JEE Main is one of the biggest exams in India. Every year, lakhs of students take this exam to get into good engineering colleges like the NITs, IIITs, and other top institutes. JEE Main 2025 was held in two parts, called Session 1 and Session 2. Session 1 took place in January 2025, and Session 2 took place in April 2025. Many students, parents, and teachers want to know the exact numbers of how many students applied and appeared for these exams. In this blog, we will talk in very simple words about the registration numbers for JEE Main 2025 Session 2, how this number compares with Session 1, and what these numbers mean for students who are planning to take the exam in the coming years.
This blog is written in easy English so that every student, even those who are not very confident in English, can read it without any problem. We will not use hard words. We will explain each point step by step. By the end of this blog, you will have a clear idea about the registration numbers, the appearance numbers, and the trends of JEE Main 2025.
What is JEE Main and Why Are There Two Sessions?
JEE Main, or Joint Entrance Examination Main, is a national level exam in India. It is conducted by the National Testing Agency, also called NTA. Students who want to study engineering courses such as B.Tech, B.E., B.Arch, and B.Planning take this exam. Based on the marks scored in JEE Main, students get admission into NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and many other engineering colleges across India. Students who score very well in JEE Main can also sit for JEE Advanced, which is the exam for getting into the IITs.
From the year 2021, NTA started conducting JEE Main in two sessions every year. The first session is usually held in January, and the second session is usually held in April. The main reason behind two sessions is to give students more than one chance. If a student does not perform well in the first attempt, they can try again in the second attempt. The better score out of the two attempts is used for the final ranking. This system has been very helpful for many students because exams can sometimes go wrong due to stress, health issues, or other reasons, and a second chance gives them hope.
Because of this two-session system, every year there is a lot of talk about how many students register for each session, how many actually appear, and how the numbers change from session to session. This is why many students search online to find this information and to know how this number is different from the January session.
The Main Numbers for JEE Main 2025 Session 2
Let us come to the main question. How many students registered for jee mains 2025 session 2? Based on the data shared after the exam, around 10,61,840 students registered for the JEE Main 2025 April session, which is Session 2. This number is for Paper 1, which is the paper for B.E. and B.Tech courses. This is a slightly lower number compared to the January session, which had more than 13 lakh registrations.
Most of the students who registered for Session 2 also appeared for the exam. Reports show that the attendance, or appearance rate, in Session 2 stayed above 92 to 93 percent across the different days and shifts. This means that out of the total registered candidates, a very large share of students actually sat for the exam. A high attendance rate like this shows that students were serious about taking the exam and were well prepared to appear on the exam day.
It is also useful to know that not all students who took Session 1 registered again for Session 2. Some students were happy with their Session 1 score and decided not to take the exam again. Others who felt they could do better registered for Session 2 to try and improve their rank. This is a normal pattern every year, and it is one of the reasons why the registration number for Session 2 is usually a bit lower than Session 1.
Session 1 vs Session 2 – A Simple Comparison
To understand the full picture, it helps to compare Session 1 and Session 2 side by side. In Session 1, which was held in January 2025, around 13,11,544 students registered for the exam, and about 12,58,136 students appeared. This gave Session 1 an attendance rate of close to 95.93 percent, which is quite high.
In Session 2, which was held in April 2025, the registration number was around 10,61,840. This is about 2.5 lakh less than Session 1. Even though fewer students registered, the attendance rate in Session 2 was also strong, staying above 92 percent in most shifts. This shows that even with a smaller group of students, the seriousness and preparation level remained high.
| Details | Session 1 (January 2025) | Session 2 (April 2025) |
| Students Registered | About 13,11,544 | About 10,61,840 |
| Students Appeared | About 12,58,136 | Above 92% of registered |
| Attendance Rate | About 95.93% | Above 92% |
Looking at this table, we can see that both sessions had a large number of students and a high attendance rate. This shows that JEE Main remains one of the most popular and important exams for students in India who want to become engineers.
Why Did the Number of Students Drop in Session 2?
Many students ask why the registration number for Session 2 is usually lower than Session 1. There are a few simple reasons for this. First, some students who appeared in Session 1 felt satisfied with their score and percentile. If a student already got a good score, they may decide that taking the exam again is not needed, and they save their time and energy for other things like board exam preparation or other entrance exams.
Second, JEE Main Session 2 in 2025 was held close to the time of board exams for many students. Class 12 board exams usually happen in February and March, which is just before the April session of JEE Main. Some students may feel too tired or too busy with board exam preparation to also prepare well for JEE Main Session 2, so they choose not to register again.
Third, some students may also feel that their first attempt was good enough, and trying again could mean spending money on the second registration fee without much benefit. Because of all these reasons, it is common to see fewer new registrations in Session 2 compared to Session 1, even though the total number is still in lakhs.
Even with this drop, it is important to understand that 10,61,840 is still a very big number. It shows that lakhs of students across India still wanted a second chance to improve their rank, which is why knowing how many students registered for jee mains 2025 session 2 is such an important topic for students and parents.
Gender-Wise Registration Data for Session 2
JEE Main registration data is also shared based on gender, which means how many male students and how many female students registered for the exam. In Session 2 of JEE Main 2025, male candidates formed a larger share of the total registrations, while the participation of female candidates was also significant and meaningful.
This pattern of more male candidates compared to female candidates is something that has been seen in earlier years as well. However, every year, more and more female students are joining the field of engineering and taking exams like JEE Main. Many colleges and government programs are working to encourage more girls to take up science and engineering subjects, and this effort is slowly showing results.
For students and parents, this gender data is mainly useful to understand the overall trend of the exam. It does not affect how a student is evaluated, because JEE Main results are based only on the marks scored by the student. But understanding these numbers can help us see how the interest in engineering education is growing among both boys and girls in India.
Category-Wise Registration Numbers
In India, candidates can register for JEE Main under different categories, such as General, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, and others. These categories are part of the reservation system that is followed in Indian education and government jobs. The category a student belongs to can affect things like the application fee, age relaxation in some cases, and the reservation of seats during admission.
In JEE Main 2025, just like in earlier years, the OBC-NCL category had one of the largest shares of registrations among all the categories. This means a big part of the total students who registered for Session 2 came from the OBC-NCL group. The General category also had a large number of students, along with good participation from SC, ST, and EWS categories.
This category-wise data is useful for colleges and the government to plan how many seats should be kept for each category during admission. For students, this data is mostly informational. What matters most for a student is their own performance, percentile, and rank, which decide which college and branch they can get.
PwD Candidates and Their Participation
PwD means Persons with Disabilities. NTA makes special arrangements for PwD candidates, such as extra time during the exam and the option to have a scribe, which is a person who writes the answers for the candidate if needed. This is done to make sure that the exam is fair and accessible for everyone.
In JEE Main 2025 Session 2, around 3,419 PwD candidates were registered, and about 3,140 of them appeared for the exam. This means the attendance rate for PwD candidates was also quite high, close to 92 percent. This shows that NTA’s special arrangements are helping these candidates to take part in the exam without much difficulty.
This data also reminds us that JEE Main is designed to be inclusive, which means it tries to give a fair chance to students from all backgrounds, including those with physical challenges. Such efforts make the exam more accessible to a wider range of students across the country.
Total Unique Candidates Across Both Sessions
Since many students take both Session 1 and Session 2, the total number of unique candidates, meaning different individual students, is not simply the sum of both sessions’ registrations. If we just add 13,11,544 and 10,61,840, we get a number close to 23.7 lakh. But this number includes many students who are counted twice because they registered for both sessions.
After removing the repeated entries, the total unique number of candidates who registered for JEE Main 2025 across both sessions comes to around 15,39,848. Out of these, the total number of unique candidates who appeared for the exam across both sessions was close to 14,75,103. This shows that JEE Main continues to be one of the largest exams in the world in terms of the number of students who take it.
Knowing this total figure also helps us understand the full scale of competition. When students ask how many students registered for jee mains 2025 session 2, they are often trying to understand how tough the competition is. A number like 10,61,840 for just one session shows that the competition is very high, and students need to prepare seriously to get a good rank.
Comparing JEE Main 2025 with Previous Years
It is also helpful to look at how the registration numbers for Session 2 have changed over the years. This can help students understand if the competition is increasing or decreasing over time.
- In 2022, around 10,26,799 unique students registered for JEE Main, and about 9,05,590 students appeared.
- In 2023, JEE Main Session 2 had around 9,31,000 registrations, which was a slight increase from the earlier pattern.
- In 2024, JEE Main Session 2 reached its highest point with about 11,79,000 registrations, making it the biggest April session so far.
- In 2025, JEE Main Session 2 had about 10,61,840 registrations, which was lower than 2024 but still among the highest numbers in recent years.
From this trend, we can see that the number of students taking the April session has generally been going up over the years, with small ups and downs. The year 2024 saw the highest number, and 2025 saw a small dip, but the overall trend still shows that lakhs of students continue to take JEE Main Session 2 every year.
This rising trend also shows that more and more students see JEE Main as an important step for their future. Many students prefer to attempt both sessions because it gives them two chances to improve their percentile, which can make a big difference in which college they finally get admission to.
What These Numbers Mean for Students
Now that we have looked at the numbers, let us think about what they actually mean for a student who is preparing for JEE Main. The first thing to understand is that JEE Main is a very competitive exam. With more than 10 lakh students registering for Session 2 alone, and more than 15 lakh unique students across both sessions, the competition for top ranks and good colleges is very high.
The second thing to understand is that having two sessions is actually a benefit for students. If a student does not do well in Session 1, there is no need to feel that everything is lost. Session 2 gives another full chance to improve the score. Many students who attempt both sessions see an improvement in their percentile in the second attempt, because they get extra time to revise, they understand the exam pattern better after the first attempt, and they can work on their weak topics.
The third point is about attendance. The high attendance rate, above 92 percent in Session 2, shows that most students who register do actually appear for the exam. This means that if a student registers, they should plan their study schedule and revision in a way that they are fully ready to sit for the exam on the given dates, without missing it due to lack of preparation or last-minute fear.
How Students Can Use This Information
If you are a student preparing for JEE Main, knowing the exact registration numbers can help you in a few ways. First, it helps you understand the size of the competition, which can motivate you to study with more focus and discipline. Knowing that lakhs of students are preparing alongside you can push you to use your time wisely.
Second, this information can help you set realistic goals. Instead of only focusing on getting a perfect score, you can focus on improving your percentile step by step. Since percentile is based on how you perform compared to all other students who took the exam, understanding the scale of registration helps you see why even small improvements in your score can lead to a noticeable jump in your percentile.
Third, this information can help you plan your attempts. If you know that Session 2 usually has slightly fewer students than Session 1, but still has a very high attendance rate, you can plan to use Session 1 as a practice attempt under real exam conditions, and then use the months before Session 2 to work on your weak areas and improve your final score.
Tips for Students Planning to Take JEE Main
Here are some simple tips for students who are planning to take JEE Main in the coming years, based on what we have learned from the JEE Main 2025 data.
- Try to attempt both Session 1 and Session 2 if possible, because this gives you two chances to improve your percentile.
- Do not skip Session 2 just because you scored average marks in Session 1. Many students improve their score a lot in the second attempt.
- Keep a proper study plan that balances JEE Main preparation with your Class 12 board exam preparation, since both exams often happen close to each other.
- Practice with previous year question papers and mock tests, so that you become familiar with the exam pattern and time management.
- Focus on understanding concepts rather than just memorising formulas, because JEE Main questions often test how well you understand a topic.
- Take care of your health and sleep, especially during the exam months, so that you can perform your best on the actual exam day.
- Stay updated with official notices from NTA on the official website, so that you do not miss important dates for registration, admit card, and exam.
These simple steps can help any student feel more confident and prepared, no matter how big the competition looks from the outside.
Why Knowing These Numbers Helps Reduce Exam Stress
Many students feel a lot of stress when they think about competitive exams like JEE Main. Part of this stress comes from not knowing the full picture. When students hear words like lakhs of candidates, they may feel like the competition is impossible to handle. But when we break down the numbers, as we have done in this blog, the picture becomes clearer and less scary.
For example, knowing that the attendance rate is high, around 92 to 96 percent in both sessions, tells us that most students who register are serious and prepared. This means that the exam is not just about luck, but about consistent effort. Students who study regularly and revise properly have a real chance to do well, no matter how many other students are also taking the exam.
Also, understanding that JEE Main gives two attempts, and that many students use the second attempt to improve, can reduce the pressure of Session 1. A student does not need to feel that everything depends on just one exam. There is always a chance to try again and do better, which is a very comforting thought for many students and parents.
The Role of NTA in Releasing These Numbers
The National Testing Agency, or NTA, is responsible for conducting JEE Main and for releasing official data about registration and attendance. After every session, NTA usually shares details such as the total number of candidates registered, the number who appeared, the attendance percentage, and sometimes a breakdown by gender, category, and other groups.
This information is shared on the official JEE Main website, which is jeemain.nta.nic.in. Students and parents are always advised to check this official website for the most accurate and updated information, since numbers shared on other websites or social media may sometimes be slightly different or based on early estimates.
NTA’s effort to share this data is helpful for everyone involved in the education system. Schools and coaching centres use this data to understand trends. Researchers and education experts use it to study patterns in student behaviour. And students themselves use it to get a sense of where they stand among the huge number of aspirants across the country.
Looking Ahead – What Future Sessions Might Look Like
Based on the pattern we have seen over the past few years, it seems likely that JEE Main will continue to attract a very large number of students in both sessions. The trend shows that more students are choosing to take both attempts, which means the registration numbers for Session 2 may continue to stay in the range of 10 to 12 lakh in the coming years, similar to what we saw in 2024 and 2025.
For students who are in Class 11 or the early part of Class 12, this means it is a good idea to start preparation early. Starting early gives students enough time to cover the full syllabus, practice regularly, and feel confident before both sessions of the exam. It also reduces the pressure of trying to cover everything in a short time before the exam dates.
Whatever the exact numbers turn out to be in future years, one thing remains true: JEE Main will continue to be a major step for lakhs of students who dream of becoming engineers. Understanding the registration numbers is just one part of the journey. The real journey is about steady preparation, smart study habits, and staying calm and focused during the exam.
Common Doubts Students Have About Session 2 Registration
Many students have similar doubts when it comes to JEE Main Session 2. Let us go through some of these doubts in a simple question and answer style, so that the picture becomes even clearer.
One common doubt is whether a student must register for Session 2 even if they are happy with their Session 1 score. The answer is no, registration for Session 2 is completely optional. Some students choose to skip it if they feel their Session 1 score is good enough for the colleges and branches they are aiming for. Other students choose to attempt it anyway, just to try and improve their percentile further, since there is no harm in trying again.
Another common doubt is whether the Session 2 paper is harder or easier than Session 1. In reality, NTA tries to keep the difficulty level balanced across both sessions, and percentile scores are used so that students from different sessions can be compared fairly. So a student should not worry too much about which session is easier. Instead, the focus should be on personal preparation and performance.
A third doubt many students have is about the application fee for Session 2. Students who already registered for Session 1 still need to fill a fresh application and pay the fee again if they want to attempt Session 2. This is one more reason some students choose not to attempt Session 2, especially if money is tight at home. However, many students and parents feel that the extra chance is worth the additional fee, since a better rank can open doors to much better colleges.
A fourth doubt is about how the final result is calculated when a student appears in both sessions. NTA considers the best of the two scores, which means if a student does better in Session 1, that score is used, and if a student does better in Session 2, that score is used instead. This system makes sure that a student is never punished for attempting twice, and they can only gain from taking the second session.
A fifth doubt is about whether the seat allotment process treats Session 1 and Session 2 candidates differently. The answer is no. Once the final percentile is calculated using the best score, all candidates are placed together in one single merit list. There is no separate list for Session 1 only candidates or Session 2 only candidates. This means a student who attempted only Session 1 and a student who attempted both sessions are treated equally during counselling, as long as their final percentile is the same.
How Coaching Centres and Schools Use This Data
Apart from individual students, coaching centres and schools also pay close attention to this kind of registration data. Coaching centres use this information to plan their batches, decide how many mock tests to conduct, and understand how the competition level is changing from year to year.
Schools also use this data to guide their students. Teachers often share these numbers with students to help them understand the scale of the exam and to motivate them to take their preparation seriously from an early stage. When teachers explain that more than 10 lakh students are appearing in just one session, students often realise the importance of starting their preparation early and staying consistent throughout the year.
Some coaching centres also use registration trends to predict how cutoff marks and percentiles might change. For example, if the number of students registering for Session 2 is close to the number from the previous year, coaching experts may expect the cutoff for admission to stay in a similar range. While these are only estimates and not official predictions, they still give students a rough idea of what to expect, which can help reduce uncertainty and stress.
How Exam Centres and Cities Are Chosen
Another point that students often wonder about is how JEE Main decides where the exam centres will be located. NTA conducts JEE Main across hundreds of cities in India, and also at some centres outside India, so that students from every part of the country and from Indian communities abroad can take the exam without travelling very far. Students fill in their preferred exam city choices during the registration process, and NTA tries its best to allot a centre close to the student’s chosen city.
The large number of exam centres is directly connected to the large number of students who register. Since more than 10 lakh students take Session 2 alone, NTA needs to set up enough centres, enough computers, and enough staff to manage the exam smoothly across multiple shifts and multiple days. This is also why the exam is spread across several days, with different sets of students appearing in different shifts, rather than everyone taking the exam on a single day.
The Connection Between Registration Numbers and Cutoff Marks
Students often ask whether a higher number of registrations means the cutoff marks for admission will also be higher. The relationship is not always direct, because cutoff marks depend on many factors, such as the difficulty level of the question paper, the total number of seats available, and the overall performance pattern of all the students who appear.
However, in general, when the number of serious candidates is high, the competition for top ranks naturally becomes tougher. Understanding the overall registration numbers can give students a general sense of the competition level, even if it cannot be used to predict the exact cutoff marks. The best approach for any student is to focus on personal improvement and not spend too much time worrying about predicting exact cutoffs.
The Importance of Accurate Information
With so many websites and social media pages talking about exam numbers, it is easy for students to come across different figures for the same thing. Some pages may show slightly different numbers because they are using early estimates, rounded figures, or data from unofficial sources. This is why it is always best to treat numbers as approximate unless they come directly from the official NTA website or an official press release.
In this blog, we have used figures that are widely reported and match the data shared after JEE Main 2025 Session 2, such as around 10,61,840 registrations for Session 2 and around 13,11,544 registrations for Session 1. These numbers give a clear and realistic picture of the scale of the exam, even if there might be very small differences depending on the exact source.
For students, the most useful habit is to check the official JEE Main website regularly during the registration period, exam period, and result period. This way, you will always have the latest and most correct information about dates, numbers, and other important details, without depending only on second-hand sources.
Final Thoughts for Students and Parents
JEE Main is a big exam, and it is normal to feel nervous when you think about lakhs of students competing for limited seats. But it is important to remember that every single one of those students is also a normal person, just like you, who is studying hard, facing doubts, and hoping for a good result. The competition is high, but so is the opportunity, because there are many good colleges and branches available for students at different score levels, not just for the very top rankers.
Parents also play an important role during this time. Instead of focusing only on big numbers and comparisons with other students, parents can help by creating a calm and supportive environment at home, encouraging regular study habits, and reminding their children that one exam does not decide their whole future. With two sessions available, there is always room for improvement, and a difficult first attempt does not mean the end of the road.
We hope this blog has given you a clear and simple understanding of the registration numbers for JEE Main 2025 Session 2, how this number compares with other sessions and years, and what it all means for students who are preparing for this important exam. Keep studying with focus, take care of your health, and approach the exam with confidence. Good luck to every student preparing for JEE Main, now and in the years to come.
Conclusion
In this blog, we tried to answer the common question, how many students registered for jee mains 2025 session 2, in very simple words. We learned that around 10,61,840 students registered for JEE Main 2025 Session 2, which was held in April 2025. This number was a bit lower than Session 1, which had around 13,11,544 registrations, but the attendance rate in both sessions stayed high, showing that students were serious about the exam.
We also looked at gender-wise and category-wise data, the participation of PwD candidates, the total unique number of students across both sessions, and how these numbers have changed over the past few years. We discussed what these numbers mean for students, and shared simple tips that can help future aspirants prepare better and feel less stressed.
The most important takeaway is this: no matter how big the numbers are, every student has a fair and equal chance to do well through honest effort, regular practice, and a calm mindset. JEE Main gives every student two chances, and that is a big advantage. We hope this blog helped you understand the topic clearly, in simple English, and that it gives you confidence as you move forward in your own JEE Main journey.

Poonam Pareek is the Founder, CEO, and Lead Writer of StudentsTalk.in, an education-focused platform dedicated to helping students stay informed about the latest academic updates, scholarships, entrance exams, career opportunities, government schemes, and study resources. With a passion for education and student success, she creates informative, easy-to-understand content.



