JEE Advanced 2026: Top IITs Expected Category-Wise Opening and Closing Ranks for AI

As the final answer key is awaited on June 1, 2026 for the JEE Advanced 2026 examination, students can analyze their ranks based on the scores calculated through the provisional answer key. This will give aspirants a brief idea as to where they stand in the JoSAA choice-filling process. Especially for highly coveted branches like B.Tech. Artificial Intelligence (AI). The competition will be fierce, and so are the top IITs' opening and closing ranks for the branch. 

Top IITs like IIT Kharagpur, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Gandhinagar, etc. are expected to have a strict cutoff for artificial intelligence. This can be predicted based on your JEE Advanced scores and analyzed through previous year trends as shared here, along with category-wise distribution. The closing ranks range from 953 for IIT Kharagpur to 2236 for IIT Gandhinagar. The precious year opening and closing ranks offer top 3 IITs ranks, distributed for Open, EWS, SC and ST categories. Aspirants can check and analyze their ranks for the JoSAA 2026 counseling process from the shared data. 

Also check: JEE Advanced 2026: Top IITs CSE Previous Year Closing Rank (Open Category)

Artificial Intelligence Previous Year Opening and Closing Ranks: Open Category 

To check for opening and closing ranks for the open category, candidates can refer to the table shared below. The table clearly presents the previous year's cutoff range, starting from the 461st rank and closing at the 953rd for IIT Kharagpur. The institute offers tough competition for the open category, opting for B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence. 

IIT Hyderabad, on the other hand, narrows its opening rank from 690 to 861, not offering much gap in between. Meanwhile, IIT Gandhinagar opens at 1822, expanding to a 1000 margin, and closes at 2236. This implies students wanting to get into top institutes have to hold a rank under 500, ranging to 2000 for the open category. 

Artificial Intelligence Previous Year Opening and Closing Ranks: EWS Category 

For candidates coming from Economically Weaker Section (EWS), it requires them to come under a high category rank to secure a confirmed seat for B.Tech in AI (Artificial Intelligence). 

IIT Hyderabad once again offers an intense competition with an opening rank of 104 and closing at 143. Offering strict competition to students aiming for AI specialization. Since the branch is highly in demand, the expected cutoff may also go high for 2026 admission.

Whereas IIT Kharagpur stays upfront, showcasing a similar level of competition with an opening rank of 105, just a number down, and closing at 116 with fewer gaps and a chance to secure a seat. Along with IIT Gandhinagar, which has gone a little lenient the previous year, offering an opening rank of 337 and closing at 344. 

Artificial Intelligence Previous Year Opening and Closing Ranks: SC Category 

SC (Scheduled Caste) category candidates also have to face extreme competition for this high-yielding branch. The previous year's trends expose Artificial Intelligence seats in which IIT Hyderabad offers the tightest window of 199 to 222. Whereas IIT Kharagpur also see high demand with opening rank of 144 and is closing out at 268. Meanwhile, IIT Gandhinagar as usual is flexible at offering its seat with opening rank going from 603 and extending down to a closing rank of 740.

Artificial Intelligence Previous Year Opening and Closing Ranks: ST Category 

For Scheduled Tribe (ST) category candidates, securing an Artificial Intelligence seat may vary as two of the IITs shows the similar range while IIT Gnadhinagar eases out the closing ranks.  For IIT Kharagpur, the opening rank was 66, which closed at 90. IIT Hyderabad also started at 72 and closed at 83 rank. Meanwhile, IIT Gandhinagar was flexible, offering an opening rank of 285, crossing the two-digit margin, and closing at 295.