JEE Advanced 2025: Record 9,404 female candidates qualify, marking highest since 2017

JEE Advanced 2025 results show increased female qualifiers, with 20% female supernumerary quota at IITs for gender diversity.

The JEE Advanced 2025 results show progress in the area of gender representation, with 9,404 female candidates qualifying, the greatest number since 2017. “The growth from 7,137 female qualifiers in 2017 (~14.1%) to 9,404 female qualifiers in 2025 (~17.3%) demonstrates the success of continued programming promoting more girls to enter STEM”, Nitin Vijay, Founder and CEO, Motion Education.

Mr. Vijay pointed to a positive trend for girl candidates in the current academic year. He said, “Increased opportunities are driven by the addition of 1,364 new B.Tech seats and a 20% female supernumerary quota at all 23 IITs. It represents greater access for deserving female candidates to IIT admissions. With 50,455 total qualifiers in 2017 narrowing to 54,378 total qualifiers in 2025, and the percentage of women qualifiers consistently climbing, the future of gender diversity in India’s premier technical institutions has never been so promising.”

Approximately 1.90 lakh students appeared for JEE Advanced 2025, out of which around 43,000 were female candidates. The 20% female supernumerary quota will continue to be implemented across IITs. However, girls can secure admission under both the female-only pool and the gender-neutral pool.

Those with higher ranks can even gain admission through the gender-neutral category. This system particularly benefits female candidates with relatively higher ranks. If girls make smart, strategic choices during JoSAA counselling, they stand a strong chance of getting into top IITs even with relatively higher All India Ranks. It is expected that this year, girls with an All India Rank of up to around 25,000 may have the opportunity to secure admission in IITs.

Sharing his feedback on the paper, Mr. Vijay reported that JEE Advanced 2025 was of a moderate to difficult level of difficulty. Based on initial student feedback, Mathematics was found to be the most challenging section, with lengthy, difficult, and time-consuming questions requiring conceptual clarity and profound thinking.

Physics was reported as moderate to challenging, with questions requiring understanding and accuracy, while Chemistry was comparatively easier in both sessions, allowing students to conserve time during the exam. Paper 2 proved to be tougher than Paper 1, particularly as eight number value-type questions were provided with no options. As compared to previous years, no paragraph-type questions were posed. Maths and Physics proved to be time-consuming and tough in Paper-2, whereas Chemistry proved to be a comparatively easier level of difficulty.