JEE Main 2025 Session 1 score: Rajasthan leads with 5 among 14 toppers

The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the results for the first edition of JEE Main 2025 on Feb 11, with 14 candidates securing a perfect score.

Among the toppers, five are from Rajasthan, two from Delhi, two from Uttar Pradesh, and one each from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Telangana.

Two of the top scorers belong to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Schedule Caste (SC) categories. Over 1,2.5 lakh candidates appeared for the exam.

According to an official NTA statement, JEE scores are normalized across multiple-session examinations and are based on the relative performance of all candidates who took the exam in a single session.

“The NTA score of a candidate is not the same as the %age of marks obtained, but rather normalized scores converted into a scale ranging from 100 to 0 for each session of examinees,” the statement added.

While the first edition of the exam was held in January and February, the second session will take place in April.

Based on the results of JEE Main Papers 1 and 2, candidates will be shortlisted for the JEE Advanced exam, scheduled for June later this year, which grants admission to the 23 prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

“After both sessions of the JEE Main 2025 exam for Paper 1, the rank of candidates will be released, taking into consideration the best of the two NTA scores,” the statement said.

Sai Manogna Guthikonda from Andhra Pradesh is the only female candidate to achieve a perfect score. “I am extremely happy. I was confident about my exam preparation, but did not expect to secure 100%ile,” said Guthikonda.

The student from Bhashyam IIT Junior College in Guntur is now preparing for the JEE Advanced exam. “I want to do really well in the next exam, and based on my rank, I'll join any good IIT in the country,” she said, thanking her chemistry teacher, A Sambasiva Rao, for preparing her effectively for the competitive exam.

“Constant support from my parents and the institute principal helped me remain focused on my goal,” she added.

Vishad Jain, a 17-year-old student from Kandivali, Maharashtra, is the only student to have scored in the top 100 during the first JEE Main session.

Jain, a student at Narayana CO School in Andheri, is currently concentrating on his board exam preparation, which begins on Feb 21.

Jain aims to secure a computer science and engineering seat at IIT Bombay. For practice, he might appear for the second JEE Main session in April. “I am currently preparing for my boards as well as the JEE Advanced,” he said.

Another Rajasthan topper, Om Prakash Behera, said he strictly follows teacher instructions while preparing for JEE Main and JEE Advanced.

For JEE Main, Behera focused mostly on the NCERT syllabus. "The graph of marks fluctuated in weekly mock exams, but I tried my best," he said, adding that after each test, he would analyze his mistakes.

“In the next test, I will try not to repeat those mistakes. My success mantra is that instead of focusing on what has already happened, I focus on what is happening. I do not have a phone because it distracts me. Currently, I am busy preparing for JEE Advanced. I study for about 8 to 9 hours daily. I want to pursue B.Tech in the CS branch of IIT Mumbai,” he said.

Arnav Singh of Rajasthan scored a 100 NTA in the JEE Main January session exam. Singh said, “I seriously complete whatever homework I receive after class every day. Along with practice, doubts arise from homework. The more doubts you clear, the stronger your grip on the topic will be. I study for 10 to 12 hours per day.”

His father, a mathematics faculty member at Allen, has been a continuous source of motivation.

“Many times, he also clears my doubts. Earlier, I had secured 97% marks in 10th class. Currently, my focus is on JEE Advanced. IIT Bombay is my dream institution, so I am trying my best to get the top rank to make my dream come true,” Singh added.

Rajit Gupta, another topper from Rajasthan, said, “My main focus was not to repeat mistakes because only when mistakes are eliminated, the foundation of your subject becomes strong. Happiness is my key to success. I remain happy in every situation.”

He added, “I am currently in class 12, but whenever I get a chance, I play with the children in my colony. I am confident about my preparation. I never strictly followed a study schedule because it creates unnecessary pressure. I studied only when I felt like it, but for whatever time I studied, I made sure to study well. I would only move forward in a topic after clearing my doubts.”

Topper Saksham Jindal of Rajasthan decided to pursue engineering after developing a passion for mathematics in class 9.

He shared, “Mathematics used to be my favorite subject, so when I was in class 9, I decided to choose the field of non-medical. I am really interested in the branch of coding and decoding.”

In terms of preparation, Saksham practiced extensively with mock tests, and especially during the final 15 days before JEE Mains, he spent his entire day solving previous year questions (PYQs).

"Focus only on the NCERT books as they are helpful for both JEE and class 12,” he said. He found mathematics and physics easier compared to chemistry, and the toughest challenge was "time management."

While the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the JEE Main scores on Feb 11, rankings will not be released until both sessions' results are available.

According to a report from the High-Level Committee of Experts on the "Reformation of National Common Entrance Testing in India," the NTA collaborated with state and district authorities to organize committees and conduct physical audits of exam centers.

Over 270 city coordinators, 894 observers, 38 NTA flying squad members, and officials from government cybersecurity agencies were assigned to exam venues in various cities and centers.

Additionally, live CCTV surveillance was set up, along with systems for live viewing of remote areas from the NTA Control Room.

The exam was conducted in 13 languages: Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.

The examination was also held in 15 cities outside India, including Manama, Doha, Dubai, Kathmandu, Muscat, Riyadh, Sharjah, Singapore, Kuwait City, Kuala Lumpur, Abu Dhabi, West Java, Washington, Lagos, and Munich.