Martha Divakar · December 11, 2025 
Introduction
Colleges accepting JEE Advanced play a crucial role in shaping the academic journey of India’s top engineering aspirants. Every year, more than 2.5 lakh candidates qualify for JEE Main, but only about 1.7–1.8 lakh earn eligibility for JEE Advanced, which makes admissions even more competitive. As demand grows for top-tier engineering education, understanding the full list of institutes that accept JEE Advanced scores becomes essential for 2026 aspirants. This list includes 23 IITs, IISc Bangalore, IIST, IISERs, RGIPT, and select premier private universities that offer admission through the extended merit list.
For 2026, the JEE Advanced exam pattern will likely follow the existing structure—two compulsory papers with multiple-question types and variable marking schemes. However, many students overlook that several high-quality non-IIT technical institutes also accept JEE Advanced scores for specialized programs in research, aerospace, and pure sciences. As competition intensifies, developing a strategic understanding of rank-wise college options helps aspirants plan more effectively during JoSAA, CSAB, and institute-level counselling rounds. Ultimately, a clear roadmap improves admission outcomes and reduces last-minute confusion.
IITs Accepting JEE Advanced Score
| IIT Name | Location | NIRF Engg. Rank 2025 | Notable Highlights |
| IIT Madras | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | 1 | Top-ranked IIT; strong research, industry ties |
| IIT Delhi | New Delhi | 2 | Innovation hub; top placements |
| IIT Bombay | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 3 | Academic excellence, extensive alumni network |
| IIT Kanpur | Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh | 4 | Strong aerospace and CS programs |
| IIT Kharagpur | Kharagpur, West Bengal | 5 | Oldest IIT with diverse courses |
| IIT Roorkee | Roorkee, Uttarakhand | 6 | Focus on Civil and Mechanical Engineering |
| IIT Hyderabad | Hyderabad, Telangana | 7 | Research in AI, ML, data science |
| IIT Guwahati | Guwahati, Assam | 8 | Chemical and Biotechnology programs |
| IIT BHU (Varanasi) | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | 10 | Interdisciplinary research |
| IIT Indore | Indore, Madhya Pradesh | 12 | Emerging research hub |
| IIT ISM Dhanbad | Dhanbad, Jharkhand | 15 | Specialized in mining and metallurgy |
| IIT Patna | Patna, Bihar | 19 | Developing infrastructure |
| IIT Gandhinagar | Gandhinagar, Gujarat | 25 | Interdisciplinary studies and innovation |
| IIT Mandi | Mandi, Himachal Pradesh | 26 | Focus on startups and cutting-edge tech |
| IIT Jodhpur | Jodhpur, Rajasthan | 27 | Balanced emphasis on research and teaching |
| IIT Ropar | Rupnagar, Punjab | 32 | Emerging with core engineering programs |
| IIT Bhubaneswar | Bhubaneswar, Odisha | 39 | Interdisciplinary engineering focus |
| IIT Jammu | Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir | 56 | New IIT expanding programs |
| IIT Tirupati | Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh | 57 | Growing research output |
| IIT Palakkad | Palakkad, Kerala | 64 | Emphasis on research |
| IIT Bhilai | Bhilai, Chhattisgarh | 72 | Frontier tech innovation focus |
| IIT Dharwad | Dharwad, Karnataka | 77 | Young IIT focusing on quality education |
Government Colleges Other Than IITs
| College Name | Location | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Science (IISc) | Bengaluru, Karnataka | Research-oriented BTech and BS programs |
| Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | Specializes in space science and tech |
| Some National Institutes of Technology (NITs) | Across India | Select programs accept JEE Advanced scores |
| Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) | Multiple locations | Science and research-focused dual degree programs |
| Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT) | Amethi, Uttar Pradesh | Petroleum and energy engineering focus |
Private Colleges Accepting JEE Advancd Score
| College Name | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) | Manipal, Karnataka | Research-oriented programs |
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | High placement rates |
| Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology | Patiala, Punjab | Strong alumni network |
| Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) | Vellore, Tamil Nadu | IT-focused placements |
| Amity School of Engineering | Noida, Uttar Pradesh | Innovation and entrepreneurship focus |
| Birla Institute of Technology (BITS) Mesra | Ranchi, Jharkhand | Prestigious deemed university |
| Vignan’s Foundation of Science and Technology | Guntur, Andhra Pradesh | Quality technical education |
| GITAM School of Technology | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh | Accepts JEE Advanced and Main |
| Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation | Hyderabad, Telangana | Emphasis on research and academics |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu | Strong research programs |
| PSG College of Technology | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu | High ROI and established institute |
| SSN College of Engineering | Kalavakkam, Tamil Nadu | Solid placements and facilities |
JEE Advanced Rank-Wise College List Example (2025)
| Rank Range | Potential Colleges | Popular Branches | Approx. Closing Rank (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – 100 | IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras | Computer Science and Engineering | 68 – 159 |
| 101 – 500 | IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee | Computer Science and Engineering | 248 – 481 |
| 501 – 1000 | IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad | Computer Science and Engineering | 623 – 656 |
| 1001 – 2000 | Various IITs (Non-CS branches) | Mechanical, Electrical Engineering | 1645 – 2000 |
| 2001 – 5000 | Other IIT branches, IISc Bengaluru, IIITs | Civil, Chemical, Aerospace | Up to 5000 |
| 5001 – 10000 | Newer IITs and GFTIs | Mining, Metallurgy, Specialized | Up to 10000 |
How Career Plan B Supports Every Step
- Personalized Counseling: In-depth one-on-one counseling to align specialization, college choices, and career goals.
- Timeline & Reminder Service: Never miss a deadline—receive timely reminders and updates about institute-wise counseling calendars.
- Document Checklist & Verification: Guidance to prepare all required documentation, reducing stress on D-day.
- Preference Analysis: Analysis of seat trends, cut-offs, and college quality to build a winning choice list.
- Mock Counseling & Strategy: Practice sessions to simulate real counseling—boosting your confidence, reducing errors.
- Support for Appeals/Technical Issues: Help in resolving portal issues, appeals, or queries with admission authorities.
Have any doubts?
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JEE Advanced 2026 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the purpose of JEE Advanced?
JEE Advanced serves as the qualifying exam for admission to IITs and a few other prestigious institutes offering engineering and science programs. - Who is conducting JEE Advanced 2026?
IIT Kanpur is expected to be the organizing institute for 2026. - How is JEE Advanced different from JEE Main?
JEE Main acts as the eligibility test for JEE Advanced, which is more challenging and serves as the gateway to IIT admissions. - Can foreign nationals apply for JEE Advanced?
Yes, foreign nationals can apply directly, and moreover, they do not need to appear for JEE Main. - How many times can I attempt JEE Advanced?
Candidates can attempt JEE Advanced a maximum of two times in two consecutive years. - What are the eligibility criteria for JEE Advanced 2026?
- Must be among the top 2,50,000 candidates in JEE Main 2026 Paper 1.
- Age criteria: born on or after October 1, 2001 (5-year relaxation for SC/ST/PwD).
- Educational qualification: Passed 12th in 2025 or 2026 with PCM subjects.
Conclusion
Colleges that accept JEE Advanced offer diverse opportunities across engineering, research, and applied sciences, making them some of the most sought-after institutions in India. For 2026 aspirants, understanding seat distribution, rank cutoffs, course specializations, and the counselling process becomes essential to maximize admission chances. Moreover, whether you aim for IITs for core engineering or explore IISER, IIST, and RGIPT for domain-specific programs, you must align your rank expectations with realistic institute options. Ultimately, this clarity helps you create a focused and achievable admission strategy.
For expert career guidance, contact Career Plan B.
