The results of JEE Advanced 2025 are out, and they paint an interesting picture of gender disparity in India's top engineering entrance exam. Let's dive into the numbers and see what's really going on!
The Big Picture
Out of 1,80,422 students who took the exam, 54,378 qualified. That's great news! But here's where it gets interesting:
- 82.7% of qualifiers are boys (41,337)
- Only 17.3% are girls (9,404)
Whoa! That's quite a gap, isn't it?
The Good News
Before we get too gloomy, there's a silver lining. The number of girls qualifying (9,404) is actually the highest since 2017. That's progress!
Top Ranks: Where Are the Girls?
Here's where things get a bit disappointing:
- No girls in the top 10 ranks
- The highest-ranking girl, Devdatta Majhi, secured 16th position
- This trend has been consistent for the past 6 years (except last year)
Why Is This Happening?
There could be many reasons for this gender gap:
- Societal pressure and stereotypes
- Lack of encouragement for girls in STEM fields
- Fewer girls opting for JEE coaching
Steps in the Right Direction
The good news is that steps are being taken to address this issue:
- IITs have introduced a supernumerary quota for girls
- 20% extra seats have been created for girls
- 1,364 additional B.Tech seats have been added
The Exam Itself
This year's JEE Advanced was tougher than previous years:
- Math and Physics sections were lengthy and required deep understanding
- Chemistry was relatively easier
- Cut-off dropped by 35 marks to 74
- Only 40 candidates scored above 300 marks (compared to 101 last year)
A Ray of Hope
Despite the tough paper, 30.14% more candidates qualified compared to previous years. That's the highest in 8 years!
What's Next?
As we move forward, it's crucial to:
- Encourage more girls to pursue STEM education
- Break down stereotypes about engineering being a 'male' field
- Provide equal opportunities and support for all students
Remember, diversity in engineering leads to better innovation and problem-solving. So let's cheer for all the students who made it through JEE Advanced, and work towards a future where gender doesn't determine one's success in any field!