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For decades, the only way into an undergraduate programme at an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) was through a top rank in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced. Recently, however, a new pathway has opened. Recognising that exceptional talent in a single subject might not be captured by a broad entrance exam, several IITs have introduced direct admission for students who have excelled in national and international Olympiads.
These Olympiad-based admissions bypass the JEE Advanced requirement, offering supernumerary seats in specific programmes. Here is how the schemes work across different institutes.
How does IIT Kanpur's Olympiad admission work?
Starting with the 2025–26 academic year, IIT Kanpur allows students to apply directly to its B.Tech and B.S. programmes based on their Olympiad performance.
This route is currently open for several departments, including:
Computer Science & Engineering
Mathematics & Statistics
Economic Sciences
Biological Sciences & Bioengineering
Chemistry
To be eligible, you must have attended the relevant training camp for an International Olympiad (such as the International Mathematical Olympiad Training Camp or the International Olympiad for Informatics Training Camp). The selection process is rigorous. Departments shortlist applicants based on their Olympiad achievements, and shortlisted candidates must then pass a mandatory written examination at the campus, followed by an interview in some departments.
If you secure a seat, you join the regular batch and follow the standard curriculum alongside students admitted through JEE Advanced.
What is the IIT Madras ScOpE programme?
IIT Madras has launched the Science Olympiad Excellence (ScOpE) programme, which also begins in the 2025–26 session. It offers admission to B.Tech, B.S., and Dual Degree programmes without a JEE Advanced score.
The institute will create two extra seats in each participating undergraduate programme specifically for this quota, with one of those seats exclusively reserved for female students. To qualify, you must have attended at least one of the official training or selection camps (such as those organised by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education) in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Informatics within the last four years.
IIT Madras prepares a separate ScOpE Rank List based on your performance in these five Olympiads, and admissions are handled through a dedicated portal rather than the usual JoSAA counselling.
What are the options at IIT Gandhinagar and IIT Bombay?
Other institutes offer similar pathways tailored to specific strengths:
IIT Gandhinagar: Offers a special admission route for B.Tech and B.Tech-M.Tech Dual Degree programmes. It is open to students who attended training camps for Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, or Informatics, or who have won medals in the corresponding International Olympiads in the current or past four years. Shortlisted candidates usually face a written test or interview.
IIT Bombay: Offers a specialised Olympiad route specifically for its B.S. in Mathematics programme. Up to six seats are available for students who have qualified for the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO) or have been invited to the International Mathematical Olympiad Training Camp (IMOTC).
Who is eligible for Olympiad-based admission?
While the academic requirements focus on your Olympiad achievements, the basic eligibility criteria still mirror the rules for JEE Advanced eligibility.
You must be taking your Class 12 board examinations for the first time in either the year of admission or the year prior, with subjects relevant to your chosen programme. You must also meet the standard age limit set for JEE Advanced candidates for that year. Crucially, if you have already accepted a seat at any IIT through JoSAA in a previous year, you are not eligible for these Olympiad schemes.
Preparing for an Olympiad or the subsequent departmental tests requires a strong grasp of underlying concepts and the ability to hold a line of reasoning through complex problems. The Fermi Problem Library has worked problems with a step-by-step solver that explains the reasoning rather than printing an answer, helping you see the logic required for these advanced challenges. If you find yourself stuck, Fermi's AI tutor can work out what you already know, build a plan for your session, and teach you through it by writing on a board or drawing the necessary figures.
Always check the official websites of the respective IITs around April and May for the exact application deadlines, required documents, and updates to the admission process. For students looking beyond standard engineering options, there are other paths to explore, such as the IIT Madras BS degree qualifier or finding out what replaced KVPY for science-minded students.
