Why is the main method in Java declared as static?

The main method in Java is declared as static to enable calling it without creating an instance of the class. In Java, the entry point of the program is the main method, and it must be invoked by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to start the execution of the program. If the main method were not static, the JVM would need to create an instance of the class in order to call it, which would complicate the program's startup process.

By declaring the main method as static, it can be accessed directly using the class name, making it more straightforward for the JVM to locate and execute the method as the program begins. This design allows for a clean and efficient way to initiate a Java application without the necessity of instantiating an object.