JEE Main: What changes have NTA made in syllabus and exam pattern over the last 5 years?

The National Testing Agency (NTA), established in November 2017 by the Government of India, is responsible for conducting key national-level entrance exams. Among its flagship exams is the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), which serves as the gateway for aspiring engineers to gain admission to prestigious institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs).
The JEE is divided into two phases: JEE Main and JEE Advanced. JEE Main, held in multiple sessions typically in January and April, is the qualifying exam for various engineering colleges and the eligibility test for JEE Advanced. The latter, conducted annually, determines admission to IITs and other top engineering institutions. With intense competition and a challenging syllabus, JEE attracts lakhs of aspirants every year. It tests students’ proficiency in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, assessing both their conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills.

NTA JEE Exam Pattern Changes

Over the years, the format of JEE has evolved, with JEE Main being conducted online and providing candidates with multiple opportunities to improve their scores. Understanding the exam pattern and syllabus and staying updated with changes is crucial for students aiming for success in this highly competitive examination. Aspiring candidates can check here the changes in JEE Main exam pattern over the last 5 years.
JEE Exam Pattern Before the Pandemic

Prior to the pandemic, the JEE Main exam had a consistent format, with a total of 90 questions across three subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Each subject contained 30 questions, divided into two sections: Section A and Section B. Section A comprised 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), while Section B included 10 numerical-based questions.
There was no flexibility in Section B; all 10 numerical questions were mandatory, and candidates had to attempt all of them. The exam duration was three hours, and each correct answer earned candidates 4 marks, with a penalty of 1 mark for each incorrect response. The total marks for the exam were 360. Students were expected to be well-versed in both theoretical concepts and numerical problem-solving.

JEE Exam Pattern During the Pandemic
In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the NTA introduced significant changes to the JEE Main exam format starting in 2021. To alleviate the difficulties caused by the disruptions in learning, the exam pattern was modified to include optional questions in Section B.
Section B, which previously had 10 numerical questions, was revised so that candidates could choose any 5 out of the 10 numerical questions. This change was intended to provide students with flexibility, enabling them to focus on the questions they felt most confident about. Additionally, the number of total questions remained at 90, and each subject continued to have 30 questions divided into Sections A and B. The marking scheme was also adjusted to reflect this flexibility, with each correct answer earning 4 marks and incorrect answers resulting in a 1-mark penalty.
This temporary change allowed students to tailor their approach to the exam, particularly in subjects like Mathematics and Physics, where numerical problems often posed a challenge. It was considered a necessary adaptation due to the interrupted academic year caused by the pandemic.
JEE Exam Pattern in 2025
For JEE Main 2025, the exam pattern will revert to its pre-pandemic format, with the optional question scheme in Section B being discontinued. The revised pattern will feature 25 questions in each of the three subjects—Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics—with 5 numerical questions per subject in Section B. These numerical questions will be mandatory, eliminating the flexibility previously offered.
The total number of questions will remain 75, and the exam will continue to be conducted over three hours. Each correct answer will earn 4 marks, and an incorrect answer will result in a deduction of 1 mark. This shift back to a more traditional exam format is expected to create a more uniform challenge for students, as they will no longer have the option to skip certain questions.

JEE Main 2025 Chapterwise Weightage

The JEE Main 2025 syllabus reflects notable adjustments in subject-wise weightage compared to previous years. The most prominent change is the reduction in weightage for Physics and Chemistry, both decreasing from 25% to 22.5%.
On the other hand, Mathematics has gained more importance, with its weightage rising from 30% to 35%, making it the most heavily weightage subject in Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech).

NTA Syllabus Changes

NTA has announced quite a few changes in the JEE Main syllabus, paper pattern and weightage over the last few years. Check out the revisions here.
JEE Main Syllabus 2025: Paper-wise changes
The JEE Main syllabus for 2025 introduces significant modifications in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, alongside some smaller adjustments such as the inclusion of new topics and the reduction of certain chapters. Students are advised to familiarize themselves with the updated syllabus early, allowing ample time for exam preparation.
Key changes to the syllabus and the weightage distribution for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) and Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Plan) are as follows:

JEE Main 2025: Subject-wise changes
Here are the major changes in the revised syllabus for all the subjects: Physics, chemistry, and biology.
Physics

Chemistry: Several topics have been excluded from the Chemistry syllabus for JEE, simplifying the preparation for students. These include States of Matter, Surface Chemistry, s-Block Elements, Hydrogen, and Environmental Chemistry. Other omitted chapters are Polymers, Chemistry in Everyday Life, and General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Metals. Additionally, concepts like Thomson and Rutherford's atomic models and their limitations and Physical quantities, measurements, precision, accuracy, and significant figures in Chemistry have also been removed.
Mathematics: Removal of "Mathematical Induction," "Mathematical Reasoning," and certain topics within "Three Dimensional Geometry."
Additional Changes
Candidates can check the additional changes in the main topics as mentioned here: