In the first edition of the JEE-Main 2025, fourteen candidates from across India have secured perfect scores, with the majority hailing from Rajasthan. The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced on Tuesday that the high achievers include Ayush Singhal, Rajit Gupta, Saksham Jindal, Arnav Singh, and Om Prakash Behera from Rajasthan, as well as Daksh and Harsh Jha from Delhi, Shreyas Lohiya and Sourav from Uttar Pradesh, Kushagra Gupta from Karnataka, Vishad Jain from Maharashtra, Shiven Vikas Toshniwal from Gujarat, Sai Manogna Guthikonda from Andhra Pradesh, and Bani Brata Majee from Telangana.

Saksham Jindal’s path to success

Saksham Jindal, one of the top scorers with an impressive 295 out of 300, shared his approach to cracking the exam. "I have been preparing for JEE Advanced for the past two years. In the last month, I focused primarily on NCERT materials, as JEE Main often features questions directly from them," he said. "I also speak to my parents every day, which helps me stay motivated and free from stress." Of the 14 toppers, 12 are from the general category, with one each from the OBC and SC categories. Interestingly, while 13 of the successful candidates are male, one female candidate has also achieved the top score.

Examination integrity and unfair means

However, the NTA also revealed that the scores of 39 candidates have been withheld due to their involvement in unfair means practices. More than 12.58 lakh candidates participated in the examination, which was held across 13 languages, including Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. Additionally, the exam was administered in 15 cities outside India, including Doha, Dubai, Kathmandu, and Washington, ensuring global access for aspiring candidates.

The NTA clarified that the NTA score is not the same as the percentage of marks obtained, but rather a normalised score based on the relative performance of all candidates in each session. This scoring system accounts for multi-session exams and adjusts the scores accordingly. Candidates who scored a perfect 100 NTA score include five from Rajasthan, two each from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, and one each from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, and Maharashtra.

Examination process and future plans

Looking ahead, the second edition of JEE-Main 2025 is scheduled for April, with candidates being shortlisted for the JEE-Advanced exam based on their performance in both Paper 1 and Paper 2. The NTA will then release the final ranks after both sessions, considering the best of the two NTA scores for each candidate. To ensure smooth conduct, the NTA implemented strict monitoring procedures, including AI-based video analytics, virtual observers, and the installation of 5G jammers at exam centres. Additionally, a Central Control Room was set up to oversee operations, supported by a dedicated team of city coordinators, observers, and security personnel.

JEE-Main 2025's first edition has seen strong performances, with Rajasthan emerging as a key contributor to the country's top scorers. The continued implementation of rigorous security and monitoring measures underscores the NTA's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the examination process. (Agencies)