6 Major Changes Introduced by NTA For JEE Main 2025 That All Aspirants Should Know

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has introduced several updates to the JEE Main 2025 examination process. These changes aim to make the exam more streamlined, transparent, and aligned with current requirements. If you are preparing for JEE Main 2025, it is important to understand these updates to plan your preparation accordingly. Let’s dive into the six major changes announced by NTA.

1. Revised Exam Pattern

The exam pattern for JEE Main 2025 has been updated, and the optional questions in Section B, introduced during the pandemic, have been removed. Now, all candidates must attempt all 25 questions in each subject (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics). Here’s a breakdown of the new pattern:

Paper Sections Questions per Section Question Types
1 Physics 20 MCQs + 5 NVQs All questions are mandatory.
  Chemistry 20 MCQs + 5 NVQs  
  Mathematics 20 MCQs + 5 NVQs  
2 B.Arch/B.Planning As per NTA guidelines  

This change emphasizes comprehensive preparation for all topics, with no room for optionality.

Also Check: JEE Main 2025 Eligibility Criteria

2. Negative Marking for Numerical Value Questions (NVQs)

Earlier, numerical value questions did not have negative marking, but starting from JEE Main 2025, incorrect answers in NVQs will now attract negative marks.

Question Type Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
MCQs +4 -1
NVQs +4 -1

This change requires candidates to be extra cautious while answering NVQs to avoid unnecessary loss of marks.

3. Revised Tie-Breaking Rule

To ensure fairness in rankings, the tie-breaking rule has been updated. Age and application number are no longer considered. Instead, ranks will now be determined as follows:

Criteria for Tie-Breaking Description
1. Higher NTA Score in Mathematics Candidate with better Math score is ranked higher.
2. Higher NTA Score in Physics Used if Math scores are tied.
3. Higher NTA Score in Chemistry Checked if Physics scores are also tied.
4. Incorrect/Correct Ratio in All Subjects Lower ratio gets preference.
5. Subject-Specific Ratios (Math, Physics, Chemistry) Further tie resolution based on individual subject performance.
6. Same Rank If still tied, candidates are awarded the same rank.

This approach ensures a more performance-focused ranking system.

4. Removal of Age Limit for Eligibility

NTA has removed the upper age limit for JEE Main 2025. Now, anyone meeting the educational qualifications can apply, regardless of their age. This decision is a big relief for candidates who may have taken gap years or are older than the previous limits.

Also Check: JEE Main 2025 Exam Date

5. Reduction in Exam Centers

The number of exam centers for JEE Main 2025 has been reduced, which could affect candidates’ convenience. The number of cities in India has decreased from 300 to 284, while international centers have dropped from 24 to 14.

Region Change Summary
Odisha Reduced from 23 to 17 centers.
Tamil Nadu Removed 3 centers, added 2 new ones.
Andhra Pradesh Lost 12 centers, biggest reduction.
Telangana Added 2 new centers to accommodate demand.
International Centers reduced; new cities added in UAE, Bahrain, etc.

Candidates are advised to plan travel and accommodation early to avoid last-minute hassles.

6. Updated Syllabus

The syllabus for JEE Main 2025 has been modified, with some topics removed and others added to streamline the curriculum.

Physics: Topics Removed

  • Scalars & Vectors
  • Vector Addition & Subtraction
  • Unit Vectors

Chemistry: Topics Removed

  • States of Matter
  • Surface Chemistry
  • General Principles of Metal Isolation

Mathematics: No significant changes compared to the previous year.

Also Check: JEE Main 2025 Admit Card

Impact on Aspirants

These changes make it crucial for aspirants to:

  1. Focus on every topic in the syllabus, as optional questions are removed.
  2. Be extra careful with NVQs due to the introduction of negative marking.
  3. Prepare for travel and logistics early, given the reduced number of exam centers.

FAQs

The JEE Main 2025 exam will now have 75 mandatory questions (25 per subject). There will no longer be optional questions, and negative marking has been reintroduced for numerical value-based questions.

Candidates will be ranked based on their scores in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and the ratio of correct to incorrect answers. If a tie still exists, the candidates will be given the same rank.

The syllabus for JEE Main 2025 remains the same as last year. The topics removed and added in the previous year's syllabus will continue for 2025.

Yes, the number of exam centers has been reduced from 300 to 284. Some cities have been removed, while a few new ones, including international locations, have been added.

The exam will follow the NCERT syllabus, but there could be new types of questions designed to test problem-solving skills. The overall difficulty level is expected to be similar to pre-pandemic years.

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