How to Get Admission in NITs via JEE Main 2026? – Complete Guide

How to get admission in NITs through JEE Main?

India has a total of 32 National Institute of Technology (NIT). Admission to these institutions is based on the valid score of the JEE Main exam. Candidates can check the admission process of NITs through JEE Main below.

Step 1 - Check if the Eligibility Criteria are met or not
First of all, for NIT admission through JEE Main, the candidates will have to ensure that they meet the required eligibility criteria for NIT admission 2026 as specified by the authorities. If the candidates meet the JEE Main eligibility criteria, then they will be considered for NIT admission. The major NIT admission criteria have been listed below for the reference of the candidates.

• Should have passed class 12 or the qualifying exam within the previous two years from the admission year.

• Those candidates who will be qualifying during the admission year will also be eligible.

• Candidates should have passed class 12, irrespective of the percentage of marks. Candidates should have obtained a minimum of 75% marks in class 12 or equivalent exam or they must be in the top 20 percentile in their class 12 examination. For SC/ ST, the eligibility is to obtain a minimum of 65% marks in class 12 or equivalent.

Step 2 - Get Registered
The JEE Main application form will be released on the official website. To participate in the admission process of NITs, the candidates have to submit the application form of JEE Main before the final date. Since JEE Main is conducted twice a year, the candidates will have the choice of attempting the entrance exam once or twice. It is to be noted that all of the details submitted in the application form must be valid.

Step 3 - Entrance Examination
JEE Main is a national-level entrance exam and hence, the competition is quite large. For admissions in NITs through JEE Main 2026, the candidates will have to attempt and qualify for the entrance exam. JEE Main is conducted as a computer-based test and the candidates will have to answer questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Candidates need to qualify for the test and score a minimum of marks to get admission to NIT through JEE Main.

Step 4 - Counselling Session
For JEE Main qualified candidates, the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) conducts a common counselling process. During the online counselling process, the candidates will be able to register and select their choice of colleges and courses from the list of NITs. The selection has to be done carefully since it will affect their allotment. Therefore, after checking the mock allotment, the candidates are advised to make the required changes to help them secure the seats that they wish for. Moreover, candidates should meet the cutoff for the NITs they are applying for.

How much score is required in JEE Main for NIT admissions?

NITs fall under the category of top engineering institutes in the nation. Therefore, many aspirants wish and aim to study in NITs and the competition level naturally becomes high. Candidates are expected to score well in the entrance exam i.e., JEE Main for NIT admissions, especially if they wish to get admission into top B.Tech courses or leading NITs. The scores required for higher chances of admission vary as per the NITs and courses that the candidates are aiming for. However, if the candidate wishes for admission into top B.Tech courses such as CSE, EEE, and ME in top NITs, then they will be required to score above 250 marks (General category) for a higher chance of admission.

Step 5 - Confirmation of Admission
Finally, if the candidates can get allotted to the NITs, then they will have to confirm their seats. After freezing their seat, the candidates will have to pay the seat acceptance fee. Document verification has to be done at the reporting centres for confirmation of admission.

When will NIT admission start?

NIT admission generally begins after the declaration of the final phase JEE Main exam result. To participate in NIT admission for BTech., candidates will have to complete the JoSAA registration and choice-filling process. Aspirants are advised to check NIT admission criteria beforehand to avoid any problems during admission.

Top 10 NITs*

• NIT Warangal - National Institute of Technology Warangal

• Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur

• Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology Nagpur

• National Institute of Technology Rourkela

• National Institute of Technology (NIT) Durgapur

• National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) Surathkal

• Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad

• National Institute of Technology Silchar

• NIT Trichy

• National Institute of Technology Calicut

*As per Careers360 rankings