No negative marking for optional questions in JEE Main 2021: Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal

In the new paper pattern introduced for the Joint Entrance Exam 2021 (JEE) on Wednesday, there will be no negative marking for the 15 optional questions that the students can choose to opt, out of a total of 90 questions. The candidates have to attempt 75 questions out of 90 or 25 out of questions 30 in each section of Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics.

Read More: JEE Main to be held in 13 languages from February 23 to 26, three more phases in March April and May

Keeping in mind the fact that the syllabus has been reduced, the National Testing Agency has decided to offer choices to the students. A total of 90 questions would be asked out of which 75 questions will have to be attempted.

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal announced the dates of JEE Main 2021 on Wednesday after a lot of confusion among students, parents across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The exams will be held from February 23 to 26.

The examination will also be held four times from next year — February, March, April and May. Only the best marks will be used for ranking even if a student appears for all four sessions. The decision to provide multiple exam dates is to ensure that students can improve their overall score. "Multiple sessions of JEE Main will ensure that all students can sit for the exams. While some could have missed an attempt if their board exams fall on the same day and due to fears of COVID-19. Now that issue won't arise," said Pokhriyal.

For the first time, JEE Main 2021 will be held in 13 languages — English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu.