If you’re a student waiting for the next round or planning to participate in counseling, checking Round 3 cutoffs helps you understand your chances clearly. For most top NITs like NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, and NIT Surathkal, the closing ranks remained tight for popular branches like CSE and ECE.
NIT Counselling 2025 Round 3: Branch-Wise Overview
In Round 3, students saw slight shifts in opening and closing ranks across different branches. Popular branches like CSE (Computer Science Engineering) and ECE (Electronics and Communication) had lower closing ranks, meaning only top rankers got these branches at top NITs.
Branches like Mechanical (ME) and Electrical (EEE) saw moderate rank movement. Some newer or less popular NITs still had vacant seats in Round 3, especially in core branches. Students with higher JEE ranks (40,000 and above) found chances in NITs located in northeastern regions or in newer campuses.
NIT CSE Cutoff 2025 (Round 3): Opening and Closing Ranks
Computer Science is the most competitive branch in NITs. Most students aim for CSE because of the high salary packages and strong placement opportunities.
In Round 3, here’s how the ranks looked:
- NIT Trichy: Opening – 558, Closing – 4776
- NIT Warangal: Opening – 898, Closing – 4293
- NIT Surathkal: Opening – 949, Closing – 5509
- NIT Calicut: Opening – 3167, Closing – 8733
- NIT Jalandhar: Opening – 7619, Closing – 13494
This shows that if your rank is below 5000, you may get CSE in a top NIT. If your rank is between 10,000 and 15,000, look at mid-tier NITs.
NIT ECE Cutoff 2025 (Round 3): Course-Wise Ranks
ECE is the second most popular branch after CSE. It includes subjects from both electrical and communication engineering. It is preferred by students who want to work in hardware, software, or telecom sectors.
Here are some ECE cutoffs in Round 3:
- NIT Trichy: Opening – 2517, Closing – 9041
- NIT Warangal: Opening – 2043, Closing – 8315
- NIT Rourkela: Opening – 4532, Closing – 11824
- NIT Raipur: Opening – 14179, Closing – 25788
- NIT Agartala: Opening – 30248, Closing – 43128
If your rank is under 10,000, you can aim for ECE in top NITs. If your rank is 25,000 or higher, you still have a chance in new NITs.
NIT EEE Cutoff 2025 (Round 3): Opening and Closing Ranks
EEE (Electrical and Electronics Engineering) is a core engineering branch. It includes the study of electric systems, machines, circuits, and power systems.
Cutoff ranks in Round 3 were
- NIT Warangal: Opening – 4302, Closing – 13847
- NIT Trichy: Opening – 3072, Closing – 10624
- NIT Jamshedpur: Opening – 15947, Closing – 31391
- NIT Nagaland: Opening – 47381, Closing – 49132
These cutoffs show that students with mid-level ranks (around 20,000–30,000) still have a good chance for EEE in mid-level NITs.
NIT ME Cutoff 2025 (Round 3): Seat Allotment Analysis
Mechanical Engineering is one of the oldest and most common engineering branches. It covers machines, design, thermal systems, and manufacturing.
Round 3 cutoffs for ME:
- NIT Trichy: Opening – 5861, Closing – 15017
- NIT Durgapur: Opening – 18549, Closing – 33782
- NIT Sikkim: Opening – 51410, Closing – 52815
- NIT Puducherry: Opening – 38642, Closing – 46510
ME is not as competitive as CSE or ECE. Students with ranks up to 50,000 could still get admission in newer NITs.
NIT AI & Data Science Cutoff 2025 (Round 3): Estimated Ranks
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science are new technology-focused branches. Though not offered in all NITs, their popularity is rising fast.
Round 3 cutoffs (estimated):
- NIT Jalandhar: Opening – 8579, Closing – 15789
- NIT Andhra Pradesh: Opening – 24839, Closing – 28821
- NIT Nagaland: Opening – 48000+, Closing – 54000+
Since AI and DS are in demand, their cutoffs may become tighter in the coming years. But in 2025, they were still reachable for students with ranks up to 50,000.
NIT Round 3 Cutoff Comparison: CSE vs. ECE vs. EEE vs. ME
Let’s compare how different branches performed in Round 3:
| Branch | Top NIT Closing Rank | Mid NIT Closing Rank | New NIT Closing Rank |
| CSE | 4,000–6,000 | 8,000–15,000 | 20,000–30,000 |
| ECE | 8,000–10,000 | 15,000–20,000 | 25,000–40,000 |
| EEE | 10,000–15,000 | 20,000–30,000 | 40,000–50,000 |
| ME | 10,000–20,000 | 25,000–35,000 | 50,000–55,000 |
CSE clearly has the highest demand, while ME and EEE offer more flexibility in admissions.
Factors Affecting Cutoffs in Round 3
The cutoff ranks in Round 3 are affected by the following:
- Number of Vacant Seats: If many students leave their seats in earlier rounds, Round 3 gets more active.
- Student Choices: Some students change branches or colleges through Float/Slide options.
- Quota System: Home State and Other State quotas affect closing ranks.
- Category Reservation: SC, ST, OBC, EWS cutoffs are lower due to reservation.
- Course Popularity: New-age branches like AI/DS are rising; traditional branches may see slightly relaxed cutoffs.
Tips for Students Based on Round 3 Cutoff Trends
Round 3 of JoSAA counseling shows clear patterns in how students are selecting branches and colleges. These trends can help you prepare smartly for the next rounds. Here are some detailed tips:
- Understand the Branch-Wise Competition
Popular branches like CSE, ECE, and AI & Data Science have low closing ranks in top NITs. If your rank is above 15,000, it is unlikely you’ll get these branches in top NITs. In such cases, it’s better to aim for
- The same branch in a mid-tier NIT
- Or a different but core branch like EEE or ME in a top NIT
Example: A 20,000 rank may not get CSE at NIT Warangal, but may get EEE at NIT Rourkela.
- Choose Float or Slide if You’re Unsure
If you’re not satisfied with your current allotment but want to wait for a better one, use the “Float” or “Slide” options:
- Float: Keeps your current seat but allows you to get a better course in any institute higher on your list.
- Slide: Keeps your current institute but lets you upgrade to a better course within the same institute.
Tip: Use these options only if you’re willing to move. If you don’t want to change, choose Freeze.
- Balance Between Dream and Safe Options
When filling in your choices, include:
- Dream options (top NITs, popular branches)
- Realistic options (mid-level NITs, core branches)
- Safe options (new NITs, less competitive branches)
This helps you avoid the risk of going without a seat if your dream options don’t work out.
- Use Cutoff Trends from Round 1 to 3
Check the opening and closing ranks of all previous rounds for the courses you’re interested in. See whether the cutoff is going up or down. For example:
- If the closing rank for a branch increased in Round 3, your chances improve in later rounds.
- If it decreased, the competition is increasing, and you should consider safer options.
- Explore Upcoming Fields Like AI, Data Science, and IoT
If you don’t get CSE or ECE in top NITs, look at newer branches such as:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Science
- Internet of Things (IoT)
These branches are available in newer NITs with higher closing ranks, but they offer good placement potential in future-focused industries.
- Check Institute Preferences Along with Branch
Some students only focus on branches. But institute brand name, location, and campus life also matter. If you are getting a core branch in a top NIT, that might be better than a new branch in a newer NIT.
Example: ME at NIT Trichy may offer better overall growth than AI at NIT Mizoram.
- Be Ready for Rounds 4 and 5
Round 3 is important, but Rounds 4 and 5 also see movement due to withdrawals and upgrades. Keep checking your JoSAA portal and stay updated with official notices.
- Don’t Delay Choice Locking
Many students miss out because they forget to lock choices or miss deadlines. After each round, rearrange your preferences based on new cutoffs and lock them before the deadline.
NIT Cutoff 2025 (Round 3 OUT) FAQs
Q1. What are opening and closing ranks in counselling?
The opening rank is the highest-ranked student who got a seat in a course, while the closing rank is the last student admitted based on merit in that round.
Q2. Which NIT had the lowest CSE cutoff in Round 3?
NIT Trichy, Warangal, and Surathkal had the most competitive CSE cutoffs, with closing ranks under 6,000. These are the top NITs for Computer Science with strong placement records.
Q3. Can I get ECE in NIT if my rank is 30,000?
Yes, students with ranks around 30,000 can get ECE in newer NITs such as Agartala, Mizoram, or Arunachal Pradesh where the competition is lower and cutoffs are more relaxed.
Q4. Is AI & Data Science easier to get than CSE?
Yes, currently AI and Data Science branches are easier to get compared to CSE. However, their popularity and placement value are rising quickly, so future cutoffs may become tighter.
Q5. Can I get any NIT if my rank is 50,000+?
Yes, you can still get branches like Mechanical, Electrical, or newer tech branches in new NITs. Focus on less competitive courses in institutes with higher cutoff flexibility.
