JEE Counselling Logo
JEE Counselling

2026

JoSAA

College Predictor

IITs · NITs · IIITs · GFTIs

College Predictor: 98 Percentile in JEE Main 2026

Approx. AIR 22,500-22,600 · Top & Mid-Tier NIT/IIIT Branch Options

A Strong Rank — Focus on Branch Strategy

At AIR ~22,500-22,600, most NITs, several IIITs, and all GFTIs are within range for at least one branch. The key decision is trading off institute brand vs. branch — e.g., Electrical at a top NIT vs. CSE at a mid-tier one.

Based on the official NTA JEE Main 2026 score-percentile-rank table, 98 percentile corresponds to a score of roughly 140-141 out of 300 and an All India Rank of approximately 22,500-22,600 in the General category. This is a strong rank that puts nearly all NITs and several IIITs within reach for at least one branch, though CSE and ECE at the very top NITs — NIT Trichy, NIT Surathkal, NIT Warangal, NIT Rourkela — typically require ranks well under 10,000 for Other State-General seats.

At this rank, the biggest strategic decision is institute vs. branch. Candidates with AIR ~22,500 often face a choice between a core branch (Electrical, Civil, Mechanical, Chemical) at a top-ranked NIT, versus CSE or IT at a mid-tier NIT or IIIT. Both paths have merit — top-NIT core branches offer stronger overall brand and campus infrastructure, while CSE/IT at a slightly lower-ranked institute may offer better placement outcomes in software-focused roles. Home State quota and reserved-category status (OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, ST) can meaningfully shift what's realistic, so always check both your General/CRL rank and your category-specific rank against institute cutoffs.

Realistic Options at 98 Percentile (AIR ~22,500-22,600)

OptionChanceNote
Top NITs (Trichy/Surathkal/Warangal) — CSE/ECELowCutoffs for these branches close well under AIR 10,000 (Other State)
Top NITs — Electrical/Civil/Mechanical (Home State)Moderate-GoodRealistic in several states depending on local competition
Mid-tier NITs — CSE/IT/ECEModerateBorderline; depends heavily on quota and category
Mid-tier & newer NITs — Core branchesGoodCivil, Mechanical, Chemical branches generally accessible
IIITs (PPP model) — CSE/ITModerate-GoodSeveral newer IIITs' CS-adjacent branches close near this rank
GFTIs — most branchesGoodReliable fallback; keep lower in preference order

Related Pages

JEE Main College Predictor 202695 Percentile Predictor90 Percentile PredictorJEE Rank PredictorJEE Main CutoffNIRF NIT Rankings
JEE Main
JEE Advanced
DASA / NRI

Know which college you can get

Predict IITs, NITs, IIITs & GFTIs · 135+ institutes · JoSAA 2026 data

Predict My College

Frequently Asked Questions – College Predictor for 98 Percentile

Common questions about college options at 98 percentile in JEE Main 2026

1
What rank does 98 percentile correspond to in JEE Main 2026?
Based on the official NTA JEE Main 2026 score-percentile-rank table, 98 percentile corresponds to a score of approximately 140-141 out of 300 and an All India Rank of roughly 22,500-22,600 in the General category (CRL). At this rank, most NITs become viable for at least some branches, and several IIITs open up for popular branches too.
2
Can I get CSE at an NIT with 98 percentile in JEE Main 2026?
CSE at the top NITs (Trichy, Surathkal, Warangal, Rourkela) generally requires an AIR well under 10,000 for Other State-General seats, so 98 percentile (~AIR 22,500) is usually not enough for CSE at these top-tier NITs under General/Other-State quota. However, Home State quota candidates at mid-tier and newer NITs, and OBC-NCL/EWS/SC/ST category candidates with a favorable category rank, have realistic chances at CSE or closely related branches (IT, ECE) at several NITs.
3
Which branches are realistic at 98 percentile at top NITs?
At AIR ~22,500, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering at several NITs including some higher-ranked ones become realistic, especially under Home State quota. ECE and IT branches are borderline — achievable at mid-tier NITs but generally out of reach for CSE/ECE at the very top NITs like Trichy or Surathkal under Other State quota.
4
What about IIITs at 98 percentile?
Core IIITs like IIIT Allahabad and IIIT Hyderabad's ECE-adjacent branches, along with several PPP-model IIITs' CSE and IT programs, become realistic at 98 percentile. IIITs generally offer only CSE, ECE, and IT-adjacent branches (unlike NITs which also offer Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, etc.), so IIIT cutoffs for their available branches are typically closer to NIT ECE/IT cutoffs than to NIT Civil/Mechanical cutoffs.
5
Should I consider GFTIs at 98 percentile, or focus only on NITs and IIITs?
At 98 percentile, most candidates should prioritize NITs and IIITs first since they generally offer better brand recognition, placement records, and infrastructure than GFTIs. GFTIs remain a good fallback/backup choice to include lower in your JoSAA preference list, particularly if you want to lock in a seat early rather than risk not getting an NIT/IIIT branch in a less-preferred round.
6
Is 98 percentile good enough to skip state counselling and rely only on JoSAA?
At 98 percentile, most candidates find a reasonable NIT/IIIT/GFTI seat through JoSAA, especially with Home State quota or reserved category benefits. However, it is still worth registering for a strong state counselling process (like MHT CET, WBJEE, or your home state's exam) in parallel if you also have a qualifying score, since some state-run institutes may offer a specific branch, city, or fee structure you prefer over your JoSAA options.

JEE College Predictor 2026

IITs · NITs · IIITs · GFTIs · 135+ colleges

Predict

Quick Links

College Predictor 202695 Percentile OptionsNIRF NIT RankingsJEE Main CutoffRank Predictor

Tip

Decide your institute-vs-branch priority before choice filling — top-NIT core branch or mid-tier NIT/IIIT CSE. Order your JoSAA list accordingly.