IIT Kanpur Announces Olympiad Scores as Criteria for BTech and BS Admissions

IIT Kanpur Introduces Olympiad-Based Admissions for BTech-BS Programmes from 2025-26

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur recently announced that starting from the 2025-26 academic session, students will be admitted to BTech and BS programmes through Olympiads in five departments: Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Economics, and Mathematics and Statistics.

The university has outlined a clear procedure for admitting candidates to its BTech and BS programmes via Olympiads. Students seeking admission to the Biological Sciences and Bioengineering department will be selected based on their performance in Olympiads in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. One candidate will be chosen through the Mathematics Olympiad, while another will be selected from the Biology, Physics, or Chemistry Olympiad.

If a candidate is eligible through both the Mathematics and Biology, Physics, or Chemistry Olympiads, the candidate will be considered for the channel where they have achieved a higher rank. In case the ranks are the same in both channels, the candidate will be placed in the Mathematics channel. For the Biology, Physics, or Chemistry channel, IIT Kanpur will give preference to candidates in the following order: Biology first, followed by Physics, and then Chemistry. The Chemistry department will admit students based on their performance in the Chemistry Olympiad.

Admission to the Computer Science and Engineering department will be based on results from the Mathematics and Informatics Olympiads. Admission to the Economics Mathematics and Statistics departments will be determined through the Mathematics Olympiad. Each participating department will use the rank lists from the relevant Olympiads to shortlist candidates. Shortlisted candidates will then be required to appear for a mandatory written examination and, in some cases, an optional interview to finalize their selection for the programme.

The participating departments will issue the call for applications for admission through Olympiads in the first week of March, with admissions scheduled for July of the respective academic year. The application submission window will close by the fourth week of March. The final dates for sending out admission offers will be announced once the date for JoSAA counselling is confirmed.

The university has taken an innovative step by incorporating Olympiad scores as an admission criterion for the upcoming academic session. This approach will help select diverse talent from across the country, recognizing students with exceptional academic performance. These talented students are expected to make significant contributions in the fields of innovation and research, further elevating the institute’s reputation and academic excellence.

Editor’s Note:

IIT Kanpur’s decision to incorporate Olympiad scores into its BTech and BS admissions process marks an unprecedented step in recognizing and nurturing talent in STEM fields. By including Olympiad results in the admission criteria, the institute aims to attract a diverse group of high-achieving students, reinforcing its commitment to excellence in education. This move also sets a benchmark for other institutions to follow. Students are advised to visit the official website for all relevant information and to prepare according to the updated timeline. 

Skoobuzz commends IIT Kanpur for its innovative approach to admissions, paving the way for a new era in talent selection.