The direct answer
IIT Branch-wise Closing Ranks (General, Round 5 2025 — Approximate)
Based on JoSAA 2025 Round 5 closing ranks for General category. These are approximate and should be used as planning ranges, not exact predictions. Actual 2026 ranks may shift.
Rank ~1,000–1,500
| IIT | Branch | Approx Closing Rank | Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIT Bombay/Delhi CSE | CSE | ~70-150 | Too high |
| IIT Roorkee CSE | CSE | ~900-950 | Reachable |
| IIT Guwahati CSE | CSE | ~1,100-1,200 | Reachable |
| IIT BHU CSE | CSE | ~1,300-1,500 | Reachable |
| IIT Dhanbad CSE | CSE | ~1,500-1,700 | Reachable |
Rank ~2,000–3,000
| IIT | Branch | Approx Closing Rank | Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIT Gandhinagar CSE | CSE | ~800-900 | Borderline |
| IIT Jodhpur CSE | CSE | ~1,000 | Borderline |
| IIT Patna CSE | CSE | ~1,800-2,100 | Reachable |
| IIT Ropar CSE | CSE | ~2,000-2,300 | Reachable |
| IIT Roorkee EE | EE | ~1,800-2,200 | Reachable |
| IIT Bombay Engineering Physics | EP | ~2,000+ | Reachable |
Rank ~3,000–5,000
| IIT | Branch | Approx Closing Rank | Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIT Tirupati CSE | CSE | ~2,500-3,000 | Borderline |
| IIT Bhilai CSE | CSE | ~2,500-3,200 | Borderline |
| IIT Dharwad CSE | CSE | ~3,000-3,500 | Reachable |
| IIT Palakkad CSE | CSE | ~3,500-4,000 | Reachable |
| IIT Roorkee/Guwahati ECE | ECE | ~3,000-4,500 | Reachable |
Branch options vary significantly across ranks 1000-5000
Strategy for Rank 1,000–5,000
List all CSE choices first
List every IIT where CSE is in range — from IIT Roorkee CSE to IIT Palakkad CSE. Order them by your preference (college brand + branch quality). Don't skip newer IITs — they still have excellent placement records.
Add ECE/EE at top IITs
ECE and EE at IIT Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Roorkee, Guwahati are in range for many ranks in this band. These are excellent branches with strong placement outcomes and greater flexibility for tech careers.
Add NIT safety options
NIT Trichy/Warangal CSE should be in your list as a safety option. Your JEE Advanced rank (~1,000-5,000) is also a strong JEE Main rank, so these are realistic backups.
Key rules for this rank band:
- Fill 50-80 choices minimum. Don't stop at 15-20. The more choices you fill, the better your outcome.
- Float in every round. Never Freeze early. Each round brings new seat movements.
- Use SLIDE wisely. If you get IIT Roorkee EE, you can slide to IIT Roorkee CSE if it opens in a later round.
- Check our Freeze/Float/Slide guide for detailed instructions.
Branch Change Within IIT — What's Realistic
CSE from EE/ECE
If you land at IIT-X with ECE/EE instead of CSE, branch change is possible. Requirements: CGPA above 9.0/10 in first year (typically top 10% of your batch). Probability: Low (~10-15% of branch-changers succeed). Don't plan on it.
Coding skills from any branch
Many IIT students from non-CSE branches land top tech jobs by building strong coding skills independently. The IIT brand opens doors for interviews. Your branch doesn't prevent you from becoming a software engineer.
Dual degree / minor options
Most IITs offer minors and dual degree options. You can get a CSE minor even if you're in EE/Mechanical. This gives you the best of both worlds: core engineering degree + CSE specialization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get IIT Bombay CSE with rank 1,500 in JEE Advanced?
No. IIT Bombay CSE closes around AIR 70-80. With rank 1,500, you can get IIT Roorkee CSE, IIT Guwahati CSE, or IIT Bombay/other old IITs in lower branches. Focus on the best options available at your rank.
What IIT branches can I get with rank 3,000 in JEE Advanced?
With rank 3,000, you can target IIT Gandhinagar CSE, IIT Jodhpur CSE, IIT Patna CSE, IIT Roorkee EE, and IIT Bombay Engineering Physics. ECE/EE at mid-tier IITs (Roorkee, Guwahati) are also in range at this rank.
Is branch change within IIT possible with rank 2,000?
Branch change within IIT is possible but requires 9.0+ CGPA in first year, regardless of your JEE rank. Your rank doesn't affect branch change eligibility — only first-year academic performance matters. About 10-15% of branch-changers succeed.
Should I choose IIT Roorkee CSE or IIT Bombay Metallurgy with rank 1,200?
For a tech/SDE career, IIT Roorkee CSE is better. For overall brand value, non-tech career paths (consulting, finance, research), and peer network, IIT Bombay Metallurgy wins. Use our detailed comparison guide.
What is the strategy for choice filling with rank 1,000-5,000?
Fill 50-80 choices minimum. List all IITs where CSE is in range, add ECE/EE at higher IITs, add NIT Trichy/Warangal CSE as safety. Float in every round. Never Freeze early. Each round brings new seat movements.
Can I get a top IIT CSE through later rounds with rank 4,000?
It's unlikely for IIT Bombay/Delhi CSE (closes ~70-150). But some mid-tier IIT CSE seats may open up in later rounds as students upgrade to higher choices. Float in every round — you never know what might open up.
Should I consider NIT Trichy CSE over IIT Patna Metallurgy with rank 4,500?
This is a classic branch vs college dilemma. For a tech career, NIT Trichy CSE puts more students into tech roles. For brand value and non-tech career paths, IIT Patna wins. See our detailed comparison guide for a personalized decision.
Use our tools to build your IIT preference list
Your JEE Advanced rank gives you excellent IIT options. Make sure you rank them correctly.
Branch options across IITs for ranks 1000-5000 visualized