JEE Main 2026 SC category closing ranks at top NITs for Computer Science Engineering are expected in the range of 500 to 2,000 (SC category rank) after JoSAA Round 5, while leading IIITs participating in JoSAA show SC CSE closing ranks between 600 and 13,000, based on historical JoSAA allotment trends.
JoSAA Round 5, expected around July 14, 2026, is one of the final major allotment rounds before the seat acceptance window closes. SC category students are allotted seats using their JEE Main SC category rank, not their Common Rank List (CRL) position. Understanding these expected closing ranks helps you assess whether your current JoSAA allotment is among the best available or whether floating to a subsequent round could improve your outcome.
- SC category closing ranks are determined by your SC category rank, not CRL — your SC rank is your position among all SC students in JEE Main 2026.
- NIT Warangal CSE (OS quota) SC closing rank is expected around 900 for JoSAA 2026 Round 5 based on 2025 trends.
- NIT Trichy CSE (OS quota) SC closing rank is expected around 1,200 based on historical JoSAA data.
- IIIT Delhi CSE SC closing rank is expected in the range of 600–1,400 for JoSAA 2026 Round 5.
- Students with a Round 5 allotment can choose to Freeze, Float, or Slide before the reporting deadline to retain or improve their seat.
SC Category Expected Closing Ranks at NITs (JoSAA Round 5 2026)
The table below lists expected SC category opening and closing ranks at top NITs for JoSAA 2026 Round 5. All ranks shown are for the Other State (OS) quota. These are predictions based on historical JoSAA allotment trends and actual 2026 ranks will be published on josaa.nic.in after Round 5 results are declared.
| NIT Name | Branch | Expected SC Opening Rank (OS) | Expected SC Closing Rank (OS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIT Surathkal (Karnataka) | Computer Science Engineering | ~350 | ~700 |
| NIT Warangal | Computer Science Engineering | ~450 | ~900 |
| NIT Calicut | Computer Science Engineering | ~650 | ~1,100 |
| NIT Trichy | Computer Science Engineering | ~700 | ~1,200 |
| NIT Rourkela | Computer Science Engineering | ~1,200 | ~2,000 |
| NIT Allahabad (MNNIT) | Computer Science Engineering | ~1,600 | ~2,800 |
| NIT Jaipur (MNIT) | Computer Science Engineering | ~1,900 | ~3,200 |
| NIT Kurukshetra | Computer Science Engineering | ~2,500 | ~4,200 |
| NIT Trichy | Electronics and Communication Engineering | ~1,600 | ~2,800 |
| NIT Warangal | Electronics and Communication Engineering | ~1,800 | ~3,200 |
| NIT Trichy | Mechanical Engineering | ~3,500 | ~6,500 |
| NIT Surathkal | Mechanical Engineering | ~4,000 | ~7,500 |
| NIT Durgapur | Computer Science Engineering | ~4,000 | ~7,000 |
| NIT Silchar | Computer Science Engineering | ~5,500 | ~9,500 |
All figures are expected closing ranks for JoSAA 2026 Round 5 based on historical JoSAA allotment trends. Actual ranks may vary.
SC Category Expected Closing Ranks at IIITs (JoSAA Round 5 2026)
Several IIITs participate in JoSAA and maintain 15% SC reservation as per central government policy. The expected SC category closing ranks at key participating IIITs are listed below. IIIT Hyderabad does not participate in JoSAA and conducts its own admissions through a separate UGEE process.
| IIIT Name | Branch | Expected SC Opening Rank | Expected SC Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIIT Delhi | Computer Science Engineering | ~600 | ~1,400 |
| ABV-IIITM Gwalior | Computer Science Engineering | ~900 | ~1,800 |
| IIIT Allahabad | Information Technology | ~1,400 | ~2,500 |
| PDPM IIITDM Jabalpur | Computer Science Engineering | ~2,800 | ~5,000 |
| IIITDM Kancheepuram | Computer Science Engineering | ~4,000 | ~7,000 |
| IIIT Vadodara | Computer Science Engineering | ~4,500 | ~7,800 |
| IIIT Lucknow | Computer Science Engineering | ~5,000 | ~8,500 |
| IIIT Nagpur | Computer Science Engineering | ~5,500 | ~9,500 |
| IIIT Pune | Computer Science Engineering | ~6,000 | ~10,500 |
| IIIT Kottayam | Computer Science Engineering | ~7,500 | ~13,000 |
All figures are expected based on historical JoSAA SC category allotment trends. Actual 2026 Round 5 ranks will be available at josaa.nic.in after result declaration.
SC Category Rank vs CRL in JoSAA
Many SC students confuse their SC category rank with their Common Rank List (CRL) rank. These are two separate merit lists used for different seat pools in JoSAA allotment.
- CRL (Common Rank List) — Ranks all JEE Main 2026 qualified students together. Used to fill unreserved (UR) and EWS seats at NITs and IIITs.
- SC Category Rank — Your position among all SC students who qualified JEE Main 2026. JoSAA uses this rank exclusively to fill SC reserved seats at NITs and IIITs.
- Why this matters — An NIT branch with a CRL closing rank of 15,000 may have an SC category closing rank of just 1,200, because only SC students compete for those SC-reserved seats. Your SC category rank is therefore a far more useful benchmark than your CRL when evaluating reserved seat eligibility.
- Home State vs Other State quota — SC reserved seats are split between HS and OS pools. HS closing ranks are often more relaxed because the eligible pool per seat is smaller, while OS is more competitive at top NITs. The tables above reflect OS quota expected ranks.
Factors Affecting SC Closing Ranks in JoSAA 2026
SC closing ranks for JoSAA 2026 Round 5 may shift from historical benchmarks due to several variables. Students interpreting the expected data should account for these factors.
- SC seat intake at each institute — Any increase in total seats or opening of new branches proportionally adds more SC reserved seats, which can relax closing ranks.
- SC student participation in JEE Main 2026 — A higher number of SC qualifiers scoring above the cutoff threshold tightens competition and pushes closing ranks upward.
- Branch preferences and new specialisations — CSE, AI and Data Science branches remain the most competitive for SC students. Newly added specialised branches at NITs and IIITs typically carry more relaxed SC closing ranks in their early years.
- Float and Slide behaviour across rounds — Students who upgrade from an OS allotment to a HS allotment (or slide to a better branch within the same institute) free up OS seats, influencing the Round 5 closing rank compared to earlier rounds.
- JoSAA 2026 round count — If JoSAA 2026 conducts additional rounds beyond the standard schedule, more students settle into preferred seats before the Round 5 cutoff is finalised, potentially altering rank dynamics.
JEE Main 2026 SC Category Closing Ranks FAQs
Ques. What is the expected SC category closing rank at NIT Trichy CSE after JoSAA 2026 Round 5?
Ans. Based on historical JoSAA allotment trends, the expected SC category closing rank at NIT Trichy CSE for the Other State quota is around 700 to 1,200 for JoSAA 2026 Round 5. Actual 2026 closing ranks will be published on the official JoSAA portal after Round 5 allotment results are declared.
Ques. Does IIIT Hyderabad participate in JoSAA for SC category seats?
Ans. No. IIIT Hyderabad conducts its own separate admission process through the Undergraduate Engineering Entrance Examination (UGEE). It does not participate in JoSAA. SC students seeking admission to IIIT Hyderabad must apply through its official admission portal separately from the JoSAA process.
Ques. Is the SC category closing rank the same as the CRL closing rank at NITs?
Ans. No. The SC category closing rank is your position among all SC students in JEE Main, while CRL is the overall rank across all categories. JoSAA fills SC reserved seats using the SC category rank, so your CRL may be significantly different from your SC rank. The expected closing ranks in the tables above are all SC category ranks, not CRL.
Ques. When will JoSAA 2026 Round 5 seat allotment results be declared?
Ans. JoSAA 2026 Round 5 seat allotment results are expected around July 14, 2026 as per the JoSAA 2026 schedule. Students can check their allotment status on the official JoSAA portal at josaa.nic.in using their application number and date of birth.
Ques. What should I do after my Round 5 allotment if I want a better seat at a top NIT?
Ans. If you have a Round 5 allotment and want to try for a better seat, select the Float or Slide option before the reporting deadline. Float means you are open to upgrading to a higher-preference choice in a later round while keeping your current allotment as a fallback. Slide lets you move to a better branch within the same institute. If no upgrade is expected, Freeze your current allotment and complete reporting at the allotted institute on time.
Ques. Are SC closing ranks different for Home State and Other State quota at NITs?
Ans. Yes. Home State quota seats are open only to students from the state where the NIT is located, resulting in a smaller eligible pool and often more relaxed SC closing ranks. Other State quota is open to students from all other states and is more competitive at top NITs like NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal and NIT Surathkal. The expected closing rank tables in this article reflect OS quota data.
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