JEE Main Session 1 Exam in West Bengal Gets New Date
The National Testing Agency announced a change in plans on Thursday. It deferred the JEE Main Session 1 examination originally set for January 23 in West Bengal. This decision came after multiple requests from the state.
Why the Exam Was Postponed
Students and officials in West Bengal raised concerns about the date. January 23 coincides with Saraswati Puja, a significant festival for students. Many candidates celebrate this day with devotion and respect for Goddess Saraswati.
The NTA issued a formal notice addressing the issue. It stated that representations from candidates in West Bengal prompted the review. The agency decided to allot a different examination date to all affected students. This new date will fall within the already advertised schedule for JEE Main 2025 Session 1.
Political Intervention and Official Requests
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee played a key role. She publicly stated her intervention on social media platform X. Banerjee explained that the original scheduling created difficulty for students. She emphasized that January 23 is also Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's birthday.
"I intervened to protest and seek a change," Banerjee wrote. "Due to my intervention, the government of India arranged an alternative examination date." She expressed relief that students would now have the opportunity to participate in Saraswati Puja celebrations.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar also contributed to the effort. He wrote to the Secretary of the Department of Higher Education on January 9. His letter highlighted the dual significance of the date and formally requested rescheduling.
The state's Higher Education Department reinforced this request. It sent its own letter to the NTA on Wednesday, just before the announcement.
Exam Details and Original Schedule
The JEE Main Session 1 examination follows a specific pattern. According to the original plan, January 23 featured two examination shifts:
- First shift: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Second shift: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
These sessions would have occurred across various examination centers in West Bengal. The NTA's decision means all candidates scheduled for that day will receive new allotments. The agency will communicate the revised dates through official channels.
This move demonstrates responsiveness to cultural and regional considerations. It ensures students do not face conflicts between academic commitments and religious observances. The rescheduling affects only West Bengal candidates, with other states proceeding as planned.
