JEE Main · Chemistry · Coordination Compounds
Crystal Field Theory: JEE Main previous year questions
100 questions in the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, in 7 of 8 years. Pattern: Asked most years. 40 came in 2024–26. Here is how it is asked and which ideas come back.
- Questions
- 100
- in 79 of 108 shifts
- Years asked
- 7/8
- last asked 2026
- Weighted estimate
- 1.0
- model; history: 0.8 a shift on average, typically 0.4–1.1
Key findings
- 01
Asked in 7 of 8 years with analysed shifts and in 79 of 108 shifts: 100 questions, #5 of 196 topics.
- 02
25% of its questions since 2020 tested an idea no earlier year had asked; 67 repeated an idea from the year before.
- 03
The most repeated idea is High and Low Spin States, asked 34 times in 30 shifts (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026), most often as “order of unpaired electrons in complexes”.
- 04
JEE Main has asked 15 of the 52 ideas in this topic; 31 have never been asked, directly or inside another question.
- 05
Mostly asked as single correct (48%); 26% need a numerical answer, 19% are easy and 5% hard. It went up from 0.7 to 1.1 questions a shift since 2024.
- 06
The skill tested most is application (31%), then calculation (24%).
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: 12 in 12 shifts · 2021: 11 in 24 shifts · 2022: 21 in 24 shifts · 2023: 16 in 12 shifts · 2024: 19 in 18 shifts · 2025: 11 in 8 shifts · 2026: 10 in 9 shifts.
- Up to 2023
- 0.7
- a shift, of 25
- Since 2024
- 1.1
- +0.5
- Usual gap
- 1.0 yrs
- between years asking it
- Shifts with it
- 79/108
- 73% of analysed shifts
Recent framings
- numerical: count paramagnetic complexes
- match list on CFSE of tetrahedral configurations
- true statement selection on tetrahedral d-orbital energies
Revise first
- High and Low Spin States · asked 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
- Spin-only Magnetic Moment · asked 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
- CFSE Calculation · asked 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026
How it is asked
Difficulty, format and skill
Across all 100 questions on Crystal Field Theory since 2017.
Difficulty
QUESTIONS- Easy19 · 19%
- Medium76 · 76%
- Hard5 · 5%
Format
SHARE- Single correct · 48 Q48%
- Numerical value · 26 Q26%
- Match the list · 10 Q10%
- Other · 9 Q9%
- Two statements · 4 Q4%
- Assertion–reason · 2 Q2%
- Diagram based · 1 Q1%
Skill tested
SHARE- Application · 31 Q31%
- Calculation · 24 Q24%
- Multi-step · 21 Q21%
- Conceptual · 19 Q19%
- Recall · 4 Q4%
- Data or graph · 1 Q1%
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 15 of the 52 ideas in this topic. 31 have never been asked yet.
- Asked directly15 · 29%
- Touched inside another question6 · 12%
- Never asked31 · 60%
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.
14 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
15 different ideas were tested; 8 came more than once.
order of unpaired electrons in complexes
Single correct · 30 shifts · 10 numericalspin-only magnetic moment of complex
Single correct · 27 shifts · 9 numericalmatch list on cfse of tetrahedral configurations
Single correct · 11 shifts · 1 numericalmatch list on complexes and delta_o values
Single correct · 6 shiftsorder/ranking of wavelength absorbed by complexes
Numerical value · 5 shifts · 2 numericalstatement i/ii on crystal field splitting
Numerical value · 4 shifts · 3 numericaltrue statement selection on tetrahedral d-orbital energies
Match the list · 3 shiftsstatement i/ii on geometry and magnetism of nickel complexes
Numerical value · 2 shifts · 1 numericalcount correct statements on metal carbonyls
Other · 1 shiftcount correct statements on coordination compounds
Other · 1 shiftorder/ranking of crystal field splitting
Single correct · 1 shiftidentify ion with lowest hydration enthalpy
Single correct · 1 shiftorder/ranking of crystal field splitting
Single correct · 1 shiftidentify complex with maximum jahn-teller distortion
Single correct · 1 shiftligand property favouring low oxidation state
Single correct · 1 shift
| Idea | Years asked | Times | Shifts | Format | Numerical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High and Low Spin Statesorder of unpaired electrons in complexes | 34 | 30 | Single correctApplication | 10 | |
| Spin-only Magnetic Momentspin-only magnetic moment of complex | 28 | 27 | Single correctCalculation | 9 | |
| CFSE Calculationmatch list on cfse of tetrahedral configurations | 11 | 11 | Single correctCalculation | 1 | |
| Spectrochemical Seriesmatch list on complexes and delta_o values | 6 | 6 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Color and d-d Transitionsorder/ranking of wavelength absorbed by complexes | 5 | 5 | Numerical valueConceptual | 2 | |
| Octahedral Field Splittingstatement i/ii on crystal field splitting | 4 | 4 | Numerical valueConceptual | 3 | |
| Tetrahedral Field Splitting and Delta_t Relationtrue statement selection on tetrahedral d-orbital energies | 3 | 3 | Match the listApplication | – | |
| d8 Square Planar Preferencestatement i/ii on geometry and magnetism of nickel complexes | 2 | 2 | Numerical valueApplication | 1 | |
| Pi-Acceptor Ligands and Strong Fieldcount correct statements on metal carbonyls | 1 | 1 | OtherConceptual | – | |
| Limitations of Crystal Field Theorycount correct statements on coordination compounds | 1 | 1 | OtherMulti-step | – | |
| Effect of Metal Oxidation State on Splittingorder/ranking of crystal field splitting | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| CFSE and Hydration Enthalpy Double-Humpidentify ion with lowest hydration enthalpy | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Effect of 3d vs 4d vs 5d Series on Splittingorder/ranking of crystal field splitting | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Jahn-Teller Distortionidentify complex with maximum jahn-teller distortion | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Pi-Bonding and the Spectrochemical Seriesligand property favouring low oxidation state | 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
Crystal Field Theory 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 202610 questions in 8 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 1Q62Match List - I with List - II. List - I : Chromium (III) Complexes (en = ethylene diamine) List - II : () A.…
Idea: Spectrochemical Series
MediumMatch the list - 4 Apr, Shift 1Q62Match the LIST-I with LIST-II List-I (Complex ion): A. ; B. ; C.…
Idea: Spin-only Magnetic Moment
Asked the year beforeEasyMatch the list - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q60Consider the metal complexes (A), (B) and (C). Choose the…
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q61The correct statements about metal carbonyls are A. The metal-carbon bonds in metal carbonyls possess both and -character.…
Idea: Pi-Acceptor Ligands and Strong Field
New ideaMediumOther - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q62Given below are two statements: Statement I: Each electron in orbitals destabilizes the orbitals by and each…
Idea: Octahedral Field Splitting
EasyTwo statements - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q71The total number of unpaired electrons present in the , (low spin) (high spin), (high spin) and (low spin)…
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeEasyNumerical value - 6 Apr, Shift 1Q61Match the LIST-I with LIST-II List-I (Electronic configuration of tetrahedral metal ion) | List-II (Crystal Field Stabilization Energy…
Idea: CFSE Calculation
Asked the year beforeMediumMatch the list - 6 Apr, Shift 1Q62Which of the following are true about the energy of the given d-orbitals of a tetrahedral complex? A. B.…
Idea: Tetrahedral Field Splitting and Delta_t Relation
EasyOther - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q61Which of the following sequences of hybridisation, geometry and magnetic nature are correct for the given coordination compounds ? A.…
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeMediumOther - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q71Number of paramagnetic complexes among the following is ________. , ,…
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value
JEE Main 202511 questions in 8 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 1Q60Given below are two statements : Statement (I) : In octahedral complexes, when P high spin complexes are formed. When…
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeEasyTwo statements - 2 Apr, Shift 1Q74A transition metal (M) among Mn, Cr, Co and Fe has the highest standard electrode potential (). It forms a metal…
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 2 Apr, Shift 2Q60The d-orbital electronic configuration of the complex among , ,…
Idea: CFSE Calculation
MediumSingle correct - 2 Apr, Shift 2Q61The type of hybridization and the magnetic property of are,
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 3 Apr, Shift 1Q63The correct order of the complexes (A), (B), …
Idea: Color and d-d Transitions
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 3 Apr, Shift 2Q62Identify the diamagnetic octahedral complex ions from below ; A. B. C.…
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeMediumOther - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q60The correct order of , , and complex…
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 7 Apr, Shift 1Q73The number of paramagnetic complexes among , , ,…
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeHardNumerical value - 7 Apr, Shift 2Q62The number of unpaired electrons responsible for the paramagnetic nature of the following complex species are respectively :…
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 7 Apr, Shift 2Q73The number of paramagnetic metal complex species among , ,…
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeHardNumerical value - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q60Match the LIST-I with LIST-II LIST-I (Complex/ Species) | LIST-II (Shape & magnetic moment) A. | I. Tetrahedral, 2.8…
Idea: Spin-only Magnetic Moment
Asked the year beforeMediumMatch the list
JEE Main 202419 questions in 13 shifts
- 4 Apr, Shift 1Q70The correct sequence of ligands in the order of decreasing field strength is :
Idea: Spectrochemical Series
MediumSingle correct - 4 Apr, Shift 1Q71Number of complexes from the following with even number of unpaired "d" electrons is ________. ,…
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q70The number of unpaired d-electrons in is ________.
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q71If an iron (III) complex with the formula has no electron in its orbital, then the value…
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q70The correct order of ligands arranged in increasing field strength.
Idea: Spectrochemical Series
EasySingle correct - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q71Which one of the following complexes will exhibit the least paramagnetic behaviour ? [Atomic number, Cr = 24, Mn = 25, Fe = 26, Co = 27]
Idea: Spin-only Magnetic Moment
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q71The number of complexes from the following with no electrons in the orbital is ________. ,…
Idea: Tetrahedral Field Splitting and Delta_t Relation
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 6 Apr, Shift 1Q71Consider the following complexes , , ,…
Idea: Spectrochemical Series
MediumSingle correct - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q71Match List - I with List - II. List - I (Tetrahedral Complex) (A) (B) (C)…
Idea: Tetrahedral Field Splitting and Delta_t Relation
New ideaMediumMatch the list - 8 Apr, Shift 1Q71Number of Complexes with even number of electrons in orbitals is - ,…
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q70Match List - I with List - II. List - I (Complex ion) | List - II (Spin only magnetic moment in B.M.) (A) |…
Idea: Spin-only Magnetic Moment
Asked the year beforeMediumMatch the list - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q87Total number of unpaired electrons in the complex ions and is ________.
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 1 Feb, Shift 1Q69Given below are two statements : Statement (I) : A solution of is green in colour. Statement (II) : A…
Idea: Color and d-d Transitions
Asked the year beforeMediumTwo statements - 1 Feb, Shift 2Q70and are respectively known as :
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 27 Jan, Shift 1Q69Consider the following complex ions The correct…
Idea: Spin-only Magnetic Moment
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 31 Jan, Shift 1Q70The correct statements from following are: A. The strength of anionic ligands can be explained by crystal field theory. B. Valence bond…
Idea: Limitations of Crystal Field Theory
New ideaMediumOther - 31 Jan, Shift 1Q86The 'Spin only' Magnetic moment for is _________ BM. (given = Atomic number of Ni : 28)
Idea: Spin-only Magnetic Moment
Asked the year beforeEasyNumerical value - 31 Jan, Shift 2Q70Select the option with correct property -
Idea: Spin-only Magnetic Moment
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 31 Jan, Shift 2Q71Match List I with List II LIST I (Complex ion) | LIST II (Electronic Configuration) A. | I.…
Idea: High and Low Spin States
Asked the year beforeMediumMatch the list
JEE Main 202316 questions in 10 shifts
- 6 Apr, Shift 1 · Q72Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeMedium
- 8 Apr, Shift 1 · Q70High and Low Spin StatesAsked the year beforeMedium
- 8 Apr, Shift 1 · Q72Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeMedium
- 8 Apr, Shift 2 · Q69Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeMedium
- 8 Apr, Shift 2 · Q90Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeMedium
- 10 Apr, Shift 1 · Q69High and Low Spin StatesAsked the year beforeMedium
- 10 Apr, Shift 1 · Q90High and Low Spin StatesAsked the year beforeMedium
- 10 Apr, Shift 2 · Q69High and Low Spin StatesAsked the year beforeMedium
- 10 Apr, Shift 2 · Q70CFSE CalculationAsked the year beforeMedium
- 11 Apr, Shift 1 · Q88Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeEasy
- 11 Apr, Shift 2 · Q69Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeEasy
- 11 Apr, Shift 2 · Q70Color and d-d TransitionsAsked the year beforeMedium
- 12 Apr, Shift 1 · Q72CFSE CalculationAsked the year beforeMedium
- 13 Apr, Shift 2 · Q70Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeEasy
- 15 Apr, Shift 1 · Q70Effect of Metal Oxidation State on SplittingNew ideaMedium
- 15 Apr, Shift 1 · Q89Octahedral Field SplittingAsked the year beforeMedium
JEE Main 202221 questions in 19 shifts
- 25 Jul, Shift 1 · Q86Color and d-d TransitionsAsked the year beforeMedium
- 25 Jul, Shift 2 · Q71Spectrochemical SeriesMedium
- 26 Jul, Shift 1 · Q89Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeEasy
- 26 Jul, Shift 2 · Q71Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeMedium
- 27 Jul, Shift 2 · Q70Pi-Bonding and the Spectrochemical SeriesNew ideaMedium
- 27 Jul, Shift 2 · Q89Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeMedium
- 29 Jul, Shift 1 · Q90CFSE CalculationAsked the year beforeMedium
- 29 Jul, Shift 2 · Q70CFSE and Hydration Enthalpy Double-HumpNew ideaMedium
- 29 Jul, Shift 2 · Q71Jahn-Teller DistortionNew ideaMedium
- 30 Jul, Shift 2 · Q40High and Low Spin StatesAsked the year beforeEasy
- 24 Jun, Shift 2 · Q71Effect of 3d vs 4d vs 5d Series on SplittingNew ideaMedium
- 25 Jun, Shift 1 · Q89Octahedral Field SplittingNew ideaMedium
- 25 Jun, Shift 2 · Q87Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeHard
- 26 Jun, Shift 1 · Q87Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeHard
- 26 Jun, Shift 2 · Q89Octahedral Field SplittingNew ideaMedium
- 27 Jun, Shift 1 · Q71CFSE CalculationAsked the year beforeMedium
- 27 Jun, Shift 2 · Q70Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeMedium
- 28 Jun, Shift 1 · Q69d8 Square Planar PreferenceAsked the year beforeMedium
- 28 Jun, Shift 2 · Q86High and Low Spin StatesAsked the year beforeMedium
- 29 Jun, Shift 2 · Q86Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeMedium
- 30 Jun, Shift 1 · Q87Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeMedium
JEE Main 202111 questions in 11 shifts
- 4 Aug, Shift 1 · Q58d8 Square Planar PreferenceNew ideaMedium
- 26 Aug, Shift 2 · Q39CFSE CalculationAsked the year beforeMedium
- 31 Aug, Shift 2 · Q39Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeMedium
- 24 Feb, Shift 2 · Q40Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeMedium
- 25 Feb, Shift 1 · Q40High and Low Spin StatesAsked the year beforeMedium
- 25 Feb, Shift 2 · Q39Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeMedium
- 22 Jul, Shift 2 · Q58High and Low Spin StatesAsked the year beforeMedium
- 25 Jul, Shift 1 · Q39High and Low Spin StatesAsked the year beforeEasy
- 25 Jul, Shift 2 · Q39Spin-only Magnetic MomentAsked the year beforeEasy
- 16 Mar, Shift 2 · Q59Color and d-d TransitionsNew ideaEasy
- 18 Mar, Shift 1 · Q58High and Low Spin StatesAsked the year beforeEasy
JEE Main 202012 questions in 10 shifts
- 8 Jan, Shift 2 · Q37Spin-only Magnetic MomentNew ideaMedium
- 9 Jan, Shift 2 · Q37High and Low Spin StatesNew ideaMedium
- 2 Sep, Shift 1 · Q36High and Low Spin StatesNew ideaMedium
- 2 Sep, Shift 1 · Q37CFSE CalculationNew ideaHard
- 2 Sep, Shift 2 · Q37Spectrochemical SeriesNew ideaMedium
- 3 Sep, Shift 1 · Q37CFSE CalculationNew ideaMedium
- 3 Sep, Shift 2 · Q37High and Low Spin StatesNew ideaMedium
- 4 Sep, Shift 1 · Q38Spin-only Magnetic MomentNew ideaMedium
- 4 Sep, Shift 2 · Q36CFSE CalculationNew ideaMedium
- 4 Sep, Shift 2 · Q37High and Low Spin StatesNew ideaMedium
- 5 Sep, Shift 1 · Q38CFSE CalculationNew ideaMedium
- 6 Sep, Shift 2 · Q39High and Low Spin StatesNew ideaEasy
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.