IIT Roorkee Relaxes Eligibility Criteria for JEE 2026 Counselling
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has announced a significant reprieve for JEE aspirants who fell short of the minimum Class 12 marks requirement. In a recent update, the institute confirmed that students who did not achieve the standard eligibility threshold are still permitted to take part in the ongoing counselling process and can secure a seat based on their JEE rank.
This decision comes as welcome news for many candidates who were previously concerned that their board exam performance would disqualify them from admission, even if they had performed well in the Joint Entrance Examination.
Who Benefits From This Relaxation?
Under the revised guidelines, candidates from General, OBC-NCL, and EWS categories who scored less than 75% in their Class 12 (or equivalent) examinations are now eligible to participate in counselling. Similarly, students belonging to SC, ST, and PwD categories, who have scored below 65%, can also register their preferences and proceed with the seat allocation process.
The move ensures that no qualified candidate is excluded at the initial stage simply because of their board examination percentage. The institute has made it clear that seat allotment will be determined primarily on the basis of JEE rank, allowing students to compete on a level playing field during the counselling rounds.
Temporary Arrangement With a Strict Deadline
It is important to note that this relaxation is not a permanent waiver. The facility is being offered on a provisional basis, and candidates must meet the eligibility criteria by a specified date to retain their allocated seats. Those who have secured less than the required marks must submit their improvement exam results or revised scorecards by 15 July 2026.
If a candidate fails to provide the necessary documentation proving that they have achieved the minimum percentage for their respective category, their provisional seat allocation may be cancelled. The institute has emphasized that final admission will only be confirmed after the updated mark sheets are verified.
Document Submission and Final Admission Process
According to the guidelines issued by IIT Roorkee, students will be required to present their updated mark sheets after the fourth round of counselling. The admission will be considered final only when the candidate submits the revised academic records that meet the eligibility standards. This step is mandatory for all students who were allowed to participate in counselling despite initially falling short of the marks requirement.
Context and Background
The announcement comes at a time when concerns have been raised about the online answer sheet evaluation system used by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Several students have reported discrepancies and errors in their scanned answer sheets, including issues related to page matching and evaluation accuracy. These concerns have added to the anxiety of candidates who are already navigating the competitive admission process.
By allowing students to proceed with counselling before final verification of board marks, IIT Roorkee has provided a practical solution that addresses the challenges faced by candidates during this transitional period. The decision reflects a broader effort to make the admission process more flexible and student-friendly, while still maintaining academic standards through the mandatory document verification step.
Prospective students are advised to stay updated with official announcements from the institute and ensure that they complete all required formalities before the stipulated deadline to avoid any last-minute complications.
