Low JEE Main rank? Explore alternative paths for engineering admission

NEW DELHI: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has declared the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Mains 2025 result. The exam is a gateway to engineering programmes across India. A lower rank does not signify the end of opportunities. Many students who did not achieve a high rank in the JEE Main 2025 exam are now considering alternative options.

Students with a low JEE Main 2025 rank can still secure admission in few National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) that accept candidates with lower scores. Institutes such as NIT Goa, NIT Hamirpur, and NIT Puducherry are among those that offer engineering programmes to students with relatively low JEE Main ranks.

As per last year's JEE Main counselling data, NIT Goa offered admission to the Civil Engineering programme with a closing rank of 83,278 under the open category. Mechanical Engineering was available at a closing rank of 79,077. NIT Hamirpur offered Chemical Engineering at 1,05,917. Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering were offered at closing ranks of 1,11,536, 70,818, and 1,14,907, respectively.

Admission to GFTIs, private institutes

Students can also consider admission to Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) and private universities such as Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), and SRM Institute of Science and Technology. In addition to JEE Main, candidates can appear for engineering entrance exams conducted separately by private institutes.

Exams like the Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT), VIT Engineering Entrance Examination (VITEEE), and state-level tests such as the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET) and the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE) provide opportunities for admission to reputed engineering colleges.

Careers beyond engineering stream

Students can also pursue degrees in other fields such as Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA), Bachelor of Architecture (BArch), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS), etc.

For students whose interest in engineering has waned, there are various career options in other fields. Professions such as law, management, finance, animation, and design are excellent choices for students with a science background.

However, if candidates are determined to pursue a career in the engineering domain and wish to secure admission in NITs, IITs, or other top-tier colleges, they may consider reattempting JEE Main in subsequent sessions.