Introduction

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is a national-level entrance exam in India for admission to undergraduate engineering and architecture courses in various institutions, including the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). This article provides a comprehensive guide to JEE Main 2025, covering essential aspects such as eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, and counselling process.

What is JEE Main?

JEE Main is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and serves as a gateway for admission to undergraduate engineering programs (B.E./B. Tech), architecture programs (B.Arch), and planning programs (B.Plan) at National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs), and some other State Government and Private Institutes. It also acts as a screening test for JEE Advanced, which is required for admission to IITs.
The official website for JEE Main 2025 is jeemain.nta.nic.in. The exam is scheduled to be held in two sessions:

• Session 1: January 22 to 31, 2025  
• Session 2: April 1 to 8, 2025 (tentative)  

Who Will Conduct JEE Main and Advanced 2025?

While JEE Main is conducted by the NTA, JEE Advanced is organized by one of the IITs on a rotational basis. The specific IIT responsible for conducting JEE Advanced 2025 has not yet been officially announced. Students can apply for the NTA's Joint Entrance Exam (Main) 2025 if they have passed or are taking their Class 12 exams. IIT Kanpur is expected to administer JEE Advanced 2025. Candidates may apply for the JEE Advanced exam if they place in the top 2.5 lakh and pass JEE Main 2025.

Eligibility Criteria 2025

To appear for JEE Main 2025, candidates must fulfill the following eligibility criteria:

• Year of Appearance in Qualifying Examination: Candidates should have passed their Class 12 or equivalent examination in 2023, 2024, or be appearing for it in 2025.  
• Age Limit: There is no age limit to appear for JEE Main 2025.
• Number of Attempts: Candidates who have completed their class 12 in 2023 or 2024, or are appearing for the class 12 exams in 2024, are eligible to participate in JEE Main 2025. They can attempt the JEE Main exam a maximum of six times in three consecutive years.
• Subjects: Candidates must have studied Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects in their Class 12 or equivalent examination, along with one of the following: Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, or a Technical Vocational subject. 
• Minimum Percentage: While there is no longer a minimum percentage requirement to appear for B.E./B. Tech courses in JEE Main 2025, candidates aiming for admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs should have secured at least 75% marks in their Class 12 board exams or be in the top 20 percentile of their respective boards (65% for SC/ST candidates).

Application Process

The application form for JEE Main 2025 was available online on the official website (jeemain.nta.nic.in) from October 28 to November 22, 2024, for Session 1. The registration for Session 2 will start on January 31, 2025. The application fee is ₹650 for General category candidates and ₹325 for SC/ST/PwD candidates (per session).  

The form correction window for Session 1 was open from November 26 to 27, 2024.  

Exam Pattern 2025

JEE Main 2025 will follow a revised exam pattern, reverting to the pre-pandemic format.

Here are the key highlights of revised exam pattern of JEE Main 2025 Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech.)

Here are the key highlights of revised exam pattern of JEE Main 2025 Paper 2 (B.Arch. & B.Plan.):

Other significant details:

Syllabus 2025

The JEE Main 2025 syllabus covers topics from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics for Paper 1 (B.E./B. Tech). Paper 2A (B.Arch) includes Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing, while Paper 2B (B.Plan) includes Mathematics, Aptitude, and Planning-based questions. The detailed syllabus for each subject can be found on the official JEE Main website (jeemain.nta.nic.in) or other educational websites like Vedantu and Allen.  

Here's a brief overview of the key topics covered in each subject:

Subject-Wise Distribution of Marks

JEE Main Paper 1:

JEE Main B.Arc.:

JEE Main B.Plan.:

Marking Schema

Below is the marking scheme for all papers in the JEE Main examination:

Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech):

Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning):

Paper 2A (B.Arch):

Paper 2B (B.Planning):

JEE Counselling Process 2025

The JEE Main Counselling process is conducted by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) for admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. Here's a step-by-step overview of the process:

• Registration: Candidates who qualify for JEE Main need to register on the JoSAA website (josaa.nic.in).
• Choice Filling: After registration, candidates can fill in their preferred choices of courses and institutes.
• Mock Allotment: JoSAA releases mock allotment results to help candidates understand their chances of getting a seat based on their rank and preferences.
• Seat Allotment: Based on the candidates' merit, choices, and seat availability, JoSAA conducts multiple rounds of seat allotment. 
• Reporting to Allotted Institute: Candidates who are allotted a seat need to report to the respective institute for admission.

Important Dates Calendar

Conclusion

JEE Main 2025 is a crucial step for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate engineering and architecture courses in India. The exam holds significant importance in the context of higher education in the country, as it provides a pathway to prestigious institutions and opens doors to various career opportunities. The competition is fierce, and candidates need to be well-prepared to secure a good rank.

The changes introduced in the exam pattern for 2025, such as the removal of optional questions and the introduction of negative marking for numerical value questions, emphasize the need for a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and greater accuracy in answering. This shift requires students to adopt a more strategic and focused approach to their preparation.

To assist students in their preparation, various resources and support systems are available, including coaching classes, online study materials, and previous years' question papers. Candidates are encouraged to refer to past papers available on the official website to familiarize themselves with the exam format and practice their time management skills.

By understanding the eligibility criteria, exam pattern, syllabus, and counselling process, and by utilizing the available resources effectively, candidates can increase their chances of success in JEE Main 2025 and secure admission to their desired institutions. It is essential to stay updated with the latest information and notifications from the official JEE Main website and other reliable sources.