JEE Main {{current-year}} : Union Education Minister made these big announcements.
Last updated: April 20, 2026
Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank addressed students on December 16, 2020, regarding JEE Main 2021. During his address, the Education Minister made several significant announcements. Nishank stated that major changes have been implemented based on suggestions received for JEE (Main). He confirmed the exam will be conducted four times. The merit list will be prepared using the best scores from all four attempts.
On his official Twitter handle, Nishank wrote, "We have examined your suggestions regarding JEE (Main), and based on that, I am announcing the schedule of the exam." The Union Education Minister highlighted key changes: multiple exam sessions, inclusion of regional languages in question papers, a revised exam pattern, and an increased number of exam centers.
First phase from 23 to 26 February
The Union Education Minister announced that JEE Main 2021 will be held four times a year. The first phase is scheduled for February 23 to 26, 2021. Subsequent sessions will follow in March, April, and May 2021. The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the examination.
About 8-9 lakh candidates every year
Approximately 8-9 lakh candidates register for JEE Main annually for admission to IITs, NITs, other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs), and institutes/universities funded or accredited by State Governments, the Union Education Minister added.
There will not be negative marking
Nishank explained that NTA has prepared a new exam pattern for JEE Main 2021. Candidates must answer only 75 out of 90 questions. There will be 15 objective-type questions with no negative marking.
Students will get many opportunities
The pattern of conducting JEE Main 2021 four times a year will allow students to identify their mistakes and weak areas. This change provides multiple opportunities to improve scores, enabling better preparation for subsequent phases.
The paper will also be in 13 regional languages
The JEE Main 2021 paper will be available in multiple Indian languages, including Hindi and English. Students can choose their preferred language for the question paper. Major languages include Hindi, English, Assamese, Gujarati, Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. Questions will also be provided in English alongside all regional languages.
Register here for JEE Main 2021
Eligible candidates for Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2021 can register online at jeemain.nta.nic.in. Applications can be submitted once the application window opens.
Registration Fee for JEE Main 2021
Fees for JEE Main 2021 vary by category. For General/OBC category Indian students, the fee is Rs 650; for foreign students, it is Rs 3000. Women, SC/ST/Divyang, and transgender category Indian students pay Rs 325, while foreign students in these categories pay Rs 1500. For detailed information on fees and waiver eligibility, refer to the brochure on jeemain.nta.nic.in.
