The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is a highly competitive national-level exam that serves as the gateway to some of India’s most prestigious engineering institutions. Each year, thousands of students across the country vie for a limited number of seats, making the competition fierce.
Understanding the sheer scale of this exam and the trends in student participation is crucial for aspiring engineers to devise an effective preparation strategy.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll delve into the numbers behind the JEE Main 2025 exam, examining the trends, gender-wise and category-wise breakdowns, and the implications for future test-takers.
Number of Students Registered and Appeared for JEE Main 2025
A lot of students signed up for JEE Mains in 2025, but not everyone who signed up actually took the test. Let’s see how many people registered and how many actually showed u
Total Registered vs. Total Appeared
The National Testing Agency (NTA), the governing body responsible for conducting the JEE Main exam, has released the official data for the 2025 edition. According to the information, a total of 1,539,848 unique candidates registered for the JEE Main 2025 exam (Paper 1 – B.E./B.Tech).
However, the number of candidates who actually appeared for the exam was slightly lower, with 1,475,103 unique candidates taking the test. This difference between the number of registered and appeared candidates can be attributed to various factors, such as last-minute withdrawals, medical emergencies, or other personal circumstances that prevented some students from appearing for the exam.
Gender-Wise Breakdown
The gender-wise distribution of JEE Main 2025 applicants and test-takers reveals some interesting insights. Out of the total 1,539,848 registered candidates, 525,324 were female, 1,014,523 were male, and 1 was third-gender.
When it comes to the number of candidates who actually appeared for the exam, the gender-wise breakdown is as follows:
- Female candidates: 501,319
- Male candidates: 973,784
- Third-gender candidates: 0
These figures indicate a growing participation of female students in the JEE Main exam, though the overall representation is still lower compared to their male counterparts. The increasing number of female test-takers is a positive sign, reflecting the efforts made to promote STEM education and provide equal opportunities for girls and women in the field of engineering.
Category-Wise Breakdown
The JEE Main exam also collects data on the category-wise distribution of applicants and test-takers. The categories include General, General-Economically Weaker Sections (Gen-EWS), Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
The category-wise breakdown of registered candidates for JEE Main 2025 is as follows:
- General: 575,907
- Gen-EWS: 157,040
- OBC: 600,061
- SC: 155,102
- ST: 51,738
Similarly, the category-wise distribution of candidates who appeared for the exam is:
- General: 548,943
- Gen-EWS: 153,970
- OBC: 578,117
- SC: 145,939
- ST: 48,134
These figures reflect the representation of different socio-economic and demographic groups in the JEE Main exam. The category-wise data is particularly relevant for understanding the implications of reservation policies in engineering college admissions, as seats are allocated based on these categories to ensure equitable access to higher education.
Now that you know the 2025 numbers, let’s compare them to what happened in 2022 and 2021.
Comparison with JEE Mains Previous Year Data
Things change from year to year, even for big tests like JEE Mains. Let’s see how the number of test takers changed from 2021 to 2025.
| Year | Gender | General | EWS | SC | ST | OBC | Total |
| 2025 | Male | 3,76,360 | 1,06,586 | 1,04,023 | 34,642 | 3,92,912 | 10,14,523 |
| Female | 1,99,546 | 50,454 | 51,079 | 17,096 | 2,07,149 | 5,25,324 | |
| Third Gender | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | |
| Total | 5,75,907 | 1,57,040 | 1,55,102 | 51,738 | 6,00,061 | 15,39,848 | |
| 2024 | Male | 4,16,086 | 1,54,840 | 1,21,394 | 41,375 | 4,98,179 | 8,24,945 |
| Female | 1,92,670 | 64,155 | 52,819 | 17,710 | 2,02,968 | 4,06,920 | |
| Third Gender | – | – | – | – | – | 9 | |
| Total | 6,08,756 | 2,18,995 | 1,74,213 | 59,085 | 7,01,147 | 12,31,874 | |
| 2023 | Male | 3,03,169 | 86,919 | 94,023 | 33,642 | 3,98,472 | 8,04,848 |
| Female | 1,50,000 | 34,000 | 51,000 | 17,000 | 1,05,545 | 3,57,545 | |
| Third Gender | – | – | – | – | – | 5 | |
| Total | 4,53,169 | 1,20,919 | 1,45,023 | 50,642 | 5,04,017 | 11,62,398 | |
| 2022 | Male | 3,02,486 | 63,372 | 72,825 | 26,858 | 2,61,837 | 7,27,378 |
| Female | 1,28,746 | 24,712 | 27,260 | 10,862 | 1,07,837 | 2,99,417 | |
| Third Gender | 1 | 1 | 2 | – | – | 4 | |
| Total | 4,31,233 | 88,085 | 1,00,085 | 37,720 | 3,69,676 | 10,26,799 | |
| 2021 | Male | 1,40,970 | 23,709 | 28,248 | 11,377 | 1,14,395 | 3,19,262 |
| Female | 3,07,627 | 60,662 | 71,631 | 27,801 | 2,58,651 | 7,28,745 | |
| Third Gender | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | |
| Total | 4,48,599 | 84,371 | 99,879 | 39,179 | 3,73,048 | 10,48,012 |
These trends suggest a gradual shift in the demographic composition of JEE Main exam participants, with a growing representation of female students and candidates from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. However, the overall gender parity and equitable access to engineering education still remain areas that require continued attention and intervention.
These numbers are interesting, but why should you care? Let’s look at how knowing these numbers can help you get ready for your JEE Mains.
Why Do These Numbers Matter To You For Your JEE Mains Preparation?
You might be wondering why it matters how many people took the JEE Mains before you. These numbers can give you a good idea of what to expect on test day.
1) Competition Level
The sheer number of students appearing for the JEE Main exam each year is a crucial factor in understanding the level of competition you’ll face. With over 1.1 million unique candidates taking the test in 2025, the competition is undoubtedly fierce.
As an aspiring engineer, it’s essential to be aware of the competition level and how it may impact your chances of securing a seat in your desired engineering college or branch. A higher number of test-takers generally translates to a more challenging admission process, with cutoff scores and selection probabilities becoming increasingly competitive.
2) Preparation Strategy
Knowing the number of JEE Main applicants and test-takers can help you tailor your preparation strategy effectively. Understanding the scale of the competition allows you to set realistic goals, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and develop a targeted study plan to maximise your chances of success.
By analysing the trends in gender and category-wise participation, you can also gain insights into the specific challenges and opportunities that may arise during the admission process. This information can help you strategize your approach, whether it’s focusing on specific subject areas, honing your problem-solving skills, or seeking guidance from mentors and counsellors.
3) College Admissions
The number of JEE Main test-takers directly impacts the cutoff scores and admission probabilities for engineering colleges across the country. A higher number of applicants typically leads to higher cutoff scores, making it more challenging for students to secure a seat in their desired institution or branch.
Conversely, a lower number of test-takers may result in relatively lower cutoff scores, potentially increasing your chances of getting admitted to your preferred college or branch. Understanding these dynamics can assist you in making informed decisions about your college preferences, helping you align your aspirations with the prevailing admission landscape.
Conclusion
The JEE Main exam is a testament to the academic aspirations of thousands of students across India, with each year witnessing a significant number of applicants and test-takers. By delving into the data and trends surrounding the JEE Main 2025 exam, we have gained valuable insights into the scale of the competition, the evolving demographic representation, and the implications for future test-takers.
As you embark on your engineering journey, remember that the numbers behind the JEE Main exam are not just statistics – they represent the dreams and ambitions of a generation of young minds. By understanding these numbers and their significance, you can develop a well-informed preparation strategy, make strategic decisions about your college choices, and ultimately, increase your chances of success in this highly competitive landscape..
