JEE Advanced is ultimately a test of clarity under pressure: IIT Jodhpur director

With the release of JEE Advanced 2025 results, aspirants are all set to begin their decision-making journey. In an exclusive chat with Education Times, Prof Avinash Kumar Agarwal, director, IIT Jodhpur, who has been an alumnus of IIT Delhi and founder-director of IIT Kanpur’s Science and Technology Research Park, guides students on how to make informed career choices at this critical juncture. He also talks about students’ preparation strategy in JEE Advanced and how they can move from confusion to clarity. Excerpts from the interview:

 

Cracking JEE Advanced requires a fine balance of both hard work and smart strategy. The exam is not just a test of knowledge but of conceptual clarity, analytical thinking, and application-based reasoning. Students must invest time in building a deep foundational understanding of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics — beyond what rote memorisation can offer.

 

However, what truly sets successful candidates apart is their ability to work smart — by developing a personalised preparation strategy, prioritising key topics, managing time efficiently, and honing problem-solving speed and accuracy. Regular analysis of mock tests, understanding patterns in previous years’ questions, and mastering the art of eliminating options in MCQs are essential techniques.

JEE Advanced is ultimately a test of clarity under pressure, and those who prepare with a blend of consistent effort, focused practice, and smart exam strategy are best positioned to succeed.

 

In today’s dynamic academic ecosystem, especially under the framework of NEP 2020, students are increasingly empowered to make informed decisions about their academic and professional journeys. At the IITs, students are encouraged to discover their unique strengths, passions, and aspirations through structured orientation programmes, faculty mentoring, and peer-led initiatives. Rather than succumbing to popular trends, they are urged to pursue disciplines that resonate with their core interests — be it in emerging areas like AI, robotics, sustainable infrastructure, quantum technologies, or even Economics, liberal arts and entrepreneurship.

 

With the introduction of flexible curricula, minor and elective options, interdisciplinary project-based learning, and Design Thinking courses, students now have the space to explore and refine their interests throughout their academic life. At IIT Jodhpur, for example, programmes like Engineering Innovation, Digital Humanities, and Entrepreneurial Leadership are designed to help students break out of conventional moulds and forge personalised career paths. Furthermore, our counselling and academic advisory systems ensure that students receive personalised guidance from the moment they enter the institute, enabling them to make choices based on curiosity and competence, rather than peer influence.

 

While it is true that CSE at IIT Bombay continues to attract top ranks, the landscape of AI education in India is rapidly diversifying and decentralising. In fact, the Government of India’s push toward expanding AI is being implemented across leading institutions, including IIT Jodhpur, which has been entrusted with hosting the country's first-ever MeitY Chair on Artificial Intelligence. This recognition reflects the institute’s role in advancing AI research in critical areas like perception and cognitive engineering, supported by a ₹5 crore grant from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

 

AI today is no longer confined to traditional Computer Science disciplines but is being combined with healthcare, robotics, cybersecurity, linguistics, and even social sciences, ensuring students are trained not just in coding, but in applying AI responsibly and ethically. This suggests that while high ranks often follow historical preferences, cutting-edge opportunities in AI exist across the newer IITs as well.

 

Absolutely — students should look beyond rank-based preferences and explore newer IITs and emerging interdisciplinary programmes that align with their individual interests and career goals. All newer IITs have been established with a forward-looking academic vision, offering flexible, NEP-aligned curricula, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and cutting-edge research facilities.

 

In fact, being relatively young, these institutions often feature modern laboratories, advanced instrumentation, and greater emphasis on industry integration and innovation ecosystems. This can significantly enhance the student learning experience, especially in experimental and application-based domains. Additionally, newer IITs offer pioneering programmes in AI, Bioengineering, Sustainability, Quantum Computing, and Humanities, providing opportunities that go beyond traditional engineering streams.

 

Choosing a path that aligns with one's passion and aptitude, rather than simply following conventional trends, is more likely to lead to long-term academic fulfilment and professional success. The IITs today are not just about legacy — they are about vision, relevance, and impact.

 

The fact that 9,404 female candidates qualified JEE Advanced is a positive trend and apparently the highest since 2017. Girls can enter the IIT system under both the female-only pool and the gender-neutral pool, depending on their ranks. Supernumerary seats have certainly helped improve the female student population in the IIT system. It is not easy to explain why boys dominate top ranks in JEE Advanced while girls outshine boys in the boards. A stereotype comment that boys are more inclined towards mathematical reasoning than girls is no longer tenable and we should not resort to such simplistic explanations. The reasons are perhaps more sociological in nature and warrant further study.

 

The significant drop in the cut-off this year must be understood in the context of the exam's difficulty level, particularly in Paper 2, which featured a higher proportion of time-intensive numerical problems, especially in Physics and Mathematics. Detailed analyses suggest that while many students performed well in multiple-choice and theoretical questions, especially in Chemistry, a large number struggled with the lengthy calculations required for numerical questions — impacting overall scores.

 

This decline in cut-off is not a reflection of the quality or potential of students, but rather a response to the challenging nature and structure of the paper. JEE Advanced is designed to test depth of understanding and problem-solving under pressure. Variability in cut-offs from year to year is expected and depends largely on the paper’s composition. The students who qualified this year demonstrated resilience and adaptability in navigating one of the most conceptually demanding entrance exams.

 

JEE Advanced is as much a test of mental resilience as it is of academic ability. Interestingly, many top rankers this year shared that their success came not just from rigorous study but from maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Several of them engaged regularly in activities like sports, music, reading, and yoga, which helped them stay mentally refreshed and physically fit. They emphasised the importance of staying focused on the core syllabus and standard textbooks, while consciously avoiding distractions from excessive social media or overwhelming online content.

 

Time management, consistent routines, and emotional self-discipline played a crucial role in keeping their preparation on track. Practices such as meditation and mindfulness helped them cope with anxiety and maintain a positive mindset. Students should understand that mental well-being is integral to academic performance. Parents, schools, and coaching systems must also encourage healthy study habits, rather than just long hours, to ensure that students succeed without compromising their health.