JEE Main
Engineering
Updated on 2025
The Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) is a National-level entrance exam conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission into Undergraduate (UG) Engineering (B.E./B.Tech), Architecture (B.Arch), and Planning (B.Planning) programs across National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs), and various other state and private colleges. Held Biannually, the exam tests candidates in areas such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Aptitude, and Planning and serves as a gateway to top-ranked colleges in India. Appearing for JEE Main is often the first major step for students aspiring to pursue Engineering, Architecture, or Planning at India’s most reputed institutions. With a single exam score, aspirants can apply to multiple colleges across the country — making it a centralised, merit-based selection tool. Conducted primarily as a Computer Based Test (CBT), JEE Main consists of three distinct papers: Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech, Paper 2A for B.Arch, and Paper 2B for B.Planning. Each paper is a three-hour duration, with a four-hour provision for PwD candidates. The examination features Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) and Numerical Value Questions (NVQ), while the B.Arch paper additionally includes a drawing test. For B.E./B.Tech, Paper 1 comprises 75 questions in total, 25 each from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, adding up to 300 marks. Papers 2A and 2B are scored out of 400 marks. To accommodate linguistic diversity, the exam is offered in 13 languages including English, Hindi, and several regional Indian languages. The typical exam months are January for the first session and April for the second session, with application periods usually in November-December and February-March respectively, based on the previous academic year’s schedule. The syllabus for JEE Main is primarily based on the revised NCERT curriculum for Class 11th and 12th, encompassing core subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, along with Aptitude, Drawing, and Planning for specific papers. Students are expected to demonstrate strong conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills. The Joint Entrance Examination Main is a highly competitive examination, witnessing over one million candidates annually. While exact cutoffs vary each year depending on factors like paper difficulty and the number of applicants, approximately 2.5 lakh candidates qualify to appear for JEE Advanced, the subsequent examination for admission to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology. The competition for securing a coveted seat in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs remains intense, with cutoffs generally trending upwards, reflecting the growing aspirations of students. A unique aspect of JEE Main is its biannual conduct, providing candidates with two opportunities to improve their scores within a single academic year. This feature, coupled with its role as a qualifying exam for JEE Advanced and its national-level acceptance, makes JEE Main a pivotal gateway for engineering, architecture, and planning aspirants across India, paving their way to a promising academic and professional future.
Full Name | Joint Entrance Examination Main |
Short Name | JEE Main |
Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
Domain | Engineering |
Academic Level | UG |
Acceptance Level | National |
Exam Type | National Level Entrance Exam |
Exam Mode | Online (Computer Based Test) for B.E./B.Tech and B.Planning. B.Arch also includes a Drawing Test conducted offline |
Exam Frequency | Biannual (twice a year) |
Application Period | November-December for Session 1, February-March for Session 2 (based on 2024 schedule) |
General Category Fee | INR 1000 (for male candidates in India taking one paper, based on 2024 data) |
Reserved Category Fee | INR 500 (for SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender candidates in India taking one paper, based on 2024 data) |
Typical Exam Months | JanuaryApril |
Result Declaration | Within two to three weeks after each session (based on 2024 schedule) |
Score Validity | One Academic Year (for Admissions In The Same Academic Year The Exam Is Taken) |
Component | Details |
---|---|
Total Papers | Three distinct papers: Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), Paper 2A (B.Arch), Paper 2B (B.Planning) |
Duration per Session | 3 hours (180 minutes) for each paper; 4 hours (240 minutes) for PwD candidates |
Total Questions | Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech): 75 questions (25 each from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics). Paper 2A (B.Arch): 77 questions (Mathematics: 25, Aptitude: 50, Drawing: 2). Paper 2B (B.Planning): 100 questions (Mathematics: 25, Aptitude: 50, Planning: 25) |
Total Marks | Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech): 300 marks. Paper 2A (B.Arch): 400 marks. Paper 2B (B.Planning): 400 marks |
Question Types |
|
Syllabus Based On | NCERT Class 11th and 12th revised syllabus (as per 2024) |
Class Level Syllabus | 11th-12th |
Serves as the qualifying examination for JEE Advanced to enter IITs; offers multiple attempts within a year, allowing candidates to improve their scores; provides admission to a wide range of top engineering, architecture, and planning institutions across India; conducted in multiple regional languages to accommodate diverse linguistic backgrounds.
Centralized counselling is conducted by JoSAA and CSAB based on JEE Main All India Ranks for admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and various state-level institutes. A separate counselling process is followed for admissions to Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) through JEE Advanced.
Counselling Body | Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) and Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) |
Domain of Acceptance | Engineering, Architecture, Planning |
Qualifying JEE Main opens up admission opportunities at India’s most prestigious institutions — known for their academic excellence, robust industry connections, and stellar placement records. The exam serves as the primary gateway to the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs), along with many state-level engineering colleges. Admissions to these highly sought-after institutions are intensely competitive, primarily based on the JEE Main score and subsequent JoSAA and CSAB counselling processes. Among the top institutions, the National Institutes of Technology consistently stand out. Reputable NITs like NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, and NIT Surathkal are highly regarded. Graduates from these NITs often secure average CTCs ranging from 12 LPA to 20 LPA, with top branches witnessing packages upwards of 30 LPA. Typical cutoff percentiles for general category admission to these premier NITs are often above the 98th or 99th percentile, varying by branch. The Indian Institutes of Information Technology, such as IIIT Allahabad, IIIT Delhi, and IIIT Gwalior, are also top choices, particularly for IT and Computer Science related programs, offering average CTCs in the range of 15 LPA to 25 LPA. Other prominent institutions like Delhi Technological University (DTU) and Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT) are highly selective and offer excellent placements, often with average packages between 10 LPA and 18 LPA, requiring JEE Main scores in the high 90s percentile. These institutions attract leading recruiters from global technology giants, top consulting firms, core engineering companies, and innovative startups. Graduates from these colleges often land roles in leading firms like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, and Reliance, with average salary packages ranging from 10 LPA to 20 LPA, showcasing the powerful return on investment of qualifying JEE Main and securing a seat in these premier engineering institutes.
Qualifying the Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) opens doors to some of the most prestigious institutions in India and unlocks access to high-growth career opportunities across sectors. JEE Main serves as the gateway to National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs), and numerous state-level engineering and architecture colleges. These institutions are renowned for their rigorous academic curriculum, esteemed faculty, and cutting-edge infrastructure, offering an education of national repute. Graduates from these premier institutions consistently secure lucrative placements. Average placement packages at top NITs and IIITs typically range from 10 LPA to 20 LPA, with some even reaching 40 LPA or more for top branches and roles in leading companies. Prominent recruiters from various sectors like IT, consulting, core engineering, and finance actively recruit from these campuses, including firms like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, TCS, Infosys, and Reliance. The return on investment for the quality education received is exceptionally high, promising substantial career growth. The engineering and architecture programs offered align directly with in-demand career domains such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Robotics, and Renewable Energy. Students benefit from extensive opportunities for internships, research projects, and industry collaborations, ensuring they are industry-ready upon graduation. Furthermore, degrees from NITs and IIITs are globally recognized, paving the way for international higher studies, research opportunities, and global career prospects. Many alumni pursue master's or PhD degrees at top universities worldwide. JEE Main thus serves as a crucial launchpad, providing aspirants with a solid foundation for lifelong academic and professional success in the dynamic fields of engineering and architecture.
JEE Main continues to evolve each year to stay aligned with modern academic frameworks and career readiness expectations. The National Testing Agency (NTA), the conducting body, periodically introduces changes to enhance fairness, improve accessibility, and ensure the examination accurately assesses candidates' preparedness for engineering and architecture disciplines. For JEE Main 2024, one of the most significant updates was the rationalization of the syllabus. The NTA removed certain topics from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, aligning the curriculum with the revised textbooks and current teaching methodologies of various boards. This reduction aimed to ease the burden on students and allow for more focused preparation on core concepts. Another key aspect maintained was the provision of two examination sessions (January and April), allowing candidates to appear twice and use their best score for merit calculation. While the fundamental structure of the B.E./B.Tech paper, with internal choices in numerical value questions, remained consistent, minor adjustments were observed in the B.Arch and B.Planning papers, particularly concerning the mode of the Drawing Aptitude Test. These updates reflect the exam's commitment to adapting to the educational landscape and student feedback. The rationalized syllabus helps streamline preparation, while the multiple attempts offer flexibility and reduce pressure, ultimately benefiting aspirants by providing improved opportunities to demonstrate their capabilities and secure admission to premier technical institutions. Future iterations of JEE Main are expected to maintain this adaptive approach, with emphasis on digital delivery and student-centric modifications.
Official Website | https://jeemain.nta.ac.in |
Official Email | jeemain@nta.ac.in |
Helpline Numbers | 011-40759000011-69227700 |
Information Brochure | https://jeemain.nta.ac.in/Information_Bulletin_2024.pdf (Link to 2024 Information Bulletin, as the latest official one available) |
Year | Applicants (in lacs) |
---|---|
2022 | 9.05 lakh |
2023 | 11.13 lakh |
2024 | 12.21 lakh |
The Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) serves as a critical national-level entrance examination for undergraduate engineering, architecture, and planning programs. Prospective candidates must understand the application timeline, which typically opens around November to December for the first session and February to March for the second session of the upcoming academic year, based on prior trends. It is crucial to verify eligibility criteria, ensuring compliance with academic qualifications, including passing or appearing for the 10+2 examination with specific subject combinations; notably, there is no age limit for this examination. Candidates are required to furnish personal details, academic qualifications, and upload scanned copies of their photograph and signature during the application process. Category certificates are also necessary for those applying under reserved quotas. The application fee, based on 2024 data, stands at INR 1000 for general male candidates taking one paper in India, while it is INR 500 for SC, ST, PwD, and Third Gender candidates. Payments are exclusively accepted through online modes such as credit or debit cards, net banking, or UPI. Applicants must carefully follow all instructions and guidelines to avoid common mistakes, such as submitting incorrect information or missing the application deadlines, as there is generally no provision for a late fee. The JEE Main score remains valid for admissions only within the academic year in which the examination is taken. Paper 1, for B.E./B.Tech, consists of 75 questions, with 25 questions each from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The admission process primarily relies on the All India Rank secured in JEE Main, leading to centralized counselling conducted by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) and Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) for admissions into NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and other participating institutions. For the upcoming sessions, candidates are strongly advised to meticulously prepare and submit their applications well within the stipulated timelines to ensure their participation in this pivotal examination.
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