JEE Main 2026 — General Organic Chemistry Question with Solution

Statement I: In the tert-butyl carbocation $(C{H}_3{)}_3{C}^{+}$, there are three methyl groups attached to the carbocationic carbon. Each methyl group has 3 $\alpha$-hydrogens, making a total of 9 $\alpha$-hydrogens. Thus, 9 hyperconjugation interactions are possible, which significantly stabilize the carbocation. Statement I is true.
Statement II: In the methyl carbocation $C{H}_3^{+}$, there are no $\alpha$-carbons and consequently no $\alpha$-hydrogens. Hyperconjugation requires the presence of at least one $\alpha$-hydrogen on a carbon adjacent to the $s{p}^2$ hybridized carbocation center. Therefore, zero hyperconjugation interactions are possible in $C{H}_3^{+}$. Statement II is false because it claims three hyperconjugation interactions are possible.
Conclusion: Statement I is true but Statement II is false.