The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) 2025, the gateway to admission in BTech and BRC courses in NITs, IIITs, and other top engineering colleges in India, has seen an unexpected surge in applications. While the application process, which began on October 28, 2024, initially showed slow progress, it gained significant momentum towards the deadline, with more than 13.8 lakh students applying by November 22. This spike in registrations marks an increase from the initial 5.1 lakh registrations within the first two weeks of the application process.
At first, many speculated that the number of applications for JEE Main 2025 might decrease due to new eligibility criteria and the introduction of special certificates required during the application process. These changes had created some confusion among students, leading to initial hesitations. However, by the end of the registration period, the number of applicants has significantly surpassed expectations, though slightly down from the previous year.
Changes in the JEE Main Exam Format for 2025
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has introduced several key changes for the JEE Main 2025 exams. Here’s a breakdown of the major updates:
- Removal of Optional Questions in Section B:
The optional question system that was introduced during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic in Section B has been removed. This means that candidates will now have to answer five questions in each subject, compared to the previous ten questions. This will certainly change the dynamics of how students approach the exam. - Negative Marking for Numerical Value Questions:
One of the significant changes is the introduction of negative marking for numerical value questions in Section B. Just like the multiple-choice questions (MCQs), incorrect answers to numerical questions will also result in a negative score. This adjustment has raised concerns among some students, but it aims to maintain the integrity and difficulty level of the exam. - Relaxed Age Limit:
The age limit for candidates applying for JEE has been relaxed this year. Now, candidates who have completed their 12th standard education are eligible to apply for the exam, irrespective of their age. This move will allow a larger pool of students to appear for the exam and pursue their engineering aspirations. - Reduced Exam Cities:
The number of JEE Main exam cities has been reduced from 300 to 284 across India. For international centers, the number of exam locations has been decreased from 24 to 14. Notably, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Hong Kong have seen the removal of their exam centers, while new centers have been set up in Bahrain, Germany, Indonesia, and the UAE to cater to international applicants.
JEE Main 2025 Exam Schedule
The JEE Main 2025 exams will be conducted in two sessions:
- Session 1: From January 22 to 31, 2025
- Session 2: From April 1 to 8, 2025
The admit cards for the January session will be available for download from January 19, 2025.
Conclusion
The increase in applications for JEE 2025 is a sign of the growing popularity of the exam, despite some initial confusion and new eligibility criteria. With significant changes in the exam format and structure, students will need to adjust their preparation strategies to tackle the new challenges. However, with the flexibility of age eligibility and the opportunity to appear in two sessions, candidates will have more chances to perform at their best. As the exam dates approach, students are advised to keep an eye on the NTA announcements for any further updates and to download their admit cards ahead of time.
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