Best Colleges for Low JEE Main Rank/Scores: Low scorers in JEE Main or rank holders above 1 lakh often wonder whether they too can get admitted in Best Engineering Colleges, including some NITs, IIITs, CFTIs, and private engineering colleges. To put their mind at ease, we can assure that institutions like NIT Nagaland, NIT Meghalaya, IIIT Hyderabad (some campuses), and BIT Mesra provide admission to candidates with ranks of 1 lakh to 2.5 lakh in JEE Main. However, the admission depends on several parameters such as category, home state quota, and the chosen branch.
Though top ranks in JEE Main (up to 50,000) typically ensure admission to popular courses such as Computer Science and Electronics in top NITs and IIITs. For example, NIT Nagaland and NIT Meghalaya have been found admitting candidates with ranks over 1 lakh in certain categories and branches. Thus, the aspirants must study the specific list of these colleges in detail.
- Low Rank in JEE Main 2025: What’s Your Chances?
- JEE Main 2025: NITs Accepting Ranks Above 1 Lakh
- JEE Main 2025: IIITs Accepting Ranks Above 1 Lakh
- JEE Main 2025: CFTIs Accepting Ranks Above 1 Lakh
- JEE Main 2025: Best Colleges for Low JEE Main Rank?
- JEE Main 2025: Important Notes on Admission Process for Low Ranks
- Final Thoughts
Low Rank in JEE Main 2025: What’s Your Chances?
JoSAA Counselling 2025 is ongoing, and the Round 1 cutoff has been released. Candidates are now eager to assess their chances by comparing the 2025 closing ranks with those from 2024. A course-wise analysis reveals key trends: Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) continues to be highly competitive across most IIITs, with top institutes like IIIT Allahabad and IIIT Lucknow closing below 10,000 ranks for select programs. Meanwhile, Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) has seen relatively relaxed cutoffs at newer IIITs such as IIIT Manipur and IIIT Ranchi, where Round 1 closing ranks have gone beyond 3.5 lakh.
Specialised courses like Information Technology-Business Informatics and Mechatronics Engineering at IIITs such as Bhagalpur and Bhopal have seen closing ranks over 25 lakh, suggesting lower demand or a newer program status. In GFTIs, niche branches like Food Engineering & Technology (IET Sagar) and Carpet and Textile Technology (ICCT Bhadohi) closed at ranks around 88,000 and 81,000, respectively, making them accessible options for higher rank holders. Even in NITs, core branches like Civil Engineering at NIT Mizoram were available for female candidates with ranks above 64,000.
Check: JoSAA 2025 Cutoff
JoSAA Counselling 2025 Closing Rank
Institute-wise JoSAA Counselling 2025 Closing Rank for Round 1 has been presented below in tabular format:
JEE Main 2025: NITs Accepting Ranks Above 1 Lakh
Certain National Institutes of Technology (NITs) accept ranks above 1 lakh in JEE Main, especially for disciplines like Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, and Production Engineering. Below are the NITs and courses for ranks above 1 lakh.
Note: These are general Open category and Gender-Neutral cutoffs. State quota and reserved categories may permit higher ranks.
JEE Main 2025: IIITs Accepting Ranks Above 1 Lakh
IIITs usually have higher closing ranks compared to NITs due to their specific IT-oriented branches. But some of the newer IIITs and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) IIITs admit students having ranks near 1 lakh or slightly lower for programs like Information Technology and Electronics & Communication Engineering.
Closing Ranks for such IIITs (Open Category) typically range between 70,000 to 1,00,000 for core streams like CSE and ECE. Reserved classes can avail of the ranks slightly higher.
JEE Main 2025: CFTIs Accepting Ranks Above 1 Lakh
Certain Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs) provide admissions to JEE Main aspirants with ranks above 1 lakh for different specialized and interdisciplinary programs such as Dairy Technology, Food Processing, Handloom Technology, etc.
These courses are apt for students who are prepared to take up specialized engineering disciplines or interdisciplinary fields.
JEE Main 2025: Best Colleges for Low JEE Main Rank?
Some of the well-known private universities and colleges in India offer admission through JEE Main rank and accept scores way above 1 lakh with minimal restrictions.
Top Private Colleges Accepting JEE Main Rank Above 1 Lakh:
These colleges also provide scholarships and direct admission if JEE Main marks are not high, but board results or academic performance are excellent.
JEE Main 2025: Important Notes on Admission Process for Low Ranks
- Category & State Quotas: Home state quotas and reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) significantly facilitate closing ranks.
- CSAB Special Rounds: Important for candidates with ranks above 1 lakh, offering seats at NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs post JoSAA counselling.
- Private Institutes: Provide direct admission with lower JEE Main ranks and conduct individual selection rounds.
- Newer NITs & IIITs: Typically accept students with ranks over 1 lakh, especially in non-CS disciplines.
- Niche Programs: Less popular programs like Metallurgy, Biotechnology, and Civil Engineering have higher closing ranks.
Read Related Articles:
- List of IITs and Courses for Rank Within 5,000 to 10,000
- Top Colleges Accepting 90+ Percentile in JEE Main 2025 in India
- Top 20 Percentile Cutoff Mark 2025 for IIT, IIIT, NIT, CFTI Admission
Final Thoughts
The perception that a JEE Main rank above 1 lakh shuts all the doors of the best engineering colleges is not correct. JoSAA 2024/2025 closing ranks statistics show that even the majority of NITs, IIITs, CFTIs, and the top private colleges are taking students with such ranks in different branches.
For lower scorers who aspire, branch flexibility, place, and state quota advantage can make access to those coveted engineering seats possible. Use CSAB special rounds and private university opportunities to explore further. Planning and correct application at the right time continue to remain the keys.
