Your NIMCET rank is an All India Rank across all candidates. But you compete for seats within the categories you belong to. That is why an OBC-NCL candidate and an OPEN candidate with the same rank can get different institutes.
The 2026 category totals
| Category | Seats | Share |
|---|---|---|
| OPEN (OC) | 501 | 38.5% |
| OBC-NCL | 331 | 25.5% |
| SC | 182 | 14.0% |
| ST | 93 | 7.2% |
| EWS | 125 | 9.6% |
| PwD (OC 23, OBC 17, SC 13, ST 9, EWS 6) | 68 | 5.2% |
| Total | 1,300 | 100% |
Source: NIMCET 2026 information brochure seat matrix. Shares are rounded.
How category seats work
- OPEN seats are open to everyone, including reserved-category candidates, on merit.
- Reserved seats (OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS) are filled from candidates of that category, in rank order.
- PwD seats are reserved within each category.
So a reserved-category candidate with a high rank can be allotted an OPEN seat, while a candidate further down can still get a seat in their category.
What seat numbers mean for closing ranks
Fewer seats in a category does not automatically mean it is harder. What matters is how many candidates in that category compete for those seats. The result is visible in the opening and closing ranks after each round.
Here are 2026 Round 1 closing ranks at a few institutes, as reported from the official Round 1 allotment:
| Institute | OPEN closing rank | OBC-NCL closing rank | SC closing rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIT Tiruchirappalli | 51 | 142 | 751 |
| NIT Warangal | 145 | 215 | 1017 |
| MNNIT Allahabad | 173 | 255 | 1218 |
| MANIT Bhopal | 354 | 474 | 1953 |
| NIT Raipur | 638 | 769 | 2891 |
These are Round 1 figures for one year. Later rounds usually move closing ranks further down as candidates upgrade or withdraw. Always check the official OR-CR (opening and closing rank) data on the portal for the latest numbers.
Practical points for each category
- OBC-NCL and EWS: your certificate must meet the date rules (in 2026, issued on or after 1 April 2025 for upload and on or after 1 April 2026 at reporting). Without it you may be treated as OPEN.
- SC and ST: use the certificate format given in the brochure's annexures.
- PwD: at least 40% disability, certified in the required format; NIMCET may accept or reject the claim.
Filling choices with categories in mind
- Look up the previous year's closing ranks for your category at each institute.
- Include a spread: a few ambitious choices, several realistic ones and a few safe ones.
- Remember that you can still get an OPEN seat if your rank is high enough.
For the full institute-wise table, see the NIMCET 2026 seat matrix.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many OBC seats are there in NIMCET?
331 OBC-NCL seats in the 2026 seat matrix, plus 17 OBC PwD seats.
Can a reserved-category candidate get an OPEN seat?
Yes. OPEN seats are filled on merit from all candidates.
How many EWS seats were there in NIMCET 2026?
125 EWS seats, plus 6 EWS PwD seats.
What happens if my category certificate is invalid?
You risk losing the category seat at verification. Check the date and format rules in your year's brochure.