JEE Main · Chemistry · The p-Block Elements
Group 15 & 16: JEE Main previous year questions
44 questions in the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, in 7 of 8 years. Pattern: Asked most years. 8 came in 2024–26. Here is how it is asked and which ideas come back.
- Questions
- 44
- in 40 of 108 shifts
- Years asked
- 7/8
- last asked 2026
- Weighted estimate
- 0.3
- model; history: 0.3 a shift on average, typically 0.1–0.4
Key findings
- 01
Asked in 7 of 8 years with analysed shifts and in 40 of 108 shifts: 44 questions, #71 of 196 topics.
- 02
36% of its questions since 2020 tested an idea no earlier year had asked; 19 repeated an idea from the year before.
- 03
The most repeated idea is Phosphorus Oxoacids, asked 9 times in 9 shifts (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), most often as “base needed to neutralise phosphorus oxoacids”.
- 04
JEE Main has asked 15 of the 49 ideas in this topic; 26 have never been asked, directly or inside another question.
- 05
Mostly asked as single correct (61%); 23% need a numerical answer, 34% are easy and 2% hard.
- 06
The skill tested most is recall (55%), then conceptual (20%).
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: 4 in 12 shifts · 2021: 11 in 24 shifts · 2022: 18 in 24 shifts · 2023: 3 in 12 shifts · 2024: 3 in 18 shifts · 2025: 2 in 8 shifts · 2026: 3 in 9 shifts.
- Up to 2023
- 0.3
- a shift, of 25
- Since 2024
- 0.2
- -0.1
- Usual gap
- 1.0 yrs
- between years asking it
- Shifts with it
- 40/108
- 37% of analysed shifts
How it is asked
Difficulty, format and skill
Across all 44 questions on Group 15 & 16 since 2017.
Difficulty
QUESTIONS- Easy15 · 34%
- Medium28 · 64%
- Hard1 · 2%
Format
SHARE- Single correct · 27 Q61%
- Numerical value · 10 Q23%
- Other · 3 Q7%
- Two statements · 2 Q5%
- Match the list · 2 Q5%
Skill tested
SHARE- Recall · 24 Q55%
- Conceptual · 9 Q20%
- Application · 6 Q14%
- Multi-step · 4 Q9%
- Calculation · 1 Q2%
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 49 ideas in this topic. 26 have never been asked yet.
- Asked directly15 · 31%
- Touched inside another question8 · 16%
- Never asked26 · 53%
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; 10 came more than once.
base needed to neutralise phosphorus oxoacids
Single correct · 9 shifts · 3 numericalatoms in formula of compound
Single correct · 5 shifts · 2 numericalmatch list on nitrogen oxides and bonds
Single correct · 5 shifts · 1 numericalnature of oxide and hydride of element
Single correct · 4 shiftsmatch list on reactions and gas evolved
Single correct · 4 shiftscount correct statements on nitrogen
Other · 3 shiftscount correct statements on group 15 hydrides
Single correct · 3 shiftsidentify allotropes in conversion sequence
Single correct · 2 shiftsproducts of white phosphorus with naoh
Single correct · 2 shiftsstatements on sulphur allotropes
Numerical value · 2 shifts · 1 numericalidentify reagents in a named test
Single correct · 1 shiftoxidation state of metal in complex
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numericalionisable protons in hydrolysis product
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numericalnon-ionisable hydrogens in hydrolysis product of pcl5
Single correct · 1 shiftcount halides inert to hydrolysis
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numerical
| Idea | Years asked | Times | Shifts | Format | Numerical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus Oxoacidsbase needed to neutralise phosphorus oxoacids | 9 | 9 | Single correctMulti-step | 3 | |
| Sulfur Oxoacidsatoms in formula of compound | 5 | 5 | Single correctRecall | 2 | |
| Nitrogen Oxides Structurematch list on nitrogen oxides and bonds | 5 | 5 | Single correctRecall | 1 | |
| Group 16 Hydrides Trendsnature of oxide and hydride of element | 4 | 4 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Preparation of Dinitrogenmatch list on reactions and gas evolved | 4 | 4 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Anomalous Properties of Nitrogencount correct statements on nitrogen | 3 | 3 | OtherConceptual | – | |
| Group 15 Hydrides Trendscount correct statements on group 15 hydrides | 3 | 3 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Phosphorus Allotropesidentify allotropes in conversion sequence | 2 | 2 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Preparation of Phosphineproducts of white phosphorus with naoh | 2 | 2 | Single correctMulti-step | – | |
| Sulfur Allotropesstatements on sulphur allotropes | 2 | 2 | Numerical valueConceptual | 1 | |
| Brown Ring Test Complexidentify reagents in a named test | 1 | 1 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Brown Ring Test for Nitratesoxidation state of metal in complex | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueConceptual | 1 | |
| Hydrolysis of Phosphorus Halidesionisable protons in hydrolysis product | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueApplication | 1 | |
| Hydrolysis of Phosphorus Halidesnon-ionisable hydrogens in hydrolysis product of pcl5 | 1 | 1 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Sulfur Fluorides Steric Hindrancecount halides inert to hydrolysis | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueApplication | 1 |
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
Group 15 & 16 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 20263 questions in 3 shifts
- 5 Apr, Shift 1Q59Correct statements from the following are: A. Nitrogen in oxidation states from +1 to +4 disproportionates in acid medium. B. Nitrogen has…
Idea: Anomalous Properties of Nitrogen
Asked the year beforeMediumOther - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q70Treatment of a gas 'X' with a freshly prepared ferrous sulphate solution gives a compound 'Y' as a brown ring. The compounds X and Y are.
Idea: Brown Ring Test Complex
New ideaEasySingle correct - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q59Find the correct statements related to group 15 hydrides. A. Reducing nature increases from to B.…
Idea: Group 15 Hydrides Trends
MediumOther
JEE Main 20252 questions in 2 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 2Q59The nature of oxide () and hydride () formed by Te, respectively are :
Idea: Group 16 Hydrides Trends
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 3 Apr, Shift 1Q61Given below are two statements: Statement I : The N - N single bond is weaker and longer than that of P - P single bond. Statement II :…
Idea: Anomalous Properties of Nitrogen
MediumTwo statements
JEE Main 20243 questions in 3 shifts
- 9 Apr, Shift 2Q89Number of oxygen atoms present in chemical formula of fuming sulphuric acid is ________.
Idea: Sulfur Oxoacids
EasyNumerical value - 1 Feb, Shift 2Q66The strongest reducing agent among the following is :
Idea: Group 15 Hydrides Trends
EasySingle correct - 31 Jan, Shift 2Q68Choose the correct statements from the following A. All group 16 elements form oxides of general formula and…
Idea: Group 16 Hydrides Trends
MediumOther
JEE Main 20233 questions in 3 shifts
- 6 Apr, Shift 1Q69Match List I with List II LIST I (Oxide) | LIST II (Type of bond) A. | I. 1 N = O bond B. | II. 1 N – O…
Idea: Nitrogen Oxides Structure
Asked the year beforeMediumMatch the list - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q88The ratio of sigma and bonds present in pyrophosphoric acid is ____________.
Idea: Phosphorus Oxoacids
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 15 Apr, Shift 1Q69The number of P - O - P bonds in , and are respectively
Idea: Phosphorus Oxoacids
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct
JEE Main 202218 questions in 14 shifts
- 26 Jul, Shift 2Q86The number of non-ionisable protons present in the product B obtained from the following reactions is ________.…
Idea: Phosphorus Oxoacids
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 27 Jul, Shift 1Q70Which oxoacid of phosphorous has the highest number of oxygen atoms present in its chemical formula?
Idea: Phosphorus Oxoacids
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 27 Jul, Shift 1Q83Amongst the following, the number of oxide(s) which are paramagnetic in nature is
Idea: Nitrogen Oxides Structure
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 28 Jul, Shift 1Q69Match List - I with List - II, match the gas evolved during each reaction. List - I | List - II (A)…
Idea: Preparation of Dinitrogen
MediumMatch the list - 29 Jul, Shift 2Q87Consider the following sulphur based oxoacids. , , and .…
Idea: Sulfur Oxoacids
Asked the year beforeEasyNumerical value - 24 Jun, Shift 2Q70PCl is well known, but NCl is not. Because,
Idea: Anomalous Properties of Nitrogen
New ideaEasySingle correct - 25 Jun, Shift 2Q86Consider the following reactions : The number of…
Idea: Hydrolysis of Phosphorus Halides
New ideaMediumNumerical value - 26 Jun, Shift 1Q70The correct order of melting points of hydrides of group 16 elements is :
Idea: Group 16 Hydrides Trends
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 26 Jun, Shift 1Q71Consider the following reaction : A + alkali B (Major Product) If B is an oxoacid of phosphorus with no P–H bond, then A is :
Idea: Phosphorus Oxoacids
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 26 Jun, Shift 2Q67The oxide which contains an odd electron at the nitrogen atom is
Idea: Nitrogen Oxides Structure
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 27 Jun, Shift 1Q70Heating white phosphorus with conc. NaOH solution gives mainly :
Idea: Preparation of Phosphine
EasySingle correct - 27 Jun, Shift 2Q66The gas produced by treating an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride with sodium nitrite is
Idea: Preparation of Dinitrogen
EasySingle correct - 28 Jun, Shift 1Q66Nitrogen gas is obtained by thermal decomposition of
Idea: Preparation of Dinitrogen
EasySingle correct - 28 Jun, Shift 2Q70Among the given oxides of nitrogen ; , , and , the number of…
Idea: Nitrogen Oxides Structure
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 28 Jun, Shift 2Q71Which of the following oxoacids of sulphur contains “S” in two different oxidation states ?
Idea: Sulfur Oxoacids
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 29 Jun, Shift 1Q71The oxoacid of phosphorus that is easily obtained from a reaction of alkali and white phosphorus and has two P-H bonds, is :
Idea: Phosphorus Oxoacids
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 30 Jun, Shift 1Q70Red phosphorus Red…
Idea: Phosphorus Allotropes
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 30 Jun, Shift 1Q86In the following brown complex, the oxidation state of iron is +___________.…
Idea: Brown Ring Test for Nitrates
New ideaMediumNumerical value
JEE Main 202111 questions in 11 shifts
- 3 Aug, Shift 1Q37Select from the following, the correct order of reducing property
Idea: Group 16 Hydrides Trends
New ideaEasySingle correct - 26 Aug, Shift 2Q38The number of non-ionisable hydrogen atoms present in the final product obtained from the hydrolysis of is :
Idea: Hydrolysis of Phosphorus Halides
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 27 Aug, Shift 2Q36Which one of the following is formed (mainly) when red phosphorus is heated in a sealed tube at 803 K ?
Idea: Phosphorus Allotropes
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 31 Aug, Shift 2Q36The number of S=O bonds present in sulphurous acid, peroxodisulphuric acid and pyrosulphuric acid, respectively are :
Idea: Sulfur Oxoacids
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 24 Feb, Shift 2Q58Among the following allotropic forms of sulphur, the number of allotropic forms, which will show paramagnetism is __________. (A)…
Idea: Sulfur Allotropes
New ideaMediumNumerical value - 25 Feb, Shift 1Q58Among the following, the number of halide(s) which is/are inert to hydrolysis is ________. (A) (B) (C)…
Idea: Sulfur Fluorides Steric Hindrance
New ideaMediumNumerical value - 25 Feb, Shift 2Q37Given below are two statements : Statement I : and forms of sulphur can change reversibly between themselves with slow…
Idea: Sulfur Allotropes
New ideaEasyTwo statements - 22 Jul, Shift 2Q38Which one of the following group-15 hydride is the strongest reducing agent ?
Idea: Group 15 Hydrides Trends
New ideaEasySingle correct - 16 Mar, Shift 2Q37The exact volumes of 1 M NaOH solution required to neutralise 50 mL of 1 M solution and 100 mL of 2 M…
Idea: Phosphorus Oxoacids
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 17 Mar, Shift 1Q59The reaction of white phosphorus on boiling with alkali in inert atmosphere resulted in the formation of product ‘A’. The reaction of 1…
Idea: Phosphorus Oxoacids
Asked the year beforeHardNumerical value - 17 Mar, Shift 2Q38The set that represents the pair of neutral oxides of nitrogen is :
Idea: Nitrogen Oxides Structure
New ideaEasySingle correct
JEE Main 20204 questions in 4 shifts
- 8 Jan, Shift 1 · Q35Sulfur OxoacidsNew ideaMedium
- 8 Jan, Shift 2 · Q36Preparation of PhosphineNew ideaMedium
- 2 Sep, Shift 1 · Q35Preparation of DinitrogenNew ideaMedium
- 3 Sep, Shift 1 · Q34Phosphorus OxoacidsNew ideaMedium
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.