Hi Aspirant

If you are a student with residential status in Puducherry and wish to pursue engineering the requirement to clear JEE Main depends on the specific college and admission process There are two main pathways into engineering colleges in Puducherry which are the state counselling system known as CENTAC and admission to national level institutes like NIT Puducherry

CENTAC counselling for Pondicherry engineering colleges
The Centralised Admission Committee or CENTAC manages admissions to state government and government aided engineering colleges in Puducherry including Pondicherry Engineering College and other institutions These seats are reserved partly for local Puducherry residents and partly for outside state students Under this system a residential student from Puducherry needs to appear for either the JEE Main exam or the local entrance exam called CET Some colleges only accept JEE Main scores while others accept both While JEE Main score is accepted it is not mandatory if you have qualified in the state CET You can choose either entrance to qualify for counselling

NIT Puducherry admissions through JoSAA counselling
Admission to NIT Puducherry is conducted through JoSAA and is based exclusively on JEE Main score This university does not accept any CET or state level exam score Regardless of your residential status to secure a BTech seat at NIT Puducherry you must appear for JEE Main and obtain a valid rank

Comparison of college requirements
• For state run and aided engineering colleges under CENTAC you may use either JEE Main score or CET score depending on the choice determined by the committee
• For NIT Puducherry and central government funded institutes JEE Main score is mandatory
• Some private colleges in Puducherry may accept either but many prefer JEE Main due to its national recognition

What your status as a resident means
• Being a resident of Puducherry gives you priority in state seat allotment under CENTAC local quota
• You will compete within the local category if applying through CET or JEE Main under CENTAC
• You will also be eligible for All India Quota seats for NIT through JEE Main

Steps for admission
1 Participate in CET counselling if you choose that route
2 Alternatively register for JEE Main and secure a rank
3 Use JEE Main rank to apply via JoSAA for NIT Puducherry or via CENTAC for state seats
4 Upload all documents during counselling including residence certificate proof of study and exam scorecards

Advantages of taking JEE Main
• It opens the pathway for NIT admission which is well funded and has strong placement records
• It also increases your chances in the state counselling particularly for high demand branches
• A valid JEE Main rank ensures you are eligible for both central and state level seats

Do you have to take both exams
No taking both is optional But if you are sure of applying to NIT or centrally administered seats you must take JEE Main If you prefer only state colleges under CENTAC and choose CET this may be enough.