List of National Institutes of Technology (NITs) in India

Kokila Chokkanathan
🎓 What Are NITs – A Quick Overview

National Institutes of technology (NITs) are central government‑funded engineering institutes across india offering undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and doctoral programs. They are known for strong academics, research focus, and excellent campus opportunities. NITs admit students primarily through JEE Main and JoSAA/CSAB counselling for B.Tech/B.Arch and through GATE/IIT JAM/CAT for PG programs.

📌 Admissions Process (2026)

🧠 Undergraduate (B.Tech / B.Arch / Dual Degrees)

  • Exam: JEE Main (conducted by NTA)
  • Counseling: JoSAA / CSAB based on JEE Main rank
  • Eligibility: 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics
  • Seat Allocation: 50 % home state quota, 50 % all‑India quota
🎓 Postgraduate (M.Tech / MSc / MBA / PhD)

  • M.Tech: GATE
  • MSc: IIT JAM or institute test
  • MBA: CAT or institute entrance
  • PhD: Institute interview/test
🏆 Top 10 NIT Colleges in india (2026 Estimates)

Here are the top NITs based on the latest NIRF 2025 rankings and education sources (used as reference for 2026 trends):

Rank

Institute Name

City

State

NIRF Rank (2025)

1

National Institute of technology Tiruchirappalli (NIT Trichy)

Tiruchirappalli

Tamil Nadu

9

2

National Institute of technology Karnataka, Surathkal (NIT Surathkal)

Surathkal

Karnataka

17

3

National Institute of technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela)

Rourkela

Odisha

19

4

National Institute of technology warangal (NIT Warangal)

Warangal

Telangana

21

5

National Institute of technology Calicut (NIT Calicut)

Kozhikode

Kerala

25

6

Visvesvaraya National Institute of technology (VNIT) Nagpur

Nagpur

Maharashtra

39

7

National Institute of technology Silchar (NIT Silchar)

Silchar

Assam

40

8

Malaviya National Institute of technology (MNIT) Jaipur

Jaipur

Rajasthan

43

9

National Institute of technology Durgapur (NIT Durgapur)

Durgapur

West Bengal

44

10

National Institute of technology Delhi (NIT Delhi)

Delhi

Delhi

45

💡 There are 31 NITs in india overall, covering most states and union territories.

🎓 Popular Courses Offered

NITs typically offer a range of programs across UG, PG and doctoral levels:

🎓 Undergraduate

  • B.Tech — Computer Science & Engineering (CSE), Electronics & Communication (ECE), Mechanical, Civil, Electrical & Electronics, Chemical, IT
  • B.Arch — Architecture
  • Integrated Programs (e.g., BTech‑MTech, BS‑MS)
🎓 Postgraduate

  • M.Tech — Specialisations data-aligned to industry (CSE, EE, Mechanical, etc.)
  • M.Sc — Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Maths)
  • MBA — Management
  • MCA — Computer Applications
  • PhD — Research in engineering and sciences
📈 NIRF Rankings — What It Means

NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) is released annually by the Ministry of education to rank indian colleges on research, teaching, outcomes and perception. Many top NITs regularly feature in the top engineering institutes list, often ahead of many other public colleges. For example, NIT Trichy, Surathkal, Rourkela, warangal and Calicut are consistently ranked among the best NITs.

📌 Seat Matrix & Cutoffs (2026)

  • Seats: Around 24,000+ seats across all NITs for B.Tech (2026 cycle).
  • Cutoffs: Highly dependent on JEE Main rank and branch — CSE typically requires top ranks (e.g., around 4,000‑6,000 for Gen category in top NITs), while other core branches have relatively higher rank requirements.
📍 Key Highlights

  • Competitive Admissions: Entry to NITs is through JEE Main + JoSAA/CSAB counselling based on rank and choices.
  • Home Quota: 50 % of seats are reserved for students from the same state as the NIT.
  • Strong Placements: Top NITs record average packages around ₹10–20 LPA, with excellent placements in tech companies.
  • Wide Program Variety: From engineering to management and research degrees, NITs offer diversified courses tailored to industry needs.
🎯 Quick Reference: Top 5 NITs to Target (for JEE 2026)

NIT Trichy — Top ranked with strong CSE/ECE programs

NIT Surathkal — Excellent coding and placement culture

NIT Rourkela — Large campus and research orientation

NIT Warangal — Great alumni network and industry tie‑ups

NIT Calicut — Robust engineering ecosystem

📌 Final Takeaway

Choosing an NIT for 2026 involves balancing rank, location, branch preferences and career goals. With a centralized counselling process through JEE Main, aspirants can shortlist institutes based on NIRF ranking, syllabus fit, placements and culture. Whether you aim for CSE, ECE, Mechanical or multidisciplinary programs, NITs offer a strong foundation for engineering and technology careers.

 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.

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