Did you know? Now you can get admission in IIT Kanpur without clearing JEE Advanced. Yes, it’s true! IIT Kanpur has started a special admission option for students who have done really well in Olympiads.
Earlier, the only way to get into an IIT was through JEE Mains and JEE Advanced. But now IIT Kanpur wants to give a chance to students who are Olympiad toppers. These students work very hard for subjects like Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Informatics (Computer Science). Many times they don’t get time to prepare for JEE because of Olympiad preparation. So IIT Kanpur is saying – “Don’t worry, we have a special seat for you.”
Why is IIT Kanpur doing this?
IIT Kanpur wants to bring students with deep knowledge and talent to the campus. Olympiad winners are very smart and have strong problem-solving skills. Just because they did not prepare for JEE, they should not miss the IIT dream.
This is also good for India. Olympiads make India proud in the world. IIT Kanpur wants to encourage more students to take part in Olympiads by giving this golden opportunity.
Who can apply for this special admission?
Not everyone can apply. There are some rules:
You must have qualified and attended international Olympiads like:
- International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
- International Physics Olympiad (IPhO)
- International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO)
- International Biology Olympiad (IBO)
- International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI)
You should have completed Class 12 (or equivalent) in the same year or last year.
You must have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Maths in Class 12.
You should not have taken admission in any IIT before.
Which courses are available in this route?
This Olympiad admission option is available in five IIT Kanpur departments:
- Computer Science & Engineering (CSE)
- Mathematics & Statistics
- Biological Sciences & Bioengineering
- Chemistry
- Economic Sciences
Comparison Table: JEE Advanced vs Olympiad Route
| Feature | JEE Advanced Route | Olympiad Route |
| Exam Required | JEE Mains + JEE Advanced | No JEE Advanced |
| Eligibility | Top JEE Advanced Rank | International Olympiad Achiever |
| Courses Offered | All B.Tech & BS Programs | Limited (CSE, Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Economics) |
| Selection Process | Based on JEE rank | Written Test + (Interview) |
| Seats | Large | Very Few |
| Main Focus | JEE Score | Olympiad Performance |
How will IIT Kanpur select students?
Even if you are an Olympiad topper, IIT Kanpur will still check your knowledge. The process is:
- Shortlisting – If you are eligible, your application will be checked by IIT Kanpur.
- Written Test – If selected, you will go to the IIT Kanpur campus for a written exam.
- Interview (maybe) – Some students may also have to give a short interview.
So yes, there is still a selection process, but no JEE Advanced is needed for this route.
Why is this important for students?
This is a big change because:
- You don’t need JEE Advanced if you are an Olympiad star.
- It gives a fair chance to students who focus on Olympiads but cannot prepare for JEE due to time.
- IIT Kanpur will get a mix of students – some from JEE, some from Olympiads – which makes the classroom more exciting and full of ideas.
Other IITs are also doing similar things now. For example:
- IIT Madras has SCOPE (Science Olympiad Excellence) and sports admission.
- IIT Gandhinagar has Olympiad-based admission.
- IIT Bombay gives admission to BS Maths students through Olympiad performance.
How to prepare if you want this route?
Here are a few suggestions if you’re interested:
- Take Olympiad exams seriously. Try to reach international level.
- Make sure you attend the training camp for your subject.
- Check the IIT Kanpur website for official details and dates.
- On the IIT Kanpur campus, get ready for the written exam.
- Maintaining high Class 12 grades is still important.
Final Words
This is great news for students who love Maths, Science, and Programming. You can now enroll in IIT Kanpur without having to worry about JEE Advanced if you have a strong interest in Olympiads.
So if you dream of studying at IIT Kanpur, start preparing for Olympiads today. It’s not easy, but if you succeed, you can join one of the best IITs in India in a completely new way!


