IIT Kanpur Admission 2026: Eligibility, Application Process & Dates

IIT Kanpur admission 2026 will be offered for BTech, BS, MTech, M.Sc, M.Des, PhD, and various dual degree programs. B.Tech is the flagship program of the institute for which admission is based on JEE Advanced scores, followed by JoSAA counselling. The IIT Kanpur JEE Advanced cutoff 2026 for B.Tech in CSE is expected to close at 250–290. For IIT Kanpur MTech admission 2026, the final seat allocation is determined by a candidate's valid GATE score and their performance within the subsequent COAP (Common Offer Acceptance Portal) counselling rounds. Similarly, admission criteria for MSc, MBA, and PhD programs rely on qualifying scores in respective entrance exams—IIT JAM (MSc), CAT (MBA), and GATE/NET-JRF (PhD)—followed by specific centralized counselling (JOAPS for MSc) or Institute-level selection process for MBA, which includes group discussion and interview.

IIT Kanpur Admission Highlights 2026

Given below are the key highlights related to Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur course admissions:

IIT Kanpur Admission Dates 2026

All the important events and their dates related to the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur admission 2026 are shown in the table below.

IIT Kanpur Eligibility Criteria 2026 

Fulfilling the minimum academic requirements is the mandatory first step in the IIT Kanpur admission process. IIT Kanpur eligibility for BTech requires candidates to complete 10+2 with PCM with at least 75% marks. For MTech admission, the minimum eligibility is to hold a 4-year BE/BTech degree with at least 55% marks. The criteria are strictly course-wise, differentiated by the nature of the degree and the academic stream.

• Minimum Qualifying Marks: Candidates applying for Ph.D. with a B.Tech. or 4-year B.S. degree must have a minimum of 75% marks or 7.5 CPI.

• Compulsory Subjects: For all B.Tech. and B.S. programs, candidates must have passed the 10+2 level examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as compulsory subjects.

• Entrance Exemption Rules (PG/Ph.D.): The requirement for a valid GATE score is typically waived for candidates holding a B.Tech. or 4-year B.S. degree from a Centrally Funded Technical Institute (CFTI) with a minimum CPI of 7.5.

• Appearing Candidates Rule: Students in the final year of their qualifying degree (likely to finish the programme by the admission session start) may apply for provisional IIT Kanpur MTech admission 2026 and IIT Kanpur PhD admission 2026.

• Category Relaxations: All reservation policies (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwD) are strictly implemented as per Government of India norms, usually involving a relaxation in the qualifying cutoff marks/CPI.

IIT Kanpur Admission Process 2026

IIT Kanpur admission process requires registering and appearing for the relevant national entrance exam like JEE Main and JEE Advanced for B.Tech/BS programs, GATE for M.Tech, IIT JAM for M.Sc, etc. After qualifying the required exam, candidates participate in centralized counselling processes such as JoSAA, COAP, JOAPS, or institute-level evaluations. Final admission is granted only after document verification, seat allocation, and fee payment.

Entrance-Based Admission Process (B.Tech./B.S.)

This process applies to candidates seeking admission to B.Tech. and B.S. programs through the primary channel.

1. JEE Main Registration: Candidate registers for the JEE Main examination in December/January.

2. JEE Main Examination: Candidate appears for JEE Main (Session 1 and/or 2).

3. JEE Advanced Qualification: Candidate must qualify for the JEE Advanced based on the JEE Main performance (usually top 2,50,000 candidates).

4. JEE Advanced Examination: Candidate appears for the JEE Advanced examination (typically in May).

5. Result and Rank: JEE Advanced result is declared, and the All India Rank (AIR) is assigned.

6. JoSAA/CSAB Counselling Registration: Candidate registers and fills choices via the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) portal.

7. Seat Allotment: Based on the candidate’s AIR, category, and choices, a seat is provisionally allotted in one of the rounds.

8. Acceptance and Reporting: Candidate accepts the seat, pays the acceptance fee, and uploads documents on the JoSAA portal.

9. Physical Reporting to IIT Kanpur: The final stage involves physical reporting to the Institute for document verification and fee payment confirmation. Detailed instructions for new students, including reporting locations and travel tips, are often released closer to the date.

Entrance-Based Admission Process (M.Tech./M.Sc.)

This pathway governs admission for most Master's programs, forming a key part of the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur course admissions.

1. Entrance Exam Registration: Candidate registers for the relevant exam (GATE for M.Tech., IIT JAM for M.Sc.).

2. IIT Kanpur Application: Candidate must separately apply online through the IIT Kanpur admission portal for the specific department or program (M.Tech., M.Sc., MBA, etc.).

3. Shortlisting: Departments shortlist candidates based on their GATE/JAM score and academic record, often using minimum cutoff scores/CPI.

4. COAP/JOAPS Counselling:

   • M.Tech.: Candidates participate in the Common Offer Acceptance Portal (COAP) for accepting, retaining, or rejecting the offer.

   • M.Sc.: Candidates participate in the Joint Admission Counselling for M.Sc. (JOAPS).

5. Written Test/Interview: Shortlisted candidates are called for a departmental written test and/or interview, especially for programs where the GATE score is waived (like CFTI graduates) or for MBA/M.Des..

6. Final Merit List: A final merit list is prepared based on the entrance score, interview performance, and academic profile.

7. Document Verification & Fee Payment: Final selected candidates confirm admission by paying the fees and submitting original documents.

IIT Kanpur Admission through Olympiad

Candidates who have won medals (Gold/Silver/Bronze) in the International Olympiads (like IPhO, IChO, IMO, IBO, IOAA) are considered for direct admission to a range of B.Tech. and B.S. programs at IIT Kanpur. For IIT Kanpur admission through olympiad, candidates apply directly through the dedicated IIT Kanpur Olympiad Admission Portal, separate from the JEE process.

Key Eligibility and Selection Criteria 

1. Academic Qualification: A candidate must have successfully passed their Class XII (or equivalent) examination in either 2026 or 2025.

2. Compulsory Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics must have been compulsory subjects in the Class XII examination.

3. Olympiad Criterion: Candidates must meet the specific Olympiad qualification criteria outlined by the respective department.

   • For Mathematics, selection to the International Mathematical Olympiad Training Camp (IMOTC) in the current (2025) or previous (2024) year is required.

   • For Physics, Chemistry, or Biology, qualification in the Indian National Olympiads (INPhO/INChO/INBO) in the current (2025) or previous (2024) year is required.

4. Selection Method (CBT): The selection for all programs through this channel is based on the performance of eligible candidates in a Computer Based Test (CBT) conducted physically at IIT Kanpur. The CBT is 3 hours long and consists of 45 questions (15 each in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics), with a syllabus matching JEE (Advanced) 2026.

5. Age Limit: Candidates should have been born on or after October 1, 2000. SC, ST, and PwD candidates receive a five-year age relaxation.

6. Restriction: Candidates admitted to any IIT through JoSAA in the previous year (2025), regardless of whether they continued, are NOT eligible for admission through the Olympiad channel.

IIT Kanpur Application Fees 2026 

The application fee is non-refundable and varies by category and program level (UG/PG).

Documents Required for IIT Kanpur Admission 2026

Candidates must present all original documents for physical verification during the final stage of the IIT Kanpur admission process.

For B.Tech./B.S. Admissions

• JEE Advanced Admit Card

• JEE Advanced Rank Card

• JoSAA Provisional Seat Allotment Letter

• Class X Mark Sheet & Passing Certificate (for Date of Birth proof)

• Class XII Mark Sheet & Passing Certificate (mandatory)

• Category Certificate (OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, PwD) in GoI format.

• Medical Certificate (as per JoSAA format)

• Passport (for Foreign Nationals)

For M.Tech./M.Sc. Admissions

• GATE/IIT JAM Score Card (mandatory)

• COAP/JOAPS Acceptance Letter

• Bachelor’s Degree/Master’s Degree Mark Sheets and Certificates

• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the current employer (for Sponsored/Part-Time candidates)

• Sponsorship Certificate (if applicable)

For Ph.D. Admissions

• Master’s Degree Certificate and Transcript

• GATE/NET/JRF/JEST/CAT Score Card

• Statement of Purpose (SoP) and Research Proposal (as required by the department)

• Experience Certificate/NOC (for External/Part-Time candidates)

IIT Kanpur Scholarships

IIT Kanpur is committed to supporting its students through various financial assistance schemes.

• Institute Assistantship: All regular (non-sponsored) M.Tech. and Ph.D. candidates admitted to the program are provided a monthly stipend (Assistantship) as per Ministry of Education norms.

• Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship: This is available to B.Tech. and B.S. students based on their financial need and academic performance (CPI).

• Reservation-Based Waivers: Students belonging to SC/ST categories are generally eligible for full tuition fee waivers.

• Government/State Schemes: Students can avail scholarships provided by various state governments and the central government (e.g., INSPIRE Scholarship for B.S. programs).

• College Concessions: The Institute offers specific support, including travel allowances for shortlisted M.Tech. and Ph.D. candidates invited for interviews, as per official guidelines.

IIT Kanpur BTech/BS Admission 2026

The B.Tech. degree at IIT Kanpur is offered in branches like Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering, while B.S. is offered in disciplines like Economics, Physics, and Mathematics. The admission is highly competitive, relying solely on the JEE Advanced rank.

• Eligibility: 10+2 with PCM (minimum 75% aggregate or in the top 20 percentile of the respective board).

• Admission Mode: JEE Advanced Rank.

• Selection Criteria: JoSAA Counselling, based purely on the All India Rank in JEE Advanced.

• Cutoff Trends: Ranks typically close much earlier than other IITs due to high preference. For a general category applicant, securing a rank within 6,500 is essential for most B.Tech. branches. Check category-wise previous year closing ranks at IIT Kanpur JEE Advanced Cutoff 2026.

• Seat Intake: Around 900–1000 total seats across B.Tech., B.S., and Dual Degree programs.

IIT Kanpur M.Tech. Admission 2026

The IIT Kanpur MTech admission 2026 is based on a valid GATE score, followed by COAP (Common Offer Acceptance Portal) counselling. More than 14 MTech specialisations are available at IIT Kanpur, including Aerospace, Materials Science, and Sustainable Energy Engineering.

• Eligibility: B.Tech. or 4-year B.S. in the relevant discipline with a minimum of 55% marks / 5.5 CPI (on a 10-point scale).

• Admission Mode: Valid GATE Score followed by COAP Counselling and/or departmental Interview/Written Test.

• Selection Criteria: The merit list is prepared based on the GATE score, academic record, and performance in the departmental written test/interview (if conducted).

• Cutoff Trends: The minimum cutoff for shortlisting typically ranges from a GATE score of 450 (for some specialized branches) up to 750+ (for CSE and EE).

• Seat Intake: Varies by department; total seats are approximately 1000–1200, including regular, sponsored, and part-time categories.

Note: The GATE score requirement is waived for B.Tech./B.S. (4-year) graduates from IITs/CFTIs with a minimum overall CPI of 6.5 and at least 8.0 CPI in the last two years of their B.Tech. course.

IIT Kanpur M.Sc. Admission 2026

Admission to the two-year, full-time Master of Science (M.Sc.) programs at IIT Kanpur is primarily based on the IIT Joint Admission Test for M.Sc. (IIT JAM) score, followed by JOAPS counselling.

• Programs Offered: M.Sc. in Chemistry, M.Sc. in Mathematics, M.Sc. in Physics, M.Sc. in Statistics, and M.Sc. + Ph.D. Dual Degree in Physics.
• Eligibility: Bachelor's degree in a relevant Science discipline with a minimum of 55% marks / 5.5 CPI (on a 10-point scale). The minimum marks/CPI may be higher for specific departments.
• Admission Mode: Valid IIT JAM Score followed by CCMN/JOAPS Counselling 
• Selection Criteria: Selection is solely based on the merit rank secured in the IIT JAM examination. No further written tests or interviews are generally conducted for regular M.Sc. admissions.
• Cutoff Trends: The closing ranks for the general category typically range from an IIT JAM rank of 50 (for high-demand courses like M.Sc. Statistics) up to around 405 (for M.Sc. Physics).
• Seat Intake: Around 198 seats across all M.Sc. programs (e.g., Chemistry: 49, Mathematics: 49, Statistics: 62, Physics: 38, M.Sc. + Ph.D. Physics: 20).

IIT Kanpur Ph.D. Admission 2026

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program is offered across all departments in two cycles per year (Semester I: July intake; Semester II: January intake). The IIT Kanpur PhD admission 2026 focuses on strong research aptitude, requiring either a Master's degree or a highly competitive B.Tech./4-year B.S. degree with a high CPI. 

• Eligibility: Master’s degree or B.Tech./4-yr B.S. with a minimum of 7.5 CPI.

• Admission Mode: GATE/NET-JRF/JEST/CAT/GMAT/CEED followed by a compulsory Departmental Written Test and Interview.

• Selection Criteria: Comprehensive evaluation based on the qualifying score, academic performance, prior research experience, and performance in the interview. Candidates shortlisted for the interview are typically provided travel and logistical instructions, which may include details on temporary accommodation in halls like Hall-10 or Type 5 houses.

• Seat Intake: Determined by the availability of faculty advisors and research infrastructure.

• Fees: Tuition fees are waived for candidates with Institute Assistantships.

IIT Kanpur Entrance Exams 2026

The entrance exams accepted by IIT Kanpur include JEE Advanced, GATE, CAT, IIT JAM, CEED, UGC NET, CSIR NET, etc. Only candidates with valid entrance exam scores are shortlisted for the further rounds of IITK admission. The list of course-wise IIT Kanpur entrance exams is given below for the reference of candidates.

IIT Kanpur Admission Helpline 2026

Candidates can learn more about the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur admission process and get their queries answered by contacting the institute directly. Following are the contact details of IIT Kanpur.