List of Top NIT Colleges in India: The National Institutes of Technology (NITs) are independent engineering institutes that provide a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degree programs in Engineering and other disciplines. In India, there are a total of 31 NITs, and admission to their BTech programs is facilitated through the JoSAA counseling process, which is based on the All India Rank (AIR) secured in the JEE Main examination. For admission to MTech programs, NITs consider the scores obtained in the GATE exam, and the seat allocation process is managed through CCMT (Centralized Counseling for MTech/MArch/MPlan/MDes).
Some well-known NITs across India include NIT Trichy, NIT Karnataka, NIT Rourkela, NIT Warangal, and NIT Calicut. In the 2023 MHRD-NIRF ranking, NIT Trichy has achieved the 8th position in India. Among all NITs, 21 are listed among the top 100 institutions. The NIT Council serves as the governing body for all NITs. Most NITs in India offer undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in various branches of Engineering, Architecture, Management, and Science.
This article provides information on the following topics:
- Comprehensive list of NITs with their MHRD ranking, BTech seat capacity, and the number of BTech programs available.
- Types of degree programs and courses offered at NITs for both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) levels.
- Overview of the most popular NIT courses in India.
- Entrance exams are required for admission to NITs.
- Cut-off scores for BTech programs at the top NITs.
List of Top NIT Colleges in India
Among the 31 NITs in India, NIT Patna holds the distinction of being the oldest, established in 1886. On the other hand, NIT Goa, NIT Manipur, NIT Meghalaya, NIT Mizoram, NIT Nagaland, NIT Puducherry, NIT Sikkim, NIT Uttarakhand, and NIT Andhra Pradesh are relatively newer institutions.
The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has assigned rankings to nearly all the NITs. NIT Calicut boasts the highest seat intake for BTech programs, offering 909 seats. In contrast, NIT Goa, Manipur, and Mizoram have the lowest number of seats available, with 150 seats each.
List of NIT Colleges in India Based on 2024 NIRF Rankings:
| Name of NIT | NIT Ranking 2024 (NIRF) |
| NIT Trichy (NITT), 1964 | 9 |
| NIT Karnataka (NITK), 1960 | 12 |
| NIT Rourkela (NITRKL), 1961 | 16 |
| NIT Warangal (NITW), 1959 | 21 |
| NIT Calicut (NITC), 1961 | 23 |
| NIT Nagpur (VNIT), 1960 | 41 |
| NIT Durgapur (NITDGP), 1960 | 43 |
| NIT Silchar (NITS), 1967 | 40 |
| NIT Jaipur (MNIT), 1963 | 37 |
| NIT Allahabad (MNNIT), 1961 | 49 |
| NIT Kurukshetra (NITKKR), 1963 | 58 |
| NIT Jalandhar (NITJ), 1987 | 46 |
| NIT Surat (SVNIT), 1961 | 65 |
| NIT Meghalaya (NITM), 2010 | 72 |
| NIT Patna (NITP), 1886 | 41 |
| NIT Raipur (NITRR), 1956 | 70 |
| NIT Srinagar (NITSRI), 1960 | 82 |
| NIT Bhopal (MANIT), 1960 | 80 |
| NIT Agartala (NITA), 1965 | 91 |
| NIT Goa (NITG), 2010 | 90 |
| NIT Jamshedpur (NITJSR), 1960 | NA |
| NIT Manipur (NITMN), 2010 | 95 |
| NIT Hamirpur (NITH), 1986 | NA |
| NIT Uttarakhand (NITUK), 2010 | NA |
| NIT Puducherry (NITPY), 2010 | NA |
| NIT Arunachal Pradesh (NITAP), 2010 | NA |
| NIT Sikkim (NITSKM), 2010 | NA |
| NIT Delhi (NITD), 2010 | 51 |
| NIT Mizoram (NITMZ), 2010 | NA |
| NIT Nagaland (NITN), 2010 | NA |
| NIT Andhra Pradesh (NITANP), 2015 | NA |
Read More: List of Top IIT Colleges in India Based on NIRF Ranking 2024
List of NIT Colleges in India Based on MHRD Rankings & B.Tech Seats:
| Name of NIT | NIT Ranking 2020 (MHRD) | B.Tech Seats | B.Tech Programmes |
| NIT Trichy (NITT), 1964 | 9 | 785 | 9 |
| NIT Karnataka (NITK), 1960 | 13 | 782 | 8 |
| NIT Rourkela (NITRKL), 1961 | 16 | 747 | 14 |
| NIT Warangal (NITW), 1959 | 19 | 817 | 8 |
| NIT Calicut (NITC), 1961 | 23 | 909 | 11 |
| NIT Nagpur (VNIT), 1960 | 27 | 871 | 8 |
| NIT Jaipur (MNIT), 1963 | 35 | 677 | 8 |
| NIT Kurukshetra (NITKKR), 1963 | 40 | 862 | 7 |
| NIT Silchar (NITS), 1967 | 46 | 688 | 6 |
| NIT Durgapur (NITDGP), 1960 | 47 | 700 | 8 |
| NIT Allahabad (MNNIT), 1961 | 48 | 878 | 9 |
| NIT Jalandhar (NITJ), 1987 | 52 | 807 | 11 |
| NIT Surat (SVNIT), 1961 | 54 | 719 | 6 |
| NIT Meghalaya (NITM), 2010 | 61 | 152 | 5 |
| NIT Bhopal (MANIT), 1960 | 65 | 868 | 8 |
| NIT Raipur (NITRR), 1956 | 67 | 913 | 11 |
| NIT Agartala (NITA), 1965 | 75 | 797 | 10 |
| NIT Goa (NITG), 2010 | 77 | 150 | 8 |
| NIT Jamshedpur (NITJSR), 1960 | 79 | 657 | 7 |
| NIT Patna (NITP), 1886 | 92 | 582 | 5 |
| NIT Hamirpur (NITH), 1986 | 98 | 522 | 7 |
| NIT Puducherry (NITPY), 2010 | 130 | 245 | 5 |
| NIT Manipur (NITMN), 2010 | 158 | 180 | 5 |
| NIT Arunachal Pradesh (NITAP), 2010 | 200 | 190 | 7 |
| NIT Srinagar (NITSRI), 1960 | Not Ranked | 672 | 9 |
| NIT Delhi (NITD), 2010 | Not Ranked | 182 | 3 |
| NIT Mizoram (NITMZ), 2010 | Not Ranked | 150 | 5 |
| NIT Nagaland (NITN), 2010 | Not Ranked | 180 | 6 |
| NIT Sikkim (NITSKM), 2010 | Not Ranked | 204 | 5 |
| NIT Uttarakhand (NITUK), 2010 | Not Ranked | 150 | 5 |
| NIT Andhra Pradesh (NITANP), 2015 | Not Ranked | 487 | 8 |
Types of Degree Programmes Offered By NITs colleges in India
NITs hold a significant position among India’s premier engineering colleges, second only to the IITs. They provide a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, and admission to most of these programs is based on entrance examinations. The NITs are particularly known for their highly sought-after undergraduate programs, such as BTech and B.Arch, while their postgraduate programs in MBA and MTech also enjoy considerable popularity.
| UG Programmes | PG Programmes |
| Bachelor of Technology (BTech) | Master of Science (MSc) |
| Bachelor of Science (BS) | Master of Technology (MTech) |
| Dual Degree (BTech-MTech) | Master of Business Administration (MBA) |
| Dual Degree (BS & MS) | – |
| Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) | – |
Read More: Top Engineering Colleges in India Accepting JEE Main 2024 Score
Most Popular NIT Courses
NITs throughout India provide a wide range of conventional engineering programs, including BTech and MTech. Additionally, NITs offer 5-year dual degree programs across various fields. Among the NITs, NIT Trichy, NIT Allahabad, and NIT Rourkela stand out as they also offer MBA or BBA programs. Some NITs also provide 5-year BArch programs and 4-year BSc degrees. Here is a compilation of popular BTech programs offered at NITs:
- Civil Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Science & Engineering
- Electrical & Electronics Engineering
- Electronics & Communication Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Production Engineering
Entrance Exams for Admission to NIT Colleges in India
To secure admission to NITs, candidates need to successfully qualify for entrance examinations for different undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programs. For BTech courses, candidates are admitted based on their performance in the JEE Main exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has taken over as the conducting authority for JEE Main since 2018. NIT colleges also provide a variety of postgraduate programs with different specializations. The table below lists the popular entrance exams accepted for admission to the various academic courses offered by NITs:
| Courses | Entrance Exams |
| BTech/BArch | JEE Main |
| Mtech/MSc | GATE |
| MBA | CAT Exam |
| MCA | NIMCET |
Cutoff for BTech Admission in NIT Colleges in India
JoSAA releases category-wise and round-wise opening and closing cutoffs/ranks for admission to B.Tech, M.Tech, and dual degree programs in NITs. Candidates are required to register and participate in the JoSAA counseling cum seat allotment process. JoSAA conducts joint counseling sessions for candidates who have qualified for the JEE Main and JEE Advanced exams.
The JEE Main cutoff is determined by various factors, including the number of candidates appearing in the entrance exam, the total number of candidates applying for admission to NITs, the total seat intake, and the difficulty level of the examination. Below, you can find the JEE Main cutoffs for the top NITs.
|
NIT Cut off |
|
| National Institute of Technology Delhi | National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli |
| National Institute of Technology Durgapur | National Institute of Technology Warangal |
| National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra | Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad (U.P.) |
| National Institute of Technology Patna | Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal (MP) |
| National Institute of Technology Rourkela | National Institute of Technology, Calicut (Kerela) |
| National Institute of Technology Surathkal | Malviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur (Rajasthan) |
| National Institute of Technology Nagpur | Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat (Gujarat) |
JEE Main does not have specific eligibility criteria for assigning All India Ranks. However, candidates aiming for admission to NITs are required to meet certain criteria. They must secure a minimum of 75 percent marks or be in the top 20 percentile in the 10+2 board examination or any equivalent examination conducted by a recognized board. For candidates belonging to the SC/ST category, the minimum percentage in the qualifying exam is relaxed to 65 percent. These criteria determine the eligibility for admission to NIT colleges in India.
- NIT Trichy – Ranked 10 (score – 61.62)
- NIT Rourkela – Ranked 16 (score – 57.75)
- NIT Surathkal – Ranked 21 (score – 55.25)
- NIT Warangal – Ranked 26 (score – 53.21)
- NIT Calicut – Ranked 28 (score – 52.69)
When selecting colleges through JoSAA, it is important to consider that higher-ranked institutes generally have higher cutoff marks. However, it’s worth noting that the combination of college and branch chosen can play a significant role in obtaining a higher return on investment (ROI) from engineering education, rather than solely relying on the reputation of the institution.
Regarding eligibility criteria set by the National Testing Agency (NTA), candidates aiming for admission to BE/BTech/BArch/BPlanning courses at NITs, IITs/IIITs, and CFTIs must secure a minimum aggregate score of 75 percent in the class 12 board examination or be among the top 20 percentile in the 10+2 or equivalent examination. Reserved category candidates (SC/ST) require a minimum of 65 percent in the class 12 board or equivalent examination, as per the relaxation norms.
However, the fee structure of NITs includes various components such as Admission, Library, Development Fee, Students Group, Matriculation & Recognition, etc., which may vary from one institute to another. Candidates from SC/ST categories and those from economically weaker sections may be eligible for fee waivers or remission, subject to fulfilling all the eligibility requirements as per the norms set by the Government of India.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NIT Colleges in India
Q1. How can I apply for admission to NITs?
Ans. To get admitted to the BTech programmes provided by NITs, engineering hopefuls must take (take with a grain of salt idiom synonym) the national engineering entrance exam known as JEE Main, which is administered by the National Testing Agency. Successful applicants must enroll in JoSAA Counselling in order to participate in the seat allocation procedure. Only those who successfully meet the JEE Main cutoff marks are given admission.
Q2. What percentage of NITs are there overall?
Ans. There are 31 NITs in total. They are all grouped together as independent public institutions of higher learning in India. Of the 31 NITs, 11 are relatively new institutions while the other 20 are established engineering colleges. To view a list of every NIT college in India, go here.
Q3. What is the minimal rank needed to be admitted to NIT B.Tech programs?
Ans. Passing the JEE Main exam is the only requirement for admission to BTech programmes in NITs. The All India Ranks (AIRs) for the JEE Main Exam are assigned without regard to any minimum mark requirements.
Q4. What is the NITs’ fee schedule?
Ans. The MHRD is in charge of establishing the price structure for NITs after consulting with the council, which serves as the regulatory authority for all NITs. The annual tuition is Rs. 62,500.
Q5. In India, how many NITs are there?
Ans. There are 31 NITs in total. They are all grouped together as independent public institutions of higher learning in India.
Q6. Which NIT in India has the highest ranking?
Ans. According to the NIRF ranking for 2022, NIT Trichy is India’s top NIT.
Q7. Which NIT is better for CS?
Ans. Among top scorers last year, NIT Trichy was the most desired NIT for computer science & engineering.
Q8. Is NIT a government-run institution?
Ans. The 17 formerly Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs) were given the name National Institutes of Technology (NITs) in 2003, and they were given full funding from the Central Government as well as status as considered universities.
Q9. What is the required rank to enroll in NIT?
Ans. In terms of NIT cutoffs, you must have a JEE Main rank of fewer than 20,000 to get admitted to one of the top 10 NITs.
