What After JEE Main?- The National Testing Agency conducted the JEE Main 2025 exam for session 1 & 2 in online mode. After the exam, many aspirants naturally wonder, "What after JEE Mains?"—especially those concerned about low marks or curious about college and course options. Whether you’ve scored well or need alternatives, there are plenty of career paths and admission possibilities. From top engineering colleges to backup plans, Careers360 has compiled a detailed guide to help answer questions like “What to do after JEE Main 2025 exam?” and explore the best options ahead. Check out the article to get an idea about "What after JEE Main 2025?
Also check- JEE Main rank predictor 2025 | JEE Main college predictor 2025
The NTA has revised the Class 12 eligibility criterion for JEE Advanced, allowing students in the top 20 percentile of their state boards to appear. This requirement does not apply to JEE Mains.
The result of a year-long preparation in some cases more than 2 years of preparation says whether admission to the NITs, IIITs and GFTIs is possible; whether qualifying for JEE Advanced is in luck or not. The options may vary for students who have done well and students who may not have done well but the fact remains that there are good options. Take a look at the different possibilities that come as an answer to the question of what to do after JEE Mains. Candidates can use the JEE Main Rank Predictor to know the probable rank based on the JEE score. By knowing about the ranks, you will be informed about whether you have qualified IIT JEE Main or not. This will also help you in making decisions regarding applications for admission into engineering institutes.
Candidates who qualify the JEE Main exam and are among the top 2,50,000 candidates can appear for the JEE Advanced. However, candidates need to fulfil the other eligibility criteria too. Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) conducts the JEE Advanced exam. Registration for JEE Advanced 2025 will commence online. The exam is conducted for two papers. JEE Advanced qualifying candidates will be offered admission to the IITs. The qualifying candidates need to participate in the JoSAA counselling. Other institutes which will consider JEE Advanced merit are the Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (IISERs), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore and Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram. Around 10,988 seats are available for admission in the participating IITs.
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If you missed the chance for JEE Advanced 2025, then do not disappoint. Based on your JEE Main 2025 performance, you will be eligible for admission into good engineering colleges. Through the JoSAA counselling, you will be allotted seats offered by NITs, IIITs and GFTIs. The counselling is conducted online. The allotment process will be conducted by Joint Seat Allocation Authority and admissions will be done based on JEE Main rank and choice of college or courses.
Other than NITs, IIITs, CFTIs and IITs, there are other top engineering entrance options present for you. Private and state-level engineering entrance exams will also be able to win you a seat in prestigious institutes. By attempting other top engineering entrance exams, you will be able to provide yourself with a wider range of options to select. These exams will also let you be closer to home and ensure a good all-round education.
If you wish to study near home, then you can always apply for the state engineering entrance exam as an option for "What after JEE Main 2025?". These exams provide admissions into the best government institutes and give preference to those students who meet the domicile requirements. Some states also provide admissions through the JEE Main rank. These states use the All India ranks to allot seats and simply conduct the counselling based on specified eligibility criteria as announced by the state authorities.
West Bengal – The state offers 10% of the total seats at private engineering institutes through JEE Main.
Himachal Pradesh – Himachal Pradesh offers the first 50% of the total seats across all institutes based on JEE Main merit/rank.
Rajasthan – The state offers 15% of the total seats at private-unaided engineering institutes and 15% of the total seats across self-financed courses offered by government-aided institutions to candidates from other states based on JEE Main score or class 12th marks.
Engineering entrance exams in India are held at the national, state and college levels. State-level engineering exams are conducted by individual states for admission to engineering colleges within that state, providing an alternative route to engineering education. Candidates need to fulfil the eligibility conditions to appear for the entrance examinations conducted at the state level. The same is the case with the entrance test held at university level.
Engineering Entrance Exam | Conducting Body |
VIT University | |
SRM Institute of Science and Technology (Earlier known as SRM University) | |
BITS Pilani | |
Manipal Academy of Higher Education | |
Consortium of Medical Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK). | |
JNTU Anantapur | |
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology | |
State Common Entrance Test Cell, Mumbai | |
West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If your JEE Main result didn't meet the cut-off, you can consider other colleges that accept JEE Main scores, explore alternative courses, or prepare to improve your score for the next attempt.
If your JEE Main score is low, you can explore other engineering entrance exams, consider state-level colleges, retake JEE Main, or opt for courses aligned with your interests.
If you've qualified for JEE Advanced, focus on rigorous preparation, take mock tests, seek guidance from mentors, and utilize study materials to increase your chances of securing a good rank for admission to top IITs.
After clearing JEE Main 2025, candidates can appear for JEE Advanced if eligible else can appear for the other state-level entrance exam. JEE Main qualified candidates can participate in the JoSAA counselling process for admission to the various NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and other engineering colleges.
To prepare for JEE Advanced, focus on advanced and deeper concepts, practice solving complex problems, and take mock tests. Follow the JEE Advanced syllabus for the preparation for the exam. Moreover, refer to advanced study materials and previous years' question papers.
To be eligible for JEE Advanced, you must be among the top 2,50,000 candidates in JEE Main. You should also fulfill other eligibility conditions, such as age limits and previous attempts.
No, admission to IITs is based on JEE Advanced rank. However, JEE Main scores can be used to get admission to other engineering colleges and NITs.
Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria for JEE Advanced, you can appear for both exams in the same year.
If you didn't clear JEE Main, you can consider other engineering entrance exams like state-level exams, BITSAT, VITEEE, or private university entrance exams. You can also explore diploma courses, and lateral entry options, or take a year gap to prepare again.
Yes, some colleges and universities offer courses like B.Sc., B.Arch., and other non-engineering programs based on JEE Main scores. Check the admission criteria of individual institutions.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
JEE has two exams:
The percentage or marks needed to get seat in NITs and IITs are:
Go through the link for more details:
https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/jee-main-cutoff
I hope this answer helps you, All the best!
Heya,
Yes, you can refill your category again. In the case of the April session JEE Main registration, you have the option to change your category while registering your details only once. You can switch from General to EWS if you have a proper certificate. Just be certain that the EWS certificate is granted before the last date of the April session form and complies with the NTA's requirements of validity.
Hope it helps!!!
Hello,
Yes, you can get admission in DTU and IIIT Hyderabad with an outstanding JEE Main rank, as long as you pass Class 12 with at least 60% marks in PCM.
if we talk about DTU (Delhi Technological University) — you must have at least 60% in PCM and pass all subjects. The 75% rule is not strictly applicable here, so you can get admission based on your JEE Main rank and Delhi quota, if applicable.
For IIIT Hyderabad, admission is based on JEE Main percentile/rank, but the institute also requires a minimum of 60% in Class 12 (PCM). So, even with less than 75%, you are eligible if you meet this 60% requirement.
Hope you understand. ALL THE BEST.
Hello Tanishka,
Although i believe your attempting strategy and sequence depends entirely on your stage of preparation and your personal progress, i would suggest you sit for your January attempt even if you aim to seriously prepare for April.
Whatever stage of syllabus completion you are at, i suggest you give it a try to get an estimate of the exam difficulty and see roughly where you stand among the applicants that year. No matter how many mock tests you attempt, the actual examination environment happens to be very different from mock tests. The first attempt is going to give you an idea of the exam environment so you can prepare for your April attempt better.
All the best for your exams!
Hello Swati
Yes, your EWS certificate will be valid for JEE Main 2026 and counselling if it’s issued after April 1, 2025.
This is because EWS certificates are valid for one financial year from April to March.
So, a certificate made in October 2025 will be for FY 2025–26, which covers both JEE and counselling. You’ll need the certificate number during JEE registration in October 2025.
Even if you don’t have it yet, you can still register and upload it later during counselling. Just make sure the certificate clearly mentions the correct financial year.
Always keep a few extra copies and the original ready for verification.
You're good to go if it’s issued after April 1, 2025
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