JEE -Main 2025: Only 5.1 lakh students registration in the first two weeks – CNBC TV18

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has recently opened a registration window for JEE Main 2025. The number of registration for the entrance examination is much slower than the previous years. Only 5.1 lakh students have registered in the first two weeks – much less than 12.21 lakh applications received during the same period in 2023.

The last date for registration is November 22, 2024. Experts have expressed concern at a slow pace of registration. They are urging the agency to solve these issues immediately, as there are only a few days left for the time limit of the application. Amit Ahuja, a career counseling expert at Elon Career Institute of Kota, said that this year’s application process is moving slowly than expected.

News 19 told him, “The number of applications is much less than previous years, which indicates that many students are facing difficulties or delays in fulfilling their applications.”

There are many factors behind the decreasing numbers, including new policies and eligibility criteria updates. One of the major challenges requires additional details, including the category certificate ID, its problem date, and the name of the officer released from OBC (other backward classes) and EWS (Economically Weaker sections) categories.

Ahuja said that many students struggled to collect the necessary paperwork or were worried that they would not fulfill new norms in time. “If these requirements are not given rest, many eligible students can be forced to apply under the general category, even if they are from OBC or EWS. This can cause discrepancies and create more confusion during the admission process, ”he said.

In addition, he said that for admission to top institutions like IITs and NITs, category certificates should be provided after April 1, 2025, which are considered valid. As a result, the category information sought during the application process is compulsorily a formality as students will require to produce revised certificates during the counseling phase.

Another major concern is that there is a lack of a widely asked question (FAQ) document from the agency that conducts the examination. Due to this, many applicants are left to navigate the registration process without adequate support.

Many applicants have approached NTA for clarification, but many are still waiting for reactions.

“Students are in a state of uncertainty and are afraid that they may remember the time limit, which can ruin an entire academic year for them. NTA to remove these concerns and provide clear instructions and guidance to the NTA immediately There is a need to take action so that every student can apply, “Ahuja said.

Earlier, NTA revised the tie-breaking rules for JEE Main 2025. As a result, age criteria have been removed for calculating tie-breaking this year. In addition, it has implemented changes for the JEE Main 2025 exam, classified for students classified as persons with disabilities (PWDs) and benchmark disability.

The first session is scheduled from January 22 to 31, 2025, while the second session will be held from 1 April to 8, 2025. Candidates applying for JEE Main 2025 can download the admit card from January 19, 2025.