More than 13 lakh students appeared for the exam held between January 21 and January 29 across multiple shifts nationwide. Officials confirmed that final ranks will not be issued at this stage because the second session is scheduled for April. The merit list and All India Rank will be released only after combining results from both sessions.

According to preliminary data, three of the top scorers are from Rajasthan. The agency has also published the final answer keys, dropping nine questions after reviewing objections filed by candidates. Students who attempted those questions will receive full marks for them, a measure aimed at ensuring fairness in evaluation.

The result declaration was delayed beyond the initially expected date of February 12 due to challenges raised against the provisional answer key. Subject experts examined disputed questions before finalizing scores. Last year, similar reviews led to multiple questions being removed, particularly in Physics.

The examination saw record participation, with roughly 14.5 lakh registrations, underscoring rising competition for engineering seats. Paper 1 for BE/BTech accounted for more than 13 lakh test-takers, while results for Paper 2 (BArch/BPlan) will be released separately.

Students dissatisfied with their current performance will have another opportunity. Registration for Session 2 remains open until February 25, and the exam will be conducted from April 2 to April 9. Authorities reiterated that the better of the two scores will be considered for final ranking, giving candidates a chance to improve.

Data released alongside the results also highlighted broader participation trends in technical education. Enrolment of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students has increased in premier institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institutes of Management over recent years, reflecting gradual expansion in access to higher education.

Officials advised candidates to download and retain their scorecards for counselling and admission processes. With Session 2 approaching, coaching institutes expect intensified preparation cycles and higher cut-off thresholds.