JEE Main 2025: NTA scraps optional questions in section B introduced during COVID pandemic

NEW DELHI: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the discontinuation of optional questions in section B of Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2025, which was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Candidates appearing for the JEE Main 2025 exam will no longer have the flexibility to choose 5 out of 10 questions in section B. The change applies to JEE Main 2025 Paper 1 (BE or BTech), Paper 2A (BArch), and Paper 2B (BPlanning), requiring students to attempt all questions without selection options.

The NTA official notification read, "Since the declaration of UN World Health Organization (WHO) on the COVID-19 as an end of Public health emergency on 05 May 2023, it has been decided to discontinue the optional selection of questions. The examination structure would return to its original format, where Section B will contain only 5 (five) questions per subject, and candidates will be required to attempt all 5 (five) questions, without any options for selection in JEE (Main) 2025 for Paper 1 (B.E./B. Tech), Paper 2 A (B Arch) and Paper 2 B (B Planning)."

JEE Main 2025: Reason for scraping optional questions

The optional question format, first implemented in 2021, allowed students to answer any 5 out of 10 questions in Section B of each subject. This adjustment was introduced to accommodate challenges students faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring an end to the public health emergency on 5 May 2023, the NTA has decided to revert to the original examination structure from JEE Mains 2025 onwards.

JEE Mains 2025 registration

The JEE Main 2025 registration process is expected to begin in November 2024. Interested and eligible candidates can fill up the JEE Main 2025 registration form by visiting the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. Both fresh applicants and students re-attempting the exam are eligible, with registration fees varying based on the candidate’s category.

Candidates will be able to complete the JEE Main 2025 registration process by filling in personal, educational, and exam center preference details, uploading necessary documents, and paying the required fee online.

Also read How to prepare for JEE Main 2025 in 3 months? Study plan, important topics

JEE Main 2025 schedule (Tentative)

Candidates can have a look at the JEE Main 2025 tentative schedule below.