1. IIT Mandi at a glance

The Indian Institute of Technology Mandi was established in 2009 as one of the eight second-generation IITs created to expand India’s top-tier engineering capacity. In its decade and a half it has grown from a temporary campus into a striking permanent campus in the Kamand valley, near Mandi town in Himachal Pradesh, set in the Himalayan foothills.

IIT Mandi has built its identity around a strong research culture, an interdisciplinary teaching philosophy, and dedicated programmes in computing and data science. It hosts a technology-innovation hub working on human-computer interaction and artificial intelligence, and runs an active start-up incubator that has supported a steady stream of student and faculty ventures. For a JEE aspirant, the key point is simple: IIT Mandi is a genuine IIT — the same degree, the same JoSAA admission process, the same calibre of faculty and the same brand recognition that the IIT name carries.

2. IIT Mandi CSE cutoff 2026 (JoSAA closing ranks)

The cutoff for an IIT is the closing rank — the rank of the last student admitted to a branch in a counselling round. For IITs this is the JEE Advanced Common Rank List (CRL) rank, not the JEE Main rank.

With JoSAA 2026 yet to run, the dependable reference is the JoSAA 2024 final-round (Round 5) closing ranks. Here are the verified opening and closing ranks for B.Tech CSE at IIT Mandi, Gender-Neutral pool:

Source: JoSAA 2024 Opening & Closing Rank archive (josaa.nic.in), Round 5, B.Tech Computer Science & Engineering, All-India quota, Gender-Neutral pool. Ranks are JEE Advanced CRL ranks.

The OPEN closing rank of 3,118 is your main planning anchor. Because IIT Mandi is a second-generation IIT, its CSE cutoff is more accessible than the older IITs — which makes it an excellent target for students with a CRL in the 2,000-3,000 band who want CSE specifically at an IIT. As always, the female-only supernumerary pool closes at higher rank numbers, and Round 1 closing ranks are tighter than the final-round figures shown here.

3. All branches at IIT Mandi — closing ranks

IIT Mandi offers a compact but well-rounded set of B.Tech programmes. Here are the JoSAA 2024 Round 5 OPEN, Gender-Neutral closing ranks:

Source: JoSAA 2024 Round 5 closing ranks, All-India quota, Gender-Neutral. Figures are JEE Advanced CRL ranks.

The branch ladder is clear: the three computing programmes sit at the top, the electronics and core branches occupy the middle, and the interdisciplinary and science programmes close at the most accessible ranks. A standout option is General Engineering — a flexible interdisciplinary degree unique to IIT Mandi that lets students draw across departments, and which closes at a comfortably accessible rank.

4. Computing at IIT Mandi — CSE vs Data Science vs M&C

IIT Mandi is unusual among the newer IITs in offering three distinct computing-focused B.Tech programmes. If you want a software or data career, understanding the difference helps you order your JoSAA choices well.

• Computer Science & Engineering — the classic, broadest computing degree: algorithms, systems, theory, networks, databases and a full spread of electives including AI and ML. Closed near CRL 3,118 in 2024.
• Data Science & Engineering — a focused programme blending computing with statistics, machine learning and large-scale data systems. A strong, modern choice for analytics and ML careers. Closed near CRL 3,918.
• Mathematics & Computing — combines rigorous mathematics with computing, well suited to quantitative roles, research and competitive-programming-style careers. Closed near CRL 4,089.

All three open the door to software, data and analytics roles. CSE remains the most flexible and widely recognised; Data Science & Engineering is the most directly aligned with the current AI and analytics boom; Mathematics & Computing is the most quantitative. If your rank does not reach CSE, the other two at IIT Mandi are excellent alternatives — and far better for a computing career than CSE at a much weaker college.

Across all three programmes, the teaching emphasises strong fundamentals — data structures and algorithms, mathematics, systems and programming — followed by modern electives in artificial intelligence, machine learning and data engineering. Project work, lab courses and a culture of student coding clubs and competitions mean a motivated student graduates with a solid portfolio of practical work, not just a transcript. That hands-on grounding is exactly what recruiters and higher-study programmes look for, and it is available equally whichever of the three computing branches you enter.

5. IIT Mandi placements & average package

Let us be precise about what is officially confirmed versus what is a reasonable estimate.

What is reported: IIT Mandi publishes placement information through its placement cell, and salary data also appears in NIRF disclosures. Institute-wide, the average B.Tech package has been reported broadly in the Rs 15-20 LPA range in recent placement seasons, with a steadily growing recruiter base.

What about CSE and computing branches? IIT Mandi does not publish a separate official branch-wise average for CSE. As at every IIT, computing branches place above the institute average. Based on reported recruiter patterns, a CSE or Data Science graduate’s package at IIT Mandi typically falls in the Rs 20-30 LPA range, with strong performers going higher and a few standout offers reaching well beyond that. As a second-generation IIT, IIT Mandi’s headline numbers sit a notch below the oldest IITs, but the gap narrows every year and the outcomes for a motivated computing student are genuinely strong.

Average packages are pulled up by a few very high offers, so the median is a better guide to a typical outcome. Always check the latest official IIT Mandi placement report before relying on any figure.

Computing students at IIT Mandi see demand from product and software companies, India R&D centres of global firms, data-science and analytics employers, and a growing pool of start-ups — many of them linked to the institute’s own incubation ecosystem.

Internships and pre-placement offers: as at every IIT, the summer internship after the third year is the single most reliable route to the strongest final-year offers, and a good share of IIT Mandi computing students convert internships into pre-placement offers. The institute’s research labs and innovation hub also give undergraduates the chance to work on real projects early. When you compare colleges, look beyond the headline package and ask about internship quality and conversion — that experience often shapes a career more than a small difference in the reported average package.

6. How to get into IIT Mandi — step by step

There is exactly one legitimate path. Anyone promising a “direct seat” or “management quota” in an IIT is running a scam.

1. Qualify JEE Main. Finish among the top candidates in JEE Main who become eligible for JEE Advanced.
2. Crack JEE Advanced. Your CRL rank decides your branch and institute. For IIT Mandi CSE you are targeting a CRL in the top ~3,000.
3. Register for JoSAA counselling. JoSAA 2026 counselling opens on 2 June 2026. Fill your choice list in true order of preference — and do list all three IIT Mandi computing branches if a software career is your goal.
4. Accept and report. On allotment, pay the seat-acceptance fee, complete document verification, and join later rounds if you wish to upgrade.

Need help ordering choices? Use our free Choice-List Builder and read the full JoSAA counselling guide.

7. Fees, scholarships & fee waivers

IIT Mandi B.Tech tuition is approximately Rs 2-2.2 lakh per year; with hostel, mess and other charges the all-in annual cost is usually under Rs 3 lakh, so a general-category student typically spends in the region of Rs 8-10 lakh over four years.

IITs offer generous tuition-fee remission based on family income:

• Families with very low annual income (commonly cited around Rs 1 lakh) generally receive a full tuition waiver.
• Families in a middle income band (commonly cited up to around Rs 5 lakh) generally receive a partial waiver.
• SC, ST and PwD students receive additional tuition concessions.

Merit-cum-means scholarships and a range of private and government scholarships are also available. Exact income slabs and waiver percentages are revised periodically — confirm current figures on the official IIT Mandi website before counselling.

8. Campus life — the Himalayan campus

IIT Mandi’s Kamand valley campus is one of its biggest talking points. Spread across the Himalayan foothills along the Uhl river, it is widely regarded as one of the most scenic IIT campuses in India. Students live and study surrounded by mountains, clean air and a calm pace that many find ideal for focused academics.

That setting comes with trade-offs to weigh honestly. Mandi is a smaller town than a metro, so the off-campus city experience and the volume of nearby internships or weekend options are more limited than at an IIT in a large city. Winters are cold. On the other hand, the campus is self-contained and active — technical clubs, trekking and adventure activities, cultural and sporting events, and a tight-knit student community. For students who value a peaceful, nature-rich environment and a strong on-campus life, the Kamand campus is a genuine attraction rather than a drawback.

9. Is IIT Mandi worth it?

For students aiming at an IIT with a computing focus, IIT Mandi is a strong, sensible choice. Here is the balanced view:

Strengths: a genuine IIT degree and brand, three dedicated computing programmes (CSE, Data Science, Mathematics & Computing), a serious research culture, an active incubation ecosystem, and one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. Its cutoffs are more attainable than the older IITs, so it brings an IIT CSE seat within reach for a wider band of ranks.

Things to weigh: as a second-generation IIT, placement headline numbers sit slightly below the oldest IITs, and the remote Himalayan location suits some students far more than others. Plan around the realistic Rs 20-30 LPA computing band rather than outlier figures.

The bottom line: if you can secure CSE, Data Science or Mathematics & Computing at IIT Mandi, it is almost always a better long-term decision than a non-IIT option at a similar or even better-sounding package — the IIT degree, peer group and alumni network compound over an entire career.

10. Common mistakes to avoid

• Confusing JEE Main rank with JEE Advanced rank. IIT cutoffs are JEE Advanced CRL ranks.
• Listing only CSE. Data Science & Engineering and Mathematics & Computing at IIT Mandi are excellent computing alternatives — always include them in your choice list.
• Underrating a newer IIT. A second-generation IIT still gives you the full IIT degree, faculty and brand.
• Treating outlier packages as the average. Plan around the typical band.
• Believing in “direct admission” agents. No IIT has a management or donation quota.

11. Frequently asked questions

What is the IIT Mandi CSE cutoff?

In JoSAA 2024 Round 5, B.Tech CSE at IIT Mandi closed at JEE Advanced CRL 3118 (OPEN, Gender-Neutral). Reserved-category closing ranks were EWS 489, OBC-NCL 1274, SC 761 and ST 371.

What rank do I need for IIT Mandi?

For CSE in the OPEN category, target a JEE Advanced CRL inside roughly the top 2800-3000. Data Science (~3900), Mathematics & Computing (~4100) and core branches are progressively more accessible.

Is IIT Mandi a good IIT?

Yes. It is a genuine second-generation IIT established in 2009, with strong research, dedicated computing programmes and a healthy placement record.

What is the IIT Mandi average package?

No official branch-wise figure is published. Institute-wide the average has been reported around Rs 15-20 LPA, and computing branches place above that — typically in the Rs 20-30 LPA range.

Where is IIT Mandi located?

In the Kamand valley near Mandi town, Himachal Pradesh — one of the most scenic IIT campuses in India.

Does IIT Mandi have a Data Science branch?

Yes. IIT Mandi offers a dedicated B.Tech in Data Science & Engineering, which closed near CRL 3,918 in 2024.

Can I get into IIT Mandi without JEE Advanced?

No. All B.Tech seats are filled through JEE Advanced and JoSAA counselling only.

When will the 2026 cutoff be available?

After JoSAA 2026 counselling begins on 2 June 2026. Round-wise closing ranks appear on josaa.nic.in as each round concludes.