The JEE Main 2025 examinations (Sessions 1 & 2) have concluded, and now, the focus shifts to analyzing your performance and understanding your chances of securing a seat in one of the prestigious National Institutes of Technology (NITs). If you’re sitting with a score hovering around 120 marks, you’re in a promising position. This comprehensive guide will delve into the expected NITs you might be eligible for based on previous year data, considering the nuances of categories, quotas, and branch preferences, now with the added context of the completed JEE Main 2025 sessions.
Expected NITs for 120 Marks in JEE Main 2025
A score of 120 in JEE Main is generally considered a good score, often translating to a respectable percentile and All India Rank (AIR). Based on past trends, a score of 120 might fetch you a percentile in the range of 94-97, potentially leading to an AIR somewhere between 30,000 to 60,000. However, it’s crucial to remember that the actual percentile and rank will depend on the overall performance of all candidates in JEE Main 2025 (both sessions) and the difficulty level of the exams.
This rank range opens up possibilities in several NITs and a wider variety of branches compared to a score of 100. Let’s explore the factors that will influence your admission prospects.
Factors Affecting NIT Cutoffs in 2025
Now that JEE Main 2025 is over, the actual cutoff trends will start to emerge with the release of results and official data. However, the fundamental factors that influence NIT cutoffs remain consistent:
- Difficulty Level of JEE Main 2025 (Combined Sessions): The perceived difficulty of both Session 1 and Session 2 will play a role in the overall cutoff trends. If the exams were generally tougher, cutoffs might be slightly lower.
- Total Number of Test-Takers in 2025: A higher number of candidates appearing for JEE Main 2025 could lead to increased competition and potentially higher cutoff ranks.
- Number of Available Seats in NITs for 2025: Any changes in the total number of seats offered by the NITs will impact the admission landscape.
- Category of the Candidate: As always, significant variations in cutoffs exist across different categories (General, EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD).
- Home State Quota vs. Other State Quota: The distinction between home state (HS) and other state (OS) quotas remains a crucial factor, with HS candidates often benefiting from lower cutoffs in their respective NITs.
- Branch Preference: The demand for specific engineering branches (CSE, ECE, EE being highly popular) will continue to dictate their cutoff ranks.
- Performance Trends from JEE Main 2025: The actual distribution of scores and ranks in JEE Main 2025 will be the most significant determinant of the final cutoffs.
Expected NITs and Branches for Around 120 Marks (Based on Previous Year Data)
Considering a score of around 120 marks (approximately 94-97 percentile and a rank in the range of 30,000 to 60,000), you have a strong chance of securing a seat in several well-regarded NITs and a wider range of branches.
Please remember that the following list is based on the previous year’s Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counselling data and provides a likely scenario for JEE Main 2025. Actual cutoffs might vary.
Here’s a potential list of NITs and branches you might be eligible for with around 120 marks:
| NIT Name | Likely Branch(es) |
Expected Closing Rank Range
|
| NIT Warangal | Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 35,000 – 55,000 |
| NIT Trichy | Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering | 30,000 – 50,000 |
| NIT Surathkal | Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mining Engineering | 35,000 – 58,000 |
| NIT Rourkela | Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Mining Engineering 1 | 32,000 – 52,000 |
| NIT Calicut | Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Science and Engineering | 38,000 – 60,000 |
| MNIT Jaipur | Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 35,000 – 58,000 |
| VNIT Nagpur | Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mining Engineering | 40,000 – 60,000 |
| MNNIT Allahabad | Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Production and Industrial Engineering | 38,000 – 58,000 |
| NIT Bhopal | Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering | 45,000 – 65,000 |
| NIT Kurukshetra | Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Production and Industrial Engineering | 40,000 – 62,000 |
| NIT Jalandhar | Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Textile Technology | 50,000 – 75,000 |
| NIT Durgapur | Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering 2 | 48,000 – 70,000 |
| NIT Patna | Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering (better chances than 100 marks) | 55,000 – 80,000 |
| NIT Raipur | Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (better 3 chances) | 50,000 – 75,000 |
| Other Newer/Mid-Tier NITs | CSE, ECE, EE (in some cases), and other branches with varying possibilities |
Varies significantly
|
General Category (Home State Quota):
Home state candidates with around 120 marks can expect significantly better opportunities in their respective NITs. They might have a good chance at securing relatively better branches, including CSE, ECE, and EE in some mid-tier NITs, and definitely a wider range of options in lower and mid-tier NITs.
Reserved Categories (EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST):
Candidates from reserved categories will have even more favorable prospects with a score of around 120. They can anticipate securing seats in higher-ranked NITs and more preferred branches compared to the General category (both OS and often HS). The rank range associated with 120 marks can open doors to excellent NITs and sought-after branches for these categories.
To gain the most accurate understanding of your potential, wait for the official JEE Main 2025 results and then meticulously analyze the previous year’s JoSAA cutoff data for your specific category and preferred NITs/branches.
JoSAA Counselling After JEE Main 2025
With the JEE Main 2025 exams concluded, your focus should now shift to the upcoming JoSAA counselling process. Here’s how to strategize effectively:
- Analyze Your Performance: Based on the official answer keys and your calculations, get a realistic estimate of your score and expected rank.
- Refer to Previous Year Cutoffs: Carefully examine the JoSAA cutoff data from previous years (specifically 2024 and 2023) for the NITs and branches you are interested in, keeping your category and quota in mind. Websites like the official JoSAA portal and various educational resources will provide this information.
- Utilize College Predictors: Once your rank is released, use reputable JEE Main college predictor tools. These tools use past year data to provide personalized predictions based on your rank and category. However, remember that these are just estimations.
- Prioritize Your Choices: Create a well-researched list of your preferred NITs and branches in descending order of your interest.
- Include a Wide Range of Options: Don’t limit your choices. Include NITs and branches where you have a reasonable chance, as well as some backup options in lower-ranked NITs or less preferred branches.
- Consider Home State Benefits: If applicable, prioritize the NIT in your home state, as you might have an advantage under the home state quota.
- Understand the Counselling Process: Familiarize yourself with the JoSAA registration, choice filling, locking, seat allotment, and reporting procedures.
- Be Open to Different Branches: While aiming for your dream branch is important, be open to exploring other engineering disciplines that might have good career prospects. Sometimes, getting into a good NIT with a slightly less preferred branch can be a stepping stone for future opportunities.
The completion of JEE Main 2025 marks a significant milestone. With a score around 120, you are in a strong position to secure a seat in a reputable NIT. The key now lies in understanding the cutoff trends based on the actual performance in JEE Main 2025 and strategically navigating the JoSAA counselling process.
By diligently analyzing past data, utilizing available resources like college predictors, and making informed choices during counselling, you can significantly increase your chances of landing a coveted seat in an NIT and embarking on your engineering journey. Stay focused, keep track of official announcements, and best of luck with your counselling!
Expected NITs for 120 Marks in JEE Main 2025 FAQs
1: I scored around 120 in JEE Main 2025. What's a realistic expectation for getting into an NIT?
Answer: Scoring around 120 in JEE Main 2025 puts you in a good position to secure a seat in an NIT. Based on previous year trends and the general performance levels, this score could translate to a decent percentile and rank, opening doors to several NITs. Your final admission will depend on your category, home state quota, and the specific branch you are aiming for. Generally, you can expect opportunities in many mid-tier and some of the better-ranked NITs, especially for certain branches.
2: As a General category student (Other State) with 120 marks in JEE Main 2025, which NITs and branches should I target during JoSAA counselling?
Answer: As a General category student applying under the Other State quota with around 120 marks, you should consider targeting NITs like Warangal, Trichy, Surathkal, Rourkela, Calicut, Jaipur, Nagpur, Allahabad, Bhopal, and Kurukshetra for branches like Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, and potentially even Electrical Engineering in some of these NITs. In some of the newer or mid-tier NITs, you might also have a chance at branches like Computer Science Engineering or Electronics and Communication Engineering, but competition will be higher. Carefully review the previous year's cutoff ranks for these NITs and branches.
3: How significant will my Home State quota be if I scored 120 in JEE Main 2025 and want to get into the NIT in my state?
Answer: Your Home State (HS) quota will be quite significant with a score of 120 in JEE Main 2025. You can expect considerably lower cutoff ranks for various branches in your state's NIT compared to the Other State (OS) quota. This could mean you have a better chance of getting into a higher-ranked NIT in your state and possibly even securing a more preferred branch like CSE, ECE, or EE, depending on the specific NIT and the competition within your home state.
4: I belong to a reserved category (OBC-NCL/SC/ST) and scored around 120 in JEE Main 2025. What kind of NITs and branches can I realistically aim for?
Answer: If you belong to a reserved category and have scored around 120 in JEE Main 2025, you have very good prospects of getting into well-reputed NITs and sought-after branches. With this score, you might be eligible for admission in some of the top-tier NITs for branches that might have much higher cutoff ranks for the General category. You should definitely explore options in NITs like Warangal, Trichy, Surathkal, Rourkela, and others for good branches. Check the category-specific cutoff data from previous years to get a detailed understanding of your potential.
