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The National Testing Agency (NTA) has recently opened the registration window for the JEE Main 2025. The number of registrations for the entrance exam is considerably slower than in previous years. Only 5.1 lakh students have registered in the first two weeks -- significantly lower than the over 12.21 lakh applications received during the same period in 2023.
The last date for registration is November 22, 2024. Experts have expressed concerns over the slow pace of registrations. They are urging the agency to resolve these issues promptly, as there are just a few days remaining until the application deadline. Amit Ahuja, a career counselling expert at Kota's Allen Career Institute, stated that this year's application procedure is progressing slower than expected.
“The number of applications is considerably lower compared to previous years, which indicates that many students are facing difficulties or delays in completing their applications,” News18 quoted him as saying.
There are several factors, including the new policies and eligibility criteria updates, behind the declining numbers. One of the key challenges is the requirement for additional details, including the category certificate ID, its date of issue, and the name of the issuing officer from the OBC (other backward classes) and EWS (economically weaker sections) categories.
Ahuja added that many students struggled to collect the required paperwork or were concerned they would not meet the new criteria in time. “If these requirements are not relaxed, many eligible students may be forced to apply under the general category, even if they belong to OBC or EWS. This could lead to discrepancies and create further confusion during the admission process,” he said.
Moreover, he said that for admission to top institutes such as the IITs and NITs, category certificates must be granted after April 1, 2025, to be considered valid. As a result, the category information sought during the application process is essentially a formality since students will be required to produce revised certificates during the counselling phase.
Another major concern is the lack of a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document from the agency that administers the exam. Due to this, many applicants are left to navigate the registration process without adequate support.
Several applicants have contacted NTA for an explanation, but many are still awaiting responses.
"Students are in a state of uncertainty and fear they may miss the deadline, which could waste an entire academic year for them. The NTA needs to take immediate action to address these concerns and provide clear instructions and guidance so that every student can apply without any issues," Ahuja added.
Earlier, the NTA revised the tie-breaking rules for the JEE Main 2025. As a result, age criteria have been removed for the calculation of tie-breaking this year. Furthermore, it has implemented changes for the JEE Main 2025 exam for the students categorised as Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
The first session is scheduled from January 22 to 31, 2025, while the second session will be held from April 1 to 8, 2025. Candidates who applied for the JEE Main 2025 can download the admit card from January 19, 2025.
The last date for registration is November 22, 2024. Experts have expressed concerns over the slow pace of registrations. They are urging the agency to resolve these issues promptly, as there are just a few days remaining until the application deadline. Amit Ahuja, a career counselling expert at Kota's Allen Career Institute, stated that this year's application procedure is progressing slower than expected.
“The number of applications is considerably lower compared to previous years, which indicates that many students are facing difficulties or delays in completing their applications,” News18 quoted him as saying.
There are several factors, including the new policies and eligibility criteria updates, behind the declining numbers. One of the key challenges is the requirement for additional details, including the category certificate ID, its date of issue, and the name of the issuing officer from the OBC (other backward classes) and EWS (economically weaker sections) categories.
Ahuja added that many students struggled to collect the required paperwork or were concerned they would not meet the new criteria in time. “If these requirements are not relaxed, many eligible students may be forced to apply under the general category, even if they belong to OBC or EWS. This could lead to discrepancies and create further confusion during the admission process,” he said.
Moreover, he said that for admission to top institutes such as the IITs and NITs, category certificates must be granted after April 1, 2025, to be considered valid. As a result, the category information sought during the application process is essentially a formality since students will be required to produce revised certificates during the counselling phase.
Another major concern is the lack of a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document from the agency that administers the exam. Due to this, many applicants are left to navigate the registration process without adequate support.
Several applicants have contacted NTA for an explanation, but many are still awaiting responses.
"Students are in a state of uncertainty and fear they may miss the deadline, which could waste an entire academic year for them. The NTA needs to take immediate action to address these concerns and provide clear instructions and guidance so that every student can apply without any issues," Ahuja added.
Earlier, the NTA revised the tie-breaking rules for the JEE Main 2025. As a result, age criteria have been removed for the calculation of tie-breaking this year. Furthermore, it has implemented changes for the JEE Main 2025 exam for the students categorised as Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
The first session is scheduled from January 22 to 31, 2025, while the second session will be held from April 1 to 8, 2025. Candidates who applied for the JEE Main 2025 can download the admit card from January 19, 2025.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
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