IIT Madras Branch Wise Cutoff Analysis 2026 (Expected) – Complete JEE Advanced Opening & Closing Rank Trends
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Introduction
The Indian Institute of Technology system represents the pinnacle of engineering education in India, and among them, Indian Institute of Technology Madras consistently ranks among the top choices for JEE Advanced aspirants. Every year, thousands of students compete for limited seats, making cutoff analysis an essential step in branch selection strategy.
This IIT Madras Branch Wise Cutoff Analysis 2026 blog provides a deep dive into:
Latest JoSAA cutoff trends (2025 and previous years)
Branch-wise opening and closing rank analysis
Category-wise competition insights
Expected cutoff predictions for 2026
Strategy to target IIT Madras through JEE Advanced
This blog is written with updated data and trend-based projections so that aspirants preparing for JEE Advanced 2026 can set realistic targets.
What is IIT Madras Cutoff?
The IIT Madras cutoff refers to the opening and closing ranks required in JEE Advanced to secure admission to various B.Tech and dual-degree programs during JoSAA counselling. Cutoffs are released round-wise and vary depending on branch demand, seat matrix, exam difficulty, and candidate preference.
Cutoff ranks differ for:
Branch
Category
Gender pool
Counselling round
IIT Madras Branch Wise Cutoff Analysis 2026
To understand the IIT Madras Branch Wise Cutoff Analysis 2026, we must first analyze the latest available data (2025). The 2025 closing ranks for IIT Madras ranged roughly from 16 to over 10,000 depending on branch demand, with Computer Science and dual-degree Aerospace among the most competitive options.
IIT Madras Branch Wise Closing Rank (General Category – 2025 Trend)
Branch | Closing Rank (Approx) |
CSE | ~171 |
Artificial Intelligence & Data Analytics | ~292 |
Electrical Engineering | ~849 |
Computational Engineering | ~1309 |
Engineering Physics | ~1441 |
Mechanical Engineering | ~2468 |
Aerospace Engineering | ~2749–3211 |
Engineering Design (Dual) | ~3380 |
Chemical Engineering | ~4055–4439 |
Biological Sciences | ~9555 |
These numbers form the baseline for predicting the IIT Madras Branch Wise Cutoff Analysis 2026.
Branch Popularity vs Cutoff Trend
1. Computer Science & Engineering (CSE)
CSE remains the most competitive branch, closing around AIR 170 in 2025 and consistently attracting top rankers.
Why cutoff remains low:
Strong placement packages
AI, software, and startup opportunities
High industry demand
2026 Prediction: AIR 150–180
2. Artificial Intelligence & Data Analytics
AI is a relatively new but extremely popular branch with closing rank near 292 in 2025.
2026 Prediction: AIR 250–320
3. Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering continues to be a top core branch with stable cutoffs around AIR 850.
2026 Prediction: AIR 750–900
4. Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering closed near AIR 2354–2468 in 2025, showing moderate competition.
2026 Prediction: AIR 2300–2600
5. Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace cutoffs fluctuate yearly but typically close between AIR 2700 and 3200. 2026 Prediction: AIR 2600–3300
6. Engineering Physics & Computational Engineering
These interdisciplinary branches attract academically inclined students and close around AIR 1300–1500.
2026 Prediction: AIR 1200–1600
7. Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering shows steady mid-tier demand with cutoffs near AIR 4000+.
2026 Prediction: AIR 3800–4500
8. Biological Sciences & Lower-Demand Branches
Biological Sciences and allied programs often close above AIR 9000 due to relatively lower demand.
2026 Prediction: AIR 9000–11000
Category Wise Cutoff Insight
Cutoffs vary significantly across categories. For example, in 2025:
CSE closed at AIR 171 (Open) and 43 (SC)
Mechanical Engineering closed at AIR 2354 (Open) and ~701 (SC)
Biological Sciences closed near AIR 9555 (Open) and ~2472 (SC)
This shows how reservation policies impact admission probabilities.
Factors Affecting IIT Madras Cutoff 2026
1. JEE Advanced Difficulty
The 2025 exam saw a drop in qualifying cutoff percentages due to higher difficulty, influencing branch cutoffs.
2. Seat Matrix Changes
Introduction of new programs like Computational Engineering and Biomedical Engineering can shift cutoffs.
3. Branch Demand
CS and AI remain top choices, ensuring consistently low cutoffs.
4. Number of Applicants
Higher competition naturally lowers closing ranks.
Year Wise IIT Madras Cutoff Trend (General Category)
Branch | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
CSE | ~54 | ~72 | ~43–171 |
Electrical | ~316 | ~378 | ~278 |
Mechanical | ~2572 | ~2786 | ~2468 |
Aerospace | ~3237 | ~3881 | ~3211 |
Trend indicates:
Stable competition for top branches
Slight fluctuation in mid-tier branches
Increasing demand for AI-based programs
Marks Required for IIT Madras in JEE Advanced
Experts suggest that securing IIT Madras generally requires 150–300 marks depending on branch and category, though the exact score varies yearly.
Rough target:
280+ marks → CSE/AI
220–260 → Electrical/Computational
180–220 → Mechanical/Aerospace
150–180 → Chemical/Lower branches
Strategy Based on IIT Madras Branch Wise Cutoff Analysis 2026
1. Top 500 Rankers
Target CSE, AI, Electrical
2. 500–2000 Rankers
Computational, Engineering Physics, Mechanical
3. 2000–5000 Rankers
Aerospace, Chemical, Dual Degree
4. 5000–10000 Rankers
Biological Sciences, newer programs
Mistakes Students Make While Using Cutoff Data
Ignoring category variation
Looking only at Round-1 cutoff
Not checking seat matrix
Overestimating branch popularity
A smart aspirant uses cutoff trends as a planning tool, not a fixed rule.
Future Outlook for IIT Madras Cutoffs
Key trends shaping 2026 cutoffs:
Rising AI and interdisciplinary demand
New programs redistributing ranks
Increasing awareness of core engineering opportunities
Overall, cutoffs are expected to remain stable with minor fluctuations.
FAQs (IIT Madras Branch Wise Cutoff Analysis 2026)
Q1. What is IIT Madras Branch Wise Cutoff Analysis 2026?
IIT Madras Branch Wise Cutoff Analysis 2026 is the prediction of opening and closing ranks for each branch based on recent JoSAA trends and competition levels.
Q2. Which branch has the lowest cutoff at IIT Madras?
Dual-degree Aerospace and CSE typically have the lowest closing ranks due to extremely high demand.
Q3. What rank is required for IIT Madras CSE in 2026?
Expected closing rank is around AIR 150–180 for the general category.
Q4. Can I get IIT Madras with 3000 rank?
Yes, branches like Aerospace, Mechanical, and Chemical may be possible around this rank.
Q5. Does cutoff change every year?
Yes, factors like exam difficulty, seat matrix, and student preference cause yearly variations.
Conclusion
The IIT Madras Branch Wise Cutoff Analysis 2026 clearly shows that admission depends heavily on branch demand and JEE Advanced rank. While Computer Science and AI remain the toughest branches to secure, core engineering and interdisciplinary programs offer excellent opportunities for aspirants with mid-range ranks.
For JEE Advanced 2026 aspirants, the best strategy is:
Set a realistic rank target
Understand category-wise cutoff variation
Keep multiple branch preferences
Track JoSAA counselling rounds carefully
Ultimately, choosing the right branch at IIT Madras should balance interest, career prospects, and achievable rank — not just popularity.
Important Links
JoSAA Official Website: https://josaa.nic.in
JEE Advanced Official Website: https://jeeadv.ac.in
IIT Madras Official Website: https://www.iitm.ac.in
These portals provide official counselling schedules, cutoff lists, and admission updates.
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