The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has announced a new way for students to get admission into its undergraduate programs. From the 2025-26 academic year, students who have performed well in national and international Olympiads can secure a seat without appearing for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).
Special Admission Through ScOpE
This new admission process is called Science Olympiad Excellence (ScOpE). It will allow students with outstanding achievements in five Olympiads—Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Informatics, and Biology—to apply for IIT Madras. Two extra seats per course will be available under this scheme, with one seat reserved for female candidates.
Who Can Apply?
Students must have completed Class 12 and meet the usual age requirements needed for JEE (Advanced). However, students who have already been admitted to any IIT cannot apply through this scheme.
To qualify, students must be Indian nationals or hold OCI/PIO cards (issued before March 4, 2021). They should have attended specific Olympiad training camps in the last four years, such as:
- International Mathematical Olympiad Training Camp (IMOTC)
- Orientation-cum-Selection Camps (OCSCs) for Science Olympiads
- International Olympiad for Informatics Training Camp (IOITC)
How to Apply?
Applications for the first batch will start on June 3, 2025. The admission process will take place through a separate portal: jeeadv.iitm.ac.in/scope. This will be independent of the usual JoSAA admission system.
Why This New Admission System?
IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti explained that this initiative aims to find students who are excellent problem solvers and thinkers beyond textbooks. He stated, "The biggest puzzles of the world are solved not by repeating textbooks, but by those with the courage to break them piece by piece and build miracles for future generations."
This move is expected to encourage talented students who have demonstrated exceptional skills in science and mathematics to join IIT Madras and contribute to cutting-edge research and innovation.
