NIT Rourkela Admission 2026: Eligibility, Application Process & Dates

NIT Rourkela admission 2026 is ongoing. B.Tech is the most popular course offered by the institute for which admissions are based on JEE Main scores. JEE Main 2026 session 1 will be conducted from January 21 to 29, 2026, and the results are expected on February 12, 2026.

For 2026 admissions, the total seat intake for NIT Rourkela B.Tech is expected to be approximately 1,140 across 15+ specializations. For top programs like Computer Science & Engineering, the expected NIT Rourkela JEE Main cutoff 2026 is 2,000-3,500 ranks for Other State (General) candidates. The total fees for the program is approximately ₹6.72 Lakhs to ₹9.2 Lakhs (depending on hostel and mess charges). Besides JEE Main, B.Tech admissions at NIT Rourkela are also done through other channels: DASA (for NRIs/Foreign Nationals) or CSAB (for vacant seat filling).

NIT Rourkela Admission Highlights 2026

Given below are the key highlights related to National Institute of Technology Rourkela Admission course admissions:

NIT Rourkela Admission Dates 2026

All the important events and their dates related to the National Institute of Technology Rourkela admission 2026 are shown in the table below.

NIT Rourkela BTech Admission 2026

NIT Rourkela offers a 4-year BTech program across 15+ diverse specializations, including Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), and Mechanical Engineering. Admission to the program is primarily based on JEE Main scores through JoSAA/CSAB counseling. The overall NIT Rourkela BTech cutoff 2026 in JEE Main is expected to range from 3,100 to 48,000 ranks for General category students (Other State).

Specialisations Offered: Computer Science & Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Electronics & Communication, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Ceramic, Biotechnology, Biomedical, Food Process Engineering, Industrial Design, Mining, and Metallurgical & Materials Engineering.

Admission Basis: JEE Main is the mandatory mode of admission for Indian nationals (via JoSAA/CSAB). International/NRI students can apply through the DASA (Direct Admission of Students Abroad) scheme.

Expected Cutoff: For BTech CSE, the expected NIT Rourkela JEE Main cutoff 2026 is around 3,100-4,300 ranks, while for ECE, it is likely to be between 5,100-7,000 ranks. Core branches like Mechanical and Civil usually range between 12,000-30,000 ranks.

Total Seat Intake: Approximately 900-1,000+ seats across all B.Tech branches (e.g., ~60 for CSE, ~90 for ECE).

Total Fees: Approximately INR 7-9 Lakhs for the full 4-year program. This includes a tuition fee of INR 62,500 per semester, though 100% tuition waivers are available for SC/ST/PH students and full/partial waivers for low-income groups.

Application Fee: Handled through NTA (JEE Main) - typically INR 1,000 for General/OBC-NCL (Male) and INR 800 for Female/Reserved categories.

NIT Rourkela B.Tech Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for admission to BTech at NIT Rourkela, candidates must have:

• Completed Class 12 or an equivalent exam with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects along with one of Chemistry/Biotechnology/Biology/Technical Vocational subject.

• Obtained a minimum aggregate of 75% marks in the Class 12 examination (65% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) OR be in the top 20 percentile in their respective board.

NIT Rourkela B.Tech Selection Criteria

The NIT Rourkela selection criteria for BTech depend on the residency and category:

• JEE Main (JoSAA/CSAB): The primary entry point. Seats are divided into Home State (HS) quota (50%) for Odisha students and Other State (OS) quota (50%) for the rest of India. Allotment is strictly based on the All India Rank (AIR) and choices filled during JoSAA counseling.

• DASA: Admission for NRIs, PIOs, and Foreign Nationals. Selection is based on JEE Main ranks (since 2021, SAT scores are no longer used for DASA in NITs).

• Fee Waivers: NIT Rourkela strictly follows the Ministry of Education's fee waiver policy:

  • 100% Tuition Fee Waiver: For SC/ST/PH students.

  • Full Remission: For General/OBC students with family income

  • 2/3rd Remission: For General/OBC students with family income between INR 1 Lakh - 5 Lakh/year.

NIT Rourkela B.Tech Admission Process

The admission process for NIT Rourkela B.Tech in 2026 is governed by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) and the Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB). It involves appearing for JEE Main, participating in centralized counseling, and completing institutional reporting.

Step 1: Register and Appear for JEE Main 2026

Firstly, candidates must register and appear for the JEE Main 2026 exam. Registration for JEE Main can be done at: jeemain.nta.nic.in.

• Attempt: Candidates can appear for both sessions (January and April). The best NTA percentile score across the two sessions will be used for the final ranking.

• Criteria: Candidates must have passed Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or be appearing in 2026. NIT Rourkela specifically requires a rank in Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech).

Step 2: Registration on JoSAA 2026 Portal

Unlike IIIT Hyderabad, NITs do not have a separate institutional portal for the initial rounds. Candidates must register on the official JoSAA portal (josaa.nic.in) using their JEE Main credentials.

• Application Fee: There is no fee for registration and choice filling on the JoSAA portal. Fees are only paid after a seat is successfully allotted.

• Data Integration: Your JEE Main scores and category details are automatically fetched from the NTA database.

Step 3: Choice Filling and Branch Preference

During the JoSAA window, you must list your preferences for colleges and branches. NIT Rourkela offers over 15 specializations, including Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Ceramic Engineering.

• Optimization: You can list as many choices as you like. It is highly recommended to arrange them in decreasing order of preference.

• Locking: Once the deadline passes, choices are automatically locked. You cannot change your preferences after the locking period, even between rounds.

Step 4: Preparation of Rank List & Seat Matrix

Admissions are based on the All India Rank (AIR) provided by NTA. NIT Rourkela follows the government-mandated seat matrix:

• Home State (HS) Quota (50%): Reserved for candidates who completed Class 12 in Odisha.

• Other State (OS) Quota (50%): Open to candidates from all other states and UTs.

• Diversity & Reservation: Seats are further categorized into Open, EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, and ST, with a specific number of seats reserved for Female candidates (Supernumerary) to ensure gender balance.

Step 5: Seat Allotment and Online Reporting

JoSAA typically conducts 6 rounds of seat allotment. If you are allotted a seat at NIT Rourkela, you must perform the following:

• Willingness Option: Choose between Freeze (accept and stop), Float (accept but open to a better college/branch), or Slide (accept but open to a better branch within NIT Rourkela).

• Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF): You must pay approximately INR 30,000 (General/OBC) or INR 15,000 (SC/ST/PwD) to secure the seat.

• Partial Admission Fee (PAF): After the final JoSAA round, an additional fee (approx. INR 45,000 for General) must be paid to confirm the seat before the CSAB rounds.

Step 6: Physical Reporting & Document Verification

After the JoSAA and CSAB Special Rounds conclude, candidates must report to the NIT Rourkela campus in August.

• Documents: You must bring original Class 10 & 12 mark sheets, JEE Main scorecard, JoSAA allotment letter, Category certificate (if applicable), and PwD certificate (if applicable).

• Eligibility Check: You must have secured at least 75% aggregate marks in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST/PwD) or be in the top 20 percentile of your respective board.

NIT Rourkela M.Tech Admission 2026

NIT Rourkela offers a wide array of over 40 M.Tech specializations, including Computer Science, VLSI Design & Embedded Systems, Structural Engineering, and Biotechnology. M.Tech admissions at NIT Rourkela are primarily based on the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) and are processed through the Centralized Counselling for M.Tech/M.Arch/M.Plan (CCMT).

Candidates applying through CCMT are typically required to pay a non-refundable registration fee (approximately INR 3,000 for General/OBC and INR 2,500 for SC/ST/PwD). The total tuition fee for the M.Tech program is approximately INR 1,40,000, though the total institutional cost, including hostel and other charges, is around INR 3,48,500 for the two-year duration. For sponsored candidates, the institute may conduct separate entrance tests or interviews.

NIT Rourkela M.Tech Eligibility Criteria

The following are the eligibility criteria to apply for NIT Rourkela M.Tech:

• To be eligible for admission, candidates must possess a B.Tech, B.E., or an equivalent degree in a relevant discipline and should have secured at least 60% marks or a 6.5 CGPA (on a 10-point scale).

• For SC/ST/PwD candidates, the minimum requirement is slightly relaxed to 55% marks or a 6.0 CGPA.

• Applicants must have a valid GATE score in the relevant paper that matches their chosen specialization.

• Sponsored candidates must have a minimum of two years of full-time work experience in the relevant field and a letter of sponsorship from their employer.

NIT Rourkela M.Tech Selection Criteria

The selection process for M.Tech at NIT Rourkela is strictly merit-based, determined by the GATE score of the applicant. Seats are allotted through the CCMT counselling rounds, where candidates are ranked according to their GATE performance, preferences, and category-wise seat availability. While regular admissions do not require an interview, sponsored candidates and those applying for certain specific research-based categories may be required to undergo a departmental written test and/or interview for final selection.

NIT Rourkela MBA Admission 2026

NIT Rourkela offers a specialized MBA program through its School of Management, focusing on core areas such as Marketing, Finance, Human Resource, and Operations. MBA admissions at NIT Rourkela are primarily based on national-level entrance tests like CAT, XAT, MAT, or CMAT, and the application process is handled directly through the institute's official admission portal.

Candidates applying for the program are required to pay a non-refundable application fee (approximately INR 500). The total tuition fee for the MBA program is approximately INR 4,00,000, while the total institutional cost, including hostel, mess, and other semester-wise charges, is estimated around INR 6,00,000 to INR 6,30,000 for the two-year duration. For those without a national-level score, the institute may occasionally conduct its own entrance test depending on seat vacancy.

NIT Rourkela MBA Eligibility Criteria

The following are the eligibility criteria to apply for NIT Rourkela MBA:

• To be eligible for admission, candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university and should have secured at least 60% marks or a 6.5 CGPA (on a 10-point scale).

• For SC/ST candidates, the minimum requirement is relaxed to 55% marks or a 6.0 CGPA.

• Applicants must have a valid score in a national-level management entrance examination such as CAT, XAT, MAT, or CMAT.

• Candidates appearing for their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply, provided they complete all requirements and meet the minimum marks criteria by the time of admission.

NIT Rourkela MBA Selection Criteria

The selection process for the MBA at NIT Rourkela is multifaceted, ensuring a holistic evaluation of the candidate. The final merit list is typically determined by the following weightage:

• Test Score (CAT/XAT/MAT/CMAT): 40%

• Career Credentials (Academic Records): 30%

• Group Discussion (GD): 10%

• Personal Interview (PI): 10%

• Work Experience: 10%

Shortlisted candidates based on their entrance scores are called for the GD and PI rounds, which may be conducted in either online or offline mode. Final seat allotment is based on the cumulative score across these criteria and category-wise seat availability.

NIT Rourkela MSc Admission 2026

NIT Rourkela offers 2-year MSc programs in several core and applied science specializations, including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Life Science, and Applied Geology. M.Sc. admissions at NIT Rourkela are primarily based on the Joint Admission Test for Masters (IIT JAM) and are processed through the Centralized Counselling for M.Sc. / M.Sc. (Tech) (CCMN).

Candidates applying through CCMN are typically required to pay a non-refundable registration fee (approximately INR 3,000 for General/OBC and INR 2,500 for SC/ST/PwD). The total tuition fee for the M.Sc. program is approximately INR 30,000, though the total institutional cost, including hostel, mess, and other charges, is around INR 2,38,000 for the two-year duration. For certain categories or sponsored seats, the institute may have specific additional guidelines.

NIT Rourkela M.Sc Eligibility Criteria

The following are the eligibility criteria to apply for NIT Rourkela M.Sc.:

• To be eligible for admission, candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc. or equivalent) in a relevant discipline and should have secured at least 60% marks or a 6.5 CGPA (on a 10-point scale).

• For SC/ST/PwD candidates, the minimum requirement is slightly relaxed to 55% marks or a 6.0 CGPA.

• Applicants must have a valid IIT JAM score in the paper corresponding to their chosen specialization (e.g., Chemistry (CY) for M.Sc. Chemistry).

• Specific subject requirements apply for certain branches; for instance, Mathematics at the +2 level is compulsory for all M.Sc. courses except Life Science.

NIT Rourkela M.Sc Selection Criteria

The selection process for M.Sc. at NIT Rourkela is strictly merit-based, determined by the IIT JAM score of the applicant. Seats are allotted through the CCMN counselling rounds, where candidates are ranked according to their JAM performance, preferences, and category-wise seat availability. While regular admissions are finalized through the online counselling portal, any seats remaining vacant after the regular rounds may be filled through Special Rounds or a National Spot Round as per CCMN guidelines.

NIT Rourkela PhD Admission 2026

NIT Rourkela offers full-time and part-time PhD programmes across 20 departments including Engineering (Computer Science, Electronics, Civil, etc.), Sciences (Life Science, Physics, Chemistry), Management, and Humanities. The duration of the PhD program typically ranges from 3 to 6 years. Admission is primarily based on institutional entrance tests or national-level scores like GATE/NET. The total academic fees for the first semester of the full-time PhD at NIT Rourkela is approximately ₹67,000 (with tuition fee waivers for SC/ST candidates).

NIT Rourkela PhD Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet the following NIT Rourkela eligibility criteria for PhD:

• Academic Performance: Candidates must have at least 60% marks or 6.5 CGPA throughout their academic career (10th, 12th, and qualifying degree).

• Qualifying Degrees: Eligible qualifications include M.E./M.Tech, M.Sc, MCA, MBA, MA, or B.Tech/B.Arch with a high CGPA (typically 7.0 or above).

• Subject-Specific Requirements: For Engineering and Science disciplines (except Life Science), candidates must have passed Mathematics at the +2 level. Science students entering Engineering PhDs must have passed Mathematics at the +3 level.

• Relaxation: A relaxation of 5% marks or 0.5 CGPA is provided for SC/ST/PWD candidates.

• Fellowship Eligibility: Admission is preferred for candidates with their own fellowship (NET-JRF, CSIR, DST-INSPIRE) or those qualifying for the Institute fellowship via GATE/NET scores.

NIT Rourkela PhD Selection Criteria

Given below are the selection criteria for NIT Rourkela PhD admissions for 2026:

• Scrutiny and Shortlisting: Initial shortlisting is based on academic records and performance in national-level exams like GATE, NET, or GPAT.

• Written Test: Shortlisted candidates may be required to appear for a departmental written test to evaluate technical competency.

• Personal Interview: Candidates who clear the written test (or are exempted) must attend a personal interview conducted by the Departmental Research Committee (DRC).

• Final Selection: The final merit list is prepared based on a combination of academic performance, entrance test scores, and interview performance.

• Sponsored Category: Candidates applying under the Sponsored or Executive PhD category must provide a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) and proof of relevant work experience (typically 2–3 years).

NIT Rourkela Admission Process 2026

The step-by-step NIT Rourkela admission process for the 2026 academic year, covering entrance exams through to campus reporting, is detailed below:

Step 1: Choose Programme & Mode of Admission

NIT Rourkela offers a wide array of undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programmes. Admission is primarily centralized through national-level counseling bodies.

Step 2: Appear for the Relevant Entrance Exam

Candidates must secure a valid score/rank in the respective national entrance examination:

• UG: JEE Main (conducted by NTA).

• PG: GATE (for M.Tech), IIT JAM (for M.Sc), or CAT/MAT/CMAT (for MBA).

• PhD: GATE, UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, or the NIT Rourkela institutional test for non-NET candidates.

Step 3: Register on Counseling or Institute Portal

Unlike IIIT Hyderabad, NIT Rourkela's B.Tech and M.Tech admissions are handled by external centralized bodies.

• B.Tech/Integrated M.Sc: Register on the JoSAA portal. If seats remain vacant, register for CSAB Special Rounds.

• M.Tech/M.Sc: Register on the CCMT or CCMN portals respectively.

• MBA/PhD/MA: Register directly on the NIT Rourkela Admission Portal (eapplication.nitrkl.ac.in).

Application Fee (Institutional):

• PhD / MBA / MA: ₹500 – ₹1,000 (Non-refundable).

• Counseling Fees (JoSAA/CCMT): Vary by category (typically ₹2,000 – ₹3,000 for registration).

Step 4: Fill Programme / Branch / Research Preferences

• JoSAA/CCMT/CCMN: Candidates must fill an exhaustive list of choices (Institute + Branch). You must list NIT Rourkela and your preferred branches (e.g., CSE, Mechanical, Ceramic) in order of priority.

• MBA/PhD: Select specific departments or research areas during the institutional application.

Step 5: Shortlisting & Merit List Preparation

• UG/PG (Centralized): Seat allocation is based strictly on All India Rank (AIR) and category-based reservation (Home State vs. Other State quota).

• MBA/PhD: Shortlisting is based on entrance scores and academic consistency.

  • MBA: Uses a 300-mark system (Career Marks: 90, Work Exp: 10, GD: 100, PI: 100).

  • PhD: Shortlisted candidates are called for a written test and/or interview.

Step 6: Interviews / Evaluation (Non-B.Tech)

• MBA: Mandatory Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI).

• PhD: Technical interview to evaluate research aptitude and subject depth.

• B.Tech/M.Tech: No interviews; selection is purely merit-based through counseling rounds.

Step 7: Seat Allotment & Acceptance

For JoSAA/CCMT/CCMN rounds, candidates receive an allotment and must choose:

• Freeze: Lock the seat at NIT Rourkela.

• Float: Accept the seat but remain open to a better branch in a higher-priority institute.

• Slide: Accept the seat and remain open to a better branch within NIT Rourkela only.

Seat Acceptance Fee (SAF): Typically ₹35,000 (General) or ₹15,000 (SC/ST/PwD) to be paid online to the counseling authority.

Step 8: Physical Reporting & Document Verification

Final admission is confirmed only after physical reporting at the NIT Rourkela campus.

1. Document Verification: Verification of JEE/GATE scorecards, Class 10/12 mark sheets, Caste certificates, and Transfer/Migration certificates.

2. Balance Fee Payment: Pay the remaining institute fees (total minus the SAF paid during counseling).

3. Hostel Allocation: Enrollment in the Hall of Residence and issuance of the Institute Identity Card.

Documents Required for Admission

Candidates applying for NIT Rourkela course admissions 2026 must submit the following documents:

• Passport-size photographs (recent, identical to the one uploaded in the application)

• Photo ID proof (Aadhar Card, Passport, Voter ID, etc.)

• Class 10th mark sheet and pass certificate (proof of date of birth)

• Class 12th mark sheet and pass certificate (for BTech/BArch/Integrated MSc programmes)

• Entrance exam scorecards (JEE Main / GATE / JAM / CAT / UGC NET as applicable)

• Provisional Seat Allotment Letter (generated from JoSAA/CSAB/CCMT/CCMN portal)

• Migration Certificate (from the board/university last attended)

• Transfer/Leaving Certificate

• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwD) in the central government format, if applicable

• Medical Fitness Certificate (usually in the format prescribed by JoSAA/CCMT)

• Conduct/Character certificate

• Proof of payment (Document Verification Fee/Institute Fee receipt)