To encourage students from North-Eastern (NE) states to register for the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) Main 2025, the Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) 2025 organised a press conference at Kohima Press Club office on February 11. The press conference highlighted how JEE Main can open doors to premier engineering institutions and promising career opportunities. With the registration for session 2 (april 2025) started on January 31 and will close on February 24, the press conference informed on almost 2024 seats available across NITs in India and 2000 seats are expected to be availed under the state quota for NIT+ system within the Northeastern states. Further, around 740 seats are available across India for students from Northeast states under CSAB-NEUT round.
In a message shared by Chair, CSAB 2025, Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, he stated that the students of Nagaland have showcased immense potential and remarkable talent across various fields of career and stated that the students of Nagaland has the potential to produce the next generation of outstanding engineers and scientists. As the registration window for JEE Main is now open, he encouraged all students from Nagaland to take advantage of the opportunity and register for the JEE Main 2025 Examination.
With focused study, practice, and time management, students can perform well and succeed, which will open doors to top institutions through the CISAB 2025 counselling process, helping them secure admission in preferred NIT+ system institutions, based on eligibility, stated Rao.
He said CSAB 2025 team will provide guidance and support during each counselling round with a counselling centre located at the State and multilingual tele help desk located.
He also informed that the JEE Main provides access to top-tier technical institutes, collectively known as the NIT+ system, which includes:31 National Institutes of Technology (NITs), 26 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Its),3 Schools of Planning and Architecture (SPAs),37 Government-Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) and 1 IIEST, Shibpur.
These institutions are known for their strong industry connections, research opportunities, and world-class infrastructure, ensuring graduates secure promising careers, stated Rao who informed that each year, nearly 24,000 seats are available across NITs in India. In 2025, approximately 2,000 seats are expected to be reserved under the State Quota for NIT system in the NE states, along with 740 seats under the NEUT category.
Recognising the unique challenges faced by NE students, SAB offers tailored opportunities through dedicated counselling rounds, mentioned Rao:
CSAB-NEUT Round: Allocates seats in AICTE-approved institutes across India for students from NE states and Union Territories with limited technical education facilities.
CSAB Special Round: Provides an additional chance for candidates who did not secure a seat through JoSAA/SAB counselling to gain admission to NIT+ institutions.
Prof Pankaj K Sa, Vice Chair and local organising commiting CSAB 2025 informed that last year 15 lakh student appeared JEE and out of those the northeast population excluding Assam and Tripura percentage is less than 1 percent.
“As there is also 50% seat earmarked for students from northeast state, this is one of the big opportunities the students can avail from,” said Sa.
Dean Academic NIT Nagaland Dr. Wati Walling also highlighted the ample opportunity available in the NIT Nagaland including PHD and many more facilities and subjects. He also shared the need for sensitisation and awareness for students to come forward and study their dream subject.
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Chairman, Local Organising Committee, CSAB 2025 Prof. Anindya Basu, emphasised that with the right approach, mastering core concepts, regular practice, effective time management, and a positive mindset, students can confidently clear the JEE Main exam. “The Central Seat Allocation Board (SAB) is making it easier than ever for students from the North East to access these incredible opportunities.And with reserved seats, dedicated counselling rounds, and multilingual support, you can get the guidance you need to succeed,” stated Basu.
He also added that there Is no age limit for candidates appearing in JEE (Main) 2025 and Students who passed Class XII or equivalent in 2023, 2024, or are appearing in 2025 are eligible, regardless of age.
To appear exam, candidates must have passed or be appearing in one of the following:
-Final examination of the 10+2 system by recognised Central/State Boards (e.g., CBSE, CISCE).
-Intermediate or two-year Pre-University examination by a recognised Board/University.
-Final examination of the two-year Joint Services Wing course of the National Defense Academy.
-Senior Secondary School Examination by NIOS with at least five subjects.
-Public School/Board/University examination in India or abroad recognised as equivalent to the
10+2 system by AIU.
-Higher Secondary Certificate Vocational Examination.
-Diploma (3 years) recognised by AICTE or a State technical education board.
-General Certificate of Education (GCE) A-Level examination (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka)
-High School Certificate by Cambridge University or International Baccalaureate Diploma from IB Office, Geneva.
-Class XII equivalent examination completed outside India with an AIU equivalence certificate.
-If Class XII is not a public exam, candidates must have passed at least one public (Board/Pre-University) exam earlier.
Basu further mentioned that Graduates from NIT+ system have diverse career opportunities across sectors. “They have the opportunity to secure roles as scientists, researchers, and engineers in organisations such as ISRO, DRDO, and BARC, while the tech industry offers positions in software development, Al, data science, and cybersecurity at companies like TCS, Amazon, and Google. Core engineering graduates find opportunities in manufacturing, infrastructure, and energy, with PSUs like Coal India and NTPC who are actively hiring. And many also pursue teaching, research, consulting, government services, or international careers. In Northeast India, NIT and IIIT graduates benefit from expanding job markets, research roles, and entrepreneurial opportunities. The region’s growing startup ecosystem and skill development programs in emerging technologies like Al and machine learning further enhance employability, fostering innovation and economic growth,” he informed.
Seat Allocation Process
After clearing JEE Main, students can participate in the seat allocation process, starting with five JOSAA-2025 rounds for IITs and the NIT+ system, followed by two CSAB-special rounds to fill vacant
Qualified candidates can register for counselling through the official websites (https://csab.nic.in) and https://josaa.nic.in), where they will find step-by-step guidance on registration, document verification, preference selection, and seat allotment.
The JoSAA/CSAB counselling process offers several benefits:
-Exclusive Seat Reservations: Reserved seats for NE students provide access to top institutions.
-Multiple Chances for Admission: Two CSAB Special -Rounds provide additional opportunities.
-One can do Online registration, document verification, and seat allotment with multilingual support.
