OJEE 2026 ST category expected opening and closing ranks for Round 1 counselling are projected to range from approximately 3,00,000 to 12,00,000 for most government engineering colleges in Odisha, based on 2024–2025 trends.
OJEE (Odisha Joint Entrance Examination) 2026 counselling is expected to begin in June 2026. Scheduled Tribe (ST) students get 12% of total seats reserved across all OJEE-participating institutions. Round 1 seat allotment typically carries the most competitive cutoffs because the widest seat pool is available at this stage. Understanding expected ST category ranks before choice filling helps you target the right colleges and branches.
- ST reservation in OJEE: 12% of total seats in all participating colleges across every branch.
- Expected Round 1 cutoffs are based on OJEE 2024 opening and closing rank data and may vary by 5–10% in 2026.
- Colleges like VSSUT Burla and OUTR (CET Bhubaneswar) are the most sought-after for ST students.
- ST students need a minimum of 40% aggregate marks in their qualifying exam for OJEE eligibility.
- A valid Odisha domicile certificate and a caste certificate are mandatory for ST seat allotment.
| Direct Link to OJEE 2026 Official Website (Active) |
What is OJEE ST Category Cutoff?
The OJEE ST category cutoff is the last rank at which a seat is allotted to a Scheduled Tribe student in a particular college and branch during a given counselling round. OJEE releases opening and closing ranks for every college–course–category combination after each round. The opening rank is the best (lowest number) rank at which the first ST seat was allotted; the closing rank is the highest rank number at which the last ST seat was filled before seats ran out.
Round 1 cutoffs are the most selective because every seat across all colleges is up for allotment simultaneously. Students who miss their preferred college in Round 1 can still try in Round 2 or the mop-up round, but the best college–branch combinations usually fill in Round 1 itself. OJEE typically conducts three rounds of counselling, with official cutoffs published at ojee.nic.in after each round.
OJEE 2026 Expected ST Category Cutoff — Round 1
The table below shows expected OJEE 2026 ST category opening and closing ranks for Round 1, projected from 2024–2025 data. These are estimated figures; actual 2026 cutoffs will be published by OJEE at ojee.nic.in after Round 1 seat allotment.
| College | Branch | Expected Opening Rank (ST) | Expected Closing Rank (ST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| VSSUT Burla | Computer Science Engineering | ~3,00,000 | ~4,50,000 |
| VSSUT Burla | Electrical Engineering | ~5,00,000 | ~7,50,000 |
| VSSUT Burla | Mechanical Engineering | ~6,00,000 | ~8,00,000 |
| VSSUT Burla | Civil Engineering | ~7,00,000 | ~10,00,000 |
| OUTR / CET Bhubaneswar | Computer Science Engineering | ~500 | ~1,50,000 |
| OUTR / CET Bhubaneswar | Electronics and Communication | ~1,50,000 | ~4,00,000 |
| OUTR / CET Bhubaneswar | B.Arch | ~25,000 | ~80,000 |
| IGIT Sarang | Computer Science Engineering | ~2,50,000 | ~5,00,000 |
| IGIT Sarang | Mechanical Engineering | ~5,00,000 | ~8,50,000 |
| Gangadhar Meher University, Sambalpur | Computer Science Engineering | ~4,50,000 | ~9,00,000 |
OJEE 2024 ST Category Opening and Closing Ranks
The 2024 Round 1 ST category cutoffs serve as the primary reference for 2026 projections. The table below captures official OJEE 2024 opening and closing rank data for ST students.
| College | Branch | Opening Rank (ST) — 2024 | Closing Rank (ST) — 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| VSSUT Burla | Computer Science Engineering (Gender Neutral) | 3,04,724 | 4,23,167 |
| VSSUT Burla | Computer Science Engineering (Female Only) | 2,17,304 | 3,82,147 |
| VSSUT Burla | Mechanical Engineering | 5,95,514 | 7,29,828 |
| OUTR / CET Bhubaneswar | Computer Science Engineering | 333 | 1,31,500 |
| OUTR / CET Bhubaneswar | B.Arch | 27,592 | 75,000 |
Key observation: OUTR/CET Bhubaneswar CSE opens at rank 333 for the ST category, reflecting its popularity as the first-choice college for high-ranking ST students. VSSUT Burla shows more stable year-on-year trends, making its 2024 data a reliable predictor for 2026.
College-wise Expected ST Cutoff for Round 1
OJEE 2026 has over 100 participating colleges across Odisha, grouped broadly into three tiers by historical demand. The expected ST category Round 1 closing ranks by tier are shown below.
| College Tier | Example Colleges | Expected ST Closing Rank — CSE (Round 1) | Expected ST Closing Rank — Mechanical (Round 1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 (Premier Government) | VSSUT Burla, CET Bhubaneswar | Up to 4,50,000 | Up to 8,00,000 |
| Tier 2 (Government / Aided) | IGIT Sarang, Gangadhar Meher University, GITA | Up to 7,00,000 | Up to 10,00,000 |
| Tier 3 (Private BPUT-Affiliated) | Remaining BPUT-affiliated private colleges | Up to 12,00,000+ | Up to 15,00,000+ |
ST students with ranks above 8,00,000 should fill choices broadly across Tier 2 and Tier 3 colleges to maximise their chance of securing a seat in Round 1 itself rather than waiting for later rounds, when seat availability narrows.
Factors Affecting OJEE 2026 ST Category Cutoff
Several variables determine where the OJEE 2026 ST category cutoff lands for Round 1. Knowing these helps you set realistic expectations before choice filling.
- Total number of ST applicants: More qualified ST students push closing ranks to higher numbers, meaning slightly more students can get seats.
- Seat matrix changes: Any addition or reduction in seats for a college or branch shifts cutoffs. ST students get exactly 12% of each institution’s sanctioned intake.
- Exam difficulty and score distribution: A tougher OJEE paper compresses scores at the top, which can ease competition in reserved categories.
- Branch popularity: CSE and IT remain the most competitive branches. Their cutoffs close earliest in Round 1; branches like Civil and Mining close much later.
- Choice-filling patterns: If fewer ST students fill a specific college–branch combination, the closing rank extends further — benefiting students with higher rank numbers.
- New colleges in the counselling pool: Additional affiliated colleges bring more seats, which can relax cutoffs slightly across all categories.
OJEE 2026 ST Category Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected OJEE 2026 ST category closing rank for CSE at VSSUT Burla in Round 1?
Ans. Based on OJEE 2024 data, the expected ST category closing rank for CSE at VSSUT Burla in Round 1 is approximately 4,50,000. This is a projected figure based on previous year trends; actual cutoffs will be published at ojee.nic.in after Round 1 seat allotment.
Ques. How many seats are reserved for ST students in OJEE 2026 counselling?
Ans. ST students are eligible for 12% of the total sanctioned seats in each college and branch participating in OJEE 2026 counselling. The exact seat count varies by institution and is published in the official seat matrix before Round 1 choice filling opens.
Ques. Can an ST student with an OJEE rank of 8,00,000 get a seat in Round 1?
Ans. Yes. Students with ranks up to 10,00,000–12,00,000 have secured seats in Tier 2 and Tier 3 BPUT-affiliated colleges during Round 1 in previous years. Filling a wide list of choices across multiple colleges and branches significantly improves your chance of Round 1 allotment.
Ques. Is the OJEE ST category cutoff lower than the general category cutoff?
Ans. Yes. ST category closing ranks are numerically higher than general category cutoffs, meaning more ST students qualify for a seat at the same college. For example, a general category CSE seat at a premier government college may close at rank 50,000, while the ST cutoff for the same seat may extend to 4,00,000 or beyond.
Ques. What documents are required for ST category seat allotment in OJEE 2026?
Ans. You need a valid ST caste certificate issued by a competent Odisha government authority, an Odisha domicile or nativity certificate, qualifying exam marksheets showing at least 40% aggregate marks, your OJEE 2026 rank card, and a recent passport-sized photograph for document verification at the reporting centre.
Ques. When will OJEE 2026 Round 1 ST category cutoffs be officially released?
Ans. OJEE 2026 Round 1 seat allotment results and the corresponding opening and closing ranks for all categories, including ST, are expected to be published at ojee.nic.in in June–July 2026, after the completion of choice filling and rank-based allotment for Round 1.
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