JEE Main · Physics · Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
Lens Maker's Formula: JEE Main previous year questions
44 questions in the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, in 8 of 8 years. Pattern: Asked most years. 21 came in 2024–26. Here is how it is asked and which ideas come back.
- Questions
- 44
- in 40 of 108 shifts
- Years asked
- 8/8
- last asked 2026
- Weighted estimate
- 0.5
- model; history: 0.5 a shift on average, typically 0.3–0.8
Key findings
- 01
Asked in 8 of 8 years with analysed shifts and in 40 of 108 shifts: 44 questions, #72 of 196 topics. It came in every year with analysed shifts.
- 02
37% of its questions since 2020 tested an idea no earlier year had asked; 21 repeated an idea from the year before.
- 03
The most repeated idea is Lenses Separated by a Distance, asked 6 times in 6 shifts (2017, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026), most often as “final image through two separated lenses”.
- 04
JEE Main has asked 16 of the 56 ideas in this topic; 35 have never been asked, directly or inside another question.
- 05
Mostly asked as single correct (52%); 34% need a numerical answer, 27% are easy and 9% hard. It went up from 0.4 to 0.6 questions a shift since 2024.
- 06
The skill tested most is calculation (39%), then multi-step (32%).
Questions a shift, year by year
Out of the 25 Physics 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: 4 in 12 shifts · 2021: 8 in 24 shifts · 2022: 6 in 24 shifts · 2023: 4 in 12 shifts · 2024: 9 in 18 shifts · 2025: 7 in 8 shifts · 2026: 5 in 9 shifts.
- Up to 2023
- 0.4
- a shift, of 25
- Since 2024
- 0.6
- 0.2
- Usual gap
- 1.3 yrs
- between years asking it
- Shifts with it
- 40/108
- 37% of analysed shifts
Recent framings
- object distance for silvered lens
- true statement selection on lens combination
- final image through two separated lenses
Revise first
- Lens Maker's Equation · asked 2024, 2025, 2026
- Lenses Separated by a Distance · asked 2017, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
- Lens Immersed in a Liquid · asked 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
How it is asked
Difficulty, format and skill
Across all 44 questions on Lens Maker's Formula since 2017.
Difficulty
QUESTIONS- Easy12 · 27%
- Medium28 · 64%
- Hard4 · 9%
Format
SHARE- Single correct · 23 Q52%
- Numerical value · 15 Q34%
- Diagram based · 5 Q11%
- Two statements · 1 Q2%
Skill tested
SHARE- Calculation · 17 Q39%
- Multi-step · 14 Q32%
- Data or graph · 5 Q11%
- Conceptual · 4 Q9%
- Application · 3 Q7%
- Diagram reading · 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 16 of the 56 ideas in this topic. 35 have never been asked yet.
- Asked directly16 · 29%
- Touched inside another question5 · 9%
- Never asked35 · 63%
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.
- 7 Apr ’25 S1 · Q42A lens having refractive index 1.6 has focal length of 12 cm, when it is in air. Find the focal length of the lens when it is placed in…
easySingle correctAsked the year before
- 8 Apr ’25 S2 · Q41A concave-convex lens of refractive index 1.5 and the radii of curvature of its surfaces are 30 cm and 20 cm, respectively. The concave…
hardSingle correctAsked the year before
- 29 Jan ’24 S1 · Q45A biconvex lens of refractive index 1.5 has a focal length of 20 cm in air. Its focal length when immersed in a liquid of refractive index…
mediumSingle correctAsked the year before
- 11 Apr ’23 S1 · Q52The radius of curvature of each surface of a convex lens having refractive index 1.8 is 20 cm. The lens is now immersed in a liquid of…
mediumNumerical valueAsked the year before
- 28 Jul ’22 S2 · Q16The power of a lens (biconvex) is in particular medium. Refractive index of the lens is 1.5 and radii of curvature…
mediumSingle correctAsked the year before
- 16 Mar ’21 S2 · Q3Read the question
easySingle correctNew idea
- 7 Apr ’25 S1 · Q42
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
16 different ideas were tested; 9 came more than once.
final image through two separated lenses
Single correct · 6 shifts · 1 numericalfocal length of lens in liquid
Single correct · 6 shifts · 1 numericalrefractive index from focal length
Single correct · 5 shifts · 1 numericaltrue statement selection on lens combination
Single correct · 5 shifts · 1 numericalstatement i/ii on lens images
Single correct · 4 shifts · 1 numericalfocal length from magnification and separation
Numerical value · 3 shifts · 3 numericalfocal length from lens graph
Diagram based · 3 shifts · 1 numericalradius of plano-convex lens from power ratio
Single correct · 3 shifts · 1 numericalpower of lens after cutting
Numerical value · 2 shifts · 1 numericalobject distance for silvered lens
Single correct · 1 shiftimage orientation of slanted object by lens
Diagram based · 1 shiftseparation of two lenses from ray diagram
Single correct · 1 shiftradius of curvature from 1/v versus 1/u graph
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numericalfocal length from distance plot
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numericallens-mirror coincidence then lens image distance
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numericallens power from displacement method
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numerical
| Idea | Years asked | Times | Shifts | Format | Numerical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenses Separated by a Distancefinal image through two separated lenses | 6 | 6 | Single correctMulti-step | 1 | |
| Lens Immersed in a Liquidfocal length of lens in liquid | 6 | 6 | Single correctCalculation | 1 | |
| Lens Maker's Equationrefractive index from focal length | 5 | 5 | Single correctCalculation | 1 | |
| Lenses in Contacttrue statement selection on lens combination | 5 | 5 | Single correctCalculation | 1 | |
| Thin Lens Formulastatement i/ii on lens images | 4 | 4 | Single correctMulti-step | 1 | |
| Lens Magnificationfocal length from magnification and separation | 3 | 3 | Numerical valueCalculation | 3 | |
| v versus u Graphfocal length from lens graph | 3 | 3 | Diagram basedData or graph | 1 | |
| Plano-Convex Lens Focal Lengthradius of plano-convex lens from power ratio | 3 | 3 | Single correctCalculation | 1 | |
| Cutting a Thin Lenspower of lens after cutting | 2 | 2 | Numerical valueApplication | 1 | |
| Silvering of Lens Surfaceobject distance for silvered lens | 1 | 1 | Single correctMulti-step | – | |
| Longitudinal Magnificationimage orientation of slanted object by lens | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedMulti-step | – | |
| Afocal Lens Systemseparation of two lenses from ray diagram | 1 | 1 | Single correctDiagram reading | – | |
| 1/v versus 1/u Graphradius of curvature from 1/v versus 1/u graph | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueData or graph | 1 | |
| Newton's Lens Formulafocal length from distance plot | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueData or graph | 1 | |
| Lens and Curved Mirror Coincidencelens-mirror coincidence then lens image distance | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueMulti-step | 1 | |
| Displacement Methodlens power from displacement method | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueCalculation | 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
Lens Maker's Formula 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 20265 questions in 4 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 2Q49If sunlight is focused on a paper using convex lens, it starts burning the paper in shortest time when the lens is kept at 30 cm above the…
Idea: Lens Maker's Equation
Asked the year beforeEasyNumerical value - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q41A convex lens is made from glass material having refractive index of 1.4 with same radius of curvature on both sides. The ratio of its…
Idea: Lens Maker's Equation
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q40A thin convex lens and a thin concave lens are kept in contact and are co-axial. Which of the following statements is correct for this…
Idea: Lenses in Contact
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q41An object is placed 15 cm on the left of a convex lens of focal length 10 cm. Another convex lens is now placed 15 cm right…
Idea: Lenses Separated by a Distance
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q30A thin biconvex lens is prepared from the glass () both curved surfaces of which have equal radii of 20 cm each. Left side…
Idea: Silvering of Lens Surface
New ideaMediumSingle correct
JEE Main 20257 questions in 5 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 1Q41A slanted object AB is placed on one side of convex lens as shown in the diagram. The image is formed on the opposite side. Angle made by…
Idea: Longitudinal Magnification
New ideaHardDiagram based · figure - 2 Apr, Shift 2Q37A bi-convex lens has radius of curvature of both the surfaces same as cm. If this lens is required to be replaced by another convex…
Idea: Lens Maker's Equation
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 3 Apr, Shift 1Q42The radii of curvature for a thin convex lens are 10 cm and 15 cm respectively. The focal length of the lens is 12 cm. The refractive…
Idea: Lens Maker's Equation
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 7 Apr, Shift 1Q27Two thin convex lenses of focal lengths 30 cm and 10 cm are placed coaxially, 10 cm apart. The power of this combination is:
Idea: Lenses Separated by a Distance
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 7 Apr, Shift 1Q42A lens having refractive index 1.6 has focal length of 12 cm, when it is in air. Find the focal length of the lens when it is placed in…
Idea: Lens Immersed in a Liquid
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q41A concave-convex lens of refractive index 1.5 and the radii of curvature of its surfaces are 30 cm and 20 cm, respectively. The concave…
Idea: Lens Immersed in a Liquid
Asked the year beforeHardSingle correct - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q43A convex lens of focal length 30 cm is placed in contact with a concave lens of focal length 20 cm. An object is placed at 20 cm to the…
Idea: Lenses in Contact
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct
JEE Main 20249 questions in 9 shifts
- 4 Apr, Shift 1Q45An effective power of a combination of 5 identical convex lenses which are kept in contact along the principal axis is 25 D. Focal length…
Idea: Lenses in Contact
EasySingle correct - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q46For the thin convex lens, the radii of curvature are at 15 cm and 30 cm respectively. The focal length the lens is 20 cm. The refractive…
Idea: Lens Maker's Equation
New ideaEasySingle correct - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q45The position of the image formed by the combination of lenses is :
Idea: Lenses Separated by a Distance
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 9 Apr, Shift 1Q45Given below are two statements : Statement (I) : When an object is placed at the centre of curvature of a concave lens, image is formed at…
Idea: Thin Lens Formula
Asked the year beforeMediumTwo statements - 9 Apr, Shift 2Q46The following figure represents two biconvex lenses and having focal length cm and cm respectively. The distance…
Idea: Afocal Lens System
New ideaMediumSingle correct · figure - 1 Feb, Shift 1Q59The distance between object and its 3 times magnified virtual image as produced by a convex lens is 20 cm. The focal length of the lens…
Idea: Lens Magnification
MediumNumerical value - 29 Jan, Shift 1Q45A biconvex lens of refractive index 1.5 has a focal length of 20 cm in air. Its focal length when immersed in a liquid of refractive index…
Idea: Lens Immersed in a Liquid
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 30 Jan, Shift 1Q59The distance between object and its two times magnified real image as produced by a convex lens is 45 cm. The focal length of the lens…
Idea: Lens Magnification
EasyNumerical value - 30 Jan, Shift 2Q59In an experiment to measure the focal length () of a convex lens, the magnitude of object distance () and the image distance ()…
Idea: v versus u Graph
MediumNumerical value · figure
JEE Main 20234 questions in 4 shifts
- 10 Apr, Shift 2Q57A point object, 'O' is placed in front of two thin symmetrical coaxial convex lenses and with focal length 24 cm and 9 cm…
Idea: Thin Lens Formula
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value · figure - 11 Apr, Shift 1Q52The radius of curvature of each surface of a convex lens having refractive index 1.8 is 20 cm. The lens is now immersed in a liquid of…
Idea: Lens Immersed in a Liquid
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 12 Apr, Shift 1Q59Two convex lenses of focal length 20 cm each are placed coaxially with a separation of 60 cm between them. The image of the distant object…
Idea: Lenses Separated by a Distance
MediumNumerical value - 13 Apr, Shift 2Q59A bi convex lens of focal length 10 cm is cut in two identical parts along a plane perpendicular to the principal axis. The power of each…
Idea: Cutting a Thin Lens
Asked the year beforeEasyNumerical value
JEE Main 20226 questions in 5 shifts
- 25 Jul, Shift 2Q38For an object placed at a distance 2.4 m from a lens, a sharp focused image is observed on a screen placed at a distance 12 cm form the…
Idea: Thin Lens Formula
Asked the year beforeHardSingle correct - 26 Jul, Shift 1Q58The graph between and for a thin convex lens in order to determine its focal length is plotted as shown in the…
Idea: 1/v versus 1/u Graph
New ideaMediumNumerical value · figure - 28 Jul, Shift 2Q16The power of a lens (biconvex) is in particular medium. Refractive index of the lens is 1.5 and radii of curvature…
Idea: Lens Immersed in a Liquid
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 28 Jul, Shift 2Q29In an experiment with a convex lens, The plot of the image distance () against the object distance () measured from the focus…
Idea: Newton's Lens Formula
New ideaMediumNumerical value - 24 Jun, Shift 1Q52Two identical thin biconvex lenses of focal length 15 cm and refractive index 1.5 are in contact with each other. The space between the…
Idea: Lenses in Contact
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 27 Jun, Shift 2Q46A convex lens has power P. It is cut into two halves along its principal axis. Further one piece (out of the two halves) is cut into two…
Idea: Cutting a Thin Lens
New ideaMediumSingle correct · figure
JEE Main 20218 questions in 8 shifts
- 4 Aug, Shift 2Q4The reported graph shows the variation of ‘v’ with ‘u’, where ‘u’ represents the distance of the object from the lens and v represent the…
Idea: v versus u Graph
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 26 Aug, Shift 2Q27An object is placed at a distance of 12 cm from a convex lens. A convex mirror of focal length 15 cm is placed on other side of lens at 8…
Idea: Lens and Curved Mirror Coincidence
New ideaHardNumerical value · figure - 27 Aug, Shift 1Q17Find the distance of the image from object O, formed by the combination of lenses in the figure :
Idea: Lenses Separated by a Distance
MediumDiagram based · figure - 27 Aug, Shift 2Q14Curved surfaces of a plano-convex lens of refractive index and a plano-concave lens of refractive index have equal radius…
Idea: Lenses in Contact
New ideaMediumSingle correct · figure - 31 Aug, Shift 1Q6An object is placed at the focus of concave lens having focal length . What is the magnification and distance of the image from the…
Idea: Thin Lens Formula
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 25 Feb, Shift 1Q28The same size images are formed by a convex lens when the object is placed at 20 cm or at 10 cm from the lens. The focal length of convex…
Idea: Lens Magnification
New ideaMediumNumerical value - 16 Mar, Shift 2Q3The refractive index of a converging lens is 1.4. What will be the focal length of this lens if it is placed in a medium of same…
Idea: Lens Immersed in a Liquid
New ideaEasySingle correct - 17 Mar, Shift 1Q13The thickness at the centre of a plano convex lens is 3 mm and the diameter is 6 cm. If the speed of light in the material of the lens is…
Idea: Plano-Convex Lens Focal Length
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct
JEE Main 20204 questions in 4 shifts
- 8 Jan, Shift 1Q25A point object in air is in front of the curved surface of a plano-convex lens. The radius of curvature of the curved surface is 30 cm and…
Idea: Plano-Convex Lens Focal Length
New ideaEasyNumerical value - 4 Sep, Shift 2 · Q24Displacement MethodNew ideaMedium
- 5 Sep, Shift 1 · Q17v versus u GraphNew ideaMedium
- 6 Sep, Shift 2 · Q17Plano-Convex Lens Focal LengthNew 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.