JoSAA 2026 NIT cutoff for SC category is expected to range from approximately 700 to 60,000+ across different NITs, branches, and quotas, based on 2025 JoSAA closing rank trends.
JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) handles seat allotment for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs using JEE Main ranks. For SC category students, reserved seats across 31 NITs follow both Home State (HS) and Other State (OS) quota norms. With JoSAA 2026 counselling expected to begin in June 2026, the round-wise cutoffs for SC category will be published on josaa.nic.in after each of the 6 allotment rounds through July 2026.
- JoSAA 2026 will conduct 6 rounds of seat allocation for NIT admissions.
- SC category students get 15% reservation in all centrally funded NITs.
- Cutoffs are given as JEE Main rank (not score) for NIT admissions.
- Expected NIT Trichy CSE closing rank for SC (OS) in 2026: approximately 3,600, based on 2025 data.
- The Round 6 closing rank is the final JoSAA cutoff for SC category.
| Direct Link to JoSAA 2026 Official Portal (Active) — josaa.nic.in |
JoSAA 2026 Expected NIT SC Category Cutoff
The table below lists the expected JoSAA 2026 opening and closing ranks for SC category at major NITs, based on 2025 JoSAA trends. Both Home State (HS) and Other State (OS) quotas are covered.
| NIT | Branch | Quota | Expected Opening Rank (SC) | Expected Closing Rank (SC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIT Trichy | CSE | HS | 700 | 1,900 |
| NIT Trichy | CSE | OS | 1,500 | 3,600 |
| NIT Trichy | ECE | HS | 2,000 | 5,200 |
| NIT Trichy | ECE | OS | 3,100 | 7,400 |
| NIT Warangal | CSE | HS | 900 | 2,300 |
| NIT Warangal | CSE | OS | 1,800 | 4,300 |
| NIT Warangal | ECE | HS | 2,500 | 6,100 |
| NIT Warangal | ECE | OS | 3,600 | 8,200 |
| NIT Surathkal | CSE | HS | 1,200 | 2,900 |
| NIT Surathkal | CSE | OS | 2,100 | 5,000 |
| NIT Calicut | CSE | HS | 1,500 | 3,300 |
| NIT Calicut | CSE | OS | 2,600 | 5,800 |
| NIT Rourkela | CSE | HS | 1,000 | 2,600 |
| NIT Rourkela | CSE | OS | 2,200 | 5,100 |
| NIT Jaipur | CSE | HS | 1,100 | 2,800 |
| NIT Jaipur | CSE | OS | 2,400 | 5,600 |
All figures above are expected based on 2025 JoSAA trends. Actual 2026 cutoffs will be published on josaa.nic.in.
Branch-Wise SC Category Closing Ranks at Top NITs
Among all branches, CSE has the most competitive SC category cutoff at every NIT. The table below shows expected Round 6 closing ranks for popular branches at select NITs, based on 2025 JoSAA data.
| NIT | Branch | Expected SC Closing Rank — HS | Expected SC Closing Rank — OS |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIT Trichy | Computer Science and Engineering | 1,900 | 3,600 |
| NIT Trichy | Electronics and Communication Engineering | 5,200 | 7,400 |
| NIT Trichy | Mechanical Engineering | 12,000 | 22,000 |
| NIT Trichy | Civil Engineering | 18,000 | 30,000 |
| NIT Warangal | Computer Science and Engineering | 2,300 | 4,300 |
| NIT Warangal | Electronics and Communication Engineering | 6,100 | 8,200 |
| NIT Warangal | Mechanical Engineering | 13,500 | 24,000 |
| NIT Surathkal | Computer Science and Engineering | 2,900 | 5,000 |
| NIT Surathkal | Electronics and Communication Engineering | 7,000 | 10,000 |
| NIT Calicut | Computer Science and Engineering | 3,300 | 5,800 |
| NIT Calicut | Electronics and Communication Engineering | 8,500 | 12,500 |
Figures are expected based on 2025 JoSAA trends.
Round-Wise SC Category Cutoff Trends for NITs
JoSAA runs 6 rounds of seat allocation. The closing rank relaxes from Round 1 to Round 6 as students with better ranks upgrade to preferred colleges, freeing up seats. Round 1 opening rank represents the best rank to receive an allotment in that cycle.
| Round | NIT Trichy CSE OS SC (Expected Closing Rank) | NIT Warangal CSE OS SC (Expected Closing Rank) | NIT Surathkal CSE OS SC (Expected Closing Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 2,800 | 3,500 | 4,000 |
| Round 2 | 3,000 | 3,700 | 4,300 |
| Round 3 | 3,200 | 3,900 | 4,600 |
| Round 4 | 3,400 | 4,000 | 4,800 |
| Round 5 | 3,500 | 4,100 | 4,900 |
| Round 6 | 3,600 | 4,300 | 5,000 |
Students with a JEE Main SC rank near the closing rank should float their choices across multiple rounds to maximise their chances. Locking a seat in an earlier round secures admission but forecloses upgrades.
Factors Affecting JoSAA 2026 NIT SC Category Cutoff
The JoSAA NIT cutoff for SC category shifts every year based on several variables. Understanding these helps you interpret the expected figures more accurately.
- Number of SC applicants in JEE Main 2026: A larger SC applicant pool competing for the same reserved seats compresses the closing rank.
- JEE Main 2026 difficulty level: An easier paper produces higher raw scores, which bunches ranks and can tighten cutoffs across all NITs.
- Seat intake changes: If the government increases SC quota seats at any NIT, the closing rank will relax accordingly.
- Branch preference shifts: Growing demand for CSE, AI, and Data Science branches tightens their cutoffs each year while less-sought branches like Mining or Metallurgy stay relaxed.
- Home State vs Other State quota: HS seats are reserved for domicile students and typically have tighter cutoffs than OS seats at the same NIT.
- Upgrade and withdrawal patterns: Students who upgrade to IITs or better NIT programs in later rounds free up seats, allowing lower-ranked SC students to secure admission.
JoSAA 2026 NIT SC Category Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected JoSAA 2026 SC category closing rank for NIT Trichy CSE?
Ans. Based on 2025 JoSAA trends, the expected closing rank for NIT Trichy CSE under SC category is approximately 1,900 for Home State quota and 3,600 for Other State quota. These are projected figures and actual 2026 cutoffs will be released on josaa.nic.in.
Ques. How many rounds does JoSAA 2026 conduct for NIT seat allocation?
Ans. JoSAA conducts 6 rounds of seat allocation. A spot round may follow for remaining vacancies. Round 6 closing rank is the final official cutoff for SC category.
Ques. Does the NIT SC category cutoff change between JoSAA rounds?
Ans. Yes, the closing rank typically relaxes from Round 1 to Round 6. As students with better ranks upgrade or withdraw, vacated seats open to those with slightly lower ranks in subsequent rounds.
Ques. What is the difference between Home State and Other State quota for SC students in JoSAA?
Ans. Home State (HS) quota seats at an NIT are reserved for students domiciled in that NIT’s state. Other State (OS) quota seats are open to SC students from all other states. HS cutoffs are generally tighter than OS cutoffs for the same branch and NIT.
Ques. Where will JoSAA 2026 publish the official NIT SC category cutoff?
Ans. JoSAA will publish round-wise opening and closing ranks on josaa.nic.in after each allotment round. Students can check the Opening and Closing Ranks section on the official portal for complete SC category cutoff data.
Ques. Which NIT branches have the most relaxed SC category cutoff in JoSAA 2026?
Ans. Based on 2025 trends, branches like Civil Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, and Mining Engineering at most NITs have the most relaxed SC category closing ranks, often exceeding 30,000 to 60,000 for OS quota.
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