JEE Mains Maths, 2021 to 2026: 3,556 questions, and Conic Sections up to one in eight

Conic Sections: 2.24 a paper in 2021–24 → 2.97 in 2025–26

It was already the largest chapter; on the shorter papers it has grown again, to roughly one question in every eight. It has been the largest chapter in almost every year of the grid.

Relations and Functions: 1.28 a paper in 2021–24 → 1.73 in 2025–26

A middling chapter in the early papers, it now sits beside Three Dimensional Geometry and Sequences and Series. Much of it is numeric-answer counting, so it rewards practice more than reading.

Application of Integrals: 0.75 a paper in 2021–24 → 1.03 in 2025–26

It has moved from the long tail into the core. The questions have not changed shape: sketch the region, then integrate.

Quadratic Equations: 0.78 a paper in 2021–24 → 1.00 in 2025–26

A small rise, into the core. It is also the algebra behind Complex Numbers and several calculus questions, so the time is well spent either way.

Trigonometric Identities: 0.28 a paper in 2021–24 → 0.51 in 2025–26

Most of the rise is a single year that set far more than usual. Treat it as a small chapter that sometimes spikes, not as a growing one.

Application of Derivatives: 1.12 a paper in 2021–24 → 0.59 in 2025–26

It was a core chapter in the early papers and is now in the long tail. Still learn maxima, minima and monotonicity: they return inside other chapters.

Differentiation: 0.61 a paper in 2021–24 → 0.35 in 2025–26

Fewer questions ask for a derivative on its own. The rules are still needed everywhere in calculus, so learn them through the chapters that use them.

Determinants: 1.00 a paper in 2021–24 → 0.84 in 2025–26

A small fall, from the core into the long tail. Its questions remain routine once the system-of-equations checks are known.