IIT Madras has unveiled an exciting new admission route called the Science Olympiad Excellence (ScOpE) quota, offering a unique opportunity for students who have demonstrated exceptional performance in national and international science Olympiads. This initiative is set to be implemented from the academic year 2025-26, marking a significant step towards recognizing and nurturing young scientific talent.
Admission Framework and Seat Allocation
Under the Science Olympiad Excellence quota, IIT Madras will allocate two additional supernumerary seats in each of its undergraduate programs. Notably, one of these seats will be exclusively reserved for female candidates, ensuring greater inclusivity in STEM education. Unlike the traditional admission process, students applying through this quota are not required to clear the JEE Advanced examination. Instead, selection will be based on the Science Olympiad Excellence quota Rank List (SRL), which evaluates applicants based on their achievements in Olympiads.
This initiative is similar to the existing sports and cultural quotas at IIT Madras. The Director of IIT Madras, V Kamakoti, emphasized that the ScOpE quota provides a distinct pathway for talented students outside the conventional JEE (Advanced) framework.
IIT Madras Admission Without JEE Advanced: Selection Process
IIT Madras will admit candidates through the ScOpE Rank List (SRL), which evaluates their achievements in the following five major Olympiads:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Informatics
- Biology
Unlike regular admissions through the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA), the ScOpE admission process will be managed via a dedicated portal:
https://jeeadv.iitm.ac.in/scope. The application process for the first batch will begin on June 3, 2025.
IIT Madras Admission Without JEE Advanced: Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for admission through ScOpE, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Must have passed Class 12 and meet the same age requirements as JEE Advanced for the respective academic year.
- Must not have been previously admitted to any IIT.
- Must be an Indian national (by birth or naturalization) or an OCI/PIO candidate, whose card was issued before March 4, 2021.
In addition, candidates should have participated in at least one of the following training camps in the last four years:
- Mathematics: International Mathematical Olympiad Training Camps (IMOTC) organized by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE)
- Physics, Chemistry, and Biology: Orientation-cum-Selection Camps (OCSCs) organized by HBCSE
- Informatics: International Olympiad for Informatics Training Camp (IOITC) organized by the Indian Association for Research in Computer Science (IARCS)
Seat Distribution Across Undergraduate Programs
A total of 34 supernumerary seats will be available across 17 undergraduate programs at IIT Madras. Each program will have two additional seats, with one designated for female students. Below is the seat distribution across different disciplines:
| Program | Total Seats | Seats for Female Candidates |
| Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) | 2 | 1 |
| Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics | 2 | 1 |
| Electrical Engineering | 2 | 1 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 2 | 1 |
| Civil Engineering | 2 | 1 |
| Chemical Engineering | 2 | 1 |
| Aerospace Engineering | 2 | 1 |
| Engineering Physics | 2 | 1 |
| Mathematics and Computing | 2 | 1 |
| Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering | 2 | 1 |
| Metallurgical and Materials Engineering | 2 | 1 |
| Biological Engineering | 2 | 1 |
| Applied Data Science | 2 | 1 |
| Medical Science and Engineering | 2 | 1 |
| Industrial Engineering | 2 | 1 |
| Petroleum Engineering | 2 | 1 |
| Humanities and Social Sciences | 2 | 1 |
| Total | 34 | 17 |
A Progressive Step for IIT Madras
The ScOpE quota is a groundbreaking initiative that aligns with IIT Madras’ commitment to promoting excellence in STEM education. By offering a separate admission pathway for Olympiad achievers, the institute is fostering a culture of scientific inquiry and innovation among young minds.
The registration process for the ScOpE quota will begin on June 3, opening new doors for aspiring students passionate about science and technology. This initiative is expected to enhance the diversity of talent at IIT Madras and encourage students to excel in academic and research-driven pursuits.
Department: Student Counseling Desk
Narayana Jaipur Center (NIHQ)