IIT Kanpur Announces New Admission Pathway for BTech and BS Programs via Olympiads
Bengaluru : The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) has announced a new admission pathway for its BTech and BS programs, based on performance in international Olympiads. Starting with the academic year 2025-26, this initiative seeks to recognize exceptionally talented students who have excelled in highly competitive international Olympiads in subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Informatics.
Under this program, IIT Kanpur will offer reserved seats in five departments: Biological Sciences & Bioengineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Chemistry, Economic Sciences, and Mathematics & Statistics. Admission through this route will allow a limited number of seats per department specifically for students who have undergone rigorous preparation and training in relevant Olympiad camps. This initiative offers a unique opportunity for those students who wish to pursue their passion in these areas at one of India’s leading institutions, bypassing the traditional JEE (Advanced) route.
Eligibility for this pathway requires candidates to be of the same age as JEE (Advanced) candidates and to have taken their Class XII (or equivalent) exams for the first time in either the year of admission or the year prior, with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. Candidates must have attended the relevant Olympiad training camp in the subject for which they are applying. Those who were previously admitted to IITs via JoSAA or had an IIT admission cancelled are not eligible.
The selection process involves two stages. Initially, each department will review applicants based on their Olympiad rankings and shortlist candidates accordingly. These candidates will then participate in a written examination, which is mandatory, and an interview, if required. At the Institute level, a selection committee, led by the Dean of Academic Affairs, will consolidate the recommendations from each department to ensure that the admissions process is streamlined, filling all available seats within each department without overlap.
Prof. Shalabh, Dean of Academic Affairs, IIT Kanpur, said, “Our Olympiad-based admissions initiative is designed to provide opportunities for the brightest minds who have excelled in international competitions. We are cultivating a diverse academic environment rich in innovation and critical thinking. Our goal is to enhance our academic community with individuals who bring unique perspectives and exceptional analytical skills. Through this initiative, we aim to support and promote innovation in disciplines that are essential to India’s growth and global competitiveness.”
The timeline for this new admission route is set to begin with the call for applications in early March 2025. The application window will close by the end of March, and departments will conduct their screenings and exams by May in the respective academic years. Final offers will be extended in June 2025, giving applicants a streamlined timeline that allows adequate preparation and a clear path to admission.
Through this alternative pathway, IIT Kanpur is reserving seats in select departments for young innovators with exceptional analytical skills, making it one of the few institutes in India to directly recruit talent from prestigious global Olympiad platforms.