NIT Eligibility Criteria: Class 12 Percentage & JEE Main Requirements
Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At…
For admission to B.Tech courses at NITs via JEE Main 2026, candidates must score a minimum of 75% in JEE Main and pass their Class 12 board examination with at least 65% marks. Candidates can also seek admission through non-JEE pathways such as the DASA scheme for NRIs or lateral entry for diploma holders.
National Institutes of Technology offer undergraduate engineering programs through national entrance examinations and quota-based alternative entry routes. Details below cover academic benchmarks, JEE Main requirements, DASA provisions for international applicants, lateral entry for diploma holders, fee structures, and top-ranking NITs.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Total NIT Colleges in India | 31 NITs |
| Class 12 Minimum Board Marks | At least 65% |
| JEE Main Required Percentage | Minimum 75% in JEE Main exam |
| B.Tech Annual Fee Range | INR 50,000 to INR 2,50,000 |
| NRI / Overseas Entry Scheme | Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) |
| Diploma Holder Entry Mode | Lateral Entry into 2nd year B.Tech |
B.Tech Eligibility
Candidates applying through JEE Main 2026 must secure a minimum of 75% in JEE Main and pass their Class 12 board examination with at least 65% marks. Meeting both criteria is mandatory for seat allotment during national counselling rounds.
Reservation rules state that NITs reserve approximately 10 home state vacancy seats for candidates belonging to the state where the specific institute is located through JEE Main.
B.Tech Entrance Exams
JEE Main serves as the central entrance examination for national engineering admissions. Candidates seeking entry into one of the 31 NITs take JEE Main 2026 to secure merit ranks.
NRI, PIO, and OCI candidates submit SAT scorecards for admission under the Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) scheme rather than taking JEE Main.
Diploma holders take individual entrance tests conducted by specific NITs or national lateral entry tests to secure direct entry into the second year of B.Tech programs.
Top B.Tech Colleges
| Top NIT Institute | Closing Rank Benchmark |
|---|---|
| NIT Trichy | Below Rank 5000 |
| NIT Warangal | Below Rank 5000 |
| VNIT Nagpur | Below Rank 5000 |
| MNIT Jaipur | Below Rank 5000 |
| NIT Pondicherry | Below Rank 5000 |
| SVNIT Gujarat | Below Rank 5000 |
Across 31 NITs in India, closing ranks for top institutes like NIT Trichy and NIT Warangal are generally below 5000. B.Tech course fees at these institutions range between INR 50,000 and INR 2,50,000.
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | NIRF rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symbiosis Skills & Open University | Pune | — | ₹8.50 lakh | 1 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Science | Bangalore | — | ₹8.38 lakh | 1 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Madras | Chennai | Government | ₹9.05 lakh | 1 (Overall, 2025) |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | Delhi | Government | ₹5.51 lakh | 2 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | Mumbai | Government | ₹8.75 lakh | 3 (Overall, 2024) |
| Punjab Agricultural University | Ludhiana | — | ₹2.88 lakh | 3 (Overall, 2025) |
| Jamia Millia Islamia University | Delhi | Government | ₹77,200 | 4 (Overall, 2025) |
| Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur | Kanpur | Government | ₹7.41 lakh | 5 (Overall, 2025) |
| Delhi University | Delhi | Government | ₹82,800 | 5 (Overall, 2025) |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | Average package |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birla Institute of Technology Jaipur | Jaipur | Private | ₹12.12 lakh | 10.9 LPA |
| Shri Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology and Science | Indore | Private (aided) | ₹4.02 lakh | 7.21 LPA |
| Keshav Memorial Institute of Technology | Hyderabad | Private | ₹3.29 lakh | 7.17 LPA |
| Bhagwan Parshuram Institute of Technology | Delhi | Private | ₹6.63 lakh | 6.25 LPA |
| Walchand College of Engineering | Sangli | Private (aided) | ₹2.51 lakh | 6.09 LPA |
| Azad Institute of Engineering and Technology | Lucknow | Private | ₹90,000 | 5.97 LPA |
| BVRIT Hyderabad College of Engineering for Women | Hyderabad | Private | ₹3.69 lakh | 5.96 LPA |
| PSG Institute of Technology and Applied Research | Coimbatore | Private | ₹1.75 lakh | 5.91 LPA |
| Galgotias College of Engineering and Technology | Greater Noida | Private | ₹3.47 lakh | 5.76 LPA |
| Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering | Pune | Private | ₹4.83 lakh | 5.54 LPA |
| City | Colleges | Fee range | Well-known options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai | 109 | ₹48,000 – ₹12.80 lakh | Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences |
| Hyderabad | 105 | ₹1.05 lakh – ₹28.40 lakh | University of Hyderabad, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad |
| Jaipur | 74 | ₹84,000 – ₹20.08 lakh | Manipal University Jaipur, Kautilya Institute of Technology and Engineering and School of Management |
| Bhopal | 72 | ₹71,940 – ₹9.94 lakh | Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal |
| Coimbatore | 69 | ₹23,120 – ₹10.10 lakh | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, P.S.G College of Technology |
| Bhubaneswar | 63 | ₹92,200 – ₹16.11 lakh | Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology |
| Lucknow | 60 | ₹90,000 – ₹10.23 lakh | University of Lucknow, Integral University |
| Pune | 58 | ₹72,434 – ₹18.60 lakh | Dr. DY Patil Vidyapeeth, MIT World Peace University |
How to Apply for B.Tech Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Verify Academic Eligibility: Ensure you meet the basic eligibility criteria: pass Class 12 with at least 65% marks and secure a minimum of 75% in JEE Main.
- Appear for JEE Main or Alternative Entrance Exam: Register and appear for JEE Main 2026. NRI, PIO, and OCI candidates can apply via SAT scorecards under DASA, while diploma holders can seek lateral entry into the second year.
- Participate in Counselling Registration: Qualified JEE Main candidates register for JoSAA counselling. Eligible NRI, PIO, and OCI candidates wait for seat allocation and attend DASA counselling.
- Fill Web Options and Exercise Choice Preferences: Fill choices based on JEE Main category rank and previous year closing ranks. Select options like Freeze, Float (recommended up to Round 3), or Slide.
- Complete Document Verification: DASA applicants must submit required documents including a SAT Scorecard, Class 11 & 12 Marksheet, Passport, and Proof of Residence.
- Pay Admission Fees or Apply for Education Loans: Pay the B.Tech academic fees ranging from INR 50,000 to INR 2,50,000 or apply for bank education loans for fee coverage.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | B.Tech colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
Candidates applying through JEE Main 2026 must secure a minimum of 75% in JEE Main and at least 65% marks in Class 12. Total B.Tech fees across 31 NITs range from INR 50,000 to INR 2,50,000.
FAQs
How to get admission in NIT without JEE Main?
Candidates can get admission without JEE Main through the DASA scheme (for NRIs/PIOs using SAT scores), lateral entry for diploma holders into the 2nd year, government-sponsored programs, or management quota.
What is the minimum Class 12 percentage required for NIT admission?
Candidates applying through JEE Main 2026 must pass their Class 12 board examination with a minimum of 65% marks alongside securing at least 75% in the JEE Main exam.
What is the fee structure for B.Tech courses in NITs?
The B.Tech fees across 31 NITs in India range between INR 50,000 and INR 2,50,000.
Can diploma holders get direct admission into NIT B.Tech?
Yes, diploma holders can pursue B.Tech directly from the second year via lateral entry based on diploma marks or individual entrance tests conducted by specific NITs.
Who is eligible for NIT admission under the DASA scheme?
NRI candidates, Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) holding a SAT scorecard, Class 11 & 12 marksheets, valid passport, and proof of residence are eligible under DASA.
Which are the top NIT colleges in India for B.Tech?
Some of the top NITs in India include NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, VNIT Nagpur, MNIT Jaipur, NIT Pondicherry, and SVNIT Gujarat, where closing ranks are typically below 5000.
