The IIT JAM rank for admission into NITs varies based on courses and colleges. The qualifying rank is prepared based on the competition level. Check out the article shared to learn about the marks required to get into NITs through IIT JAM.
IIT Bombay is going to release the JAM cutoff 2026 by March 2026. Students can easily check the IIT JAM cutoff on the official JOAPS website. You can find the opening and closing marks here.
You need to qualify for the IIT JAM 2026 to get a decision in the MSc programs in NITs. The various factors that impact the IIT JAM cutoff list are exam difficulty, number of applicants and the seats matrix. In this article, we will learn more details about the IIT JAM rank for NIT Msc admission 2026.
How NIT MSc Admission Works Through IIT JAM?
NITs do not conduct any separate exam for Msc admission. Admission will be done through the centralised counselling for Msc, which uses IIT JAM scores and AIR. If you fail to get a seat in IIT, you can get admission in top NITs through JAM rank. The main components are:
- IIT JAM Rank (AIR)
- Candidates category (General, OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, ST, and PwD)
- Subject
- Institute preferred
- Seats availability
How to Check IIT JAM rank for NIT 2026?
If you want to check your NIT MSc cutoff JAM 2026, follow the steps below:
- Step 1: Go to the IIT JAM official website.
- Step 2: Press IIT JAM first cutoff.
- Step 3: Visit the JOAPS portal.
- Step 4: The cutoff PDF links will be displayed.
- Step 5: You can now view and download the IIT JAM cutoff in PDF format.
Read More: IIT JAM Cutoff 2026 for NITs
Category-Wise JAM Cutoff 2026
Here are the required NIT MSc expected cutoff JAM depending on category and subject. The cutoff has been shared considering the previous year trends.
| Subject Paper | GEN | OBC-NCL / EWS | SC / ST / PwD |
| Biotechnology | 24.46 | 22.01 | 12.23 |
| Chemistry | 25.83 | 23.24 | 12.91 |
| Economics | 42.55 | 38.29 | 21.27 |
| Geology | 21.06 | 18.95 | 10.53 |
| Mathematics | 19.9 | 17.91 | 9.95 |
| Mathematical Statistics | 8.75 | 7.87 | 4.37 |
| Physics | 14.66 | 13.19 | 7.33 |
Top NITs Offering MSc Through IIT JAM
Many NITs are preferred by students who wish to get admission in Msc through IIT JAM. Students wish to get seats in IIT JAM because of the strong academic environment, experienced faculty, and good placement records. Some of the most popular NITs offering admission in Msc are NIT Tiruchirappalli, NIT Warangal, NIT Surathkal, and NIT Calicut. These institutes provide admission to higher cutoffs.
Various other institutes, such as MNNIT Allahabad, NIT Rourkela, NIT Jaipur, and NIT Durgapur, also attract a large number of JAM-qualified candidates for admission into Msc Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and other subjects.
| NIT Name | Popular MSc Programs | Competition Level | Expected JAM Rank (GEN) |
| NIT Trichy | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science | Very High | Below 500 – 1000 |
| NIT Warangal | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | Very High | Below 600 – 1200 |
| NIT Surathkal | Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics | High | 600 – 1500 |
| NIT Calicut | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | High | 700 – 1800 |
| MNNIT Allahabad | Mathematics & Scientific Computing, Physics | Moderate–High | 800 – 2000 |
| NIT Rourkela | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | Moderate | 1000 – 2500 |
| MNIT Jaipur | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | Moderate | 1200 – 3000 |
| NIT Durgapur | Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry | Moderate | 1500 – 3500 |
Why Do Average Rank Holders Still Get NIT Seats?
Candidates with average IIT JAM marks can get admission to MSC in NITs because some top rankers withdraw their admission after securing a seat in IITs and IISc. This leads to some vacant seats, especially in the second or third rounds of CCMN counselling. In the next rounds of counselling, the cut-offs are released, which increase the admission chances.
The candidates who have flexible preferences get the seat allotment in NITs with average JAM marks. Candidates are advised to stay in counseling till the end of the round and not take up early exit. Make your preferences flexible to increase your admission chances.
Check IIT JAM Related Articles:
Why Preference Filling Matters More Than Rank?
In CCMN counseling, your preference filling matters more than the IIT JAM rank. Many candidates lose their admission because of poor choices. If you fill only a few top NITs, it can reduce the chance of your admission. You must follow a smart preference-filling strategy. List all the eligible NITs and include a mix of top and mid-level institutes and safe options across preferred subjects.
Avoid restricting choices based on rank limitations, as the cutoff can relax in later counseling rounds. Every year, many MSC seats in NITs remain vacant because students do not fill enough preferences. If you stay flexible in choices, you can improve your chances of securing a seat in the top NITs.
Conclusion
The IIT JAM rank required for NIT MSc program depends on various factors such as category, subject, and filled preferences. Top NITs offer admission to high rank holders, but CCMN counseling offers a chance to average rank holders to get admission in their preferred course and institute. You must know the cutoffs and fill preferences wisely to enhance your chance of seat allotment.
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NIT MSc admission uses IIT JAM scores, no separate exam. -
Centralized CCMN counselling allots seats based on JAM AIR. -
Cutoffs depend on exam difficulty, applicants, and seat matrix. -
Flexible preferences boost chances, even for average rank holders.
