JEE Main · Physics · Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits
Semiconductor Diodes: JEE Main previous year questions
60 questions in the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, in 7 of 8 years. Pattern: Asked most years. 19 came in 2024–26. Here is how it is asked and which ideas come back.
- Questions
- 60
- in 54 of 108 shifts
- Years asked
- 7/8
- last asked 2026
- Weighted estimate
- 0.5
- model; history: 0.4 a shift on average, typically 0.3–0.6
Key findings
- 01
Asked in 7 of 8 years with analysed shifts and in 54 of 108 shifts: 60 questions, #42 of 196 topics.
- 02
35% of its questions since 2020 tested an idea no earlier year had asked; 29 repeated an idea from the year before.
- 03
The most repeated idea is Zener Diode Regulation, asked 15 times in 15 shifts (2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025), most often as “ammeter reading in zener circuit”.
- 04
JEE Main has asked 17 of the 59 ideas in this topic; 40 have never been asked, directly or inside another question.
- 05
Mostly asked as numerical value (35%); 35% need a numerical answer, 30% are easy and 0% hard.
- 06
The skill tested most is calculation (42%), then multi-step (18%).
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: 0 in 1 shift · 2020: 7 in 12 shifts · 2021: 14 in 24 shifts · 2022: 16 in 24 shifts · 2023: 4 in 12 shifts · 2024: 11 in 18 shifts · 2025: 3 in 8 shifts · 2026: 5 in 9 shifts.
- Up to 2023
- 0.4
- a shift, of 25
- Since 2024
- 0.5
- 0.1
- Usual gap
- 1.0 yrs
- between years asking it
- Shifts with it
- 54/108
- 50% of analysed shifts
Recent framings
- true statement on depletion width asymmetry
- assertion-reason on semiconductor diodes
- numerical: series resistance for Zener diode
Revise first
- Zener Diode Regulation · asked 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025
- Ideal vs. Practical Diode Circuit Analysis · asked 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
- Forward and Reverse Biasing · asked 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026
How it is asked
Difficulty, format and skill
Across all 60 questions on Semiconductor Diodes since 2017.
Difficulty
QUESTIONS- Easy18 · 30%
- Medium42 · 70%
- Hard0 · 0%
Format
SHARE- Numerical value · 21 Q35%
- Diagram based · 20 Q33%
- Single correct · 15 Q25%
- Assertion–reason · 2 Q3%
- Two statements · 1 Q2%
- Match the list · 1 Q2%
Skill tested
SHARE- Calculation · 25 Q42%
- Multi-step · 11 Q18%
- Data or graph · 8 Q13%
- Conceptual · 6 Q10%
- Diagram reading · 5 Q8%
- Recall · 3 Q5%
- Application · 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 17 of the 59 ideas in this topic. 40 have never been asked yet.
- Asked directly17 · 29%
- Touched inside another question2 · 3%
- Never asked40 · 68%
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.
17 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
17 different ideas were tested; 10 came more than once.
ammeter reading in zener circuit
Numerical value · 15 shifts · 10 numericaltime constant of rc circuit with diodes
Diagram based · 12 shifts · 5 numericalassertion-reason on semiconductor diodes
Diagram based · 6 shiftsseries resistance for zener diode
Numerical value · 5 shifts · 3 numericaloutput waveform of diode clipper circuit
Diagram based · 3 shiftswavelength emitted from band gap
Single correct · 3 shifts · 1 numericalphotodiode band gap from threshold wavelength
Single correct · 3 shiftstrue statement on depletion width asymmetry
Numerical value · 2 shifts · 1 numericalwhy photodiode is reverse biased
Single correct · 2 shiftsidentify device i-v characteristic graph
Diagram based · 2 shiftsidentify device from i-v characteristic
Single correct · 1 shiftvoltage across load in diode circuit
Diagram based · 1 shiftratio of dynamic resistance from diode i-v graph
Diagram based · 1 shiftbattery current in multi-diode resistor network
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numericaldoping and depletion width for zener breakdown
Single correct · 1 shiftstatement i/ii on rectifier filtering
Two statements · 1 shiftmatch list on rectifier power supply components
Match the list · 1 shift
| Idea | Years asked | Times | Shifts | Format | Numerical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zener Diode Regulationammeter reading in zener circuit | 15 | 15 | Numerical valueCalculation | 10 | |
| Ideal vs. Practical Diode Circuit Analysistime constant of rc circuit with diodes | 12 | 12 | Diagram basedMulti-step | 5 | |
| Forward and Reverse Biasingassertion-reason on semiconductor diodes | 6 | 6 | Diagram basedDiagram reading | – | |
| Zener Diode Power Dissipation Limitsseries resistance for zener diode | 5 | 5 | Numerical valueCalculation | 3 | |
| Diode Clipper Circuitsoutput waveform of diode clipper circuit | 3 | 3 | Diagram basedData or graph | – | |
| LED Bandgap and Emission Wavelengthwavelength emitted from band gap | 3 | 3 | Single correctCalculation | 1 | |
| Optoelectronic Diodesphotodiode band gap from threshold wavelength | 3 | 3 | Single correctCalculation | – | |
| Depletion Region Formationtrue statement on depletion width asymmetry | 2 | 2 | Numerical valueCalculation | 1 | |
| Photodiode Reverse Bias Rationalewhy photodiode is reverse biased | 2 | 2 | Single correctCalculation | – | |
| Solar Cell V-I Characteristicsidentify device i-v characteristic graph | 2 | 2 | Diagram basedData or graph | – | |
| I-V Characteristicsidentify device from i-v characteristic | 1 | 1 | Single correctData or graph | – | |
| Piecewise Linear Diode Modelvoltage across load in diode circuit | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedMulti-step | – | |
| Dynamic Resistance Calculationratio of dynamic resistance from diode i-v graph | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedData or graph | – | |
| Multi-Diode State Determinationbattery current in multi-diode resistor network | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueMulti-step | 1 | |
| Avalanche vs. Zener Breakdown Mechanismsdoping and depletion width for zener breakdown | 1 | 1 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Capacitor Filter Smoothingstatement i/ii on rectifier filtering | 1 | 1 | Two statementsConceptual | – | |
| Diode as a Rectifiermatch list on rectifier power supply components | 1 | 1 | Match the listRecall | – |
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
Semiconductor Diodes 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 1Q37For the given circuit (shown in part (A)) the time dependent input voltage and corresponding output are shown in part…
Idea: Diode Clipper Circuits
MediumDiagram based · figure - 4 Apr, Shift 1Q42Consider a circuit consisting of a capacitor (F), resistor () and two identical diodes as shown in figure. The…
Idea: Ideal vs. Practical Diode Circuit Analysis
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q45Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R Assertion A: A diode under…
Idea: Forward and Reverse Biasing
MediumAssertion–reason - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q46A diode has Zener voltage of 10 V and maximum power dissipation of 0.5 W, then the minimum resistance to be used in series with this diode…
Idea: Zener Diode Power Dissipation Limits
MediumNumerical value - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q45In a semiconductor p-n diode, the doping concentrations on p-side and n-side are atoms/cm and atoms/cm,…
Idea: Depletion Region Formation
MediumSingle correct
JEE Main 20253 questions in 3 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 1Q45A zener diode with 5 V zener voltage is used to regulate an unregulated dc voltage input of 25 V. For a resistor connected…
Idea: Zener Diode Regulation
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 7 Apr, Shift 1Q45In the following circuit, the reading of the ammeter will be (Take Zener breakdown voltage = 4 V)
Idea: Zener Diode Regulation
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q45The output voltage in the following circuit is (Consider ideal diode case)
Idea: Ideal vs. Practical Diode Circuit Analysis
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure
JEE Main 202411 questions in 11 shifts
- 4 Apr, Shift 1Q48The value of net resistance of the network as shown in the given figure is :
Idea: Ideal vs. Practical Diode Circuit Analysis
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q31Which of the diode circuit shows correct biasing used for the measurement of dynamic resistance of p-n junction diode :
Idea: Forward and Reverse Biasing
Asked the year beforeEasyDiagram based · figure - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q60A potential divider circuit is connected with a dc source of 20 V, a light emitting diode of glow in voltage 1.8 V and a zener diode of…
Idea: Zener Diode Regulation
MediumNumerical value · figure - 9 Apr, Shift 1Q48A light emitting diode (LED) is fabricated using GaAs semiconducting material whose band gap is eV. The wavelength of light emitted…
Idea: LED Bandgap and Emission Wavelength
EasySingle correct - 9 Apr, Shift 2Q49The - characteristics of an electronic device shown in the figure. The device is :
Idea: I-V Characteristics
New ideaEasySingle correct · figure - 1 Feb, Shift 1Q48In the given circuit if the power rating of Zener diode is 10 mW, the value of series resistance to regulate the input unregulated…
Idea: Zener Diode Power Dissipation Limits
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct · figure - 1 Feb, Shift 2Q48Conductivity of a photodiode starts changing only if the wavelength of incident light is less than 660 nm. The band gap of photodiode is…
Idea: Optoelectronic Diodes
MediumSingle correct - 27 Jan, Shift 1Q48Which of the following circuits is reverse - biased ?
Idea: Forward and Reverse Biasing
Asked the year beforeEasyDiagram based · figure - 29 Jan, Shift 1Q48In the given circuit, the breakdown voltage of the Zener diode is 3.0 V. What is the value of ?
Idea: Zener Diode Regulation
MediumDiagram based · figure - 30 Jan, Shift 1Q48A Zener diode of breakdown voltage 10 V is used as a voltage regulator as shown in the figure. The current through the Zener diode is :
Idea: Zener Diode Regulation
MediumDiagram based · figure - 30 Jan, Shift 2Q49In the given circuit, the voltage across load resistance () is:
Idea: Piecewise Linear Diode Model
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure
JEE Main 20234 questions in 4 shifts
- 6 Apr, Shift 2Q42Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R Assertion A: Diffusion current in a…
Idea: Forward and Reverse Biasing
Asked the year beforeMediumAssertion–reason - 10 Apr, Shift 1Q43A zener diode of power rating 1.6 W is to be used as voltage regulator. If the zener diode has a breakdown of 8 V and it has to regulate…
Idea: Zener Diode Power Dissipation Limits
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 10 Apr, Shift 2Q43If each diode has a forward bias resistance of 25 in the below circuit, which of the following options is correct:
Idea: Forward and Reverse Biasing
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 15 Apr, Shift 1Q43In the given circuit, the current (I) through the battery will be
Idea: Ideal vs. Practical Diode Circuit Analysis
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure
JEE Main 202216 questions in 14 shifts
- 25 Jul, Shift 1Q59The energy band gap of semiconducting material to produce violet (wavelength Å) LED is ______ eV. (Round off to the nearest…
Idea: LED Bandgap and Emission Wavelength
EasyNumerical value - 25 Jul, Shift 2Q56Two ideal diodes are connected in the network as shown is figure. The equivalent resistance between A and B is _______ .
Idea: Ideal vs. Practical Diode Circuit Analysis
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value · figure - 26 Jul, Shift 1Q60In the circuit shown below, maximum zener diode current will be __________ mA.
Idea: Zener Diode Regulation
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value · figure - 28 Jul, Shift 1Q49Identify the solar cell characteristics from the following options :
Idea: Solar Cell V-I Characteristics
New ideaEasyDiagram based · figure - 29 Jul, Shift 1Q60If the potential barrier across a p-n junction is 0.6 V. Then the electric field intensity, in the depletion region having the width of…
Idea: Depletion Region Formation
New ideaEasyNumerical value - 29 Jul, Shift 2Q58A 8 V Zener diode along with a series resistance R is connected across a 20 V supply (as shown in the figure). If the maximum Zener…
Idea: Zener Diode Regulation
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value · figure - 30 Jul, Shift 2Q18[figure: I-V graph] The I-V characteristics given in above figure is related to:
Idea: Solar Cell V-I Characteristics
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure - 24 Jun, Shift 2Q55In the given circuit, the value of current will be ________ mA. (When = 1k)
Idea: Zener Diode Regulation
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value · figure - 25 Jun, Shift 1Q47The photodiode is used to detect the optical signals. These diodes are preferably operated in reverse biased mode because :
Idea: Photodiode Reverse Bias Rationale
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 26 Jun, Shift 1Q49The I-V characteristics of a p-n junction diode in forward bias is shown in the figure. The ratio of dynamic resistance, corresponding to…
Idea: Dynamic Resistance Calculation
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure - 26 Jun, Shift 1Q58As per the given circuit, the value of current through the battery will be __________ A.
Idea: Multi-Diode State Determination
New ideaMediumNumerical value · figure - 27 Jun, Shift 2Q60The cut-off voltage of the diodes (shown in figure) in forward bias is 0.6 V. The current through the resister of 40 is ________…
Idea: Ideal vs. Practical Diode Circuit Analysis
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value · figure - 28 Jun, Shift 1Q47For using a multimeter to identify diode from electrical components, choose the correct statement out of the following about the diode :
Idea: Forward and Reverse Biasing
New ideaEasySingle correct - 28 Jun, Shift 2Q49In the given circuit the input voltage is shown in figure. The cut-in voltage of p-n junction diode ( or ) is 0.6 V.…
Idea: Diode Clipper Circuits
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 28 Jun, Shift 2Q52A zener of breakdown voltage V=8 V and maximum zener current, I=10 mA is subjected to an input voltage V=10 V with series…
Idea: Zener Diode Regulation
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value · figure - 30 Jun, Shift 1Q60The circuit diagram used to study the characteristic curve of a zener diode is connected to variable power supply (0−15 V) as shown in…
Idea: Zener Diode Power Dissipation Limits
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value · figure
JEE Main 202114 questions in 12 shifts
- 26 Aug, Shift 2Q22For the given circuit, the power across zener diode is __________ mW.
Idea: Zener Diode Regulation
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value · figure - 27 Aug, Shift 1 · Q21Ideal vs. Practical Diode Circuit AnalysisAsked the year beforeMedium
- 27 Aug, Shift 2 · Q30Zener Diode Power Dissipation LimitsNew ideaMedium
- 31 Aug, Shift 1 · Q1Diode Clipper CircuitsNew ideaMedium
- 31 Aug, Shift 2 · Q18Capacitor Filter SmoothingNew ideaEasy
- 24 Feb, Shift 1 · Q28Zener Diode RegulationAsked the year beforeMedium
- 24 Feb, Shift 2 · Q18Avalanche vs. Zener Breakdown MechanismsNew ideaEasy
- 25 Feb, Shift 1 · Q7Ideal vs. Practical Diode Circuit AnalysisAsked the year beforeMedium
- 25 Feb, Shift 2 · Q19Diode as a RectifierNew ideaEasy
- 26 Feb, Shift 1 · Q20Optoelectronic DiodesAsked the year beforeEasy
- 26 Feb, Shift 1 · Q28Ideal vs. Practical Diode Circuit AnalysisAsked the year beforeMedium
- 26 Feb, Shift 2 · Q21Zener Diode RegulationAsked the year beforeEasy
- 22 Jul, Shift 2 · Q18Photodiode Reverse Bias RationaleNew ideaEasy
- 22 Jul, Shift 2 · Q28Zener Diode RegulationAsked the year beforeMedium
JEE Main 20207 questions in 6 shifts
- 9 Jan, Shift 1 · Q25Ideal vs. Practical Diode Circuit AnalysisNew ideaMedium
- 9 Jan, Shift 2 · Q20Ideal vs. Practical Diode Circuit AnalysisNew ideaMedium
- 9 Jan, Shift 2 · Q25Zener Diode RegulationNew ideaMedium
- 3 Sep, Shift 1 · Q20Ideal vs. Practical Diode Circuit AnalysisNew ideaEasy
- 3 Sep, Shift 2 · Q19LED Bandgap and Emission WavelengthNew ideaEasy
- 4 Sep, Shift 1 · Q19Zener Diode RegulationNew ideaMedium
- 5 Sep, Shift 1 · Q19Optoelectronic DiodesNew 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.