- Shifts with it
- 47/108
- 44% of analysed shifts
Revise first
- Reducing vs Non-reducing Sugars · asked 2017, 2022, 2023, 2026
- Anomers and Epimers · asked 2024, 2026
- Selective Oxidation of Monosaccharides · asked 2022, 2024, 2026
How it is asked
Difficulty, format and skill
Across all 50 questions on Carbohydrates since 2017.
Difficulty
QUESTIONS- Easy21 · 42%
- Medium24 · 48%
- Hard5 · 10%
Format
SHARE- Single correct · 26 Q52%
- Diagram based · 9 Q18%
- Two statements · 5 Q10%
- Match the list · 4 Q8%
- Other · 3 Q6%
- Assertion–reason · 2 Q4%
- Numerical value · 1 Q2%
Skill tested
SHARE- Recall · 26 Q52%
- Conceptual · 9 Q18%
- Multi-step · 7 Q14%
- Diagram reading · 5 Q10%
- Application · 3 Q6%
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 25 of the 38 ideas in this topic. 8 have never been asked yet.
- Asked directly25 · 66%
- Touched inside another question5 · 13%
- Never asked8 · 21%
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
Idea, year, question
Every idea JEE Main tested in this topic, with its eight years. Open one to read the questions.
- 27 Jun ’22 S2 · Q78Given below are two statements. Statement I: Maltose has two -D-glucose units linked at and and is a…
easyTwo statementsAsked the year before
- 25 Feb ’21 S2 · Q49Read the question
mediumDiagram basedAsked the year before
- 8 Jan ’20 S2 · Q39Read the question
easySingle correctNew idea
- 4 Sep ’20 S1 · Q42Read the question
mediumSingle correctNew idea
- 27 Jun ’22 S2 · Q78
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
25 different ideas were tested; 13 came more than once.
statement i/ii on disaccharides
Diagram based · 4 shifts · 1 numericalidentify structure from oxidation product optical activity
Diagram based · 4 shiftsstatement i/ii on maltose structure
Single correct · 4 shiftsidentify disaccharide from glycosidic linkage
Single correct · 4 shiftscount correct statements on glucose anomers
Match the list · 3 shiftsidentify correct fischer projection of sugar
Diagram based · 3 shiftsstatement i/ii on sucrose hydrolysis
Single correct · 3 shiftsodd-one-out among identification tests
Single correct · 3 shiftstrue statement selection on carbohydrates
Single correct · 2 shiftselectron count in product of sequence
Match the list · 2 shiftsidentify example of non-reducing sugar
Single correct · 2 shiftsstatement i/ii on polysaccharides
Single correct · 2 shiftstrue statement selection on disaccharide structure
Single correct · 2 shiftsincorrect statement about glucose
Single correct · 1 shiftpredict product of reaction
Single correct · 1 shiftformulas of products from fructose reactions
Other · 1 shiftidentify correct pyranose structure from figure
Diagram based · 1 shiftassertion-reason on polysaccharides
Assertion–reason · 1 shiftidentify polysaccharide from hydrolysis clues
Single correct · 1 shiftevidence for cyclic structure of glucose
Single correct · 1 shiftidentify anomeric carbon in cyclic glucose
Single correct · 1 shiftidentify disaccharide with given linkage
Single correct · 1 shiftreagent equivalents from glucose derivatives
Other · 1 shiftidentify compounds giving a named test
Single correct · 1 shifttrue statement selection on glucose
Single correct · 1 shift
| Idea | Years asked | Times | Shifts | Format | Numerical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reducing vs Non-reducing Sugarsstatement i/ii on disaccharides | 4 | 4 | Diagram basedApplication | 1 | |
| Selective Oxidation of Monosaccharidesidentify structure from oxidation product optical activity | 4 | 4 | Diagram basedMulti-step | – | |
| Maltose Structure and Linkagestatement i/ii on maltose structure | 4 | 4 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Sucrose Structure and Linkageidentify disaccharide from glycosidic linkage | 4 | 4 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Anomers and Epimerscount correct statements on glucose anomers | 3 | 3 | Match the listConceptual | – | |
| D and L Configuration of Sugarsidentify correct fischer projection of sugar | 3 | 3 | Diagram basedDiagram reading | – | |
| Inversion of Cane Sugarstatement i/ii on sucrose hydrolysis | 3 | 3 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Seliwanoff's Testodd-one-out among identification tests | 3 | 3 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Hydrolysis-Based Classification of Carbohydratestrue statement selection on carbohydrates | 2 | 2 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Reduction with HI and Red Phosphoruselectron count in product of sequence | 2 | 2 | Match the listMulti-step | – | |
| Non-Reducing Nature of Sucroseidentify example of non-reducing sugar | 2 | 2 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Structure of Glycogenstatement i/ii on polysaccharides | 2 | 2 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Lactose Structure and Linkagetrue statement selection on disaccharide structure | 2 | 2 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Mutarotationincorrect statement about glucose | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Kiliani-Fischer Synthesispredict product of reaction | 1 | 1 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Carbonyl Addition Reactions in Glucoseformulas of products from fructose reactions | 1 | 1 | OtherMulti-step | – | |
| Haworth Projectionsidentify correct pyranose structure from figure | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedDiagram reading | – | |
| Structure of Amyloseassertion-reason on polysaccharides | 1 | 1 | Assertion–reasonConceptual | – | |
| Structure of Celluloseidentify polysaccharide from hydrolysis clues | 1 | 1 | Single correctMulti-step | – | |
| Chemical Evidence for the Cyclic Structureevidence for cyclic structure of glucose | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Cyclic Structure of Glucoseidentify anomeric carbon in cyclic glucose | 1 | 1 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Glycosidic Linkageidentify disaccharide with given linkage | 1 | 1 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Acetylation of Glucosereagent equivalents from glucose derivatives | 1 | 1 | OtherMulti-step | – | |
| Molisch Testidentify compounds giving a named test | 1 | 1 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Reactions Confirming the Carbonyl Grouptrue statement selection on glucose | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – |
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
Carbohydrates 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 6 shifts
- 4 Apr, Shift 1Q68Given below are two statements: Statement I: The structure of Maltose is given below: [structure of maltose: two glucopyranose rings…
Idea: Reducing vs Non-reducing Sugars
EasyTwo statements · figure - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q68A D-aldotetrose on oxidation with concentrated resulted in optically inactive dicarboxylic acid. The structure of the…
Idea: Selective Oxidation of Monosaccharides
MediumDiagram based · figure - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q69Identify the correct statements. A. Glucose exists in two anomeric forms. B. Anomers of glucose differ in configuration at C-1 in cyclic…
Idea: Anomers and Epimers
MediumOther - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q69Given below are two statements : Statement I : [figure: two ring (pyranose) structures, each with CH-OH, ring O, H, OH and H…
Idea: Anomers and Epimers
MediumTwo statements · figure - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q69Consider the following reactions. Total number of electrons in the bonds and lone pair of electrons in the product (X) is : [figure:…
Idea: Reduction with HI and Red Phosphorus
HardSingle correct · figure - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q69The incorrect statement from the following with respect to carbohydrates is :
Idea: Hydrolysis-Based Classification of Carbohydrates
EasySingle correct
JEE Main 20252 questions in 2 shifts
- 3 Apr, Shift 1Q70Which of the following is the correct structure of LFructose?
Idea: D and L Configuration of Sugars
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 7 Apr, Shift 1Q70Given below are two statements: Statement I: D-(+)-glucose + D-(+) fructose Sucrose sucrose…
Idea: Inversion of Cane Sugar
MediumTwo statements
JEE Main 20246 questions in 6 shifts
- 4 Apr, Shift 1Q80Which of the following is the correct structure of L-Glucose ?
Idea: D and L Configuration of Sugars
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q80Match List I with List II LIST I A. - Glucose and - Galactose B. - Glucose and - Glucose C. -…
Idea: Anomers and Epimers
New ideaMediumMatch the list - 8 Apr, Shift 1Q80The incorrect statement regarding the given structure is [figure: Fischer projection: CHO at top; then H-C-OH, HO-C-H, H-C-OH, H-C-OH;…
Idea: Selective Oxidation of Monosaccharides
MediumDiagram based · figure - 9 Apr, Shift 2Q80The incorrect statement about Glucose is :
Idea: Mutarotation
New ideaEasySingle correct - 30 Jan, Shift 1Q78Sugar which does not give reddish brown precipitate with Fehling's reagent, is :
Idea: Non-Reducing Nature of Sucrose
EasySingle correct - 31 Jan, Shift 1Q79Match List I with List II LIST I A. Glucose// B. Glucose/ C. Glucose/HI/ D.…
Idea: Selective Oxidation of Monosaccharides
MediumMatch the list
JEE Main 20233 questions in 3 shifts
- 11 Apr, Shift 1Q79L-isomer of tetrose X () gives positive Schiff's test and has two chiral carbons. On acetylation, 'X' yields…
Idea: D and L Configuration of Sugars
New ideaHardDiagram based · figure - 11 Apr, Shift 2Q89Number of compounds from the following which will not produce orange red precipitate with Benedict solution is ____________ Glucose,…
Idea: Reducing vs Non-reducing Sugars
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 13 Apr, Shift 1Q80D -(+)- Glyceraldehyde The products formed in the above reaction are
Idea: Kiliani-Fischer Synthesis
New ideaMediumSingle correct
JEE Main 202212 questions in 12 shifts
- 25 Jul, Shift 2Q78Glycosidic linkage between C1 of -glucose and C2 of –fructose is found in
Idea: Sucrose Structure and Linkage
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 26 Jul, Shift 1Q79Which one of the following is a reducing sugar ?
Idea: Reducing vs Non-reducing Sugars
MediumDiagram based · figure - 26 Jul, Shift 2Q79Animal starch is the other name of
Idea: Structure of Glycogen
New ideaEasySingle correct - 27 Jul, Shift 2Q77Match **List - I** with **List - II**. List - I (A) Glucose + HI (B) Glucose + water (C) Glucose + acetic anhydride (D)…
Idea: Reduction with HI and Red Phosphorus
New ideaMediumMatch the list - 28 Jul, Shift 1Q78For the below given cyclic hemiacetal (X), the correct pyranose structure is :
Idea: Haworth Projections
New ideaHardDiagram based · figure - 28 Jul, Shift 2Q49The formulas of A and B for the following reaction sequence Fructose A Fructose…
Idea: Carbonyl Addition Reactions in Glucose
New ideaMediumOther · figure - 29 Jul, Shift 2Q79Given below are two statements. One is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R. Assertion A: Amylose is insoluble in…
Idea: Structure of Amylose
New ideaMediumAssertion–reason - 30 Jul, Shift 2Q49Given below are two statements: Statement I: Glycogen is highly branched polysaccharide and commonly known as animal starch due to its…
Idea: Structure of Glycogen
New ideaEasyTwo statements - 24 Jun, Shift 1Q78A polysaccharide 'X' on boiling with dil at 393 K under 2-3 atm pressure yields 'Y'. 'Y' on treatment with bromine…
Idea: Structure of Cellulose
New ideaEasySingle correct - 27 Jun, Shift 1Q79L-isomer of a compound ‘A’ () gives a positive test with . Treatment of ‘A’ with acetic…
Idea: Selective Oxidation of Monosaccharides
New ideaHardDiagram based · figure - 27 Jun, Shift 2Q78Given below are two statements. Statement I: Maltose has two -D-glucose units linked at and and is a…
Idea: Maltose Structure and Linkage
Asked the year beforeEasyTwo statements - 28 Jun, Shift 2Q79When sugar ‘X’ is boiled with dilute in alcoholic solution, two isomers ‘A’ and ‘B’ are formed. ‘A’ on oxidation with…
Idea: Sucrose Structure and Linkage
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct
JEE Main 202113 questions in 10 shifts
- 4 Aug, Shift 1Q49Which C-atom in α-D-glucopyranose is attached with two oxygens?
Idea: Cyclic Structure of Glucose
New ideaEasySingle correct - 4 Aug, Shift 2Q49The evidence about the cyclic structure of glucose appears from the fact that
Idea: Chemical Evidence for the Cyclic Structure
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 26 Aug, Shift 2Q49Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A) : Sucrose is a…
Idea: Sucrose Structure and Linkage
New ideaEasyAssertion–reason - 27 Aug, Shift 2Q40Which one of the following tests used for the identification of functional groups in organic compounds does not use copper reagent ?
Idea: Seliwanoff's Test
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 27 Aug, Shift 2Q49Hydrolysis of sucrose gives :
Idea: Inversion of Cane Sugar
New ideaEasySingle correct - 31 Aug, Shift 1Q50Which one of the following compounds contains -- glycosidic linkage ?
Idea: Glycosidic Linkage
New ideaEasySingle correct - 25 Feb, Shift 1Q50Which of the glycosidic linkage between galactose and glucose is present in lactose ?
Idea: Lactose Structure and Linkage
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 25 Feb, Shift 2Q49Which of the following is correct structure of -anomer of maltose ?
Idea: Maltose Structure and Linkage
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 26 Feb, Shift 2Q47Seliwanoff test and Xanthoproteic test are used for the identification of __________ and __________ respectively.
Idea: Seliwanoff's Test
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 26 Feb, Shift 2Q48Match List-I with List-II. List-I | List-II (a) Sucrose | (i) -D-Galactose and -D-Glucose (b) Lactose | (ii)…
Idea: Sucrose Structure and Linkage
New ideaEasyMatch the list - 17 Mar, Shift 2Q46Sucrose Glucose Fructose…
Idea: Inversion of Cane Sugar
New ideaEasySingle correct - 17 Mar, Shift 2 · Q50Hydrolysis-Based Classification of CarbohydratesNew ideaEasy
- 18 Mar, Shift 1 · Q49Non-Reducing Nature of SucroseNew ideaEasy
JEE Main 20207 questions in 7 shifts
- 8 Jan, Shift 1 · Q42Reactions Confirming the Carbonyl GroupNew ideaMedium
- 8 Jan, Shift 2 · Q39Maltose Structure and LinkageNew ideaEasy
- 9 Jan, Shift 2 · Q41Molisch TestNew ideaMedium
- 2 Sep, Shift 1 · Q45Acetylation of GlucoseNew ideaMedium
- 2 Sep, Shift 2 · Q41Seliwanoff's TestNew ideaEasy
- 4 Sep, Shift 1 · Q42Maltose Structure and LinkageNew ideaMedium
- 6 Sep, Shift 2 · Q26Lactose Structure and LinkageNew ideaMedium
JEE Main 20171 question in 1 shift
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.
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