The National Institutes of Technology (NITs) are among the most prestigious engineering institutes in India after the IITs. These autonomous public technical universities are recognized for delivering world-class education and research facilities. Admission to undergraduate engineering programs in NITs is through the Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
There are 31 NITs across India, each offering B.Tech/B.E. courses in multiple specializations. The branch-wise cutoffs and fees vary depending on the institute, category (Open, OBC, SC, ST, EWS), and state quota (home or other state).
Admission Process
- Exam: JEE Main
- Counselling: JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority)
- Quota: Home State & Other State
- Seat Matrix: Varies by institute and branch
Let’s explore the top NITs, their annual fees, and branch-wise JEE Main closing ranks based on the previous year’s data (2024).
1. NIT Trichy (Tiruchirappalli)
Annual Fee: ₹1.61 Lakhs
Location: Tamil Nadu
| Branch | Home State Closing Rank | Other State Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 3,800 | 1,300 |
| Electronics & Communication | 6,000 | 3,200 |
| Electrical & Electronics | 9,000 | 5,500 |
| Mechanical | 13,000 | 8,700 |
| Civil | 19,000 | 12,500 |
2. NIT Surathkal (Karnataka)
Annual Fee: ₹1.53 Lakhs
Location: Karnataka
| Branch | Home State | Other State |
|---|---|---|
| CSE | 2,900 | 1,600 |
| ECE | 5,200 | 3,800 |
| IT | 4,500 | 2,900 |
| Mechanical | 11,000 | 7,200 |
| Civil | 15,000 | 11,000 |
3. NIT Warangal (Telangana)
Annual Fee: ₹1.49 Lakhs
Location: Telangana
| Branch | Home State | Other State |
|---|---|---|
| CSE | 2,600 | 1,700 |
| ECE | 5,800 | 3,600 |
| Mechanical | 12,000 | 7,900 |
| Biotechnology | 21,000 | 15,000 |
4. NIT Calicut (Kerala)
Annual Fee: ₹1.58 Lakhs
Location: Kerala
| Branch | Home State | Other State |
|---|---|---|
| CSE | 4,200 | 2,000 |
| ECE | 6,200 | 4,100 |
| Mechanical | 13,000 | 9,100 |
| Architecture | 20,000 | 16,500 |
5. NIT Rourkela (Odisha)
Annual Fee: ₹1.61 Lakhs
Location: Odisha
| Branch | Home State | Other State |
|---|---|---|
| CSE | 4,700 | 2,200 |
| ECE | 7,200 | 4,500 |
| Electrical | 9,000 | 6,500 |
| Metallurgical | 18,500 | 12,800 |
6. NIT Durgapur (West Bengal)
Annual Fee: ₹1.49 Lakhs
Location: West Bengal
| Branch | Home State | Other State |
|---|---|---|
| CSE | 6,000 | 2,800 |
| ECE | 9,500 | 5,300 |
| Mechanical | 15,000 | 10,400 |
7. NIT Jaipur (MNIT Jaipur)
Annual Fee: ₹1.68 Lakhs
Location: Rajasthan
| Branch | Home State | Other State |
|---|---|---|
| CSE | 3,500 | 2,100 |
| ECE | 6,500 | 3,900 |
| Mechanical | 11,200 | 7,800 |
8. NIT Allahabad (MNNIT)
Annual Fee: ₹1.61 Lakhs
Location: Uttar Pradesh
| Branch | Home State | Other State |
|---|---|---|
| CSE | 4,000 | 2,000 |
| IT | 5,000 | 3,100 |
| Electrical | 8,000 | 5,900 |
9. NIT Bhopal (MANIT)
Annual Fee: ₹1.63 Lakhs
Location: Madhya Pradesh
| Branch | Home State | Other State |
|---|---|---|
| CSE | 5,200 | 2,800 |
| ECE | 7,900 | 4,700 |
| Mechanical | 13,500 | 9,200 |
10. NIT Kurukshetra
Annual Fee: ₹1.45 Lakhs
Location: Haryana
| Branch | Home State | Other State |
|---|---|---|
| CSE | 5,700 | 3,300 |
| ECE | 9,200 | 5,500 |
| Electrical | 10,500 | 7,300 |
11. NIT Silchar
Annual Fee: ₹1.53 Lakhs
Location: Assam
| Branch | Home State | Other State |
|---|---|---|
| CSE | 7,800 | 4,200 |
| Mechanical | 14,000 | 10,000 |
12. NIT Patna
Annual Fee: ₹1.45 Lakhs
Location: Bihar
| Branch | Home State | Other State |
|---|---|---|
| CSE | 6,900 | 3,800 |
| Civil | 12,500 | 9,000 |
13. NIT Raipur
Annual Fee: ₹1.49 Lakhs
Location: Chhattisgarh
| Branch | Home State | Other State |
|---|---|---|
| CSE | 7,300 | 4,100 |
| ECE | 9,500 | 6,000 |
14. NIT Jamshedpur
Annual Fee: ₹1.57 Lakhs
Location: Jharkhand
| Branch | Home State | Other State |
|---|---|---|
| CSE | 6,400 | 3,500 |
| ECE | 9,000 | 5,800 |
15. NIT Goa
Annual Fee: ₹1.53 Lakhs
Location: Goa
| Branch | Home State | Other State |
|---|---|---|
| CSE | 8,300 | 4,400 |
| ECE | 11,000 | 7,200 |
Average Fee Structure of NITs
| Particulars | Amount (approx) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | ₹62,500 per semester |
| Hostel Fee | ₹6,000–₹12,000 per semester |
| Mess Advance | ₹10,000–₹15,000 |
| One-Time Fees (at admission) | ₹5,000–₹10,000 |
Note: SC/ST/PwD candidates often get full tuition fee waiver and only need to pay mess/hostel charges.
Tips for Aspirants
- Aim for ranks below 3,000 in JEE Main for top branches like CSE in top NITs.
- Use JoSAA opening and closing rank data from previous years to target specific institutes and branches.
- Consider home state quota advantage if your state has a top-ranking NIT.
- Tuition fee waivers and scholarships are available for economically weaker sections and reserved categories.
Conclusion
NITs provide an excellent alternative to IITs with competitive education, placement, and research facilities. Students should make well-informed decisions based on the cutoff trends, branch preference, and location. Fees are relatively uniform, but closing ranks vary significantly across branches and institutes.
Make sure to explore JoSAA counseling schedules, prepare strategically for JEE Main, and keep track of previous years’ cutoff data to boost your admission chances.