NTA Exam Calendar 2025 Updates: JEE Main, NEET UG, CUET dates expected soon

Going by past year trends, the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main will be conducted in two sessions – January and April, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) will be conducted on the first Sunday of May and the Common University Entrance Test UG (CUET UG) will be held in phases in May and June.

Pankaj Sijariya, chemistry faculty, Physics Wallah (PW) opines that this change is likely beneficial for students, as a higher total score previously resulted in increased cutoffs, costing a huge difference in ranks even for minor mistakes. “With this adjustment, a 99 percentile score that used to be around 200 marks, may now be achievable at around 170 marks, thereby reducing the pressure on students,” he added.

Read | ‘This may affect cut-off,’ says expert as JEE Main aspirants react on scrapping of optional questions

NEET UG 2024: May 5, June 23

NEET UG 2023: May 7

NEET UG 2022: July 17

NEET UG 2021: September 12

NEET UG 2020: September 13, October 14

In a notification issued by NTA on October 17,  the NTA said that the registration process for the online JEE Main 2025 application form “will be starting in due course of time”.

There is no confirmation of the change in the NEET UG exam pattern. The change in the NEET UG 2025 exam pattern will be announced well in advance to give time for preparation.

With the discontinuation of optional questions, the JEE Main 2025 exam structure will return to its pre-Covid format, where section B of each subject will consist of five mandatory numerical-type questions. The change applies to Paper 1 (BE/BTech), Paper 2A (BArch), and Paper 2B (BPlanning). As the registration process for JEE Main 2025 is set to open soon, both aspirants and coaching institutes are bracing for the challenges ahead. While the NTA maintains that the decision aligns with the post-pandemic landscape, the true test will come when students face the revised format next year.

Candidates taking the exam can check the exam dates, eligibility, application dates and more at nta.ac.in.

In 2024, CUET UG was held between May 15 and 29, the NEET UG was held on May 5 and the JEE Main exam was conducted in two sessions — first in January between January 24 and February 1 and the next in April, from April 1 to 12.

There is no confirmation whether the NEET UG exam pattern will change. However, the NTA has introduced changes in the JEE Main pattern.

NEET UG 2024: May 5, June 23

NEET UG 2023: May 7

NEET UG 2022: July 17

NEET UG 2021: September 12

NEET UG 2020: September 13, October 14

As per the data shared by the Joint Admission Board (JAB) in the Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) report 2024, the most popular branch at IIT Bombay, in terms of choice count of candidates, turned out to be Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). As per the report, CSE at IIT Bombay was chosen by 25,481 candidates, which is an increase from 21,893 in 2023.

If you are sincere about becoming a doctor and think you can perform better with more time to prepare, then taking a drop year to be ready for NEET UG can be a wise choice. It’s crucial to thoroughly consider the benefits and drawbacks, and if you decide to drop, make sure you have a strong plan and support network in place.

With the discontinuation of optional questions, the JEE Main 2025 exam structure will return to its pre-Covid format, where section B of each subject will consist of five mandatory numerical-type questions. The change applies to Paper 1 (BE/BTech), Paper 2A (BArch), and Paper 2B (BPlanning). As the registration process for JEE Main 2025 is set to open soon, both aspirants and coaching institutes are bracing for the challenges ahead. While the NTA maintains that the decision aligns with the post-pandemic landscape, the true test will come when students face the revised format next year.

There is no confirmation of the change in the NEET UG exam pattern. The change in the NEET UG 2025 exam pattern will be announced well in advance to give time for preparation.

IIT-Delhi’s Computer Science Engineering branch has been the most popular choice among the JEE aspirants. As per the Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) report 2024, a total of 25,064 students showed their interest in pursuing Computer Science Engineering (CSE) from IIT Delhi. As compared to last year, this time, there was a 14.8 per cent rise in IIT Delhi’s popularity.

The next popular course after CSE is Electrical Engineering which also saw a 14 per cent increase from 19064 in 2023 to 21,855 choice count this year. The other top choices (third, fourth and fifth) were Mechanical Engineering (19,035), four-year course of Mathematics and Computing (18,760), and Electrical Engineering (Power and Automation) (16,226).

A student from NIT Silchar, who appeared in JEE Main 2021, said that aspirants who took the exam during the pandemic time had the advantage of choosing easier questions from the optional section, potentially boosting their scores. Those taking it in 2025 will not have that flexibility. He further said that students do rely on optional questions in JEE Main to manage time and maximize the scores.

“They could focus on JEE Main questions they found easier or more familiar, skipping the difficult ones in section B,” the NIT Silchar student added saying that the change makes the exam more uniform and may encourage students to focus on mastering all topics, but it reduces flexibility for managing time and difficulty preferences.

"The recent NTA notification has removed the optional questions from Section B for all subjects in the JEE Main paper. Previously, students could attempt 5 out of 10 questions per subject in Section B, but now every subject will consist of only 25 mandatory questions collectively. This change is likely beneficial for students, as a higher total score previously resulted in increased cutoffs, costing a huge difference in ranks even for minor mistakes. With this adjustment, a 99 percentile score that used to be around 200 marks, may now be achievable at around 170 marks, thereby reducing the pressure on students."

- Pankaj Sijariya, Chemistry Faculty, Physics Wallah (PW)

All 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in the country are offering fee concessions and relaxation in already lower cut-off to students from reserved categories. This is done to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all, according to officials. Read more

Pankaj Sijariya, chemistry faculty, Physics Wallah (PW) opines that this change is likely beneficial for students, as a higher total score previously resulted in increased cutoffs, costing a huge difference in ranks even for minor mistakes. “With this adjustment, a 99 percentile score that used to be around 200 marks, may now be achievable at around 170 marks, thereby reducing the pressure on students,” he added.

Read | ‘This may affect cut-off,’ says expert as JEE Main aspirants react on scrapping of optional questions

The adjustment to remove the optional questions in section B seems natural to me, Sandeep Mehta, co-founder, Vidyamandir Classes said. The extra questions were a temporary measure designed to address the difficulties presented by Covid-19. Exams are now back to their regular format, and candidates need to show that they have mastered the full syllabus, which is in line with JEE Main's original goal. It promotes careful planning and fair evaluation of every learner, he added.

In light of the revised exam format, learners should adjust their study plans by focusing on comprehensive coverage of the syllabus and ensuring consistent practice across all topics, without leaving out any weak areas, Ujjwal Singh, Founding CEO, Infinity Learn by Sri Chaitanya said. To enhance their performance, learners should practice more to avoid silly mistakes and strengthen their calculation skills. It’s essential for them to attempt multiple practice tests that reflect the revised pattern, which will help boost their proficiency and confidence in tackling all questions effectively, he added.

Going by past year trends, the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main will be conducted in two sessions – January and April, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) will be conducted on the first Sunday of May and the Common University Entrance Test UG (CUET UG) will be held in phases in May and June.

NEET UG 2025 might be the best option for people who think they can handle the level of preparation in a short amount of time. However, for students wanting a more balanced approach to learning, with the opportunity to go further into their studies, aiming for NEET UG 2026 may prove more useful. Securing a spot in a medical institution while keeping a good balance with their academic career should be the ultimate goal.

Read More | NEET UG 2025 Vs NEET UG 2026: What should class 12 students aim for?

Take into account your goals, your academic standing, and the amount of time you have available to prepare before deciding whether to take the JEE Main or Advanced exam. JEE Advanced is the ultimate aim if your dream is to get into an IIT, however keep in mind that passing JEE Main is just the first step. However, achieving success in JEE Main ought to be your first objective if you are hoping to attend NITs or other reputable universities. Whichever option you select, the secret to success on both tests is consistency and dedication.

The optional section was introduced as a temporary measure to accommodate the challenges posed during Covid pandemic and has been in practice till 2024.

An NTA statement issued in this regard said: “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).”

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), in partnership with 1M1B Green Skills Academy, has announced green internships for all the AICTE affiliated colleges and universities. By the end of 2030, the 1M1B Green Internship programme will give internship opportunities to 100,000 students. A total of 10,000 internships will be given in the first year. 

The Supreme Court this week ruled that only the existence of the benchmark permanent disability of 40 per cent does not bar a candidate from being considered for admission to an educational institution unless a medical assessment board is of the opinion that the disability will come in the way of pursuing the course.

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NTA has discontinued the optional questions in Section B of the JEE Main 2025. Candidates taking the JEE Main exam in 2025 will not have the option of choosing only five questions out of 10 in section B. According to NTA, the change will be applicable to JEE Main 2025 paper 1 – BE or BTech and JEE Main 2025 paper 2A – BArch and paper 2B – BPlanning.

There is no confirmation whether the NEET UG exam pattern will change. The change in the exam pattern will be announced well in advance to give time for preparation.

NEET UG 2024: May 5, June 23

NEET UG 2023: May 7

NEET UG 2022: July 17

NEET UG 2021: September 12

NEET UG 2020: September 13, October 14

The NTA official website will make the exam calendar available. The official website of NTA is nta.ac.in. JEE Main, NEET UG and CUET also have their respective websites. The exam dates and application details will be made available on those websites as well.

NTA in a notice issued on October 17 said that it will start the JEE Main 2025 application "in due course of time”. The JEE Main 2025 application date is not announced yet.