JEE Main 2024: Getting into IITs Just Got Harder

The results are in for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2024, and the path to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) has become even more competitive. The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the results for the April session on April 24th, revealing a significant increase in the cut-off scores needed to qualify for JEE Advanced, the gateway to IITs.

More Top Scorers Than Ever

A remarkable 56 candidates achieved a perfect 100 percentile score in the JEE Main 2024 exams, a notable increase from 43 in 2023. This elite group includes two female students, Sanvi Jain from Karnataka and Shayna Sinha from Delhi. Telangana emerged as a powerhouse, producing the highest number of 100 percentile scorers for the second year in a row, with 15 students achieving this feat. Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh followed closely behind, each with 7 students attaining the top score.

Cut-off Scores Climb Higher

The increase in the number of top scorers has pushed the cut-off scores higher across all categories, making it tougher for students to qualify for JEE Advanced. Here’s a breakdown:

• General Category: The cut-off for general category candidates saw a jump of 2.45%, rising from 90.77 in 2023 to 93.23 in 2024.
• Scheduled Caste (SC): The cut-off for SC candidates witnessed a significant increase, going from 51.97 in 2023 to 60.09 in 2024.
• Scheduled Tribe (ST): The cut-off for ST candidates also rose considerably, from 37.23 in 2023 to 46.69 in 2024.
• Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL): The cut-off for OBC (non-creamy layer) candidates increased to 79.67 in 2024 from 73.61 in 2023.
• Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): The cut-off for EWS category candidates rose to 75.62 in 2024 from 63.11 in 2023.

Exam Participation Remains High

The JEE Main exams continue to attract a large number of students. A total of 9.24 lakh candidates registered for the 2024 exams, with 8.2 lakh appearing for both the January and April sessions.

What This Means for Aspiring IITians

The rising cut-off scores highlight the increasing competition to secure a seat in the coveted IITs. Students aiming for these premier institutions will need to strive for even higher scores and dedicate themselves to rigorous preparation.