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The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced significant updates to the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2025, particularly impacting the tie-breaking policy and provisions for candidates with disabilities. The new rules, unveiled on October 28th, 2023, alongside the opening of the registration period, bring substantial changes to the examination process.
One of the most notable adjustments is the removal of the age criterion from the tie-breaking process. Previously, when candidates achieved identical NTA scores in Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), a descending order of criteria was used to determine their ranking, with age playing a factor. This year, however, the first seven criteria remain unchanged, but the 'older in age' and 'application number in ascending order' criteria have been eliminated. This signifies a shift towards prioritizing academic merit over other factors.
The NTA has also made significant changes to the terminology and provisions for candidates classified as Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). The term 'extra time' or 'additional time' has been replaced with 'compensatory time,' emphasizing the equal opportunity aspect of the provision. This compensatory time, now mandatory for those using a scribe, reader, or lab assistant, must be at least 20 minutes per hour of examination. Furthermore, all candidates with benchmark disabilities eligible for scribe assistance will receive an additional hour for a three-hour exam, regardless of their choice to utilize the scribe facility. For exams shorter than an hour, additional time is allocated on a pro-rata basis, ensuring a minimum of five minutes and being allocated in multiples of five.
Another notable change is the reversion of the website domain for JEE Main. After transitioning to a new site (jeemain.nta.ac.in) last year, NTA has reverted back to the old JEE website (jeemain.nta.nic.in) for this year's examination. This change likely reflects feedback and potential logistical issues associated with the new site. Overall, the NTA's modifications to the JEE Main 2025 process reflect a commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and streamlined administrative procedures, aiming to create a more equitable and supportive examination environment.
Source: JEE Main 2025 updates: NTA rules and guidelines for JEE Main 2025 this year