The National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) are some of the most reputed institutions in India, next to the IITs, as far as engineering is concerned. Each year, lakhs of students study to take the JEE Main exam in the hope that they will be able to secure a place in these best engineering colleges. But the most frequently asked question among applicants is that is JEE Main compulsory to get admission in NITs and IIITs or are there other ways?
This is a subject that we will discuss in detail in this blog, discussing all aspects related to this topic such as eligibility, admission processes, cut-offs and other options, as well as evaluating how JEE Main can influence your career in engineering. This guide will assist aspirants to know why JEE Main is the key to join NITs and IIITs.
What is the importance of JEE Main to NITs and IIITs?
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) is the entrance to not only to the IITs (via JEE Advanced) but also to direct admissions in NITs, IIITs, and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs). These colleges are highly guided by the rules and regulations of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Ministry of Education (MoE).
Admission is done on merit basis and the merit list will be made only by JEE Main scores. NITs or IIITs have no direct means of admission without having to appear in JEE Main. There is a misconception that board marks or management quotas are a way of getting in. These institutes are funded centrally and they do not have backdoor admissions.
Aspirants also pay attention to practice materials at this level such as JEE Main previous year question paper book, JEE Main preparation books and JEE Mains PYQ chapterwise book that will enable them know the pattern of the exam, commonly asked questions, and weightage per chapter. These resources are essential in passing the exam with good scores since the higher the score, the higher the rank is and the greater the choices that come during the counseling.
Admission Process for NITs and IIITs
The admission procedure is centralized and carried out through Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counseling. Let’s break down how admissions work:
|
Step |
Description |
|
Step 1 |
Candidate appears for JEE Main conducted by NTA. |
|
Step 2 |
Scores and All India Rank (AIR) are released. |
|
Step 3 |
Based on JEE Main AIR, candidates register for JoSAA counseling. |
|
Step 4 |
Seats are allotted in NITs, IIITs, and other CFTIs as per preferences and cutoff. |
|
Step 5 |
Candidates confirm seats by submitting documents and paying fees. |
Thus, appearing in JEE Main is the only route to securing a seat in these institutes.
Read More: Is JEE Mains Tough for Average Students?
Eligibility for NITs and IIITs
Students often confuse eligibility with admission. While eligibility defines the basic requirements, admission depends on your JEE Main rank. The eligibility conditions are:
|
Criteria |
Requirement |
|
Academic Qualification |
Candidate must have passed 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology. |
|
Qualifying Marks |
For General/OBC candidates: 75% in boards (or top 20 percentile). For SC/ST candidates: 65%. |
|
JEE Main Exam |
Must have appeared and secured a valid score/rank in JEE Main. |
|
Age Limit |
No age limit but should have passed Class 12 in the last two years. |
This table makes it clear that even if you score 95% in board exams, you cannot get admission in NITs or IIITs without JEE Main.
Why Is JEE Main Compulsory?
JEE Main provides a standardized, transparent and merit based system of admission to all the NITs and IIITs. Without JEE Main admission, discrepancies in quality of students, different state-level examination and opportunity inequality would arise. JEE Main serves as:
1. A Common Platform - It unites students of various boards to one exam.
2. A Benchmark of Ability- It is an aptitude, reasoning, and conceptual knowledge test.
3. An Open Process - Under digital tests and percentile normalization, there is fairness.
That is why JEE Main is not optional but mandatory to get admission.
Can I get into NIT without JEE Main?
No, you cannot. NITs only admit students on the basis of JEE Main ranks. JEE Main is obligatory even in case you are a state topper or have the best board marks. JoSAA counseling does not even admit you without a valid scorecard.
Is JEE Advanced required for NITs and IIITs?
No, JEE Advanced is mandatory in IITs only. In the case of NITs, IIITs and CFTIs, JEE Main suffices. Passing JEE Main with good percentile guarantees your eligibility and admission in such institutes.
Are board marks enough for NIT admission?
Board marks are not applied as an eligibility filter (75% or top 20 percentile rule). Admission is however purely on the performance of JEE Main. Therefore, NIT or IIIT cannot be guaranteed through high board marks.
Do NITs or IIITs have management quota?
No, NITs and IIITs are centrally funded institutions, and thus no management quota. All the seats are assigned to JoSAA counseling, depending on JEE Main ranks.
Importance of JEE Main Score
The JEE Main score will be used to identify the cut-off rank to be used to gain admission to different institutes. Different NITs and IIITs also rank differently in terms of closing based on the branch and category.
|
Institute Type |
Admission Exam |
Minimum Requirement |
|
NITs |
JEE Main |
AIR within cut-off range |
|
IIITs |
JEE Main |
AIR within cut-off range |
|
IITs |
JEE Advanced (via JEE Main qualification) |
AIR within cut-off range |
This shows that while IITs require JEE Advanced, NITs and IIITs accept JEE Main scores only.
Role of Study Materials in JEE Main
To score high aspirants use practice based materials such as JEE Main previous year question paper book, which gives them an idea of the pattern of questions that keep reoccurring. Likewise, JEE Mains PYQ chapterwise book is used in specialized preparation, i.e., in weightage-based chapters. In addition to these, the JEE Main preparation books are the basis of the conceptual understanding and practice.
Not only do these resources enhance accuracy, but also develop time management skills which are essential to a competitive exam such as JEE Main. The fact that the exam determines whether you get to NITs and IIITs or not makes the need to practice with the appropriate materials something that cannot be overlooked.
NITs vs IIITs: Which Is Better?
Both institutes are excellent, but they differ slightly in focus areas.
|
Parameter |
NITs |
IIITs |
|
Establishment |
Older, more established (since 1960s) |
Relatively newer (post-2000) |
|
Courses Offered |
Wide range (Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, CS, etc.) |
Primarily IT, CS, and Electronics-related courses |
|
Reputation |
Highly reputed, close to IITs |
Gaining recognition for IT/CS |
|
Placements |
Strong across all branches |
Strong in IT/CS, average in non-core areas |
Regardless of your choice, both require JEE Main as the entry gate.
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Conclusion
Therefore, are NITs and IIITs compulsory to take JEE Main? The response is a resounding yes. You cannot even apply to these institutes without JEE Main. Board exams matter in eligibility, but what is really mattering is your JEE Main rank.
This is the reason why students all over the country take months in preparation with the assistance of materials such as JEE Main previous year question paper book, JEE Main preparation books and JEE Mains PYQ chapterwise book. These materials are useful in increasing the preparation and providing the competitive advantage to get a seat in NITs or IIITs.
Finally, when you want to pursue a career in engineering by these high-ranking institutions, JEE Main is not only mandatory, but it is the sole solution.
