
Top Engineering Colleges Accepting JEE Main Score 2026 include premier institutes like NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, reputed state government colleges, Delhi engineering institutes, and many leading private universities. Every year, lakhs of students appear for JEE Main conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), aiming to secure seats in these colleges.
If you are preparing for JEE Main 2026, knowing the top Engineering Colleges Accepting JEE Main Score 2026 will help you plan your preferences and counselling strategy effectively.
Understanding the types of Colleges Accepting JEE Main score is crucial for streamlining your application strategy. The institutions are broadly categorized into four segments:
NITs (31 Institutes): Premier institutes like NIT Trichy, Surathkal, and Warangal.
IIITs (26 Institutes): Focused on Information Technology and Computer Science.
GFTIs: Government-funded institutes offering specialized engineering branches.
Private Universities: Top-tier institutes like Thapar, Jaypee, and Amity that reserve seats for JEE merit holders.
Beyond NITs and IIITs, many reputed government engineering colleges across India accept JEE Main scores for admission. These institutes are preferred for their affordable fees, recognised degrees, and transparent counselling systems. Below is a structured table to help you understand key details:
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College List (Based on JEE Main Score) |
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College Name |
Location |
Type |
Admission Mode |
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National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli |
Tamil Nadu |
Central Government |
JoSAA |
|
National Institute of Technology Karnataka |
Karnataka |
Central Government |
JoSAA |
|
Indian Institute of Information Technology Allahabad |
Uttar Pradesh |
Central Government |
JoSAA |
|
Birla Institute of Technology Mesra |
Jharkhand |
Government |
JoSAA |
|
Punjab Engineering College |
Chandigarh |
Government |
JoSAA |
|
Delhi Technological University |
Delhi |
State Government |
JEE Main + JoSAA |
|
Netaji Subhas University of Technology |
Delhi |
State Government |
JEE Main |
|
Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology Shibpur |
West Bengal |
Government |
JoSAA |
|
Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology |
Maharashtra |
Government |
JoSAA |
|
Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology |
Madhya Pradesh |
Government |
JoSAA |
Also Check: Colleges for 80–90 Percentile in JEE Main 2026
Delhi remains a hub for technical education, housing some of the most sought-after Engineering Colleges in Delhi Accepting JEE Main. Unlike the national JoSAA process, many of these institutes participate in JAC Delhi counselling.
DTU (Delhi Technological University): Known for its massive campus and industry ties.
NSUT (Netaji Subhas University of Technology): Premier choice for Electronics and CS.
IGDTUW: A leading technical university specifically for women.
IIIT Delhi: Famous for its research-oriented curriculum.
Your rank dictates your options, and categorizing Colleges Based on JEE Main Percentile helps in setting realistic goals.
90+ Percentile: Top NITs (Trichy, Rourkela), IIIT Allahabad, and core branches in DTU/NSUT.
80–90 Percentile: Newer NITs (Srinagar, Agartala), IIITs like Una or Bhagalpur, and top private colleges like Thapar.
70–80 Percentile: Reputed GFTIs, state-level government colleges (REGCs), and prominent private universities.
60–70 Percentile: Regional private engineering colleges and specific state-level counselling opportunities (like MP DTE or Haryana HSTES).
Students scoring 90+ percentile (approx. AIR under 40,000) have strong chances of getting admission into reputed NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and top state universities depending on branch preference and category.
Top NITs:
National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli
National Institute of Technology Karnataka
National Institute of Technology Warangal
National Institute of Technology Calicut
IIITs:
Indian Institute of Information Technology Allahabad
International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management Gwalior
GFTIs & Top State Colleges:
Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology Shibpur
Punjab Engineering College
Delhi Technological University
Netaji Subhas University of Technology
Jadavpur University
Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology
NITs:
National Institute of Technology Rourkela
National Institute of Technology Durgapur
National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra
IIITs:
Indian Institute of Information Technology Kancheepuram
Indian Institute of Information Technology Una
Indian Institute of Information Technology Kalyani
Other Options:
Birla Institute of Technology Mesra
Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology
Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology
Students with 97–98 percentile (AIR ≈ 15,000–40,000) can secure seats in mid-tier NITs, IIITs, and strong state universities, especially in core branches like Mechanical, Electrical, or Civil.
This section explains college options available for students in the 70–80 percentile range.
Students scoring around 96–95 percentile (AIR ≈ 50,000–80,000) may get newer NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, state engineering colleges, or reputed private universities.
NITs (Newer Campuses):
National Institute of Technology Puducherry
National Institute of Technology Sikkim
IIITs:
Indian Institute of Information Technology Bhagalpur
Indian Institute of Information Technology Dharwad
State & Private Universities:
Institute of Engineering and Technology Lucknow
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad
Manipal Academy of Higher Education
Vellore Institute of Technology
SRM Institute of Science and Technology
Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology
Students in this range (AIR ≈ 2–4 lakh) mainly get admission into private universities, emerging tech institutes, and state private colleges through counselling or management quota.
Private Universities:
Lovely Professional University
Sharda University
UPES
Amity University
Bennett University
Students can also explore:
State private engineering colleges via domicile quota
Industry-oriented B.Tech programs
Management quota seats in recognised institutions
Also Check: Engineering Colleges in Delhi Accepting JEE Main 2026
When researching JEE Main Colleges With Cut Off, it is vital to look at the "Closing Ranks" from the previous year. For instance, Computer Science at a top NIT usually closes under a 5,000 AIR (All India Rank), while branches like Civil or Metallurgy might be available up to 40,000 AIR. Cutoffs vary significantly based on categories (General, OBC, SC/ST) and Home State vs. Other State quotas.
Also Read: JEE Main Cutoff 2026
The Admission Process Through JEE Main 2026 is multifaceted. Once the NTA declares the results, students must register for various counselling portals.
JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority): The primary portal for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
JAC Delhi: For admission into DTU, NSUT, IGDTUW, and IIIT-D.
State Counselling: States like Maharashtra (MHT CET/JEE), Punjab, and Rajasthan conduct separate rounds for their state-funded seats using JEE Main scores.
JoSAA handles admission to top central government institutes based on JEE Main rank.
Conducted by Joint Seat Allocation Authority
For NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs
Online registration, choice filling, seat allotment rounds
Based on All India Rank, category, and home state quota
JAC Delhi manages admissions to major Delhi government engineering colleges.
Conducted by Joint Admission Counselling Delhi
For DTU, NSUT, IGDTUW, and IIIT-Delhi
Admission based on JEE Main rank
Delhi region quota and category rules apply
Each state conducts its own counselling for government and private engineering colleges.
Managed by respective state authorities
Uses JEE Main rank for seat allotment
Domicile/reservation rules applicable
Includes state government and private colleges
Deciding how to choose the Right College Through JEE Main involves more than just looking at rankings. Students should evaluate the ROI (Return on Investment) by comparing the fee structure against the average placement packages.
Additionally, consider the location, availability of specific specializations (like AI/ML or Data Science), and the alumni network. Researching the faculty-to-student ratio and lab facilities is also recommended before locking your choices during the choice-filling process.