JEE Main

Yes, apply through JoSAA. You will get admission in NIT.

It completely depends on your area of interests, competitive exam in which you appear and the main criteria is your Rank and Marks. If you have scored good in exams you will definetly deserve a seat in reputed college which has good infrastructure and faculties along with decent placements.So all the best for future.

Check the below link of the college predictor, check for colleges based on the JEE Mains rank and category.
https://www.shiksha.com/b-tech/resources/jee-mains-college-predictor?utm_source=connect&utm_medium=CR_JEECP&utm_campaign=8030745
Also, do check for state engineering colleges accepting JEE Main scores.

It will be difficult to get NIT with this score. Also, look for state engineering colleges accepting JEE Mains score. You can check the below college predictor:
https://www.shiksha.com/b-tech/resources/jee-mains-college-predictor?utm_source=connect&utm_medium=CR_JEECP&utm_campaign=8030745

You can look for state engineering colleges for mechanical engineering discipline. You can also check for government colleges OBC-NCL quota. This might help you.
Check the below link for top mechanical engineering colleges:
https://www.shiksha.com/b-tech/ranking/top-mechanical-engineering-colleges-in-india/48-2-0-0-0

There is no need for paper 2. You can apply.

No, on the above-mentioned rank, it is difficult to get a government college in Kurukshetra. So, you can go for a private college.
All the best for your future.

For ST candidates, the cut off is 24.

Kindly visit the link mentioned below:
https://www.shiksha.com/b-tech/resources/jee-mains-college-predictor?utm_source=connect&utm_medium=CR_JEECP&utm_campaign=7576872
Thank you.

Yes, you can drop a year but only when you think that you will do better in the next year or you can get admission in the college of your choice.