The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the schedule and detailed guidelines for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2025, a key examination for students seeking admission to undergraduate engineering and architecture programs in India. The examination will be conducted in two sessions, with the first session scheduled between January 22 and January 31, 2025, and the second session to be held in April 2025.

The JEE Main 2025 Paper 1 (BE/BTech) will be held on January 22, 23, 24, 28, and 29. Exams will be held in two shifts every day during these dates. First shift timings are 9 AM to 12 noon, and the second shift will be from 3 PM to 6 PM. B Arch and B Planning exams, for students who are appearing for both exams, will be held for 3 hours and 30 minutes.

It is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) that the JEE Main 2025 will be provided in multiple languages, such as English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu, thereby being inclusive for all candidates of the country.

Exam Centers and Choice of Cities

Candidates can select any of four cities as preferred examination center and NTA will allow the display based on the Permanent and Present address provided in online registration. The centers for candidates appearing from abroad will be established only in centers where there is a sizable number of candidates. The NTA has also facilitated international candidates by allowing them to choose centers located in neighboring countries or within India, according to their preference. The NTA will try its best to assign the centers in the candidate’s preferred cities. However, if necessary, the NTA will not hesitate to allocate the centers in other cities.

Eligibility and PwBD Guidelines

Candidates with disabilities are eligible to appear for the said examination as per the guidelines of NTA. The candidates having disabilities shall abide by the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. Those availing of the scribe facility must complete the required certification forms as outlined in the information bulletin and relevant public notices. Candidates are advised to ensure all necessary details are filled out, while specific sections such as roll number and exam center details will be completed at the examination venue.

Category Certificates

Unlike previous years, candidates are not required to upload category certificates during the online application process. Instead, they are required to furnish the certificate number, date of issue, and issuing authority. For candidates who have applied for their category certificate but have not received it, details of the acknowledgment or receipt must be entered in the application form. However, this acknowledgment does not guarantee admission, as the final verification of the certificate will occur during the counseling process. Importantly, candidates cannot use the category certificates of parents or siblings to fulfill this requirement.

Exam Structure and Marking Scheme

The JEE Main 2025 consists of two parts. Section A has MCQs, whereas Section B needs the answer to be given as a number. Both sections will have all the questions compulsorily attempted with a negative marking scheme applicable throughout both sections. Five subjects will be chosen for the examination and include Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as mandatory subjects.

Extra Instructions and Clarifications

The NTA emphasized that the details of the guidelines are to be followed as presented in the information bulletin and the official public notice. Candidates should read all the guidelines carefully to avoid discrepancies at the time of application and during the examination.

As one of the most important entrance exams for aspiring engineers and architects, JEE Main is the door to some of the most coveted institutions in India, including Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and other centrally funded technical institutions. Through its multi-session format, inclusive language options, and robust guidelines, the NTA seeks to ensure a smooth and fair examination process for all candidates.

More information, including public notices and information bulletins, is available on the official NTA website. Candidates are encouraged to keep abreast of all developments and register well in advance of the deadlines to avoid last-minute hassles.