An NRI candidate must meet the JEE Main 2026 cutoff to secure a seat in NITs. There is no separate cutoff for NRI candidates. However, keep in mind that If you have a good JEE mains score of 75%ile or above (the more the better), you can get a good college in your desired branch under "DASA". If you can pay the amount in DASA, keep it as a backup and apply for all the Indian embassy schemes.
Candidates who are not citizens of India (by birth or naturalized) shall be considered as foreign nationals. JEE main seats allotted to such foreign national candidates are supernumerary with a cap of 10% of total number of seats in every course. There are no separate supernumerary seats or sub-category for females in the foreign national supernumerary seats. The foreign national candidates, at the time of registering for JEE (Advanced) 2026 are not required to write JEE mains 2026. They can directly register for JEE (Advanced) 2026 subject to fulfillment of other eligibility criteria.
Some of the JEE Mains eligibility criteria that all NRI must meet includes:
- NRIs must have completed Class 11th and 12th (or equivalent) from any recognized board outside India.
- Students must have studied Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, along with one amongst Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or a vocational subject.
- Candidates must have secured at least 75% aggregate marks in Class 12th (or equivalent). For SC/ST candidates, the requirement is 65%.
- Students must rank in the top 20% of their respective boards.
- Candidates should be born on or after October 1, 2001. A five-year relaxation is given to SC, ST, and PwD candidates.
- NRIs must provide proof of their NRI status, which includes identity proof, a birth certificate, and a Class XII mark sheet.
Based on the performance in JEE Main, NRI students are ranked along with Indian students. Their JEE Mains rank determine their eligibility for admission to NITs, IITs in India and other centrally funded institutions.
Key Summary
- There is no seperate JEE Main cutoff for International students. However, JEE Main score of 75%ile or above can provide a good college in your desired branch under "DASA"
- 10% of the seats are reserved for NRI or International candidates under each course, so there is a fare chance for admission.
- Most NRI’s select IITs as their first choice after completing JEE Main.
- If you want to apply for JEE Advanced as an international student, you do not need to take JEE Mains, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
- Last 5 years data states that OCI and PIO category had a higher success in JEE-Advanced entrance examinations than foreign candidates.
Can foreign students give JEE mains?
Yes, foreign students can give JEE Mains. Students abroad must qualify in JEE Mains and be among the top 2,50,000 candidates (including all categories) to appear in JEE Advanced. They can appear for JEE Main to get admission into NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs through the regular seat allocation process and the supernumerary quota. Foreign nationals can also directly register for JEE Advanced without appearing for JEE Mains, provided they meet the specific eligibility criteria.
Can OCI directly give JEE Advanced?
Yes, OCI can directly give JEE Advanced. JEE Advanced is conducted by the IITs themselves. NRIs (Non-Resident Indians), OCI (Overseas Citizen of India), PIO (Person of Indian Origin), and Foreign Nationals can appear for the JEE Advanced exam directly if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Can international students get into IIT?
Yes, foreign students can study at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) alongside Indian students. Foreign nationals can apply for undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs. For undergraduate programs, they can appear directly for JEE Advanced, bypassing JEE Main. For postgraduate and PhD programs, admissions are offered once or twice a year, respectively.
Want to know the minimum JEE Main Score for top NITs?
The video by Harsh Sir provides detailed analysis on the JEE Main score and JEE Main cut off required for top NITs. if you are a foreign student, this video can help you to understand your chances of getting admission.
Also Read
JEE Main 2026 Cutoff Expected
The expected JEE main cut off for all students are provided below:
| Category | Expected Percentile Cutoff | Estimated Marks Range (out of 300) |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 92–95 percentile | 105–115 marks |
| EWS | 85–88 percentile | ~75–85 marks |
| OBC‑NCL | 83–86 percentile | ~75–85 marks |
| SC | 60–65 percentile | ~65–75 marks |
| ST | 45–55 percentile | ~50–60 marks |
| PwD | ~0.001–0.01 percentile | Minimal threshold |
JEE Main Cut Off 2025
| Category | Cutoff Percentile |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 93.1023262 |
| EWS | 80.3830119 |
| OBC-NCL | 79.4313582 |
| SC | 61.1526933 |
| ST | 47.9026465 |
Also Read
JEE Main Cut off 2024
| Category | JEE Main Cutoff |
|---|---|
| UR | 93.2362181 |
| UR-PWD | 0.0018700 |
| EWS | EWS 81.3266412 |
| OBC-NCL | 79.6757881 |
| SC | 60.0923182 |
| ST | 46.6975840 |
JEE Main for International Students: Past Trends
Several Foreign, OCI & PIO candidates are selected in IITs in the past. We have provided some details which will help you understand your chances of getting selected:
- In 2024, 88 students of OCI and PIO category, and 2 foreign candidates got seats in IIT.
- A total of 75 students of OCI/PIO got admission in IIT in 2023
- 72 students of OCI/PIO category got admission in IIT in 2021
- 6 students of OCI/PIO category got selected for IIT in 2020.
Whereas, 2 Foreign National candidates got admitted in IIT in 2024, 4 foreign National candidates got admission in IIT in 2023, 66 Foreign national candidates got admission in IIT in 2022, 4 foreign nationals were selected in IIT in 2021 and 2 foreign national candidates got admission in IIT in 2020.
Also Read
What is the first choice for NRI after clearing JEE Mains?
The first choice for NRI after clearing JEE Mains is IITs in India. The Indian Institutes of Technology may not figure in the top 200 on several international university rankings but they remain the first choice when it comes to undergraduate education for NRI children of particularly IIT alumni.
Dilip Kumar's parents, for instance, shifted from Dubai to India five years ago with the objective of getting him into an IIT. He trained for the last couple of years and joined IIT-Kharagpur this year. The Muralishankars also relocated to Coimbatore from the US four years ago to help their daughter Smriti prepare for the IITs.
“Many IIT alumni who have lived overseas prefer to send their children to the IITs even if they can afford a foreign education," said R Nagarajan, dean of international and alumni relations at IIT-Madras.
Must Read Article on JEE Main Cutoff
JEE Mains 2026 Selection Criteria for International Students
There’s no minimum mark requirement to appear for JEE Mains, but selection for admission to engineering colleges depends on two factors:
- JEE Mains Rank: This is based on your performance in the exam relative to other test-takers.
- Board Exam Marks (for some NITs/IIITs): Some NITs and IIITs might consider your Class 12 board exam marks along with your JEE Mains rank for admissions.
- Qualifying Exam: Passed 10+2 or equivalent exam with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
- Minimum Appearance: Appearing for Class 12 board exams in the year of appearing for JEE Mains (2026) or passed in 2024 or 2025.
- Number of Attempts: Eligible for three consecutive attempts after passing Class 12.
- Age Limit: There’s no age limit for JEE Mains.
JEE Advanced 2026 Selection Criteria for International Students
You must secure a rank within 2,50,000 to be eligible for JEE Advanced. if you are directly applying for JEE Advanced, there is no requirement to take JEE Mains.
- Qualifying JEE Mains: You must crack JEE Mains 2026 to be eligible for JEE Advanced. This means securing a rank among the top 2,50,000 (including reservation categories) in JEE Main (Paper 1).
- Board Exam Marks (for some IITs): While there’s no minimum board exam mark requirement, some IITs might consider your Class 12 marks for eligibility or rank calculation (check specific IITs).
Key IITs for NRIs
- IIT Bombay: Located in Mumbai, IIT Bombay is known for its strong industry connections and vibrant campus life. It offers programs in Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and more.
- IIT Delhi: Situated in the heart of India’s capital, IIT Delhi is celebrated for its diverse academic offerings and research output. It boasts programs in Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, and others.
- IIT Madras: Located in Chennai, IIT Madras is renowned for its academic excellence and research-driven approach. It offers programs in Aerospace Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, and more.
Is there a quota for NRIs in NITs?
Ans. Yes, NITs, IIITs, and some other institutes have reserved seats for NRI students under the DASA scheme. The DASA quota seats account for 15% of the total seats of the institute and the candidate’s JEE Main rank will be considered to determine his/her admission to DASA/CIWG seats.
Latest Update on JEE Reservation
Prominent NITs for NRIs
- NIT Trichy: Known for its strong emphasis on research and development, NIT Trichy offers programs in Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, and others.
- NIT Surathkal: Located in Karnataka, NIT Surathkal is acclaimed for its coastal campus and robust infrastructure. It offers programs in Mining Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, and more.
- NIT Rourkela: Situated in Odisha, NIT Rourkela is recognized for its vibrant campus life and diverse student community. It offers programs in Biomedical Engineering, Industrial Design, Electrical Engineering, and others.
Is there any limitation for NRI candidates to appear in JEE Main?
Ans. NRI candidates can appear in JEE Mains twice a year. For each attempt, candidates must fill out the application form with appropriate examination fees.
What is the Gulf quota in JEE Mains?
Ans. The Gulf quota is for CIWG (Children of Indian Workers in Gulf Countries) candidates. It is a unique quota offered by MHRD under the DASA scheme for the children of Gulf workers in nations such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Iran, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Under gulf quota 1/3 of the seats are earmarked in NITs, IIITs, and other prestigious technical institutes.
Is it possible for NRI students to get into NITs solely through DASA?
Ans. No, NRI students cannot take admissions in the NIT NRI quota through DASA only, because now DASA admissions will be based on JEE Main score & rank rather than SAT score. Hence, candidates need to have a valid JEE Main score and rank to get admission to the NIT NRI quota under the DASA scheme.
What is an ICCR scholarship? Can an NRI student apply for this scholarship for NIT admission?
Ans. ICCR scholarship refers to the Indian Council for Cultural Relations Scholarship. ICCR scholarships are meant for admissions only in the Indian State/Central Universities/Institutes or colleges affiliated to and recognized by the Indian State and Central Universities.
Yes, NRI students can apply for this scholarship for NRI admission. Almost every NIT accepts an ICCR scholarship for NIT admission through JEE Main.
Foreign Universities that Accept JEE Main Score
Apart from the 2100+ Indian institutions, some foreign universities across the world accept the JEE Main Score. However, the eligibility criteria for getting into these institutions through JEE mains are different. Some universities accept students only with remarkable accomplishments such as gold in the Olympiad or top national awards. On the other hand, some universities accept students only who have obtained the highest score in class 12. Here is a list of all the foreign universities that accept JEE Main Score:
- Queen’s University, Belfast
- National University of Singapore
- All Universities in Germany.
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