JoSAA counselling is a crucial step for engineering aspirants seeking admission to top IITs, NITs, and IIITs. If you are aiming for an Artificial Intelligence (AI) programme, Round 5 is particularly important because cutoff ranks become more stable and reliable. During the earlier rounds, students frequently upgrade, withdraw, or change their choices, causing significant fluctuations in seat availability. By Round 5, most admissions are finalized, creating a clearer picture of expected closing ranks. This article analyzes the expected JoSAA Round 5 AI cutoffs for 2026, helping candidates understand trends and make informed counselling decisions with confidence.
How Round 5 Differs from Earlier Rounds
The first few JoSAA counselling rounds experience significant movement because students continue floating for better institutes or branches. Many top rank holders also withdraw after accepting international university offers or private institute admissions.
By Round 5, these fluctuations reduce considerably. The remaining seat movement usually happens because candidates holding multiple options finally confirm one admission. As a result, Round 5 cutoffs are generally more stable and realistic than earlier rounds.
Why Round 5 Matters
- Closing ranks become more predictable.
- It is one of the final opportunities to receive an upgrade.
- Students must carefully decide between Freeze and Float.
- Vacant seats from withdrawals create additional opportunities.
IIT Bombay AI Round 5 Cutoff
IIT Bombay continues to be the most competitive institute for Artificial Intelligence.
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 1 | 55 |
| OBC-NCL | 10 | 120 |
| SC | 80 | 500 |
| ST | 200 | 950 |
Highlights
Admission into IIT Bombay AI requires an exceptional JEE Advanced rank. The institute offers world-class research facilities, excellent industry collaborations, and consistently records some of India’s highest placement packages.
Its location in Mumbai provides students with outstanding internship and networking opportunities with major technology companies.
IIT Delhi AI Round 5 Cutoff
IIT Delhi remains one of the most preferred institutes for AI because of its academic excellence and strong placement record.
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 2 | 75 |
| OBC-NCL | 15 | 150 |
| SC | 100 | 600 |
| ST | 250 | 1000 |
Highlights
Historically, IIT Delhi‘s AI programme ranks within the top 100 for the General category. The institute benefits from its location in the National Capital Region, offering students excellent internship opportunities and access to leading technology companies.
IIT Kanpur AI Round 5 Cutoff
IIT Kanpur is well known for its research-driven approach and strong Computer Science ecosystem.
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 5 | 120 |
| OBC-NCL | 25 | 250 |
| SC | 150 | 800 |
| ST | 350 | 1200 |
Highlights
Students interested in Artificial Intelligence research often prefer IIT Kanpur because of its dedicated research centres, international collaborations, and academically rigorous curriculum.
IIT Kharagpur AI Round 5 Cutoff
As India’s oldest IIT, IIT Kharagpur offers one of the country’s most established AI programmes.
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 10 | 180 |
| OBC-NCL | 50 | 400 |
| SC | 300 | 1000 |
| ST | 500 | 1500 |
Highlights
The institute combines excellent academics with a vibrant campus life and strong industry partnerships, making it a popular choice among AI aspirants.
IIT Roorkee AI Round 5 Cutoff
IIT Roorkee has rapidly strengthened its Artificial Intelligence programme through investments in research infrastructure and modern computing facilities.
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 20 | 250 |
| OBC-NCL | 80 | 600 |
| SC | 400 | 1500 |
| ST | 650 | 2000 |
Highlights
With expanding AI laboratories and consistently improving placement statistics, IIT Roorkee has become an attractive choice for candidates ranked between 200 and 400.
IIT Hyderabad AI Round 5 Cutoff
IIT Hyderabad has built a strong reputation for innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and AI-focused research.
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 25 | 300 |
| OBC-NCL | 120 | 700 |
| SC | 450 | 1800 |
| ST | 700 | 2500 |
Highlights
The institute encourages project-based learning and industry collaborations, giving students practical exposure alongside strong theoretical foundations.
IIT Guwahati AI Round 5 Cutoff
IIT Guwahati continues to grow as a preferred destination for Artificial Intelligence programmes.
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 30 | 350 |
| OBC-NCL | 150 | 800 |
| SC | 500 | 2000 |
| ST | 800 | 2800 |
Highlights
Modern infrastructure, quality research opportunities, and strong placements make IIT Guwahati a solid option for students who narrowly miss admission to the older IITs.
NIT Trichy AI & Data Science Round 5 Cutoff
Among the NITs, NIT Trichy remains the most preferred institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science through JEE Main counselling.
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 200 | 1500 |
| OBC-NCL | 500 | 3000 |
| SC | 1500 | 6000 |
| ST | 3000 | 9000 |
Highlights
NIT Trichy consistently records excellent placement statistics and strong industry collaborations. For students who narrowly miss IIT admission, it remains one of the best alternatives.
NIT Surathkal AI & Data Science Round 5 Cutoff
NIT Surathkal is another highly sought-after institute for AI and Data Science programmes.
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 300 | 2500 |
| OBC-NCL | 800 | 5000 |
| SC | 2000 | 7500 |
| ST | 4000 | 11000 |
Highlights
The institute combines strong academics with excellent placement opportunities and a practical learning approach, making it a preferred choice among JEE Main candidates.
NIT Warangal AI & Data Science Round 5 Cutoff
NIT Warangal continues to maintain its reputation as one of India’s leading National Institutes of Technology.
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 400 | 3200 |
| OBC-NCL | 1000 | 6000 |
| SC | 2500 | 8500 |
| ST | 4500 | 12000 |
Highlights
Its established reputation, experienced faculty, and strong alumni network contribute to consistently good placement outcomes in AI-related fields.
Other Popular AI Institutes
NIT Allahabad
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 800 | 4500 |
| OBC-NCL | 2000 | 8000 |
| SC | 4000 | 10000 |
| ST | 6000 | 15000 |
NIT Calicut
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 900 | 5000 |
| OBC-NCL | 2200 | 8500 |
| SC | 4500 | 11000 |
| ST | 6500 | 16000 |
MNIT Allahabad
| Category | Opening Rank | Closing Rank |
| General | 1000 | 5500 |
| OBC-NCL | 2500 | 9000 |
| SC | 5000 | 12000 |
| ST | 7000 | 17000 |
These institutes offer quality AI education with affordable government fees and remain excellent backup options for students who do not secure admission to top IITs or NITs.
IIIT AI Round 5 Cutoffs
Specialized IIITs have become increasingly popular because of their industry-focused curriculum and strong placement records.
| Institute | General Closing Rank |
| IIIT Hyderabad | 800 |
| IIIT Bangalore | 1200 |
| IIIT Delhi | 1800 |
| IIIT Lucknow | 3000 |
Among them, IIIT Hyderabad continues to rival several IITs in Artificial Intelligence education, research output, and placement packages.
Category-Wise Cutoff Analysis
| Category | Expected Cutoff Trend | Key Insight |
| General (OPEN) | Highest competition | Top IIT AI programmes generally close within AIR 200, while leading NIT AI programmes close below AIR 3,000. |
| OBC-NCL | Moderate rank relaxation | Candidates usually receive 1.5 to 2 times rank relaxation compared to the General category, improving admission chances at premier institutes. |
| SC | Significant rank relaxation | Higher closing ranks make AI programmes at top IITs and NITs considerably more accessible. |
| ST | Highest rank relaxation | Receives the maximum relaxation among reserved categories, increasing admission opportunities across leading institutes. |
| EWS | Slight relaxation | Cutoffs are generally slightly lower than the General category. Candidates should always verify the latest category-wise cutoffs through the official JoSAA counselling portal. |
Factors Affecting Round 5 Cutoffs
Several factors influence AI cutoffs each year:
- JEE Advanced difficulty level.
- Total number of AI seats available.
- Introduction of new AI-related programmes.
- Students accepting international university offers.
- Withdrawals during counselling.
- Float and Freeze decisions made by candidates.
These factors collectively determine how much the closing ranks move between counselling rounds.
Counselling Tips for Round 5
- Compare your rank with previous years’ Round 5 closing ranks.
- Choose Float only if the chances of an upgrade are realistic.
- Freeze your seat if you are satisfied with your allotted institute.
- Keep backup options ready, including NITs, IIITs, and other reputed engineering institutes.
- Monitor the official JoSAA portal regularly for counselling updates and deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Does the Round 5 cutoff increase compared to Round 1?
Yes. Closing ranks generally move higher by Round 5 as seats vacated during earlier counselling rounds are reallocated to other eligible candidates. The increase is usually limited for top IITs but more noticeable for NITs and IIITs.
Q2. Can I get IIT Bombay AI with an AIR of 80?
For the General category, it is unlikely since the expected Round 5 closing rank is around 55. However, candidates with similar ranks may still have admission opportunities at IIT Delhi or IIT Kanpur, depending on their category and seat availability.
Q3. Is Artificial Intelligence easier to get than Computer Science Engineering?
In most institutes, AI programmes remain slightly less competitive than Computer Science Engineering (CSE). However, the popularity of AI has increased significantly in recent years, reducing the cutoff difference between the two branches.
Q4. Is Round 5 the final JoSAA counselling round?
No. JoSAA generally conducts six counselling rounds. However, Round 5 is considered one of the most important because most seat upgrades and major cutoff movements are completed by this stage.
Q5. Should I choose Freeze or Float after Round 5?
The decision depends on your admission goals. If you are satisfied with your allotted institute and branch, choosing Freeze is the safer option. If a better preference is still possible based on previous cutoff trends, selecting Float may improve your chances of getting an upgrade.
Disclaimer: The cutoff ranks mentioned above are projected estimates based on previous JoSAA trends and current admission patterns. Actual opening and closing ranks may vary depending on seat availability, counselling participation, and official JoSAA announcements. Candidates should refer to the official JoSAA website for the latest counselling updates and confirmed cutoff data.
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