Students Quit NIT & Other Top Colleges For Third JEE Advanced Attempt, JAB’s U-Turn Sparks Chaos

The JAB had previously announced that candidates could attempt JEE Advanced up to 3 times in consecutive years.

The recent U-turn by JAB on JEE Advanced attempts has left students in turmoil. (Representative Image)

Source : ABPLIVE AI

In a shocking move for students, the Joint Admission Board (JAB) has reverted to its earlier rule of allowing only two attempts for the JEE Advanced exam. The decision was announced in a press release following the JAB meeting on November 15, where members agreed to reinstate the criteria established in 2013, effectively nullifying the recent provision that allowed three attempts.

Previously, on November 5, IIT Kanpur issued a press release declaring that candidates would have three chances to appear for JEE Advanced. This announcement led many students, who had exhausted their two attempts, to take a gap year from their current colleges in hopes of reappearing for the JEE Advanced 2025 exam. However, with the JAB’s latest decision, these students now face uncertainty about their future.

Students Left NIT & Other Top Colleges To Prepare For JEE Advanced 2025

The reversal of the rule has caused widespread concern among aspirants, particularly those who had pinned their hopes on the additional attempt.

Vishal Singh from Patna, Bihar, left NIT Jalandhar to prepare for JEE Advanced 2025. He exhausted his two attempts in 2023 and 2024. Talking to ABP LIVE, Vishal said, "I lost Rs 1.5 lakh in admission fees and the college. I have no idea what to do now."

"The sudden decision to reduce the number of JEE Advanced attempts has left students like me feeling disheartened and anxious. We deserve the opportunity to learn from our mistakes and try again to achieve our dreams. This change disrupts not only academic plans but also our mental peace," he added.

A student who had secured admission to the Metallurgy Department at IIEST Shibpur through JoSAA counselling shared their deep distress: "I dropped out of college after spending Rs 40,000 for JoSAA, Rs 68,000 for tuition, Rs 4,000 for hostel, and Rs 25,000 for mess fees—only to get no refund. After hearing the news that JAB has taken back its decision, I feel lost and hopeless. This decision has pushed me into depression, making me feel completely isolated. Please restore the third attempt for JEE Advanced—it's my only chance left."

Rohan Singh, a student who had dropped out of his B.Sc. programme, voiced his concerns, stating, "Changing eligibility criteria just days after the announcement is unfair and unethical. This is JEE Advanced we’re talking about—the toughest exam, not just in India but globally. I dropped out of B.Sc. to prepare for JEE Advanced, and now I’m left with anxiety and negative thoughts. Students deserve clarity and stability in such critical decisions."

What Are Students' Demands?

Students are now urging the JAB to reconsider the decision and allow three attempts, as previously announced. Social media platforms are buzzing with calls for justice. Many students have appealed to the Ministry of Education and the JAB to address their grievances and provide clarity. While the JAB has not yet commented further on the controversy, students are left grappling with their plans and urging authorities to ensure a fair resolution.

Why Did JAB Reverse The JEE Advanced Attempt Rule?

The decision to restore the two-attempt rule was made after considering various competing requirements, the Joint Admission Board stated in a notice on Monday.

“The Joint Admission Board (JAB) has decided to restore the earlier eligibility criterion used in previous years pertaining to the number of attempts in JEE (Advanced), in supersession of the criterion mentioned in the press release dated November 5, 2024. This has been done after considering various competing requirements in the meeting of JAB held on November 15, 2024. This has resulted in restoring the earlier eligibility criteria followed since 2013. All other eligibility criteria remain the same," the official notice added.

According to the recent announcement, candidates can now attempt JEE Advanced only twice in two consecutive years. Previously, the limit had been increased to three attempts over three consecutive years.

Under the revised rule, candidates who appeared for JEE Advanced in 2024 are eligible to take the exam again in 2025. However, those who appeared in JEE Advanced 2023 will not be eligible to appear in 2025.

JEE Advanced 2025: Eligibility Criteria

1. Top 2,50,000 Candidates from JEE Main 2025:

Candidates must be among the top 2,50,000 successful candidates, including all categories, in the B.E./B.Tech. Paper (Paper I) of JEE Main 2025.

2. Age Limit:

General category candidates must be born on or after October 1, 2000.

Reserved category candidates (SC, ST, PwD) receive a five-year age relaxation and must be born on or after October 1, 1995.

3. Educational Qualification:

Candidates must have appeared for their Class 12th or equivalent examination for the first time in either 2024 or 2025, with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as mandatory subjects.

4. No Prior Admission to IITs:

Candidates who have previously been admitted to any IIT under an academic programme listed in the JoSAA Business Rules 2024 are NOT eligible, regardless of whether they continued in the programme.

Candidates who accepted an IIT seat through online reporting or at a reporting center in the past are also NOT eligible.

Additionally, candidates whose admission to IITs was canceled for any reason after joining are NOT allowed to appear for JEE Advanced 2025.