JEE Main · Chemistry · Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
VSEPR Theory: JEE Main previous year questions
77 questions in the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, in 7 of 8 years. Pattern: Asked most years. 34 came in 2024–26. Here is how it is asked and which ideas come back.
- Questions
- 77
- in 63 of 108 shifts
- Years asked
- 7/8
- last asked 2026
- Weighted estimate
- 0.7
- model; history: 0.6 a shift on average, typically 0.3–0.8
Key findings
- 01
Asked in 7 of 8 years with analysed shifts and in 63 of 108 shifts: 77 questions, #22 of 196 topics.
- 02
35% of its questions since 2020 tested an idea no earlier year had asked; 35 repeated an idea from the year before.
- 03
The most repeated idea is Steric Number Calculation, asked 14 times in 13 shifts (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026), most often as “count species with given hybridisation”.
- 04
JEE Main has asked 25 of the 55 ideas in this topic; 23 have never been asked, directly or inside another question.
- 05
Mostly asked as single correct (40%); 31% need a numerical answer, 36% are easy and 3% hard. It went up from 0.4 to 0.8 questions a shift since 2024.
- 06
The skill tested most is application (43%), then conceptual (29%).
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: 6 in 12 shifts · 2021: 10 in 24 shifts · 2022: 16 in 24 shifts · 2023: 11 in 12 shifts · 2024: 21 in 18 shifts · 2025: 6 in 8 shifts · 2026: 7 in 9 shifts.
- Up to 2023
- 0.4
- a shift, of 25
- Since 2024
- 0.8
- +0.4
- Usual gap
- 1.0 yrs
- between years asking it
- Shifts with it
- 63/108
- 58% of analysed shifts
Recent framings
- predict shapes of ions by VSEPR
- odd-one-out among species pairs
- statement I/II on lone pairs and octet
Revise first
- Steric Number Calculation · asked 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
- Octahedral and Square Planar · asked 2020, 2023, 2026
- Net Dipole Moment from VSEPR Symmetry · asked 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024
How it is asked
Difficulty, format and skill
Across all 77 questions on VSEPR Theory since 2017.
Difficulty
QUESTIONS- Easy28 · 36%
- Medium47 · 61%
- Hard2 · 3%
Format
SHARE- Single correct · 31 Q40%
- Numerical value · 24 Q31%
- Match the list · 12 Q16%
- Two statements · 8 Q10%
- Assertion–reason · 1 Q1%
- Other · 1 Q1%
Skill tested
SHARE- Application · 33 Q43%
- Conceptual · 22 Q29%
- Recall · 10 Q13%
- Multi-step · 7 Q9%
- Calculation · 5 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 55 ideas in this topic. 23 have never been asked yet.
- Asked directly25 · 45%
- Touched inside another question7 · 13%
- Never asked23 · 42%
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.
24 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
25 different ideas were tested; 13 came more than once.
count species with given hybridisation
Numerical value · 13 shifts · 5 numericalpolarity of molecule from geometry
Numerical value · 7 shifts · 4 numericalcount species with given hybridisation
Match the list · 7 shifts · 2 numericalmatch list on molecular shapes
Match the list · 7 shifts · 1 numericalstatement i/ii on vsepr geometry
Numerical value · 5 shifts · 3 numericalcount species with given shape
Numerical value · 4 shifts · 5 numericalstatement i/ii on geometry and aluminium
Numerical value · 4 shifts · 2 numericaldeduce molecular shape from element clues
Single correct · 3 shifts · 1 numericalidentify species by polarity and lone pairs
Single correct · 3 shiftslone pairs and shape of interhalogen molecule
Single correct · 3 shiftsodd-one-out among species pairs
Single correct · 2 shiftsidentify isostructural species
Single correct · 2 shiftsidentify molecule from hybridization and geometry clues
Single correct · 2 shiftspredict shapes of ions by vsepr
Single correct · 1 shiftstatement i/ii on bond angle and ionic character
Two statements · 1 shiftorder/ranking of bond angles
Single correct · 1 shiftstatement i/ii on molecular shape and bond angle
Two statements · 1 shiftodd-electron and expanded-octet molecule pair
Single correct · 1 shiftmatch list on lone pairs of central atom
Match the list · 1 shiftshape and bond angle of a polyhalide ion
Single correct · 1 shiftidentify linear species among given
Single correct · 1 shiftcount species with given shape
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numericalstatement i/ii on bond angles
Two statements · 1 shiftshapes of xenon species
Single correct · 1 shiftstructure of compound in solid state
Single correct · 1 shift
| Idea | Years asked | Times | Shifts | Format | Numerical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steric Number Calculationcount species with given hybridisation | 14 | 13 | Numerical valueApplication | 5 | |
| Net Dipole Moment from VSEPR Symmetrypolarity of molecule from geometry | 8 | 7 | Numerical valueApplication | 4 | |
| Steric Number 4 Shapescount species with given hybridisation | 7 | 7 | Match the listApplication | 2 | |
| Steric Number 5 Derivative Shapesmatch list on molecular shapes | 7 | 7 | Match the listRecall | 1 | |
| Trigonal Bipyramidal Positionsstatement i/ii on vsepr geometry | 5 | 5 | Numerical valueConceptual | 3 | |
| Geometry vs Shape Distinctioncount species with given shape | 5 | 4 | Numerical valueApplication | 5 | |
| Octahedral and Square Planarstatement i/ii on geometry and aluminium | 4 | 4 | Numerical valueApplication | 2 | |
| Square Pyramidal Geometry (SN=6, 1 LP)deduce molecular shape from element clues | 3 | 3 | Single correctApplication | 1 | |
| VSEPR Symmetry and Dipole Momentsidentify species by polarity and lone pairs | 3 | 3 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| T-Shaped Geometry (SN=5, 2 LP)lone pairs and shape of interhalogen molecule | 3 | 3 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Isoelectronic and Isostructural Principleodd-one-out among species pairs | 2 | 2 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Isostructural and Isoelectronic Identificationidentify isostructural species | 2 | 2 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| See-Saw Geometry (SN=5, 1 LP)identify molecule from hybridization and geometry clues | 2 | 2 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Bent Geometry (SN=4, 2 LP)predict shapes of ions by vsepr | 1 | 1 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Bond Angle vs Surrounding Atom Electronegativitystatement i/ii on bond angle and ionic character | 1 | 1 | Two statementsConceptual | – | |
| Bond Angle Deviationsorder/ranking of bond angles | 1 | 1 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Bent Geometry (SN=3, 1 LP)statement i/ii on molecular shape and bond angle | 1 | 1 | Two statementsConceptual | – | |
| VSEPR in Odd-Electron Moleculesodd-electron and expanded-octet molecule pair | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Equatorial Oxygen in TBP Xenon Compoundsmatch list on lone pairs of central atom | 1 | 1 | Match the listApplication | – | |
| Linear Geometry of Trihalide Ionsshape and bond angle of a polyhalide ion | 1 | 1 | Single correctRecall | – | |
| Steric Number 2 Geometryidentify linear species among given | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Steric Number 3 Shapescount species with given shape | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueApplication | 1 | |
| Surrounding Atom Electronegativity Effectstatement i/ii on bond angles | 1 | 1 | Two statementsConceptual | – | |
| Pentagonal Planar Geometry (SN=7, 2 LP)shapes of xenon species | 1 | 1 | Single correctApplication | – | |
| Solid State Ionic Geometriesstructure of compound in solid state | 1 | 1 | Single correctRecall | – |
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
VSEPR 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 20267 questions in 6 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 2Q53is isostructural with: A. B. C. D. E. Choose the correct answer from the…
Idea: Isostructural and Isoelectronic Identification
MediumSingle correct - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q71Consider the following species: , , , , ,…
Idea: Steric Number Calculation
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q59Given below are two statements : Statement I : Aluminium upon reaction with NaOH forms ion. Statement II : The…
Idea: Octahedral and Square Planar
MediumTwo statements - 6 Apr, Shift 1Q54The pairs among , ,…
Idea: Isoelectronic and Isostructural Principle
MediumSingle correct - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q53Given below are two statements : Statement I : The number of compounds among , , ,…
Idea: Steric Number Calculation
Asked the year beforeHardTwo statements - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q59Given below are two statements : Statement I : is the correct trend in terms of bond angle. Statement II :…
Idea: Bond Angle vs Surrounding Atom Electronegativity
New ideaMediumTwo statements - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q53Bromine trifluoride autoionizes to form and . The shapes of the cation and anion are…
Idea: Bent Geometry (SN=4, 2 LP)
New ideaMediumSingle correct
JEE Main 20256 questions in 5 shifts
- 2 Apr, Shift 1Q57Among , , , , and , the hybridization of the…
Idea: VSEPR Symmetry and Dipole Moments
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 2 Apr, Shift 1Q61A molecule with the formula has all it's elements from p-block. Element A is rarest, monoatomic, non-radioactive from its…
Idea: Square Pyramidal Geometry (SN=6, 1 LP)
Asked the year beforeHardSingle correct - 2 Apr, Shift 2Q57Which among the following molecules is (a) involved in hybridization, (b) has different bond lengths and (c) has lone pair of…
Idea: See-Saw Geometry (SN=5, 1 LP)
EasySingle correct - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q56Given below are two statements : Statement (I) : For (with lone pairs on Cl), all three possible structures may be drawn…
Idea: Trigonal Bipyramidal Positions
Asked the year beforeMediumTwo statements · figure - 7 Apr, Shift 1Q58Match the LIST-I with LIST-I LIST-I (Molecule / ion) | LIST-II (Bond pair : lone pair (on the central atom)) A. | I. 4…
Idea: Steric Number Calculation
Asked the year beforeMediumMatch the list - 7 Apr, Shift 2Q58In , and the hybridizations at the central atom are respectively :
Idea: Steric Number Calculation
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct
JEE Main 202421 questions in 14 shifts
- 4 Apr, Shift 1Q62Which one of the following molecules has maximum dipole moment ?
Idea: Net Dipole Moment from VSEPR Symmetry
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 4 Apr, Shift 1Q68Number of molecules/ions from the following in which the central atom is involved in hybridization is ________.…
Idea: Steric Number Calculation
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q68The number of species from the following that have pyramidal geometry around the central atom is ______…
Idea: Steric Number 4 Shapes
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q82Number of compounds / species from the following with non-zero dipole moment is ________.…
Idea: Net Dipole Moment from VSEPR Symmetry
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q62Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A) : …
Idea: Net Dipole Moment from VSEPR Symmetry
Asked the year beforeMediumAssertion–reason - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q67Match List - I with List - II. List - I List - II (A) ICl (I) T - shape (B) (II) Square pyramidal (C) …
Idea: Steric Number 5 Derivative Shapes
MediumMatch the list - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q82Number of compounds from the following with zero dipole moment is ________. , , ,…
Idea: Net Dipole Moment from VSEPR Symmetry
Asked the year beforeEasyNumerical value - 6 Apr, Shift 1Q62Match List I with List II LIST I (Molecule / Species) A. B. NO C. D. LIST II…
Idea: Steric Number 4 Shapes
Asked the year beforeMediumMatch the list - 6 Apr, Shift 1Q68Match List I with List II LIST I (Compound/Species) A. B. C. D. LIST…
Idea: Steric Number 5 Derivative Shapes
EasyMatch the list - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q62Given below are two statements : Statement I : and both exhibit hybridisation. Statement II :…
Idea: Steric Number Calculation
Asked the year beforeMediumTwo statements - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q82Total number of species from the following with central atom utilising hybrid orbitals for bonding is ________.…
Idea: Steric Number Calculation
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 8 Apr, Shift 1Q62Match List I with List II LIST I (Molecule): A. ; B. ; C. ; D. LIST II…
Idea: Steric Number 4 Shapes
Asked the year beforeEasyMatch the list - 9 Apr, Shift 1Q62In which one of the following pairs the central atoms exhibit hybridization ?
Idea: Steric Number Calculation
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 9 Apr, Shift 2Q62The correct increasing order for bond angles among , and is :
Idea: Bond Angle Deviations
New ideaMediumSingle correct - 1 Feb, Shift 1Q82The number of molecules/ion/s having trigonal bipyramidal shape is ________. , , ,…
Idea: Trigonal Bipyramidal Positions
MediumNumerical value - 27 Jan, Shift 1Q61Choose the polar molecule from the following :
Idea: VSEPR Symmetry and Dipole Moments
New ideaEasySingle correct - 29 Jan, Shift 1Q83Number of compounds with one lone pair of electrons on central atom amongst following is ________…
Idea: Steric Number 5 Derivative Shapes
MediumNumerical value - 30 Jan, Shift 1Q62Match List - I with List - II. List - I (Molecule) List - II (Shape) (A) (I) T-shape (B) (II) See saw (C)…
Idea: Steric Number 5 Derivative Shapes
EasyMatch the list - 30 Jan, Shift 2Q62Given below are two statements: Statement - I: Since Fluorine is more electronegative than nitrogen, the net dipole moment of…
Idea: VSEPR Symmetry and Dipole Moments
New ideaMediumTwo statements - 30 Jan, Shift 2Q63The molecule / ion with square pyramidal shape is
Idea: Square Pyramidal Geometry (SN=6, 1 LP)
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 31 Jan, Shift 1Q83The number of species from the following in which the central atom uses hybrid orbitals in its bonding is _________.…
Idea: Steric Number 4 Shapes
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value
JEE Main 202311 questions in 9 shifts
- 6 Apr, Shift 1Q83The number of species from the following which have square pyramidal structure is ________…
Idea: Square Pyramidal Geometry (SN=6, 1 LP)
New ideaMediumNumerical value - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q82The number of species having a square planar shape from the following is ______________. , ,…
Idea: Octahedral and Square Planar
MediumNumerical value - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q82The number of species from the following carrying a single lone pair on central atom Xenon is ____________. ,…
Idea: Steric Number Calculation
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 10 Apr, Shift 1Q72The pair from the following pairs having both compounds with net non-zero dipole moment is
Idea: Net Dipole Moment from VSEPR Symmetry
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 10 Apr, Shift 1Q83The number of bent-shaped molecule/s from the following is ______________ , , ,…
Idea: Geometry vs Shape Distinction
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 10 Apr, Shift 1Q89The sum of lone pairs present on the central atom of the interhalogen and is __________
Idea: Geometry vs Shape Distinction
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 10 Apr, Shift 2 · Q82Geometry vs Shape DistinctionAsked the year beforeMedium
- 11 Apr, Shift 1 · Q62Steric Number 4 ShapesAsked the year beforeEasy
- 11 Apr, Shift 2 · Q82Octahedral and Square PlanarMedium
- 13 Apr, Shift 2 · Q61Bent Geometry (SN=3, 1 LP)New ideaMedium
- 15 Apr, Shift 1 · Q63Steric Number 4 ShapesAsked the year beforeMedium
JEE Main 202216 questions in 14 shifts
- 26 Jul, Shift 1 · Q61Steric Number 5 Derivative ShapesEasy
- 27 Jul, Shift 2 · Q88Steric Number 4 ShapesNew ideaMedium
- 29 Jul, Shift 1 · Q61VSEPR in Odd-Electron MoleculesNew ideaEasy
- 29 Jul, Shift 1 · Q68Steric Number CalculationAsked the year beforeEasy
- 29 Jul, Shift 2 · Q82Steric Number CalculationAsked the year beforeMedium
- 30 Jul, Shift 2 · Q57Geometry vs Shape DistinctionNew ideaMedium
- 24 Jun, Shift 1 · Q63Steric Number CalculationAsked the year beforeMedium
- 25 Jun, Shift 2 · Q83Net Dipole Moment from VSEPR SymmetryMedium
- 26 Jun, Shift 2 · Q83Geometry vs Shape DistinctionNew ideaMedium
- 27 Jun, Shift 1 · Q62T-Shaped Geometry (SN=5, 2 LP)Asked the year beforeEasy
- 27 Jun, Shift 2 · Q62Trigonal Bipyramidal PositionsAsked the year beforeEasy
- 28 Jun, Shift 1 · Q83Steric Number CalculationAsked the year beforeEasy
- 28 Jun, Shift 2 · Q63Steric Number 5 Derivative ShapesEasy
- 29 Jun, Shift 2 · Q63Isoelectronic and Isostructural PrincipleNew ideaEasy
- 29 Jun, Shift 2 · Q70T-Shaped Geometry (SN=5, 2 LP)Asked the year beforeEasy
- 30 Jun, Shift 1 · Q82Net Dipole Moment from VSEPR SymmetryEasy
JEE Main 202110 questions in 10 shifts
- 3 Aug, Shift 1 · Q32Surrounding Atom Electronegativity EffectNew ideaMedium
- 27 Aug, Shift 1 · Q33Equatorial Oxygen in TBP Xenon CompoundsNew ideaMedium
- 27 Aug, Shift 2 · Q54Steric Number 3 ShapesNew ideaEasy
- 24 Feb, Shift 1 · Q31Isostructural and Isoelectronic IdentificationNew ideaMedium
- 24 Feb, Shift 2 · Q32Linear Geometry of Trihalide IonsNew ideaEasy
- 25 Feb, Shift 2 · Q31See-Saw Geometry (SN=5, 1 LP)New ideaEasy
- 22 Jul, Shift 2 · Q31Steric Number CalculationNew ideaMedium
- 17 Mar, Shift 1 · Q31T-Shaped Geometry (SN=5, 2 LP)New ideaEasy
- 17 Mar, Shift 2 · Q31Steric Number 2 GeometryNew ideaMedium
- 18 Mar, Shift 2 · Q52Trigonal Bipyramidal PositionsAsked the year beforeMedium
JEE Main 20206 questions in 5 shifts
- 8 Jan, Shift 2 · Q49Trigonal Bipyramidal PositionsNew ideaMedium
- 2 Sep, Shift 1 · Q29Net Dipole Moment from VSEPR SymmetryNew ideaEasy
- 2 Sep, Shift 2 · Q29Steric Number 5 Derivative ShapesNew ideaEasy
- 2 Sep, Shift 2 · Q36Pentagonal Planar Geometry (SN=7, 2 LP)New ideaMedium
- 4 Sep, Shift 2 · Q30Octahedral and Square PlanarNew ideaMedium
- 5 Sep, Shift 1 · Q36Solid State Ionic GeometriesNew 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.