NIT MCA Common Entrance Test Cut Off 2026
NIT MCA Common Entrance Test Cut Off
NIMCET 2026 Qualifying Cutoff Declared
The NIMCET 2026 qualifying cutoff has been officially declared. The result was announced on June 29, 2026, at nimcet.admissions.nic.in.
General, OBC-NCL, and EWS candidates need a minimum of 240 out of 480 marks to qualify. The cutoff details are available on the official portal.
Key Cutoff Facts
- The qualifying cutoff for General, OBC-NCL, and EWS is 240 out of 480 marks.
- Scoring zero or negative marks in Mathematics disqualifies a candidate from the merit list, even if the total score exceeds 240.
- NIT Trichy is the most competitive NIMCET institute. Its Open category Round 1 closing rank was 47 in 2025.
- MNNIT Allahabad final-round closing rank tightened from 180 in 2024 to 150 in 2025 — a shift of 30 ranks.
- Round 1 NIT-wise closing ranks will be declared on July 6, 2026.
- Pay the partial admission fee within July 7–10, 2026 to hold a Round 1 allotted seat. Missing this window cancels the seat.
- NIMCET 2026 counselling runs in three rounds plus a Special Round for vacant seats in late July 2026.
Category-Wise Qualifying Cutoff
The qualifying cutoff varies by category. The marks below are the minimum required to appear on the merit list.
| Category | Qualifying Cutoff (out of 480) |
|---|---|
| General, OBC-NCL, EWS | 240 |
| SC and ST | 216 |
| PwD | 192 |
Important Dates for NIMCET 2026 Counselling
Round 1 counselling registration and choice filling is open from June 30 to July 3, 2026. NIT-wise Round 1 closing ranks will be published on July 6, 2026.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Result announcement | June 29, 2026 |
| Round 1 registration and choice filling | June 30 – July 3, 2026 |
| Round 1 NIT-wise closing ranks declaration | July 6, 2026 |
| Partial admission fee payment window | July 7–10, 2026 |
| Special Round for vacant seats | July 22–24, 2026 |
Qualifying Marks vs Admission Cutoff
Two separate cutoffs apply at different stages of the process. The first is the qualifying cutoff — the minimum marks in the exam to appear on the merit list.
The second is the admission cutoff — the closing rank at each NIT generated through counselling rounds. Clearing the qualifying cutoff does not guarantee a seat. A candidate's rank must also fall within the closing rank of the chosen NIT for their category.
Previous Year Cutoff Trends
NIT Trichy has the tightest admission cutoff. Its Open category Round 1 closing rank was 47 in 2025.
MNNIT Allahabad final-round closing rank tightened by 30 ranks between 2024 and 2025. Use 2025 data to plan counselling choices.
Official Portal
The official cutoff and counselling portal is nimcet.admissions.nic.in. All results, closing ranks, and counselling updates are published there.
NIMCET Qualifying Cutoff: Recent Years
The qualifying cutoff for NIMCET has remained unchanged for five consecutive years. The conducting body applies a fixed percentage rule for each category.
| Year | General / OBC-NCL / EWS (out of 480) | SC / ST (out of 480) | PwD (out of 480) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 240 | 216 | 192 |
| 2025 | 240 | 216 | 192 |
| 2024 | 240 | 216 | 192 |
| 2023 | 240 | 216 | 192 |
| 2022 | 240 | 216 | 192 |
The fixed percentage rule is 50% for General, 45% for SC and ST, and 40% for PwD. What changes year to year is the NIT-wise admission cutoff, which depends on competition and seat availability during counselling.
Qualifying Cutoff and NIT Seat Guarantee
Clearing the qualifying cutoff does not guarantee a NIT seat. It only places a candidate on the NIMCET merit list.
Admission to a specific NIT depends on the candidate's rank against that NIT's closing rank for their category during counselling. For example, NIT Trichy closed at rank 47 for the Open category in 2025 Round 1, so only the top 47 Open category candidates got a seat there.
NIMCET 2026: Important Dates
The qualifying cutoff has been announced, and counselling is currently in progress. Missing the fee payment window after seat allotment cancels the seat automatically.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 Registration and Choice Filling | June 30 – July 3, 2026 | In Progress |
| Round 1 Seat Allotment and NIT-Wise Closing Ranks | July 6, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Round 1 Reporting and Partial Fee Payment | July 7 – 10, 2026 | Upcoming |
| Round 2 Registration and Allotment | Mid-July 2026 | Expected |
| Round 3 Allotment | Late July 2026 | Expected |
| Special Round Registration and Choice Filling | July 22 – 24, 2026 | Expected |
| Special Round Seat Allotment | Late July 2026 | Expected |
| NIMCET 2026 Exam | May 2026 | Concluded |
| NIMCET 2026 Result Declared | June 29, 2026 | Declared |
Factors Affecting NIMCET 2026 Cutoff
The NIMCET admission cutoff shifts each year at every NIT. Several factors drive these changes.
- Total candidates: More candidates in the race means tighter closing ranks at top NITs. A small rise in appearing candidates can push ranks at preferred institutes by 10 to 30 positions.
- Paper difficulty: A tougher paper brings average scores down, spreading ranks more broadly and giving more candidates a chance at mid-tier NITs. An easier paper concentrates scores at the top, tightening closing ranks everywhere.
- Number of seats: If a NIT adds MCA seats or a new specialised programme, its closing rank can relax. A seat reduction tightens it. New IIITs joining the counselling also absorb demand from mid-ranked candidates.
- Category reservation: Reserved-category closing ranks are always higher rank numbers than Open at every NIT. SC and ST closing ranks at NIT Raipur were 3,365 and 7,093 in 2025 Round 1, compared to 548 for the Open category.
- Counselling round: Closing ranks at top NITs like MNNIT Allahabad and NIT Warangal tend to tighten from Round 1 to the final round. At lower-ranked NITs, the final round can be more relaxed as candidates move up to better choices.
- Mathematics disqualification rule: Candidates who score zero or below in Mathematics are removed from the merit list. This reduces the eligible pool and shifts ranks for all remaining candidates.
NIMCET 2026: Category-Wise Qualifying Cutoff
The official NIMCET 2026 qualifying cutoff was declared on June 29, 2026. The minimum marks to appear on the merit list are shown below.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks (out of 480) |
|---|---|
| General | 240 |
| OBC-NCL | 240 |
| EWS | 240 |
| SC | 216 |
| ST | 216 |
| PwD | 192 |
Mathematics disqualification rule: Scoring zero or negative marks in the Mathematics section removes a candidate from the merit list. This applies even if the total marks are at or above the qualifying cutoff.
Tie-breaking order: If two candidates share the same total score, the rank is decided by Mathematics marks first, then Analytical Ability and Logical Reasoning, then Computer Awareness marks. If all section marks match, the older candidate gets the better rank.
NIMCET 2026 Round 1 Closing Ranks
The 2026 Round 1 NIT-wise closing ranks will be declared on July 6, 2026. The table below shows 2025 Round 1 closing ranks from the official counselling portal.
Use the 2025 data as a reference until the 2026 information is released. Final-round closing ranks are typically 20 to 80 ranks tighter than Round 1 at top NITs.
| Institute | Open | OBC-NCL | Gen-EWS | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIT Tiruchirappalli | 47 | 156 | 74 | 970 | 2,268 |
| MNNIT Allahabad | 180 | 292 | 211 | 1,843 | 3,454 |
| NIT Warangal | 215 | 355 | 239 | 1,987 | 4,040 |
| NIT Kurukshetra | 313 | 465 | 347 | 2,372 | 6,146 |
| MANIT Bhopal | 339 | 472 | 405 | 2,652 | 5,737 |
| NIT Jamshedpur | 448 | 593 | 500 | 3,042 | 6,484 |
| NIT Raipur | 548 | 647 | 583 | 3,365 | 7,093 |
| NIT Agartala | 580 | 667 | 591 | 3,378 | 7,095 |
Source: admissions.nic.in – NIMCET Opening and Closing Ranks 2025. Check the official portal after July 6, 2026, for the 2026 Round 1 data.
NIT Delhi, NIT Patna, NIT Meghalaya, IIIT Bhopal, and IIIT Vadodara also participate. Their closing ranks are typically more relaxed than the institutes shown above.
NIMCET Cutoff 2026: Round-Wise Analysis
NIMCET counselling runs in three standard rounds plus a Special Round. Closing ranks shift between rounds as candidates accept or decline allotted seats.
Here is how Round 1 versus the final round compared at key institutes in 2025.
| Institute | 2025 Round 1 Closing Rank (Open) | 2025 Final Round Closing Rank (Open) | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIT Tiruchirappalli | 47 | ~48 | Stable (1 rank) |
| MNNIT Allahabad | 180 | 150 | 30 ranks tighter |
| NIT Warangal | 215 | 184 | 31 ranks tighter |
| NIT Raipur | 548 | 625 | 77 ranks more relaxed |
NIT Trichy’s closing rank barely moved across all rounds — it fills up from Round 1 itself. At MNNIT Allahabad and NIT Warangal, later rounds pulled in more candidates who had initially taken a lower-preference seat.
NIT Raipur became easier to access by the final round because candidates who had accepted a Raipur seat earlier upgraded to a better NIT in subsequent rounds.
NIMCET Previous Year Cutoff Trends
The table below shows Open category final-round closing ranks at top NIMCET institutes from 2022 to 2025. A lower rank number means a more competitive institute.
| Institute | 2022 (approx.) | 2023 (approx.) | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIT Tiruchirappalli | ~55 | ~52 | ~52 | ~48 |
| MNNIT Allahabad | ~210 | ~200 | 180 | 150 |
| NIT Warangal | ~250 | ~240 | 238 | 184 |
| NIT Raipur | ~800 | ~760 | 736 | 625 |
Note: 2022 and 2023 figures are based on counselling trend data. 2024 and 2025 figures are from official NIMCET counselling records.
Key takeaways from the four-year trend:
- NIT Trichy: The closing rank tightened by about 7 ranks from 2022 to 2025. Demand stays consistently extreme at this institute.
- MNNIT Allahabad: The closing rank tightened by about 60 ranks over four years. This NIT attracts stronger competition every cycle.
- NIT Warangal: The closing rank tightened by about 66 ranks from 2022 to 2025. A 54-rank shift happened between 2024 and 2025 alone.
- NIT Raipur: The closing rank tightened by about 175 ranks from 2022 to 2025. Rising interest in MCA at NITs is drawing more qualified candidates to every institute in the list.
Will the NIMCET 2026 admission cutoff be tighter than 2025?
Based on the four-year trend, closing ranks at top NITs have tightened year over year. NIT Warangal shifted by 54 ranks between 2024 and 2025 alone.
If candidate numbers and paper difficulty remain similar in 2026, expect a modest further tightening at NIT Trichy and MNNIT Allahabad. The exact shift depends on this year’s difficulty level and total appearing candidates.
NIMCET 2026: Qualifying Marks vs Admission Cutoff
These are two separate thresholds. You must cross both to secure admission to a NIT.
NIMCET 2026: Qualifying vs Admission Cutoff
The qualifying cutoff for NIMCET 2026 is 240 out of 480 marks for the General category. Clearing this cutoff places a candidate on the NIMCET merit list.
The admission cutoff is different. It is the closing rank at a chosen NIT during counselling. A candidate's merit-list rank decides whether they fall within a NIT's closing rank for their category.
Here is a practical example. A score of 320 out of 480 might give a rank around 250. NIT Warangal's 2025 final-round Open closing rank was 184, so a rank of 250 would not get a seat there in the Open category. MNNIT Allahabad's 2025 final-round closing rank was 150, which is also out of reach at rank 250.
NIMCET 2026: Score vs Rank
The table below gives an indicative score-to-rank mapping based on the 2025 NIMCET score distribution. Use it to estimate a likely rank and target institutes accordingly.
| Score Range (out of 480) | Expected Rank (Open/General) | Likely NIT Options |
|---|---|---|
| 400 and above | 1 – 50 | NIT Tiruchirappalli |
| 360 – 399 | 51 – 160 | MNNIT Allahabad, NIT Delhi |
| 320 – 359 | 161 – 320 | NIT Warangal, NIT Kurukshetra |
| 280 – 319 | 321 – 600 | MANIT Bhopal, NIT Jamshedpur |
| 250 – 279 | 601 – 900 | NIT Raipur, NIT Agartala |
| 240 – 249 | 901 – 1,500 | NIT Patna, NIT Meghalaya, IIIT Bhopal, IIIT Vadodara |
| Below 240 | Not on merit list (General) | – |
These ranges are indicative. The actual rank depends on the difficulty of NIMCET 2026 and the total number of candidates who appear. Cross-check with the official rank list after the result at nimcet.admissions.nic.in.
NIMCET 2026 Counselling Process
NIMCET 2026 counselling is fully online. All candidates on the merit list can register and participate.
- Register at nimcet.admissions.nic.in and pay the non-refundable counselling fee of ₹1,000.
- Fill in choices — select institutes and programmes in order of preference before July 3, 2026.
- Check Round 1 seat allotment on July 6, 2026.
- Pay the partial admission fee within July 7–10, 2026, to hold the allotted seat.
- Join Round 2 for an upgrade or if no seat was received in Round 1.
- Attend the Special Round (July 22–24, 2026) if seats remain vacant after Round 3.
Not paying the fee within the reporting window cancels the allotted seat automatically. Check the portal on July 6 and act promptly.
NIMCET Cutoff 2026: FAQs
What is the NIMCET 2026 qualifying cutoff for General category?
The qualifying cutoff for General, OBC-NCL, and EWS candidates is 240 out of 480 marks. This was declared on June 29, 2026, along with the NIMCET 2026 result. The cutoff has stayed at 240 out of 480 for the past five years.
When will NIMCET 2026 Round 1 NIT-wise closing ranks be declared?
Round 1 NIT-wise closing ranks will be declared on July 6, 2026, at nimcet.admissions.nic.in. Round 1 registration and choice filling closes on July 3, 2026. Check the portal on July 6 for the seat allotment result and the NIT's closing rank.
Which NIT has the most competitive NIMCET cutoff?
NIT Tiruchirappalli (NIT Trichy) has the most competitive NIMCET admission cutoff. Its Open category Round 1 closing rank was 47 in 2025 and has stayed around 47–55 for several years. A candidate needs to be among the top 50 Open category candidates to secure a seat there.
Does scoring below 240 mean I cannot get any NIT seat?
Yes, for General, OBC-NCL, and EWS candidates, scoring below 240 out of 480 means not appearing on the NIMCET merit list. SC and ST candidates need 216 out of 480. PwD candidates need 192 out of 480. Candidates not on the merit list cannot participate in counselling at all.
What happens if I score zero in the Mathematics section?
Scoring zero or below in the Mathematics section leads to automatic disqualification from the NIMCET merit list. This rule applies regardless of total marks. Even if the total score is well above 240, a zero or negative Mathematics score removes the candidate from the rank list entirely.
How many rounds does NIMCET 2026 counselling have?
NIMCET 2026 counselling runs in three standard rounds plus a Special Round. The Special Round uses vacant seats left after Round 3. Round 1 registration closes July 3, 2026, and seat allotment is on July 6, 2026. The Special Round is scheduled for July 22–24, 2026.
Are OBC-NCL closing ranks different from Open category closing ranks?
Yes. OBC-NCL seats are reserved and carry a separate closing rank. The OBC-NCL closing rank is always a higher rank number than the Open category at every NIT. At NIT Trichy in 2025 Round 1, the Open category closed at rank 47. OBC-NCL closed at rank 156 — a gap of 109 ranks.
Can I upgrade my NIT in Round 2 after getting a Round 1 seat?
Yes. Candidates who receive a Round 1 seat can participate in Round 2 for an upgrade. The process allows them to select higher-preference institutes in subsequent rounds. The exact upgrade mechanism follows the official counselling schedule on the portal.
Can I Participate in Round 2 of NIMCET Counselling?
Yes, you can join Round 2 to try for a better NIT or programme. If you receive a new allotment in Round 2, your Round 1 seat is automatically cancelled.
Only opt for an upgrade if the Round 2 choice is genuinely better. If you do not get an upgrade in Round 2, your Round 1 seat is also gone.
What is the NIMCET 2026 Counselling Registration Fee?
The counselling registration fee is ₹1,000. This fee is non-refundable.
You pay it once at registration. It covers your participation across all counselling rounds including the Special Round.
How is the NIMCET Rank Decided When Two Candidates Have the Same Score?
Tie-breaking follows a fixed order. Mathematics section marks are checked first.
- If Mathematics marks are equal, Analytical Ability and Logical Reasoning marks are used next.
- Computer Awareness marks come after that.
- If all section marks match, the older candidate receives the better rank.
Do IIIT Bhopal and IIIT Vadodara Admit Students Through NIMCET?
Yes. IIIT Bhopal and IIIT Vadodara participate in NIMCET counselling. Their closing ranks are typically more relaxed than mid-tier NITs like NIT Raipur and NIT Agartala.
If your Open category rank is above 1,000, include these IIITs in your choice list during counselling to improve your chances of getting a seat.
NIMCET 2026 Qualifying Cutoff
The qualifying cutoff for General, OBC-NCL, and EWS candidates is 240 out of 480 marks. This was declared on June 29, 2026, along with the NIMCET 2026 result.
The cutoff has stayed at 240 out of 480 for the past five years. SC and ST candidates need 216 out of 480 marks. PwD candidates need 192 out of 480 marks.
NIMCET 2026 Merit List Rules
Scoring below the qualifying cutoff means you do not appear on the NIMCET merit list. Candidates not on the merit list cannot participate in counselling at all.
Scoring zero or below in the Mathematics section leads to automatic disqualification from the NIMCET merit list. This rule applies regardless of your total marks.
NIT Admission and Closing Ranks
Clearing the qualifying cutoff puts you on the NIMCET merit list. Getting into a specific NIT depends on your rank versus that NIT's closing rank for your category during counselling.
NIT Tiruchirappalli (NIT Trichy) has the most competitive NIMCET admission cutoff. Its Open category Round 1 closing rank was 47 in 2025 and has stayed around 47-55 for several years.
NIT Trichy Closing Rank 2025
NIT Trichy closed at rank 47 for the Open category in 2025 Round 1. Only the top 47 Open category candidates got a seat there.
OBC-NCL seats are reserved and carry a separate closing rank. At NIT Trichy in 2025 Round 1, OBC-NCL closed at rank 156 — a gap of 109 ranks from the Open category.
NIMCET 2026 Cutoff Trend
Based on the four-year trend, closing ranks at top NITs have tightened year over year. NIT Warangal shifted by 54 ranks between 2024 and 2025 alone.
If candidate numbers and paper difficulty remain similar in 2026, expect a modest further tightening at NIT Trichy and MNNIT Allahabad. The exact shift depends on this year's difficulty level and total appearing candidates.
NIMCET 2026 Counselling Schedule
Round 1 NIT-wise closing ranks will be declared on July 6, 2026, at nimcet.admissions.nic.in. Round 1 registration and choice filling closes on July 3, 2026.
NIMCET 2026 counselling runs in three standard rounds plus a Special Round. The Special Round uses vacant seats left after Round 3 and is scheduled for July 22-24, 2026.
NIMCET 2026 Counselling Registration Fee
The counselling registration fee is ₹1,000. This fee is non-refundable.
You pay it once at registration. It covers your participation across all counselling rounds including the Special Round.
NIMCET Rank Tie-Breaking Rules
Tie-breaking follows a fixed order when two candidates have the same score. Mathematics section marks are checked first.
If those are also equal, Analytical Ability and Logical Reasoning marks are used next. Computer Awareness marks come after that. If all section marks match, the older candidate receives the better rank.
NIMCET Counselling Round 2 Upgrade
You can join Round 2 to try for a better NIT or programme. If you receive a new allotment in Round 2, your Round 1 seat is automatically cancelled.
Only opt for an upgrade if the Round 2 choice is genuinely better. If you do not get an upgrade in Round 2, your Round 1 seat is also gone.
IIITs Participating in NIMCET
IIIT Bhopal and IIIT Vadodara participate in NIMCET counselling. Their closing ranks are typically more relaxed than mid-tier NITs like NIT Raipur and NIT Agartala.
If your Open category rank is above 1,000, include these IIITs in your choice list during counselling to improve your chances of getting a seat.