In a groundbreaking move, IIT Madras has launched a new admission pathway for undergraduate programs, allowing students to secure a seat without appearing for JEE Advanced.

Starting from the 2025-2026 academic year, students who have excelled in National and International Olympiads can gain direct admission through the Science Olympiad Excellence (ScOpE) scheme. This initiative aims to recognize and reward exceptional talent in science, similar to IITs’ existing admission routes for sports and fine arts achievers.

What Is ScOpE Admission at IIT Madras?

The ScOpE pathway will offer two additional supernumerary seats per program, with one seat exclusively reserved for women candidates. Eligible students will be able to apply based on their outstanding achievements in:

Physics
Chemistry
Mathematics
Informatics
Biology

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)

To qualify for admission through ScOpE, candidates must meet the following criteria:

Nationality: Must be Indian nationals or OCI/PIO candidates who received their OCI/PIO card before March 4, 2021.

Olympiad Participation: Must have participated in one of the prestigious Olympiad training camps organized by:

• Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE)
• Indian Association for Research in Computer Science (IARCS)
  (within the last four years)

Class 12 Completion: Candidates must have completed Class 12 (or equivalent) or be appearing for it in 2025.

Academic qualifications remain the same as JEE Advanced candidates in terms of passing Class 12 and subject requirements.

How Will Admissions Be Conducted?

Unlike JEE Advanced admissions, ScOpE applicants will not go through the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) portal.

Application Process:

Candidates must apply via a separate IIT Madras ScOpE portal.
Admission will be based on the ScOpE Rank List (SRL), determined by Olympiad exam performance.

Programs Available Under ScOpE Admission

Through ScOpE, IIT Madras will offer admission to several B.Tech and B.S. programs, including:

Engineering Programs:

Aerospace Engineering (B.Tech & B.Tech + M.Tech)
Biotechnology (B.Tech & B.S.)
Chemical Engineering (B.Tech)
Civil Engineering (B.Tech)
Computer Science and Engineering (B.Tech)
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (B.Tech)
Electrical Engineering (B.Tech)
Engineering Design (B.Tech + M.Tech)
Mechanical Engineering (B.Tech)
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (B.Tech)
Ocean Engineering (B.Tech)

Science Programs:
Physics (B.Tech & B.S.)
Medical Science and Technology (B.S.)
Chemistry (B.S.)

Important Dates & How to Apply

Application Opens: June 3, 2025
Apply at: ugadmissions.iitm.ac.in/scope

IIT Madras will release detailed guidelines on the official website soon.

This initiative provides a fantastic opportunity for academically gifted students to join one of India’s top engineering institutions without the pressure of JEE Advanced. If you've excelled in Olympiads, this could be your golden ticket to IIT Madras!