What does the cut-off in IIT mean?

IIT cut-off refers to the minimum score or rank that a candidate must achieve in order to be eligible for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). This score is determined based on various factors, including the number of available seats, the difficulty level of the exam, and the number of candidates who appeared for the JEE (Joint Entrance Examination).

The cut-off is released in the form of opening and closing ranks, and it varies each year depending on these factors. It also differs from one IIT to another and from one program to another, as each program has its own level of demand. For example, popular branches like Computer Science and Engineering generally have higher cut-offs compared to less competitive streams.

The cut-off is influenced by the category of the candidate as well. Reserved categories like SC, ST, OBC, and EWS (Economically Weaker Section) have different cut-offs than general category students. This differentiation ensures that students from these categories have a fair chance at securing a seat in their desired course.