# Beyond JEE: New Paths to Engineering Admissions

For decades, the [**Joint Entrance Examination (JEE**](https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/featurephilia/story/engineering-admissions-what-colleges-want-other-than-jee-scores-2684787-2025-02-24)**)** has been the defining factor in engineering admissions across India. However, as competition grows and more students vie for limited seats in premier institutions like the **IITs, NITs, and IIITs**, colleges are now adopting **holistic admission processes**. This shift is aimed at evaluating candidates based on more than just a single test score, allowing for a diverse set of students with different skills and aspirations to secure admissions.

### **The Role of JEE Scores in Engineering Admissions**

The JEE examination is divided into two stages:

* **JEE Main:** This is the primary test for securing admissions into **NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs (Government-Funded Technical Institutes)**. The score is also used for some private universities and state-level institutions.
    
* **JEE Advanced:** Clearing this is mandatory for gaining admission into the **IITs**. The **Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA)** conducts counseling based on [JEE Advanced ranks](https://jeemain.nta.nic.in/), following category-wise cutoffs.
    

Every year, **millions of students** take these exams, but only a small percentage secure seats in top-tier institutes. This intense competition makes it important for students to explore **alternative admission routes** beyond JEE scores.