Students dreaming of studying at the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) should note important dates for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026. The registration for **JEE Main 2026 Session 1** is currently open. The last day to apply for this session is **November 27, 2025**. Interested candidates must apply online through the official website: **jeemain.nta.nic.in**.
Getting into an IIT is a goal for many students across India, but the competition is very high. This means students need to achieve excellent ranks in the entrance exams. However, there are some courses at popular IITs where students can get admission even with numerically higher ranks in the JEE Advanced exam. These courses still lead to good job opportunities and offer the advantage of an IIT degree.
Courses at IITs with Higher Closing Ranks
Here is a list of engineering courses at various IITs where the closing ranks for admission are generally higher. This means that students with ranks that are not among the very top can still have a chance to study at an IIT. The ranks mentioned are for the Open Category, All India (AI) Quota, Gender-Neutral admissions.
| Course | Institute | Closing Rank Open Category (AI Quota - Gender Neutral) |
| B.Tech in Civil and Infrastructure Engineering | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur | 14301 |
| B.Tech in Biochemical Engineering | Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi | 13255 |
| B.Tech in Bioengineering | Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi | 12759 |
| B.Tech in Petroleum Engineering | Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad | 12709 |
| B.Tech in Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology | Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi | 14447 |
| B.Tech in Metal and Metallurgical Engineering | Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad | 14875 |
| B.Tech-MBA Integrated (B.Tech Mining Engineering from ISM Dhanbad and MBA from IIM Mumbai Logistic & Supply Chain Management) | IIT ISM Dhanbad and IIM Mumbai | 16770 |
| B.Tech-M.Tech Integrated IIT Patna (B.Tech Civil Engineering and M.Tech Geotechnical Engineering) | IIT Patna | 16815 |
| B.Tech-MBA Integrated (B.Tech Mechanical Engineering IIT Patna and MBA IIM Mumbai) | IIT Patna and IIM Mumbai | 9708 |
How to Get Admission to IITs
The admission process for IITs involves two main entrance exams: JEE Main and JEE Advanced. Students must clear both stages to secure a seat.
Step 1: Appear for JEE Main
First, students must take the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main. They need to get a score above a specific cutoff mark set by the exam authority. This exam is the first step to qualify for the next stage.
Step 2: Qualify for JEE Advanced
Only those students who score above the JEE Main cutoff are allowed to appear for JEE Advanced. This is the final and tougher entrance exam for IIT admissions.
Step 3: Secure Admission Based on JEE Advanced Rank
Admission to IITs and specific courses depends on the rank a student gets in the JEE Advanced exam. Higher ranks (meaning numerically lower ranks, for example, rank 100 is higher than rank 1000) lead to admission in more sought-after courses like Computer Science or Electrical Engineering at top IITs. However, as shown in the table above, other engineering courses also offer excellent opportunities even with numerically higher ranks.
Important Dates for JEE Main & Advanced 2026
Candidates planning to apply for the JEE Main and Advanced exams should keep the following dates in mind:
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Registration Starts: Recently opened
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Last Date to Apply: **November 27, 2025**
JEE Advanced 2026 Exam: Expected in **May 2026**. Exact dates will be announced soon.
Students should visit the official website **jeemain.nta.nic.in** regularly for the latest updates and to complete their application process on time. Applying early helps avoid last-minute issues.
