Iam a dropper student who has scored 98+%ile in jee mains ...If i wish to join NITK through home state quota in lower branch and reppearfor jee mains 2026, can i get admission into same NITK in better branch if my score is good enough? I've asked this because some NITians say you cant join same NIT

Yes, it is possible to gain admission to the same NITK in a better branch if you score well on JEE Main 2026, even if you have previously been admitted to the same NITK through a lower branch via home state quota. Your past admission does not preclude you from reapplying and securing a better branch if your JEE Main 2026 score is competitive.

Explanation:

JEE Main's Admission Process:

JEE Main is a national-level engineering entrance exam used for admission to NITs and other participating institutions.

Home State Quota:

Home state quota allows students to get preferential admission in NITs based on their state of origin.

No Restriction on Re-admission:

While a student might have been admitted to a specific branch and NIT initially, there is no rule preventing them from reapplying for the same NIT and potentially securing a better branch based on their performance in a subsequent JEE Main exam.

Score-Based Admission:

Admission to NITs is primarily determined by your JEE Main score and your overall rank compared to other candidates.

Higher Score, Better Branch:

A higher JEE Main score will increase your chances of getting into your preferred branch, even within the same NITK.

Considerations:

Rank: Even with home state quota, the overall rank and category-wise cutoffs within NITK play a crucial role in determining which branch you are offered.

Branch Preferences: During the counselling process, you will have the opportunity to express your branch preferences, and the higher your score, the better your chances of getting your top choices.

Cutoffs: Understand the cutoffs for different branches and categories in NITK for previous years to get a better understanding of the competition.

In summary: You can absolutely try for a better branch at NITK by taking JEE Main 2026. Your current admission does not prevent you from reapplying and getting a better branch based on your score.