JEE (Main) 2025 Application Process Faces Delays, Experts Concerned Over Slow Registrations

 The application process for the January session of JEE (Main) 2025, India’s largest engineering entrance exam, is progressing slower than expected. In the first two weeks of registration, only 5.10 lakh students have completed their applications, a sharp drop compared to the 12.21 lakh applications received during the same period last year. The deadline for registration is November 22, but experts are concerned about the slow pace and the challenges faced by applicants.

Challenges for OBC and EWS Applicants
A significant factor contributing to the delay is a new requirement for applicants from the OBC (Other Backward Classes) and EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) categories. For the first time, these applicants must provide additional details, including their category certificate ID, its date of issue, and the name of the issuing officer. This new documentation requirement has caused confusion among students, with many unable to complete their applications due to difficulties in obtaining the necessary certificates.

Impact on Category Certification Validity
Career counselling expert Amit Ahuja from Allen Career Institute in Kota pointed out that many students are struggling to meet these requirements in time. In particular, category certificates for IIT and NIT admissions must be issued after April 1, 2025, to be valid. This has raised concerns, as the category details requested during the application process are largely a formality, with students needing to submit updated certificates during the counselling phase.

Ahuja suggested that the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts JEE (Main), should consider making the category certificate details optional for now, allowing students to complete their applications without further delays.

Lack of Support and Guidance
Another pressing issue is the absence of a comprehensive FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document from the NTA, which has left many students navigating the application process without adequate support. Students have reached out to NTA for clarification on various issues, but many are still awaiting responses. This lack of guidance has left applicants anxious, fearing they might miss the deadline and waste an entire academic year.

Urgent Call for Action
With just over a week remaining before the application deadline, experts are urging the NTA to act quickly to resolve these issues. They emphasize the need for clearer instructions and timely support to ensure all students can complete their applications without complications.

The delay in the application process and the challenges faced by students have raised concerns about the fairness and efficiency of the registration process, with many fearing that these issues could disproportionately affect those from marginalized backgrounds.