What Score Is Needed in JEE Main 2026 for BTech ECE in IIITs?

ECE is among the most popular branches, as it has highly successful career opportunities in electronics, communication, semiconductor, and AI hardware systems. The score needed in JEE Main 2026 for BTech ECE in IIIts depends on the IIIT institute chosen, the type of reservation category and the competition level of that year. The IIITs ranked among the highest, such as IIIT Allahabad and IIITDM Kancheepuram, closed with a rank of about 7-15,000, or approximately 230 marks (98.5+percentile), in ECE.

IIIT Pune, Nagpur and Jabalpur, among mid-tier IIITs, normally need a 18000-30000 rank, which is equivalent to 190-220 marks (97-98.5 percentile). Newer IIITs such as Bhagalpur, Kalyani, or Una had a closing ranging between 35,000 -55,000, equal to about 150-190 marks (95-97 percentiles). Knowing these projected scores will assist the students in setting their JEE Main counselling goals, choice filling and choice targets of JEE Main 2026.

JEE Main Score (Expected) for B.Tech. ECE in Top IIITs in 2026 

IIITs vary in the JEE Main score that is required when pursuing BTech ECE. It is largely determined by the level of difficulty of the paper, the number of candidates, etc. In the case of the best IIITs such as IIIT Allahabad, IIIT Gwalior and IIITDM Kancheepuram, Seats for ECE are closed around 7,000 -15,000 ranks. This is the general requirement of a student, and the total of the marks required is about 230 or above or 98.5 percentile or above in JEE Main.

In case of mid level IIITs IIIT Pune, IIIT Nagpur, IIIT Jabalpur, IIIT Surat etc., ECE seats tend to be filled out in the 18,000 to 30,000-rank-bracket. This tends to be an approximation of marks of 190 to 220 or about 97 to 98.5 percentiles at the JEE Main.

Closing ranks are usually between 35,000 and 55,000 in the case of newer IIITs such as IIIT Bhagalpur, IIIT Kalyani, IIIT Una and IIIT Senapati. This generally corresponds to the results of scores of approximately 150 to 190 marks, or 95th to 97th percentile.

These are just anticipated ranges of scores based on past trends. It can be higher or lower than the actual cutoff in 2026. In order to be on the safe side, students should always aim at attaining at least 10 to 15 marks above the estimated cutoff. The table below shows the expected JEE Main score for BTech ECE in the top IIITs.

BTech ECE Cut-Off Trends in IIITs in 2024 and 2025

BTech ECE cut-off trends will give you an idea about the competitiveness of the Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) course of IIITs. The following is a comparison of IIITs on the basis of official JoSAA counselling ranking in recent years.

Factors Affecting ECE Cut-Offs in IIITs

IIITs vary in the JEE Main score that is required when pursuing BTech ECE. The cutoff may increase or decrease even in the same IIIT, depending on the exam conditions, the number of students and the availability of seats. All these elements determine the level of competitiveness of ECE admission in a given year.

1. Difficulty Level of JEE Main- In case of a tough paper, average marks decline, and cutoffs will reduce. When the paper is not difficult, a higher number of students will score high, and the cutoff is also high.
2. Number of Applicants- The competition is heightened, and better grades are required to obtain the same rank when an increasing number of students are appearing in JEE Main.
3. Number of ECE Seats in IIITs- An increase in the number of seats normally results in reduced cutoffs. Fewer seats and lesser intake enhance competition and increases the cutoffs required.
4. Popularity of ECE Branch- When the electronics, semiconductor and communication industries are in demand, ECE is more preferred, making the cutoffs to be pushed more.
5. Category-Based Reservation System- Seats are categorized, and therefore, there is a difference in the requirement of scores between General, OBC, EWS, SC, and ST candidates.
6. Counselling Rounds- The number of cutoffs is the largest in the initial rounds and tends to decrease in the later rounds, due to either vacant seats or dropouts.

How JEE Main Score Translates to Percentile & Rank?

Instead of actually basing the admission on marks, IIIT uses the JEE Main rank. This conversion is not precise due to a difference in the percentile and normalization of the sessions. Real ranking of a particular score varies year to year with the difficulty of the paper and the number of applicants. Therefore, when doing the planning based on the rank-percentile comparison, it is always a safe option to aim at scoring slightly above the required level. The table below shows the rank and percentile for JEE Main score and admission chances for BTech ECE in IIITs.

JEE Main 2026 Score vs Rank – What Should You Target?

Cutoff score of the ECE in IIITs is not determined solely with regard to JEE Main performance. It depends on the extent to which the seats are filled during various counselling rounds organised by JoSAA and subsequently by CSAB. Cutoffs tend to vary as rounds go through since some students transfer colleges, some drop out, or change their options.

During the preliminary JoSAA rounds, the cutoffs are the highest. This is due to the fact that the best students occupy most of the seats at an early time when they are seeking the best options. Thus, to receive a seat in Round 1 or Round 2, a student must tend to have a higher rank and score.

When JoSAA shifts to the middle and later rounds, a large number of students switch to superior alternatives or drop the counselling with JoSAA upon securing seats in IITs and NITs or in private colleges. This leaves empty seats, particularly in IIITs of mid and lower demand. Due to this, closing rank moves go down, and this implies that the score required also goes down a little.

Once JoSAA is completed, the leftover slots are filled under CSAB special rounds. The cutoffs that occur in these rounds are normally the lowest in the whole process. Those who could not secure seats in JoSAA or were not given seats are given another opportunity. Due to the already settled high-rankers, sometimes even a student with a low ranking is allowed a seat in such rounds.

Nonetheless, such large decreases are not exhibited by all IIITs or branches. IIITs' branches with high demand, such as ECE in the top IIITs, can easily be occupied during early rounds and show an insignificant change after the early rounds. Thus, in case a student simply fails to attend the cutoff during early rounds, the possibility of later JoSAA rounds or CSAB rounds can increase their likelihood.

The table below shows the score vs rank for JEE Main 2026.

How you can Improve your Chances for Admission to BTech ECE in IIITs?

BTech ECE in IIITs has intense competition during admission, and a high score in JEE Main is very important. But, other than the performance in the examination, you can employ certain strategies that would have the best chances of landing you in a seat at your desired IIIT campus.

1. Aim for scores beyond the Expected Cut-offs. Target 10-15 marks more than the cut-off marks in the target IIIT and category. This provides a hedge against the fluctuation in difficulty and competition which occurs on an annual basis.
2. Compare the score-to-rank conversion. Take a comparison of last year's score vs the rank table to have an estimation of what score achieves the required rank in your desired IIIT.
3. Strengthen your core subjects, which are Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Practice past years' tests and exams to know areas in which you are weak.
4. Master exam time management. Do not get stuck on the hard questions and waste time, to ensure that the overall score is high.
5. Do choice filling and counselling process strategically. Research the ECE IIIT-wise cut offs from beforehand. Add a list of top safe IIITs, including mid and top institutes. Factor in category-wise reservation and seat availability when making informed choices.
6. Take into account all the counselling rounds. When there is a JoSAA round at the beginning, the cutoffs are very high and hence priortize getting a seat at your choice of IIIT. Subsequent rounds and CSAB rounds are offered as options of backup or alternatives.
7. Students with the reserved category have the advantage of relaxation of scores, but must achieve a good score in order to get entrance into the best IIITs. General category students will need to maximize on each mark in order to get high-demand campuses.

With such strategies, the aspirants have high possibilities of being granted admission to BTech ECE in IIITs. Most of the preparatory effort, strategic advice, and targeting slightly higher than anticipated cutoffs are the factors in getting a seat in a good campus.

Conclusion

The minimum score to get admission to ECE in IIITs is based on various parameters such as the level of the examinations, the number of applicants, availability of seats, popularity of the branch and the counselling process. The top IIITs require a minimum of 230 marks, mid IIITs need 190-220 marks, and the new IIITs usually cut off at 150-190 marks. Differences according to category also influence anticipated scores, as some categories require lower marks in comparison with others. Students must set a goal to achieve scores that are 10-15 marks above the cutoffs in order to safely get a seat.