Tier 1 — Elite NITs (Closing Rank Below 2,160)
These elite NITs — NIT Karnataka, Surathkal and Malaviya NIT Jaipur — offer AI & Data Science (Female-only (including Supernumerary)) accessible only to candidates with JEE Main Category Ranks at or below 2,160. Competition here is among the most intense in Indian engineering admissions. Notably, NIT Karnataka, Surathkal shows an easing trend year-over-year, potentially offering a marginal window for borderline aspirants.