Introduction
The Joint Entrance Examination – Main (jee main), formerly known as the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE), is a crucial exam for students aspiring to pursue engineering, architecture, and planning programs in India. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), JEE Main is the gateway to premier technical institutes such as the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs). It also serves as a qualifying exam for JEE Advanced, required for admission into the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
What is JEE Main in India?
jee main is a standardized, computer-based test held twice a year (January and April sessions). It is one of the most competitive exams in India, with over a million students appearing annually. The exam assesses students’ knowledge in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics for B.Tech/B.E. courses and additional subjects for B.Arch and B.Planning.
What is the Difference Between JEE and JEE Main?
Many students often confuse JEE and jee main
. Here’s a breakdown of the difference:
- JEE Main is the first level of the Joint Entrance Examination, conducted by NTA for admissions into NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. It also serves as a preliminary test for JEE Advanced.
- JEE Advanced is the second stage of the exam, conducted by one of the IITs on a rotational basis. Only students who qualify in JEE Main are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced.
Many students get confused between JEE and JEE Main. Here is a clear distinction:
Feature | JEE Main | JEE Advanced |
Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) | IITs |
Eligibility | Open to all eligible candidates | Only top JEE Main qualifiers |
Exam Attempts | 3 consecutive years | 2 consecutive years |
Purpose | Admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs | Admission to IITs |
Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
What is the Eligibility for JEE Main?
Before appearing for
jee main candidates must fulfill the eligibility criteria. The key eligibility requirements are:
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent in 2023 or 2024, or be appearing in 2025.
- Subjects Required: For B.Tech/B.E., Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics are compulsory.
- Number of Attempts: A candidate can attempt JEE Main for three consecutive years.
- Age Limit: There is no age limit, but institutes may have their own age criteria.
- Minimum Percentage: No minimum percentage is required for appearing in the exam, but NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs require 75% in Class 12 (65% for reserved categories) for admissions.
What is JEE Main Exam Structure?
jee main consists of three papers:
- Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech): Computer-based test covering Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- Paper 2A (B.Arch): Includes Mathematics, Aptitude, and a Drawing test.
- Paper 2B (B.Planning): Consists of Mathematics, Aptitude, and Planning-based questions.
From 2025, Section B of Paper 1 now has five compulsory questions instead of five out of ten choices, with negative marking introduced.
JEE Main Exam Mode
Course | Exam Subjects |
B.E./B.Tech | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
B.Arch | Mathematics, Aptitude, Drawing |
B.Planning | Mathematics, Aptitude, Planning |
JEE Main Exam Pattern and Languages
jee main is conducted in 13 languages:
- English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
Sections | B.E./B.Tech | B.Arch | B.Planning |
Mathematics | 30 questions | 30 questions | 30 questions |
Physics | 30 questions | N/A | N/A |
Chemistry | 30 questions | N/A | N/A |
Aptitude | N/A | 50 questions | 50 questions |
Drawing | N/A | 2 questions | N/A |
Planning | N/A | N/A | 25 questions |
Number of Applicants for JEE Main (Year-wise)
B.E./B.Tech
Year | Session 1 | Session 2 | Total Applicants |
2023 | 1,162,398 | 931,510 | 2,093,908 |
2024 | 1,476,557 | 1,179,569 | 2,656,126 |
2025 | 1,311,544 | Upcoming | To be updated |
B.Arch & B.Planning
Year | Session 1 | Session 2 | Total Applicants |
2023 | 99,086 | 73,362 | 172,448 |
2024 | 99,086 | 73,362 | 172,448 |
2025 | Upcoming | Upcoming | To be updated |
JEE Main Counselling Process
The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) conducts centralized counselling for JEE Main qualifiers. The process involves:
- Registration on JoSAA portal
- Choice filling of preferred colleges and courses
- Seat allocation in different rounds
- Document verification and fee payment
Participating Institutes
JEE Main scores are used for admission to:
- 32 NITs
- 26 IIITs
- 40 GFTIs
- Several state and private universities
Number of Applicants Over the Years
jee main has seen fluctuations in the number of applicants. The highest number of applicants was recorded in 2014 with over 1.35 million students. In recent years, the number of applicants has remained around 1.2 million.
Latest Updates on JEE Main 2025
- Reduced Syllabus: In 2024, NTA revised the syllabus to reduce the stress among students.
- Change in Section B: In Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), Section B now has 5 compulsory numerical-type questions, instead of 5 out of 10.
- Exam Conduct: JEE Main 2025 will be held in 13 languages.
History of JEE Main
Originally introduced as the AIEEE in 2002, the exam was renamed JEE Main in 2013. The aim was to standardize engineering admissions across India. Until 2018, JEE Main was conducted in both offline and online modes. Since then, it has been a fully computer-based test (CBT). The COVID-19 pandemic led to multiple attempts being allowed in 2021, a deviation from the usual two-attempt system.
Conclusion
JEE Main is one of the most prestigious engineering entrance exams in India. Understanding its structure, eligibility, and counseling process can help aspirants prepare effectively. As the gateway to top engineering institutes, excelling in JEE Main can open doors to a bright future in the field of engineering, architecture, and planning.
FAQs
Q1: Can I give JEE Main without appearing for Class 12 exams? A: No, candidates must have passed or be appearing for Class 12.
Q2: Is JEE Main compulsory for IIT admission? A: Yes, candidates must qualify JEE Main to appear for JEE Advanced.
Q3: What is the difficulty level of JEE Main? A: JEE Main is moderate to difficult, with a focus on conceptual clarity and application.
Q4: Can I get admission to private colleges with JEE Main scores? A: Yes, many private universities accept JEE Main scores.
Q5: How many attempts can I give for JEE Main? A: You can attempt JEE Main three times in consecutive years.
For further details, visit the official NTA JEE Main website and stay updated on exam notifications.
