The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are the most prestigious engineering institutions in India. Every year, more than 10 lakh students compete for roughly 17,000 undergraduate seats across 23 IITs. This guide walks you through every step of the IIT admission process for 2026.
Step 1: Qualify in JEE Main 2026
JEE Main is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and serves as the first screening exam for IIT aspirants. You must clear the JEE Main cut-off to become eligible for JEE Advanced.
JEE Main 2026 Key Dates
- Session 1: January 2026
- Session 2: April 2026
- Best of two session scores is considered
JEE Main Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 30 (20 MCQ + 10 Numerical) | 100 |
| Chemistry | 30 (20 MCQ + 10 Numerical) | 100 |
| Mathematics | 30 (20 MCQ + 10 Numerical) | 100 |
You need to attempt only 25 questions per subject (20 MCQ + any 5 out of 10 numerical). Total marks: 300. There is a negative marking of -1 for incorrect MCQ answers.
Step 2: Qualify in JEE Advanced 2026
Only the top 2,50,000 JEE Main qualifiers (across all categories) are eligible to sit for JEE Advanced. JEE Advanced is conducted by one of the IITs on a rotational basis.
JEE Advanced Eligibility Criteria
- Must be among the top 2,50,000 in JEE Main (category-wise)
- Must have scored at least 75% in Class 12 board exams (65% for SC/ST)
- Age limit: Born on or after 1 October 2001 (5-year relaxation for SC/ST/PwD)
- Maximum two attempts in consecutive years
JEE Advanced Exam Pattern
JEE Advanced consists of two papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2), each 3 hours long. Both papers are compulsory. Question types include MCQ (single correct), MCQ (multiple correct), numerical value, and matching type.
Step 3: JoSAA Counselling and Seat Allotment
The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) manages centralised counselling for IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. Here is how it works:
- Registration: Register on the JoSAA portal with your JEE Advanced rank
- Choice Filling: Fill your preferred IITs, branches, and programmes in order of preference
- Seat Allotment: JoSAA conducts multiple rounds of seat allotment based on rank + preference + category
- Accept and Report: Accept the allotted seat online and report to the allotted IIT with original documents
JoSAA Counselling Rounds
JoSAA typically conducts 5-6 regular rounds plus a special round. In each round you can:
- Freeze: Accept the seat and do not wish to upgrade
- Float: Accept the seat but participate in further rounds for a higher preference
- Slide: Accept the seat but want a different branch in the same institute
IIT Admission: Category-wise Cut-off Trends
| Category | JEE Main Cut-off (Approx Percentile) | JEE Advanced Cut-off (Approx Marks out of 360) |
|---|---|---|
| General | 90+ | 100-120 |
| OBC-NCL | 78+ | 90-100 |
| SC | 55+ | 50-60 |
| ST | 45+ | 40-50 |
| EWS | 75+ | 85-95 |
Documents Required for IIT Admission
- JEE Main and JEE Advanced admit cards and scorecards
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets and certificates
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- Transfer certificate from the last institution attended
- Passport-size photographs (8-10 copies)
- Aadhaar card / government-issued ID
- Medical fitness certificate
IIT Fees Structure 2026
Annual tuition fees at IITs for B.Tech programmes are approximately INR 2-2.5 lakh per year for General/OBC students. SC/ST/PwD students are fully exempted from tuition fees. Total four-year cost including hostel, mess, and other charges ranges from INR 8-10 lakh for General category students.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many attempts are allowed for JEE Advanced?
You can attempt JEE Advanced a maximum of two times in consecutive years.
Can I get into IIT without JEE Advanced?
No. For B.Tech programmes, JEE Advanced is mandatory. However, IITs offer M.Tech admission through GATE and MBA through CAT.
What is the minimum JEE Main percentile needed for JEE Advanced?
For General category, you typically need above 90 percentile. The exact cut-off varies each year based on difficulty and the number of applicants.
Is there any quota for girls in IITs?
Yes. IITs have introduced supernumerary seats for female candidates to increase female enrollment to 20% of total intake.