JEE Main 2026 aspirants targeting B.Tech Mechanical Engineering (ME) at National Institutes of Technology (NITs) face varying competition levels. Analysis of previous Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counselling data shows significant differences in cut-off ranks across institutes under the Home State (HS) Open Category.
Competitive Landscape: Top NITs
Admission to leading NITs for Mechanical Engineering remains highly competitive. NIT Surathkal recorded a closing rank of 12,126 . NIT Tiruchirappalli closed at 14,978 , and NIT Warangal at 17,643 . Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT) Jaipur closed at 19,756 . These figures represent closing ranks for the Gender-Neutral, Home State Open Category.
| Institute Name | Gender-Neutral Closing Rank (Home State Open) |
|---|---|
| NIT Surathkal | 12,126 |
| NIT Tiruchirappalli | 14,978 |
| NIT Warangal | 17,643 |
| MNIT Jaipur | 19,756 |
| MNNIT Allahabad | 21,070 |
| VNIT Nagpur | 21,761 |
| NIT Rourkela | 21,488 |
Variations Across Institutes
Other established NITs also show competitive ranks. NIT Allahabad closed at 21,070 . VNIT Nagpur recorded a closing rank of 21,761 . NIT Jalandhar closed at 46,722 .
In contrast, newer or remote NITs exhibit significantly higher cut-off ranks. NIT Manipur closed above 5.29 lakhs . NIT Mizoram’s closing rank exceeded 13 lakhs . NIT Arunachal Pradesh and NIT Sikkim also registered high cut-offs, indicating lower competition.
JoSAA Counselling Process
The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) manages admissions to 127 technical institutes. This includes 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, and 23 IITs, among others. JoSAA counselling for NITs begins after JEE Advanced results. Only candidates ranking in the top 2.5 lakhs and aiming for IITs take JEE Advanced.
NIT admissions under JoSAA typically reserve 50% of seats for Home State candidates. The remaining 50% are for Other State candidates. Seats are further categorized by gender (gender-neutral, female-only) and reservation categories. These include SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD.
NIT Fees and Placement Trends
Tuition fees for general category students at NITs range from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh annually. Additional hostel and mess charges are approximately Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 . The total annual cost for general category students is roughly Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh . Fee waivers or scholarships are available for SC/ST and differently-abled students.
Placement Statistics by Institute Tier:
- Top NITs (e.g., Trichy, Surathkal, Warangal, Rourkela, Jaipur): Placement rates are 90–100% . Average salary packages range from Rs 8–12 lakhs per annum (LPA) . Highest packages can reach Rs 40–50 LPA .
- Mid-tier NITs (e.g., Jalandhar, Allahabad, Kozhikode, Durgapur): Placement rates are 80–95% . Average salary packages are typically Rs 6–8 LPA .
- Newer NITs (e.g., Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim): Placement rates fall between 60–80% . Average salaries range from Rs 4–6 LPA .
Considerations for Aspirants
Prospective students should carefully review these cut-off trends. The choice of NIT impacts both academic environment and career prospects. Placement rates and average salaries differ significantly across institutes. Candidates must consider their JEE Main rank, financial implications, and career aspirations when making their selections during JoSAA counselling.