IIT Kanpur to consider Olympiad scores for admission to BTech-BS programmes

The Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Kanpur will admit students to its BTech and BS programmes through the Olympiads. Starting from the 2025-26 academic year, this admission process will be implemented in five departments.

In Short

• IIT Kanpur to admit students through Olympiads for BTech and BS programmes
• Application window opens in March, with final offers announced post-JoSAA
• Admissions through Olympiads for BTech-BS programmes will be made in five departments

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur will admit students to its BTech and BS programmes through Olympiads. This new admission pathway will apply to five departments: Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Economics, and Mathematics and Statistics.

For the Biological Sciences and Bioengineering department, admissions will be based on performance in the Olympiads in biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Specifically, one candidate will be selected through the Mathematical Olympiad, while one candidate will be chosen from the Olympiads in biology, physics, or chemistry.

Candidates for Computer Science and Engineering will be selected by choosing three from the Mathematics Olympiads (INMO/IMO) and three from the Informatics Olympiads (INOI/IOI), with preference given to those holding higher ranks in either Olympiad; if candidates have the same rank in both, admission will be granted through the Mathematics Olympiad first, followed by the Informatics Olympiad.

In the Chemistry department, there are 2 seats available for the Olympiad in Chemistry, and candidates from the training camp of the Indian National Chemistry Olympiad (INChO) will be considered.

As per the official notice, the Economic Sciences department has 3 seats available for the Olympiad in Mathematics, and candidates from the training camp of the Mathematics Olympiads (INMO/IMO) will be considered.

The Mathematics & Statistics department has 4 seats available for the Olympiad in Mathematics. Two candidates will be selected for the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics & Scientific Computing and two for the Bachelor of Science in Statistics & Data Science. Additionally, candidates who have been selected for the International Mathematics Olympiad Training Camp (IMOTC) will also be considered.

Professor Shalabh, Dean of Academic Affairs, at 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," he adds.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Candidates must meet the same age limit as those applying for JEE (Advanced) for the corresponding year
• Candidates should have taken the class 12 or equivalent examination for the first time in the year of admission to IIT Kanpur or the preceding year, with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects
• Candidates must achieve first-class marks in their qualifying examination
• Candidates who were admitted to an IIT through JoSAA in the previous year are ineligible, regardless of whether they continued in the programme or accepted a seat by reporting online or in person at the reporting centre
• Candidates whose admission to any IIT was cancelled for any reason after joining are not eligible for admission through the Olympiads.

Further, the departments involved will utilise the rank list from the relevant Olympiad to shortlist candidates for the programme. Selected candidates will be required to take a written examination (which is mandatory) and may also participate in an interview (which is optional).

APPLICATION PROCESS

The participating departments will announce the call for applications for admission through the Olympiads in the first week of March for admissions to be conducted in July of the respective academic year. The application submission window will close in the fourth week of March.

The participating departments will review the applications by the third week of April and will conduct the written examination in the first week of May. The selection process, which includes evaluating the written examination and conducting interviews if applicable, will be completed by the third week of May.

The final opening and closing dates for issuing admission offers will be announced once the date for JoSAA Counselling is confirmed.

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.