The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are advancing their efforts to promote inclusivity in higher education by offering fee waivers, cut-off relaxations, and preparatory courses for students from SC, ST, PwD, and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). These measures aim to improve accessibility for underrepresented groups, ensuring equitable access to top-tier education.
Fee Waivers and Relaxed Cut-offs
As part of their Joint Entrance Examination (JEE)-based admissions, IITs have introduced fee remissions to alleviate financial burdens on students from SC, ST, and PwD categories. “At the application stage, students from these categories pay only half the examination fee. Further, cut-offs are relaxed to support more admissions,” said V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, which conducted this year’s JEE-Advanced.
This relaxation in cut-offs enables a higher number of admissions, offering a significant boost to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including those from the OBC category.
Preparatory Courses for SC and ST Students
For SC and ST students who do not meet the relaxed cut-off marks, IITs provide a preparatory course designed to enhance academic readiness. Upon successful completion, students can directly join the IITs, ensuring they receive the opportunity to access high-quality education.
New Initiatives for Rural and Economically Disadvantaged Students
To further assist students, particularly those from rural areas, IITs have introduced several initiatives. ‘Citizen Service Centres’ have been set up across the country to help students with the online application and fee payment process. Additionally, a multilingual call centre is available to address queries, and a ‘reconciliation day’ has been established to resolve last-minute technical issues related to fee payments.
Economic Assistance for EWS and Low-Income Families
IITs have also taken steps to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder access to education. Students with a parental income below ₹1 lakh are eligible for a full tuition waiver, regardless of category. For students from SC, ST, and PwD categories, full tuition waivers are also provided. Additionally, students from EWS families with an income between ₹1 lakh and ₹5 lakh can benefit from a two-thirds tuition fee waiver.
These initiatives are part of IITs’ broader mission to create a more inclusive educational environment, ensuring that talented students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed.
