Safe Score for NIT Admission in JEE Main 2026

The "safe score" for NIT admission in JEE Main depends on which NIT and which branch you are targeting. JEE Main 2026 results are available; JoSAA 2026 counselling begins June 2. Here is a comprehensive tier-by-tier breakdown.

Tier 1 NITs (Trichy, Warangal, Surathkal, Calicut) — CSE: Safe score is 220-240 marks (99.2-99.5 percentile). These are the most competitive NITs with closing ranks in the 3000-8000 range for General category AI quota. Home state candidates in TN/Telangana/Karnataka/Kerala need slightly less (~200-220 marks).

Tier 2 NITs (Rourkela, Jaipur, Kurukshetra, Silchar, Patna) — CSE: Safe score is 180-210 marks (98-99 percentile). Closing ranks for these NITs in CSE via AI quota are typically 18000-25000 for General category.

NE-NITs (Mizoram, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh) — CSE: Safe score is 120-150 marks (95-97 percentile). Closing ranks for NE-NIT CSE range from 25000-55000 in Round 5 via AI quota. These are excellent value for money with government-funded education.

For any NIT (any branch): A score of 100-120 marks (93-95 percentile) gives access to at least some NE-NIT branch via CSAB special rounds. Below 100 marks, NIT options become extremely limited even for non-CSE branches at NE-NITs.