NITs vs IITs 2025: Cutoff Ranks, Placement Stats, and Admission Insights

A Comprehensive Comparison for Engineering Aspirants | Updated with Latest Trends

Quick Facts at a Glance

Parameter	IITs	NITs
Admission Exam	JEE Advanced	JEE Main
Expected Cutoff (Gen)	Rank < 10,000	Score > 93 percentile
Top Placement Package	₹50 LPA+ (e.g., IIT Delhi, Bombay)	₹50.64 LPA (NIT Calicut)
Average CTC	₹20–25 LPA	₹7.5 LPA
Placement Rate	90–100%	80–100%

Latest Update: NITs vs IITs – 2025 Edition

With JEE Main 2025 results out and JEE Advanced approaching, engineering aspirants are evaluating their options between IITs and NITs. Both offer strong academics and placements, but key differences in cutoff ranks, admission criteria, and career outcomes can help students make informed choices.

Cutoff Ranks: Who Gets In?

IITs – Highly Competitive

• Based on JEE Advanced, only the top ~10,000 candidates get into IITs .
• For example:
• IIT Delhi CSE: Closing rank ≈ 100 (General)
• OBC/SC/ST/EWS categories: Reserved seats with higher cutoffs
  • OBC-NCL: ~94 rank
  • SC: ~53 rank
  • ST: ~121 rank

NITs – Broader Access

• Admissions based on JEE Main + JoSAA counseling.
• General category cutoff typically starts from 93.1 percentile .
• Newer NITs may accept candidates with ranks beyond 70,000 .
• Popular branches like CSE or ECE often close under 30,000.

Placements: Which Institutes Offer Better Packages?

IITs – Higher Pay, Strong Research Focus

• Top IITs regularly see packages above ₹40–50 LPA.
• Example: IIT Bombay reported an average CTC of ₹24 LPA in 2024.
• High placement rates (>90%) across all core and tech roles .

NITs – Solid Industry Placements

• Average package is around ₹7.5 LPA, with some exceptions like NIT Calicut offering up to ₹50.64 LPA .
• Placement rate varies from 80–100% depending on institute and branch .
• NIT Trichy, Surathkal, and Warangal have consistently high records.

Institute	Highest Package	Avg. CTC	Placement Rate
IIT Bombay	₹1.5 Crore	₹24 LPA	95%+
IIT Delhi	₹50 LPA+	₹22 LPA	95%+
NIT Calicut	₹50.64 LPA	₹10 LPA	98%
NIT Trichy	₹40 LPA	₹11 LPA	95%+

Admission Process: How to Apply

For IITs

1. Qualify JEE Main (top 2.5 lakh candidates).
2. Appear for JEE Advanced.
3. Register for JoSAA Counseling.
4. Choose preferred IIT and branch based on rank and seat availability .

For NITs

1. Appear for JEE Main.
2. Secure at least 93.1 percentile (General) .
3. Register on JoSAA portal.
4. Fill preference list; seats allocated in multiple rounds .

Academic & Campus Life Comparison

Feature	IITs	NITs
Faculty	Globally renowned researchers	Strong academic base
Infrastructure	World-class labs and facilities	Good, improving every year
Internship Opportunities	Abundant, especially in AI, ML, CS	Decent, more industry-focused
Research Output	High (funded projects, PhD programs)	Moderate (more teaching-focused)
Peer Group	Among the brightest in India	Diverse, competitive but less elite

Which One Should You Choose?

Opt for IIT if:

• Your JEE Advanced rank is under 10,000.
• You’re aiming for research, MS, or PhD abroad.
• Interested in AI, Data Science, Robotics, etc.
• Looking for higher starting salaries and global exposure.

Choose NIT if:

• JEE Main score is good but not sufficient for IIT.
• Prefer core engineering jobs over research.
• Want to save money (lower fees compared to IITs).
• Targeting GATE/IES preparation post-B.Tech.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – NITs vs IITs 2025

1. What is the main difference between IITs and NITs?

IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) are elite institutions focused on advanced engineering education, research, and global exposure, while NITs (National Institutes of Technology) provide strong undergraduate engineering education with a focus on core subjects and industry placements. IITs have higher academic standards, better faculty, and superior international rankings compared to NITs .

2. Which entrance exam is required for admission into IITs and NITs?

• IITs: Admission is based on JEE Advanced, which can only be attempted after qualifying JEE Main and securing a top rank .
• NITs: Admission is through JEE Main scores followed by JoSAA counseling .

3. What are the expected cutoff ranks for IITs and NITs in 2025?

• IITs: General category candidates typically need a JEE Advanced rank under 10,000 to secure a seat in any branch . For top branches like CSE at IIT Delhi or Bombay, the closing rank may be under 100.
• NITs: A JEE Main percentile above 93.1 is usually required for general category students, especially for popular branches like CSE and ECE .

4. How do placements compare between IITs and NITs?

• IITs: Top IITs like Bombay, Delhi, and Madras report average packages between ₹20–25 LPA, with some students receiving offers above ₹50 LPA .
• NITs: The average CTC ranges from ₹7.5–11 LPA, with exceptions like NIT Calicut offering up to ₹50.64 LPA .

5. Can I get into an IIT with a JEE Main score alone?

No, you must qualify JEE Advanced to be eligible for admission into IITs. Only the top ~2.5 lakh JEE Main qualifiers are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced .

Final Word

Both IITs and NITs offer excellent engineering education, but the decision depends heavily on your rank, career goals, and financial situation. If you qualify for an IIT, it’s usually the better long-term investment. However, top NITs are also strong contenders, especially for those eyeing government jobs or MNC placements.

Pro Tip: Use JoSAA’s mock counseling tool to simulate seat allocation before finalizing preferences [josaa.nic.in].

Also Read :

IIT Delhi JEE Advanced 2025: Opening and Closing Ranks Analysis

IIT Bombay JEE Advanced 2025 Cutoff: Branch-Wise Expected Ranks & Preparation Guide