Changes in JEE Mains Eligibility: No Board Percentages Required Anymore Starting from 2018
The eligibility and evaluation criteria for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main have undergone significant changes. Starting from 2018, board percentages are no longer considered for both eligibility and evaluation. This shift marks an important milestone in the JEE Main process, making the exam more accessible to a broader range of students.
Eligibility Criteria for JEE Mains 2018
According to the latest notification from the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), to be eligible for the JEE Main 2018, you need to be an Indian citizen and have a valid Aadhaar card. Additionally, you must have successfully passed all your Class 12th subjects.
Understanding the New Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the JEE Main can be divided into two categories based on your board exam performance. For the JEE Main 2018, the new criteria simplify the process, making it more straightforward:
Category 1: 75 Marks in Class 12th Board Exam
To fall into this category, you need to secure 75 marks or more in your Class 12th board exam.
Category 2: Top 20 Percentile in Your Board Exam
If you do not qualify under the first category, you can still be eligible if you fall within the top 20 percentile of your respective board exam.
Impact on JEE Main Rankings
A significant change in the JEE Main process is the scrapping of Class 12th board marks weightage in the rank list calculation. Starting from the academic year 2017-18, JEE Main ranks will be calculated without considering the Class 12th board marks. This will affect the composite score calculation, which previously included a 60:40 ratio of JEE Main scores and normalized marks of Class XII. Now, the weight-age given to JEE Main scores and normalized marks of class 12th board is no longer applicable.
Historical Context and Policy Changes
The inclusion of Class 12th board marks towards preparing the JEE Main Merit List was introduced in 2012 by the former UPA Government with the aim of encouraging students to perform well in their board exams. The policy was designed to curb the reliance on coaching and to give an advantage to students from poor families and rural areas who often do not have access to coaching facilities.
IMPACT ON SC/ST Categories
For candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories, the qualifying marks would be 65 per cent in the Class 12th board exam. This is a lower threshold compared to the general category, which sets a higher benchmark of 75 per cent marks.
About JEE Mains and NIT Admissions
Till the current academic year, admissions to National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and Government-funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) have been offered on the basis of JEE Main ranks. However, starting from the upcoming admission year, the weight-age of 40 per cent given to Class XII board marks in the composite score calculation will no longer be applicable.
Conclusion: The changes in JEE Mains eligibility and evaluation criteria, eliminating the role of board percentages, mark a significant shift in the process. This change not only simplifies the eligibility criteria but also ensures that a wider pool of students who have consistently performed well in their board exams can compete for admissions to prestigious engineering institutions.
FAQs
Q: Who can now appear for the JEE Mains 2018?
A: Anyone who is an Indian citizen with an Aadhaar card and has passed all their Class 12th subjects is eligible for the JEE Mains 2018.
Q: What was the previous eligibility criterion based on?
A: Prior to 2018, the eligibility criteria required students to have at least 75 marks in their Class 12th board exam or be in the top 20 percentile of their board.
Q: How does the new policy affect students from SC/ST categories?
A: For SC/ST categories, the qualifying marks have been lowered to 65 per cent in the Class 12th board exam, giving them a more favorable position compared to the general category.
Good Luck to All Aspiring Engineers! With the new policy in place, the race for securing a seat in the prestigious JEE Mains becomes more open and equitable.