Tier 1 — Elite NITs (Closing Rank Below 16,845)
These elite NITs — NIT Karnataka, Surathkal, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Malaviya NIT Jaipur, and NIT Delhi and others — offer AI & Data Science (Female-only (including Supernumerary)) accessible only to candidates with JEE Main Category Ranks at or below 16,845. Competition here is among the most intense in Indian engineering admissions. NIT Karnataka, Surathkal and National Institute of Technology, Rourkela are showing tightening competition year-over-year — meaning these seats are becoming progressively harder to secure. Notably, Malaviya NIT Jaipur and Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat and others show an easing trend year-over-year, potentially offering a marginal window for borderline aspirants.