JEE Advanced 2025: 18 Students Not Allowed to Attempt Exam as-per SC Enforces Test Eligibility Regulations

Updated on Apr 23, 2025 14:08

The second stage of the admissions selection process to the IITs, JEE Advanced held after JEE Mains which is held twice a year.

Kolkata: The Supreme Court has refused to grant relief to 18 students from the 2023 Class 12 cohort who requested permission to take the JEE Advanced 2025 exam. The court stated that such matters fall under educational policy and are not subject to judicial intervention. These students argued that while they qualified for JEE Main 2025, they were unfairly barred from JEE Advanced 2025, scheduled for May 18. Their argument centered on a policy shift by the Joint Admission Board (JAB). 13 days after allowing three attempts for JEE Advanced on November 5, 2024, the JAB revoked this judgment.

The Supreme Court panel, comprising Justices Augustine George Masih and B R Gavai, dismissed the students' appeal. The bench commented that eligibility criteria for academic examinations are best determined by expert bodies, questioning the disparity in attempt limits between JEE Main and JEE Advanced by asking, ?Why not just two attempts for JEE-Mains as well?? Senior counsel Shadan Farasat, representing the students, contended that the JAB's policy reversal disadvantaged the 2023 batch compared to students from the 2024 and 2025 batches, creating an uneven playing field. Nonetheless, the final eligibility criteria were upheld by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. He explained that the November 18 decision was made to lessen academic stress and discourage extended periods of exam preparation. He also referenced a previous court order from January 10, which offered limited exceptions for students who withdrew during the brief period after the initial policy change.

The Supreme Court ultimately upheld the revised eligibility policy, emphasizing the importance of consistency and academic planning. The bench's conclusion was, ?This lies in the domain of policy, which courts should not interfere in.?

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