IIIT Cutoff 2026 (JoSAA): Branch-Wise Closing Ranks for All IIITs | CSE, AI, IT
The IIIT Cutoff 2026 will be released through JoSAA counselling rounds and will define the branch-wise opening and closing ranks for admission to all Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs). Unlike NITs, IIITs focus almost entirely on Computer Science, IT, AI, and data-driven specializations, which makes their cutoffs highly competitive despite fewer branches. This page provides a realistic, branch-wise analysis of expected JoSAA closing ranks for IIITs in 2026, helping aspirants align their rank with the right institute, specialization, and long-term tech career goals.
While NITs are known for their massive campuses and traditional engineering branches, the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) have emerged as the specialized powerhouses of the Indian tech industry. If your dream is to work in software development, AI, or data science, then an IIIT seat is often more valuable than a core branch at an NIT. Because these institutes focus strictly on technology from Day 1, their curriculum is leaner, faster, and much more aligned with the needs of the 2026 job market.
Understanding the cutoffs for IIITs is slightly different from NITs. Here, you won’t find much “Civil” or “Chemical” engineering; instead, the competition is concentrated in high-demand specializations. As we look toward the 2026 admissions, the “Rank Inflation” factor remains a challenge, but the specific nature of IIIT placements continues to pull students toward them even at lower ranks.
IIIT Cutoff 2026: Branch-Wise JoSAA Closing Ranks for All IIITs
Over the last three years, the interest in specialized branches like AI, Data Science, and Cyber Security has skyrocketed. This is causing IIITs like Allahabad, Gwalior, and Lucknow to close their ranks much earlier than before. Even for newer IIITs, the “CS-only’’ tag makes them a hot favourite for students who are purely tech-driven. If you are aiming for these institutes in 2026, you need to stop looking at them as a backup option and start treating them as specialized goals.
Master Table: IIIT Branch-Wise Closing Ranks (Expected 2026)
This table summarizes the JoSAA Round 6 Closing Ranks for the most popular branches. The data is focused on the All India (AI) Quota, Gender-Neutral, OPEN Category, providing the most realistic target for the majority of aspirants.
| IIIT Name | Computer Science (CSE) | Electronics (ECE) | Information Tech (IT) | AI / Data Science / Others |
| ABV-IIITM Gwalior | 9,527 | 17,366 (EEE) | 13,473 | 11,710 (Math & SC) |
| IIIT Allahabad | — | 8,050 | 6,094 | 6,150 (BI) |
| IIIT Lucknow | 9,580 | — | 11,416 | 9,562 (CS-AI) |
| IIIT Jabalpur | 14,787 | 18,809 | — | 44,435 (Mech) |
| IIIT Kancheepuram | 19,069 | 25,834 | — | 19,533 (CSE-AI) |
| IIIT Pune | 21,029 | 27,380 | — | — |
| IIIT Guwahati | 22,739 | 30,554 | — | — |
| IIIT Vadodara | 24,840 | 37,951 | 28,979 | 29,856 (AI) |
| IIIT Sri City | 26,387 | 33,596 | — | 27,291 (AI/DS) |
| IIIT Kota | 27,400 | 36,737 | — | 30,212 (AI/DE) |
| IIIT Nagpur | 29,123 | 40,844 | — | 27,752 (AI/ML) |
| IIIT Sonepat | 32,506 | — | 37,385 | 35,928 (Data Sci) |
| IIIT Una | 33,468 | 42,197 | — | 34,479 (Data Sci) |
| IIIT Surat | 28,707 | 36,049 | — | 26,485 (AI/ML) |
| IIIT Bhopal | 27,095 | 40,247 | 36,619 | 27,359 (AI) |
| IIIT Kottayam | 40,217 | 41,402 | — | 32,780 (AI/DS) |
| IIIT Ranchi | 38,063 | 45,216 | — | 36,988 (AI/DS) |
| IIIT Dharwad | 41,121 | 45,440 | — | 43,328 (AI/DS) |
| IIIT Bhagalpur | 44,476 | 47,785 | — | 45,422 (Math & Comp) |
| IIIT Kurnool | 33,147 | 44,105 | — | 37,040 (AI/DS) |
| IIIT Kalyani | 44,154 | 47,163 | — | 37,118 (AI/DS) |
| IIIT Raichur | 36,760 | — | — | 41,577 (AI/DS) |
| IIIT Manipur | 58,080 | 65,373 | — | 60,321 (AI/DS) |
| IIIT Agartala | 44,304 | — | — | — |
| IIIT Vadodara (Diu) | 39,231 | 44,651 | — | 42,565 (AI) |
Key Strategic Correlation (KSC Insight)
“If you look at the data for IIIT Allahabad or Lucknow, you’ll see something very interesting: the Information Technology and specialized AI branches are often closing earlier than core Computer Science in other mid-tier NITs. This tells us that the student of 2026 isn’t just looking for an ‘Engineering Degree’; they are looking for ‘Skill Alignment.’ My advice is simple: if you are stuck between a core branch at a mid-tier NIT and a specialization like AI/DS at an IIIT, check the placement stats for the last two years. In most cases, the IIIT specialization will offer you a much faster ROI (Return on Investment) even if the campus life feels slightly more restricted.”
Conclusion: Designing Your Choice List
The 2026 session is going to be competitive, but as this table shows, there are plenty of entry points even beyond the 30,000 ranks mark. IIITs like Bhagalpur, Manipur, and Una offer specialized degrees at ranks where top NITs might only offer you non-tech branches. Your strategy should be to prioritize the Branch over the Location when it comes to IIITs, because in the IT world, your coding skills and the specialization on your degree carry the most weight.
FAQs: IIIT Admissions 2026
Q.1 What is the closing rank for IIITs in JoSAA 2026?
Ans:- The closing rank for IIITs in JoSAA 2026 varies by institute and branch, but for the OPEN, gender-neutral category, popular branches like CSE, IT, and AI are expected to close between 9,000 and 45,000 ranks in the final rounds, with newer IIITs extending beyond this range during CSAB counselling.
Q.2 Are IIITs better than NITs for CSE?
Ans: It depends on your goal. For core branches like Mechanical or Electrical, IITs and NITs clearly offer better exposure than IIITs. But for CSE and AI-related branches, the picture changes. Some IIITs especially IIIT Hyderabad are considered stronger than many NITs and even a few IITs in software-focused roles.
If you want a full campus life with fests and diverse labs, NITs suit better. If you are clear about a pure software or AI career, IIITs often make more sense.
Q.3 Is there a Home State quota in IIITs?
Ans: This depends on the funding and governance model of the IIIT. Centrally funded IIITs under the Ministry of Education usually do not have a Home State quota. Admissions in these institutes are done purely on an “All India basis through JoSAA counselling’’. However, IIITs established under the Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model or those supported by state governments may offer state-specific reservations, typically ranging from 35% to 50%, and in some cases even higher.
For example, IIIT Delhi follows a distinct state quota structure. Institutes such as IIIT Bhubaneswar, IIIT Naya Raipur, and IIIT Vadodara also follow institute-specific reservation norms. Always verify the individual institute brochure before making assumptions.
Q.4 Why are the fees in IIITs higher than NITs?
Ans: Many of the IIITs are established in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, which makes them more self-reliant for funding. This leads to slightly higher fees compared to NITs, but this is usually balanced by the high placement packages in tech roles.
Q.5 Can I get a seat in IIIT with a rank of 45,000?
Ans: Yes, it is possible. In the later JoSAA rounds and especially in CSAB, several newer or mid-tier IIITs as mentioned in the table above, institutes like IIIT Bhagalpur, Dharwad, Kalyani, etc. often have closing ranks for CSE and specializations near or even beyond the 45,000 rank in the final rounds.
Q.6 Is Dual Degree (5-year) in IIIT a good choice?
Ans: Yes, for the right student profile. Institutes like ABV-IIITM Gwalior or IIIT Kancheepuram offer Integrated B.Tech with M.Tech programs. These courses usually have slightly lower cutoffs compared to their 4-year programs and provide an extra year for specializations. Like VLSI, Embedded systems, Robotics, or advanced computing which are high-paying fields.