IIT Seats: How Many Are Available and Who Gets Them?

When people talk about IIT seats, the limited number of undergraduate engineering positions across India’s Indian Institutes of Technology. These are the most sought-after spots in the country’s education system, with over 2 million students competing for around 16,000 seats every year through the JEE Advanced exam. It’s not just about scoring high—it’s about beating out the best of the best. For context, less than 1% of JEE Advanced applicants make it in. That’s harder than getting into Harvard, and it’s not even close.

These IIT seats, the limited number of undergraduate engineering positions across India’s Indian Institutes of Technology aren’t evenly spread. The top IITs—like Bombay, Delhi, and Madras—get the highest number of applicants, but even the newer ones like IIT Jodhpur or IIT Dharwad are filling up fast. Each IIT offers around 500 to 1,200 seats across disciplines like Computer Science, Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil Engineering. Computer Science alone takes up nearly 30% of all seats, which is why its cutoff ranks are always the highest. If you’re aiming for CS at IIT Bombay, you’re likely fighting for a rank under 500. For other branches, you might need to be in the top 5,000 to 10,000.

It’s not just about rank. There are reserved seats for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD categories, which change the competition landscape. A general category student might need a rank of 800 to get into a decent branch, while someone from the SC category could get the same seat with a rank of 5,000. The system tries to balance fairness with merit, but the pressure doesn’t lessen for anyone. And while some think coaching is the only way in, thousands of students crack JEE Advanced every year without expensive coaching—just smart planning, discipline, and sleep (yes, sleep matters—there’s even a post on how much rest JEE aspirants actually need).

What you won’t find in brochures is how many students who get in actually drop out or switch streams. Around 10-15% of IIT students change their branch after the first year, and nearly 5% leave entirely. The reality? Getting in is only the first hurdle. The real test starts once you walk through the gates.

Below, you’ll find real stories, data, and strategies from students who’ve been there—from the youngest JEE toppers to those who cracked it without coaching. Whether you’re just starting out or already in the thick of it, these posts give you the unfiltered truth about what it takes to land one of these seats—and what happens after you do.