No relaxation in 75% rule for engineering admissions, says IIT Roorkee
Students seeking a one-time exemption from the 75 per cent Class 12 eligibility rule have received a clear response from IIT Roorkee. The institute says the rule will remain unchanged despite concerns over CBSE's evaluation process.
Students hoping for relief from the 75 per cent Class 12 eligibility requirement for admission to IITs and NITs will have to continue under the existing rules.
IIT Roorkee, the organising institute for JEE Advanced 2026, has said there will be no relaxation in the eligibility criterion despite growing demands from students affected by the ongoing CBSE marks controversy.
The demand for a one-time exemption gained momentum on social media after several students claimed they had secured strong ranks in JEE but narrowly missed the required Class 12 percentage.
WHY STUDENTS ARE ASKING FOR RELIEF
The issue is linked to concerns surrounding CBSE's On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, introduced this year for evaluating answer sheets.
Many students have alleged discrepancies in marking and have applied for verification of marks, obtained photocopies of answer books, or sought re-evaluation. Some fear that even small differences in scores could cost them admission to their preferred engineering colleges.
Students and parents have argued that those affected by possible evaluation errors should be given temporary relief, similar to measures adopted during extraordinary situations in the past.
IIT ROORKEE'S STAND IS CLEAR
Responding to the demand, IIT Roorkee said lowering the eligibility requirement is not possible because admissions are conducted across multiple education boards.
“No relaxation in marks as candidates from 36 different boards are participating. We published this criterion almost in December,” the institute said.
It also pointed out that candidates had lost seats in previous years because they failed to meet the eligibility requirement, making any change difficult at this stage.
However, the institute acknowledged students' concerns and said it is in touch with CBSE regarding the issue.
“We are in close touch with CBSE and will try to resolve this for all those affected candidates on priority,” it added.
THE 75% RULE EXPLAINED
Under current rules, candidates seeking admission through JEE Advanced must either secure at least 75 per cent marks in Class 12 or be among the top 20 percentile of successful candidates in their respective boards.
A similar requirement applies to admissions through JEE Main for NITs, IIITs and other centrally funded technical institutions.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
While IIT Roorkee has ruled out any relaxation, many students are still awaiting the outcome of CBSE's verification and re-evaluation process. For those who are just short of the eligibility mark, revised scores could determine whether they remain eligible for admission this year.
(With ANI inputs)