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Discover the top 5 NITs in India, their fees, admission process, and rankings based on NIRF 2024.
NIT Trichy is ranked first among the National Institutes of Technology (NITs) in India. (Image: NIT Trichy)
The National Institutes of Technology (NITs) are highly regarded public engineering institutions in India, renowned for delivering exceptional education across various engineering fields. Established by the Government of India, they are distinguished by their excellent faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and research opportunities, making them a preferred choice for aspiring engineers. India is home to 31 prominent NITs, with 20 government-owned institutions and two privately managed ones.
NITs in India offer a range of traditional engineering courses such as BTech and MTech. Additionally, many NITs provide five-year dual degree programmes in various specialisations. NIT Trichy, NIT Allahabad, and NIT Rourkela are among the institutes offering MBA or BBA programmes. Some NITs also offer five-year BArch and four-year BSc degree courses.
Top 5 NITs Based on NIRF Rankings
1. National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli (NIT Trichy)
NIT Trichy ranks 9th in the Engineering category, according to the most recent NIRF 2024 rankings.
Fees:
The fees vary depending on the course and category. For undergraduate programmes (BTech), the approximate fee structure for general category students is around Rs 5 lakh per year. Postgraduate courses (MTech) typically cost around Rs 1.4 lakh annually.
Admissions:
Admission to various courses at NIT Trichy is based on national-level entrance exams such as JEE Main, CAT, GATE, and others. The final seat allotment is conducted through counselling sessions like JoSAA, CCMT, and CCMN.
2. National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal
NIT Surathkal consistently ranks among the top institutions in the country. In 2024, it secured the 46th position in the NIRF ‘Overall’ rankings, marking the third consecutive year within the top 50.
Fees:
For BTech programmes, the annual fee is approximately Rs 5 lakh. Postgraduate courses such as MTech or MBA range between Rs 1.4 lakh and Rs 3.2 lakh per year. Additional costs for accommodation, meals, and other services may apply.
Admissions:
NIT Karnataka selects students through national-level entrance exams, including JEE Main, GATE, CAT, and others.
3. National Institute of Technology, Rourkela
NIT Rourkela is a prestigious institution known for its strong academic performance. It ranked 34th in the ‘Overall’ category in the 2024 NIRF rankings.
Fees:
The annual fees for undergraduate programmes like BTech typically range from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 6.5 lakh. Postgraduate programmes such as MTech or MBA cost between Rs 1.4 lakh and Rs 6.25 lakh, depending on the course.
Admissions:
Admissions for 2025 are based on entrance exams like JEE Main, GATE, or IIT JAM, or on the basis of merit. The application process is conducted online.
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4. National Institute of Technology, Warangal
NIT Warangal is renowned for its academic excellence and has consistently secured high rankings. It ranked 53rd in the ‘Overall’ category in the 2024 NIRF rankings.
Fees:
For BTech programmes, the annual fee is around Rs 5 lakh. Postgraduate courses such as MTech and MBA generally cost Rs 1.4 lakh per year.
Admissions:
Admission to the BTech programme is based on the JEE Main exam. The institute also accepts other national-level exams such as CAT, MAT, GATE, IIT JAM, and NIMCET for its various programmes.
5. National Institute of Technology, Calicut
NIT Calicut is a distinguished institution that secured the 54th position in the 2024 NIRF rankings, maintaining its reputation as one of India’s top engineering colleges.
Fees:
The fee structure varies by programme and category. For BTech courses, the annual fees are around Rs 5 lakh, while postgraduate programmes like MTech and MBA cost approximately Rs 1.4 lakh per year.
Admissions:
Admissions for 2025 are conducted through national-level entrance exams like JEE Main, GATE, and CAT. Applications are submitted online.
