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 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
The approximate annual cost for 11th/12th PCM and JEE coaching is around 1.5 to 3.5 lakhs for institutes, excluding hostel and mess fees. The total fees including hostel as well as mess fees can rise upto 4.5 to 6.5 lakhs and above, depending on location and institute quality.
Hi dear candidate,
You can anytime visit our official website to find the previous 10 years JEE Mains question papers with solutions. Kindly refer to the link attached below to download them in PDF format:
JEE Main Last 10 Years Question Papers with Solutions (2025 to 2015)
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Hello,
For JEE Main and JEE Advanced , the cut-offs are lower for ST category students. Here is a simple idea based on recent trends:
JEE Main qualification for ST : Around 50–60 marks is usually enough to qualify for JEE Advanced.
JEE Advanced qualification for ST : You just need to clear the JEE Main cut-off, then appear for Advanced.
To get good NITs or IITs , you will need higher marks.
For NITs (Hyderabad or good branches), try for 120+ marks in JEE Main .
For IITs , even with ST quota, you should aim for at least 80–100+ marks in JEE Advanced for decent branches.
Since you are from ST category and Hyderabad , you don’t need 300 marks in JEE Main. Try to score as high as possible to get better branches, but even moderate marks can qualify you.
Hope it helps !
Yes, you can. If you do 11th from CBSE in 2025 and 12th from NIOS in 2026, then you are allowed to attempt JEE. NIOS is a valid board, so you can give JEE in 2026 and again in 2027. Just take admission on time and pass your 12th exams.
For the JEE 2026, priority-wise, high weightage chapters include Integral
1. Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Complex Numbers, and Quadratic Equations in Maths
2. Semiconductors, Current Electricity, Work, Power and Energy, and Gravitation in Physics
3. Organic Chemistry Containing Oxygen, Hydrocarbons, and P-Block Elements in Chemistry.
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