
Top government colleges with low percentile in JEE Main 2026 are primarily GFTIs and North-East NITs closing at ranks between 1,50,000 and over 8,00,000 through JoSAA and CSAB. Candidates with 60 to 85 percentiles can still secure government-funded seats in Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering.
Top government colleges with low percentile in JEE Main 2026 include GFTIs like Assam University Silchar, GKV Haridwar, Tezpur University, and Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya.

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What Percentile Qualifies as Low in JEE Main 2026?
For this article, low percentile refers to the 60 to 85 percentile range. The table below shows the approximate rank and government college access level for each bracket.
| Percentile | Approximate AIR (General) | Government College Access |
|---|---|---|
| 85 percentile | 1,50,000 to 1,65,000 | GFTIs in most branches, NE NIT Civil and Chemical |
| 80 percentile | 1,65,000 to 2,00,000 | GFTIs with Civil, Mechanical, Electrical branches |
| 75 percentile | 2,00,000 to 2,20,000 | GFTIs with core branches, CSAB rounds essential |
| 70 percentile | 3,00,000 to 3,50,000 | Select GFTIs in low-demand branches only |
| 60 percentile | 5,00,000 to 6,00,000 | Very limited GFTIs in Agriculture, Textile, and Mechanical |

Source: JEE Main counselling guide for low percentile students
The video states even candidates with rank 855,000 have secured Mechanical Engineering seats at GKV Haridwar through JoSAA, confirming that low percentile does not eliminate government college options entirely.
Top Government Colleges With Low Percentile in JEE Main 2026: GFTI List
The GFTIs below are among the most accessible government engineering colleges for candidates with low JEE Main percentile, based on JoSAA 2025 Round 6 closing rank data.
| College | Location | Annual Fees (Approx) | Branches Available at Low Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assam University, Silchar | Assam | Rs.56,000 | CSE (~85,000 to 1,20,000), Electronics (~2,00,000), Agriculture (~4,63,000) |
| Tezpur University | Assam | Rs.60,000 to 75,000 | CSE (~85,000), Civil (~2,00,000), Mechanical (~4,00,000) |
| GKV Haridwar (Boys) | Uttarakhand | Rs.92,000 | CSE (~2,80,000), Electrical (~5,47,000), Mechanical (~8,55,000) |
| Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya | Bilaspur, CG | Rs.1,00,000 | CSE, Electrical, Civil, Chemical, Animation and BFX |
| JK Institute, Allahabad | Prayagraj, UP | Rs.50,000 to 60,000 | CS and AI (~1,00,000), Electronics and Communication |
| Mizoram University | Mizoram | Rs.30,000 to 50,000 | CSE (~26,000), Electrical (~3,88,000), Civil (~6,42,000) |

Fees shown are approximate and for reference only. Candidates should verify current fee slabs at each institute before counselling.
Quora : I got a very low rank (923466) in the JEE Mains 2024. I won't take a drop. What are some good colleges for a BTech in CSE?

Source: Quora
Branch-Wise Closing Rank at Top GFTIs: Low Percentile Guide
Candidates can use the branch-wise closing rank data below to match their expected JEE Main 2026 rank with realistic government college options before filling JoSAA and CSAB preferences.
| Branch | Closing Rank Range (General, JoSAA Round 6) | Accessible GFTIs |
| Computer Science Engineering | 26,000 to 1,20,000 | Mizoram University, Assam University, JK Institute |
| Electronics and Communication | 1,00,000 to 3,00,000 | JK Institute Allahabad, Assam University, GKV Haridwar |
| Civil Engineering | 2,00,000 to 6,42,000 | Tezpur University, GKV Haridwar, Mizoram University |
| Electrical Engineering | 3,88,000 to 5,47,000 | Mizoram University, GKV Haridwar |
| Mechanical Engineering | 4,00,000 to 8,55,000 | Tezpur University, GKV Haridwar |
| Agriculture Engineering | 4,63,000 and above | Assam University Silchar |

Reserved category candidates have significantly more options at each rank due to lower category-wise closing ranks.
Ques. Which are the top government colleges for low percentile in JEE Main 2026?
Ans. Top GFTIs accessible at low percentile include Assam University Silchar, Tezpur University, GKV Haridwar, Mizoram University, and Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya Bilaspur. These colleges close at ranks between 85,000 and 8,55,000 in branches like CSE, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering through JoSAA.
Ques. Can I get a government college with 70 percentile in JEE Main 2026?
Ans. Yes. At 70 percentile (rank 3,00,000 to 3,50,000), GFTIs like GKV Haridwar in Civil and Electrical Engineering, Mizoram University in Civil, and Tezpur University in Mechanical branches have closed at these ranks in previous JoSAA rounds.
Ques. Is CSAB better than JoSAA for low percentile candidates?
Ans. CSAB takes place after all JoSAA rounds conclude and fills seats left vacant in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. For low percentile candidates who did not receive a seat in JoSAA, CSAB special rounds are often the most important government college opportunity and should not be skipped.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.