The JEE Main is a premier engineering entrance exam in India, drawing millions of students each year. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), it paves the way for admission to top-tier institutes like NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, while also serving as a gateway to JEE Advanced for IIT admissions. This comprehensive guide, crafted with insights from HenceProve, covers everything you need to succeed in JEE Main 2025, from exam dates to counselling, results, cut-offs, and syllabus, plus answers to common questions to fuel your preparation.
Table of Contents
1) Overview of JEE Main
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the NTA to assess candidates’ knowledge and problem-solving abilities in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. It is the first stage of the JEE system and serves two primary purposes:
- Admission to Engineering Programs: Secures seats in B.E./B.Tech and B.Arch/B.Planning programs at NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and other institutes.
- Eligibility for JEE Advanced:Top 2,50,000 performers qualify for JEE Advanced, the pathway to the 23 IITs.
Key Features:
- Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Exam Mode: Computer-based test (CBT) for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) and partially for Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning)
- Frequency: Twice a year (January and April sessions)
- Eligibility: Candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination with a minimum of 75% marks (65% for SC/ST candidates) in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- Structure: Consists of two papers:
- Paper 1: For B.E./B.Tech (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)
- Paper 2: For B.Arch/B.Planning (Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing/Planning)
With over a million aspirants annually, JEE Main tests conceptual depth and analytical skills, making it a vital step for engineering careers. HenceProve offers real exam simulators and mock tests to sharpen your skills.
2) Exam Dates
JEE Main 2025 was conducted in two sessions to provide candidates with multiple opportunities to improve their scores. The exam dates were:
Session | Dates |
Session 1 | January 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, and February 1, 2025 |
Session 2 | April 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9, 2025 |
Additional Details:
- Application Process: Registration for Session 1 opened in November 2024, with a correction window on November 26–27, 2024. Session 2 registration began in February 2025.
- Admit Cards: Released a few days before each session, downloadable from jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- City Intimation Slips: Issued in advance to inform candidates of their exam city.
Candidates are advised to check the official NTA website for updates on future exam schedules, as dates for 2026 are expected to be announced in November 2025.
3) How to do JoSAA Counselling
The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) manages the counselling process for JEE Main and JEE Advanced, allocating seats in 127 institutes, including 23 IITs, 31 NITs, IIEST Shibpur, 26 IIITs, and 47 other GFTIs. The process is centralized and conducted online, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
JoSAA Counselling Process:
- Registration: Candidates register on the JoSAA portal using their JEE Main or JEE Advanced credentials.
- Choice Filling: Candidates select their preferred institutes and courses in order of preference.
- Seat Allotment: Seats are allocated based on rank, category, and availability. Candidates can choose to freeze (accept the seat), float (accept but remain eligible for better options), or slide (accept but seek a better course in the same institute).
- Document Verification: Conducted online to verify eligibility.
- Fee Payment and Reporting: Candidates pay the seat acceptance fee (₹30,000 for General, ₹15,000 for reserved categories in 2025) and report to the allotted institute.
2025 Highlights:
- Counselling began on June 3, 2025, with the first round of seat allotment announced on June 14, 2025.
- Six rounds of counselling were conducted, with the final round completed by July 2025.
- Any remaining vacant seats were allocated through CSAB counselling.
Key Resources:
- Official JoSAA Website: josaa.nic.in
- Check the JoSAA schedule for detailed timelines and seat matrix.
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4) Results
JEE Main results are announced separately for each session, typically a few weeks after the exams. The results include the candidate’s score, percentile, and All India Rank (AIR), which are used for counselling and admission.
2025 Results:
- Session 1 : Announced in February 2025.
- Session 2 Results:
- Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech): Announced on April 18, 2025.
- Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning): Announced on May 23, 2025.
- Toppers: 24 candidates secured a 100 percentile in JEE Main 2025, achieving AIR 1.
How to Check Results:
- Visit jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- Log in using your application number and password.
- Download the scorecard for future reference.
Result Components:
- Score: Total marks obtained in the exam.
- Percentile: Normalized score reflecting performance relative to other candidates.
- All India Rank (AIR): Used for counselling and admission.
- Cut-Off: Released alongside results to determine eligibility for JEE Advanced.
The best score from both sessions is used. HenceProve mock tests help predict your performance.
5) Cut Off for different category
The JEE Main cut-off is the minimum percentile required to qualify for JEE Advanced or secure admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. There are two types of cut-offs:
- Qualifying Cut-Off: For eligibility to appear in JEE Advanced.
- Admission Cut-Off: Opening and closing ranks for specific institutes, released during JoSAA counselling.
JEE Main 2025 Qualifying Cut-Off Percentiles:
Category | Cut-Off Percentile |
General (UR) | 93.1023262 |
OBC-NCL | 79.4313582 |
EWS | 80.3830119 |
SC | 61.1526933 |
ST | 47.9026465 |
Key Points:
- The cut-off varies each year based on factors like the number of candidates, exam difficulty, and seat availability.
- For top NITs (e.g., NIT Surathkal, NIT Warangal), candidates typically need a rank within the top 2,000 for Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and 5,000–10,000 for Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE).
- Candidates can check institute-wise admission cut-offs on the JoSAA website after each counselling round.
6) Syllabus of Mains
The JEE Main 2025 syllabus is based on the NCERT curriculum for Classes 11 and 12, covering Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. It is designed to test candidates’ conceptual understanding and application skills.
Key Subjects and Topics:
- Physics: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism, Optics, Modern Physics, Experimental Skills (Section B: 20% weightage).
- Chemistry: Physical Chemistry (e.g., Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding), Organic Chemistry (e.g., Hydrocarbons, Biomolecules), Inorganic Chemistry (e.g., Periodic Table, Coordination Compounds).
- Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry, Vectors, Probability.
Important Notes:
- The syllabus is available as a PDF on the NTA website: JEE Main Syllabus 2025.
- Candidates should focus on both theoretical concepts and numerical problem-solving.
- The Physics section includes practical aspects, with 80% weightage on theory and 20% on experimental methods.
Use HenceProve’s mock tests to master numerical problem-solving.
JEE Main is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the NTA for admission to undergraduate engineering programs in NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and other institutes. It also serves as a qualifying exam for JEE Advanced.
Stay connected with us at HenceProve to be updated on all the latest changes. Moreover, HenceProve also provides IIT real exam simulator and IIT JEE Main mock test to boost your preparation and help students get admission into their desired colleges.
7) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is JEE Main?
A national-level entrance exam conducted by the NTA for admission to undergraduate engineering programs in NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and other institutes. It also serves as a qualifying exam for JEE Advanced.
Q2. How many times is the JEE Main conducted in a year?
It is conducted twice a year, typically in January and April, giving candidates two opportunities to improve their scores.
Q3. What are the eligibility criteria for JEE Main?
Class 12 pass with 75% (65% for SC/ST) in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (2023–2025).
Q4. What is the difference between JEE Main and JEE Advanced?
JEE Main is for NITs, IIITs, GFTIs; JEE Advanced is for IITs, requiring top 2,50,000 ranks.
Q5. How is the JEE Main exam structured?
- Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech): 90 questions (30 each in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics), 300 marks, computer-based.
- Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning): Includes Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing/Planning sections, partially computer-based.
Q6. What is the marking scheme for JEE Main?
For Paper 1, each correct answer earns 4 marks, with a 1-mark deduction for incorrect answers. Paper 2 has a varying marking scheme depending on the section.
Q7. How are ties resolved?
Ties are resolved by prioritizing higher marks in Mathematics, then Physics, then Chemistry, followed by the candidate’s date of birth (older candidates preferred).
Q8. What is the counselling process after JEE Main?
JoSAA allocates seats via registration, choice filling, and verification.
Q9. Can I appear for JEE Main if I have not studied in India?
Yes, Indian citizens abroad meeting eligibility can apply.
Q10. Is there a negative marking in JEE Main?
Yes, -1 per incorrect answer in Paper 1; varies in Paper 2.