Students hoping for leniency regarding the 75 per cent Class 12 eligibility requirement for admission to Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs) will have to adhere to the existing regulations. IIT Roorkee, which is the organising institute for JEE Advanced 2026, has confirmed that there will not be any adjustments to these eligibility criteria, despite increasing calls for changes from students amid the ongoing controversy surrounding CBSE marks.

As the discussion escalates on social media platforms, many students have reported securing strong ranks in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) but falling short of the mandated Class 12 percentage. This situation has intensified the demand for a one-time exemption from the eligibility rule.

In light of these developments, those affected have expressed significant concerns about their admission prospects, particularly as they navigate discrepancies linked to the evaluation processes employed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) this year.

Concerns Over CBSE’s Marking System

The controversy stems from apprehensions regarding CBSE’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, which was introduced for this academic year. Students have raised alarms about potential discrepancies in their marks and have taken steps such as applying for verification of their results, requesting photocopies of their examination scripts, and seeking re-evaluations. Some individuals fear that minor variations in their scores could ultimately jeopardise their chances of gaining admission to their chosen engineering institutions.

Students and their families have argued that those who may be affected by possible evaluation inconsistencies should receive temporary relief, akin to measures previously implemented during extraordinary circumstances in education.

IIT Roorkee has observed these issues but maintains that it cannot adjust the eligibility criteria, which it states were established clear months in advance. The institute has indicated that candidates from 36 different education boards are competing, which complicates any potential modifications to the requirements.

IIT Roorkee’s Firm Position

Responding to the widespread appeal for leniency, IIT Roorkee reiterated that it is not feasible to lower the eligibility standards. The institute explained that the criteria were publicized in December, thus not allowing any last-minute changes. Moreover, it referenced situations in previous years where candidates lost admission opportunities by not attaining the requisite scores, making it challenging to implement alterations at this juncture.

While IIT Roorkee remains resolute regarding the 75 per cent rule, it has acknowledged the concerns raised by students and mentioned that it is actively liaising with the CBSE to address the issues affecting these candidates. The institution has committed to prioritising solutions for the individuals impacted by this situation.

Under the existing regulations, applicants seeking admission through JEE Advanced need to achieve a minimum of 75 per cent marks in Class 12 or fall within the top 20 percentile of successful candidates in their respective boards. This rule also extends to admissions through JEE Main for NITs, IIITs, and various other centrally funded technical institutions.

Although IIT Roorkee has definitively ruled out any flexibility with the eligibility criteria, many students remain in anticipation of the outcomes from the CBSE’s verification and re-evaluation processes. For those individuals who narrowly miss the eligibility threshold, adjustments in their revised scores could ultimately determine their admission status for this academic year.

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