Equilibrium was asked 117 times in the 111 JEE Main shift papers we counted from 2020 to 2025. That is about one question a paper, or about 4 marks. It is steady: every year averaged between 0.9 and 1.2 questions a paper. Three topics carried 85% of it: chemical equilibrium (42), pH and buffers (30) and solubility product (27).
How many Equilibrium questions come in JEE Main?
| Year | Questions | Shift papers | Average per paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 17 | 14 | 1.2 |
| 2021 | 27 | 26 | 1.0 |
| 2022 | 24 | 24 | 1.0 |
| 2023 | 12 | 12 | 1.0 |
| 2024 | 17 | 18 | 0.9 |
| 2025 | 20 | 17 | 1.2 |
JEE Main is sat in many shifts a year, each with its own paper, so compare the averages and not the yearly totals.
Which topics are asked most?
| Topic | Questions | Share of the chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical equilibrium | 42 | 36% |
| pH and buffers | 30 | 26% |
| Solubility product | 27 | 23% |
| Ionic equilibrium | 13 | 11% |
| Le Chatelier's principle | 5 | 4% |
The chapter splits into two halves that feel different. Chemical equilibrium is about Kc, Kp and how they relate. The ionic half, pH, buffers, solubility and ionisation, is mostly calculation. Together, the ionic topics carried 70 of the 117 questions.
How should I study this chapter?
- Start with Kc and Kp. Practise writing the expression, converting between the two, and setting up an ICE table until it is automatic.
- Then pH, one case at a time. Strong acid, weak acid, weak base, a salt, and a buffer. Most mistakes come from using the wrong case.
- Then solubility product. Practise finding solubility from Ksp, the common-ion effect, and whether a precipitate forms.
- Keep Le Chatelier short. It is asked directly only now and then, but you need it to reason about the rest.
- Finish with mixed shift papers under time. The Equilibrium PYQ page has the count by year and practice questions.
Most of these questions are numerical. For the rule on how numerical answers are marked, see JEE Main numerical answers.
How we counted
We sorted every question in the 111 JEE Main shift papers we hold from 2020 to 2025 by chapter and topic. Another count may place a question differently, so treat these as a guide to where the weight is, not a forecast. NTA does not publish chapter weightage.
Frequently asked questions
Is Equilibrium important for JEE Main?
It is worth about one question, or 4 marks, a paper, and it has been asked at that rate every year since 2020. That makes it a steady scorer rather than a heavy chapter.
Which part of Equilibrium is asked most in JEE Main?
The ionic part. pH and buffers, solubility product and ionic equilibrium together carried 70 of the 117 questions. Chemical equilibrium alone carried 42.
Where can I practise Equilibrium PYQs?
On the Equilibrium PYQ page. With a free account you can also sit every shift paper we hold.