Navigating JEE Advances and Main: Understanding Your Chances for Good NIT Branches
When you are faced with the question, 'If I get a low rank in the JEE Advanced and JEE Mains, can I still get a good NIT with a good branch because I have qualified in JEE Advanced?', the answer becomes quite nuanced due to the complex nature of these examinations and their respective rankings.
The Relationship Between JEE Advance and JEE Main
The question itself is somewhat oxymoronic. Entering a low rank in JEE Advanced and then stating that one has qualified for it seems contradictory. However, to provide clarity, let's break down the implications of your rankings and qualifications.
If you secure a rank of 16,000 or 17,000 in JEE Advanced, you might find yourself enrolling in some of the lower branches of lower IITs. While qualifying for an IIT can be seen as an achievement, the job placement outcomes may not be as favorable. If you wish to hold on to the IIT tag, you may still join, but your prospects for top placements might significantly diminish.
A better pathway is to join a NIT or an IIIT based on your JEE Main rank. The ranking in JEE Main and JEE Advanced are independent of each other and serve different purposes. The ranking in JEE Advanced is specifically used for IIT admissions, whereas the JEE Main is considered for NIT and IIIT admissions. Therefore, a strong JEE Main performance is crucial for securing a good branch in a NIT.
Understanding NIT and JEE Advanced
It is important to understand that JEE Advanced has nothing to do with NIT admissions. JEE Advanced is used exclusively for IIT admissions, and marks obtained in JEE Main are the key factor for NIT admissions. Therefore, a good performance in JEE Main is crucial if you want to secure a good branch in a NIT.
Rankings in JEE Main and JEE Advanced are independent of each other and thus should be treated separately. The ranking in JEE Advanced is not considered by NITs at all for admissions. While the cutoff for NITs varies year by year, it is generally observed that good branches in NITs require a rank anywhere between 25,000 to 35,000 in JEE Main. Even in the NITs located in the North East region, you might find some branches closing as low as 55,000 in the CSAB rounds. This highlights the importance of a strong JEE Main performance.
Closing Ranks and CSAB
Only qualifying for JEE Advanced is not enough to guarantee a seat in NITs; having a good rank is essential. There are various good branches in NITs that typically close by 25,000 to 35,000 rank in CSAB. However, with lower ranks in CSAB, the closing ranks can drift significantly. For instance, some branches in certain GFTIs close below 1.5 to 2 lakh ranks in the CSAB. It is not uncommon for some students to secure seats even with a rank of 1.5 to 2 lakh based on the closing rank data from CSAB. Nonetheless, such outcomes are not guaranteed.
Pro Tip: While qualifying for JEE Advanced might provide an opportunity to join a GFTI with a lower closing rank, it does not guarantee a guaranteed seat in good branches in NITs. Your performance in JEE Main is the critical factor.
Good Luck!