New Delhi: The official Nalanda Institute of Technology (NIT) Cutoff 2026 (Opening & Closing Ranks) will be released by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) only after the completion of JEE Main Session 2 exams and the conclusion of the JoSAA 2026 counselling rounds, which are expected to begin in June 2026.
Till the official cutoff list is published, experts have shared expected cutoff trends based on the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 difficulty level and previous years’ admission data. Candidates aiming for admission in top National Institutes of Technology (NITs) can check the expected qualifying percentiles, safe scores, and projected closing ranks below.
When Will JoSAA Release NIT Cutoff 2026?
JoSAA will publish the official opening and closing ranks after seat allotment rounds begin. The cutoff will be released round-wise for all NITs, branches, and categories.
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| JEE Main Session 1 Result | February 12, 2026 |
| JEE Main Session 2 Exam Dates | May 2 – May 9, 2026 |
| JoSAA Counselling 2026 Start | June 3, 2026 (Tentative) |
| NIT Cutoff 2026 Release | During JoSAA rounds (June 2026) |
NIT 2026 Expected Qualifying Percentiles (Category-Wise)
Candidates must score the minimum percentile to qualify for the counselling process and be eligible for admission to NITs through JoSAA.
| Category | Expected Qualifying Percentile (2026) |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 93.2 – 95.0 |
| EWS | 80.0 – 82.0 |
| OBC-NCL | 79.0 – 81.0 |
| SC | 61.0 – 63.0 |
| ST | 47.5 – 50.0 |
These percentiles are based on expected trends and may vary once official results are declared.
Expected Closing Ranks for Top NITs (Open Category – CSE)
Experts suggest that Computer Science Engineering (CSE) at top NITs generally requires 99.5+ percentile and highly competitive ranks.
| Top NIT | Expected Closing Rank (General – CSE) |
|---|---|
| NIT Trichy | 1,100 – 1,500 |
| NIT Surathkal | 1,600 – 2,000 |
| NIT Warangal | 2,100 – 2,600 |
| MNNIT Allahabad | 3,900 – 4,800 |
| MNIT Jaipur | 10,000 – 11,500 |
These ranks are projected and may change depending on seat availability and counselling rounds.
Safe Scores for NIT Admission 2026 (Expected)
Students can estimate their target score based on the NIT tier and branch demand.
| Institute Type | Expected Safe Score / Percentile |
|---|---|
| Top NITs (Tier 1) | 200 – 250+ marks / 99+ percentile |
| Mid-Tier NITs | 170 – 200 marks / 97 – 98 percentile |
| Newer / Lower NITs | Rank up to 70,000+ possible |
Candidates with ranks up to 70,000+ may still get seats in NITs like NIT Mizoram, NIT Srinagar, and NIT Sikkim, depending on branch and category.
NIT Cutoff 2026: What Students Should Know
The NIT opening and closing ranks depend on multiple factors such as:
- Total number of applicants
- JEE Main difficulty level
- Seat availability in each NIT
- Branch demand (CSE, ECE, IT, etc.)
- Category and home-state quota
- Number of JoSAA counselling rounds
Candidates are advised to use expected cutoffs as a reference and wait for the official JoSAA release for final confirmation.
How to Check NIT Cutoff 2026 Online?
Once released, students can check NIT cutoff ranks through JoSAA by following these steps:
- Visit the official JoSAA website
- Open the “Opening and Closing Rank” section
- Select institute type (NIT)
- Choose institute name, branch, category, and round
- View and download the cutoff ranks
FAQs – NIT Cutoff 2026
1. When will JoSAA release the official NIT Cutoff 2026 opening and closing ranks for all counselling rounds?
The official NIT Cutoff 2026 will be released by JoSAA during the JoSAA counselling process. It will be published round-wise after seat allotment begins in June 2026. Candidates will be able to check opening and closing ranks for every NIT and branch. The final cutoff will be confirmed only after the last counselling round is completed.
2. What are the expected JEE Main qualifying percentiles for NIT admission 2026 for General, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS categories?
The expected qualifying percentile for General category is around 93.2 to 95.0. For EWS it is expected to be 80.0 to 82.0, and for OBC-NCL it may remain around 79.0 to 81.0. SC candidates may require around 61.0 to 63.0 percentile, while ST candidates may qualify around 47.5 to 50.0 percentile. These are expected values and can change based on official results.
3. What is the expected closing rank for CSE in top NITs like NIT Trichy, Warangal, and Surathkal in 2026?
For Computer Science Engineering (CSE), top NITs generally have very competitive cutoffs. NIT Trichy is expected to close around 1,100 to 1,500 rank. NIT Surathkal may close around 1,600 to 2,000, and NIT Warangal around 2,100 to 2,600. These are projected closing ranks based on past year trends.
4. What score or percentile is considered safe for getting admission into top NITs in 2026 session?
For top-tier NITs, students should aim for 200 to 250+ marks in JEE Main or at least 99+ percentile. Popular branches like CSE and ECE require very high percentile due to competition. Candidates scoring above 99.5 percentile have higher chances of securing admission. However, the final admission depends on JoSAA cutoff and seat allotment rounds.
5. Can students with 70,000+ rank get admission in NITs through JoSAA counselling in 2026?
Yes, students with ranks up to 70,000+ may still get admission in some newer or lower-ranked NITs. Institutes like NIT Mizoram, NIT Srinagar, and NIT Sikkim may offer seats depending on branch availability. Admission also depends on category, home-state quota, and JoSAA counselling round. Students should check round-wise cutoff during counselling.
6. What are the important dates related to JEE Main and JoSAA counselling for NIT Admission 2026?
JEE Main Session 1 results are expected around February 12, 2026. JEE Main Session 2 exams are scheduled from May 2 to May 9, 2026. JoSAA counselling is tentatively expected to begin on June 3, 2026. Official dates will be confirmed by NTA and JoSAA through official notification.
7. What factors decide the opening and closing ranks of NIT Cutoff 2026 during JoSAA counselling?
NIT cutoffs depend on multiple factors including the number of candidates, exam difficulty, seat availability, and branch demand. Category reservations, home-state quota, and previous year cutoff patterns also impact ranks. Additionally, the number of JoSAA counselling rounds plays an important role. Cutoffs may change round-by-round depending on seat vacancy.
8. Where can candidates check the official NIT Cutoff 2026 opening and closing ranks once released?
Candidates can check the official NIT Cutoff 2026 on the JoSAA official website. JoSAA provides an “Opening and Closing Rank” section where students can select institute name, branch, category, and counselling round. The cutoff PDF can also be downloaded for reference. Students should rely only on the official JoSAA portal for accurate cutoff information.
Conclusion
The NIT Cutoff 2026 Opening & Closing Ranks will be officially released by JoSAA after the completion of JEE Main Session 2 and during the JoSAA 2026 counselling rounds, expected to begin in June 2026. Until then, students can refer to expected cutoff ranks and safe score ranges to plan their preparation.
Candidates should keep tracking official JoSAA updates to download the final revised opening and closing ranks once released.