In a good news for reserved category students, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) across India are introducing fee concessions and relaxed cut-off criteria for students from reserved categories, aiming to ensure inclusive and equitable education, officials said.
In the 2024 Joint Entrance Exam (JEE)-Advanced, students from SC, ST, and PwD (persons with disabilities) categories pay only half the application fee, and cut-off scores are reduced for admissions, according to V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, which conducted this year’s JEE-Advanced.
There are currently 23 IITs nationwide, and several initiatives have been rolled out in line with the Ministry of Education’s commitment to supporting disadvantaged students. For instance, SC and ST students who score below the relaxed cut-off are provided with preparatory courses, enabling them to join the IITs upon completion.
This year, IITs have also introduced “Citizen Service Centres” to assist rural students with the online application process. A multi-lingual call center was set up to address candidates’ queries, and a “reconciliation day” was introduced to resolve fee payment issues caused by technical glitches.
Additionally, IITs have reduced the seat acceptance fee for SC, ST, and PwD students by 50%, ensuring these students remain committed to their applications and preventing vacant seats. Kamakoti noted that vacant reserved category seats can result in the loss of opportunities for other eligible candidates.
Furthermore, IITs waive full tuition fees for students with a parental income below Rs 1 lakh, regardless of category. Students from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) with a parental income between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakh receive a two-thirds tuition fee waiver, further promoting access to top-tier education for all.
