The Join Entrance Examination–Main or JEE-Main is a national-level entrance exam conducted for admission to BTech, BE, BArch and B.Plan courses offered at premier technical institutes like the National Institute of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), other centrally funded technical institutes, a few deemed universities and engineering colleges in many states.
Around 2.5 lakh candidates, from all the categories, who scores top marks for the first paper in JEE– ains would be eligible to attempt the JEE–Advanced for admission to the IITs. The admission criteria based on the Mains and the Advanced exams are different.
The JEE–Main entrance exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (www.nta.ac.in). The applicants can attempt the exam twice, that have been scheduled in April and May. In case they attempt both the exams, the best score among the two would be taken as the final score. The candidates can also choose to write the exam only once. However, they cannot appeal for the revaluation of the scores in JEE– Mains. Besides, the marks scored by the candidate for Plus-Two wouldn’t be considered for the JEE ranking.
Test languages
The applicants can write the exams in 13 regional languages, including Malayalam. However, question papers in Malayalam would be available only in the exam centres at Kerala and Lakshadweep.
Application process
The online applications for the Phase 1 exam could be submitted on the website jeemain.nta.nic.in until 5 pm on 31 March. Only a single application is required for this. However, those who wish to write the Phase 2 exam should apply again from 8 April to 3 May. The application, once submitted, would be final and editing or corrections wouldn’t be allowed.
Eligibility
There is no age limit for this exam. However, those who passed Plus-Two in 2020, 2021 and 2022 are eligible for the admission. Three-year diploma courses approved by the All-India Council for Technical Education and the various state boards too would be considered.
The Joint Seat Allocation Authority/ Central Seat Allocation Board allots the seats based on the JEE ranking (https://josaa.nic.in and https://csab.nic.in).
Reservation
15%, 7.5%, 27% and 10% reservation are available for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections. respectively. Meanwhile, 5% seats in each category are reserved for persons with disabilities.
Exam dates
Phase 1: 16–21 April
Phase 2: 24–29 May
The exams are conducted in two shifts, from 9 am to 12 am and 3pm to 6 pm, on the scheduled dates. The candidate could attend the exam in one of the shifts, as preferred. Those who write BArch and BPlan together would get three-and-half hours: 9 – 12.30 pm and 3 to 6.30 pm would be the timing for this one.
Marking system
Four marks would be awarded for the correct answers in the multiple choice/numerical value section. However, 1 mark would be reduced for each wrong answer. Marks will not be reduced for the questions that have been left for review or unattempted.
Ranking method
As the standard of the questions for the exams that are conducted in various sessions and days may vary, the exact marks scored by the candidates wouldn’t be used for ranking. The selection would be based on the All-India Rank prepared by taking the average of the marks in a unique way. The ranks would be finalised after the Phase 2 exam is completed in May.
Exam centres
In Kerala, the exam centres are at Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Chengannur, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Muvattupuzha, Angamaly, Idukki, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur, Payyannur and Kasargod. There is an exam centre in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep, too. The applicants should choose four exam centres in order of preference.
Application fee
The fee for applying for a paper in 1, 2A and 2 B categories is Rs 650. It would be Rs 1,300 in case the candidate applies for one of BArch or BPlan or both, along with paper one. The fee for applying for BArch and BPlan together too is Rs 1,300.
Women candidates, Scheduled Caste/Tribe communities and transgender persons need to pay only half of the above amounts. 18% GST and bank charges would be additionally charged. There will be special application fee if the candidates choose exam centres outside India.
The fee should be paid online.
For communication
The applicants have been instructed to download the central government’s SANDES APP in their mobile phones to make communication effortless. Besides email and text messages, they could get information from this app too. The documents could be downloaded via DigiLocker. The candidates should keep the copy of the confirmation page, admit card and the score card for future reference. They won’t be able to access these after 30 June.
Training for the test
There are more than 1.5 lakh common service centres around the country to assist the applicants. Log into https://findmycsc.nic.in/csc to find out the nearby centre. For information about the test practise centres for free coaching of the computer-based test, visit https://nta.ac.in/PC. You could also get training via National Test Abhyas (https://www.nta.ac.in/abhyas).
Helpline: 011 – 69227700/ jeemain@nta.ac.in.