IIT Admission 2026

IIT Admission 2026 CBSE Marks Controversy: 75% Rule NOT Relaxed — But Students Below 75% Can Still Join JoSAA Counselling

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IIT Admission 2026 CBSE Marks Controversy: 75% Rule NOT Relaxed

Breaking Update: IIT Roorkee has issued a special clarification for CBSE students below 75%
Decision: NO relaxation in 75% criteria rule stays unchanged for 2026
Relief for CBSE Students: Can participate in JoSAA counselling AND get seat allotment even below 75%
Deadline to Submit Revised Marks: July 15, 2026 via orgjee@iitr.ac.in
Official Source: IIT Roorkee JEE Advanced 2026 Organising Institute
Relevant For: All CBSE Class 12 students appearing in JoSAA 2026 counselling

In a development that has brought significant relief to thousands of CBSE students IIT Roorkee has issued an important clarification for candidates currently below the 75% Class 12 marks threshold required for IIT admission through JoSAA 2026. While IIT Roorkee has firmly confirmed that there will be NO relaxation in the 75% eligibility criterion for IIT admissions in 2026 it has simultaneously announced that CBSE students currently below 75% can still participate in JoSAA 2026 choice filling and receive seat allotment provided they submit a revised marksheet showing the required percentage by July 15, 2026.

This clarification comes amid the ongoing CBSE On-Screen Marking (OSM) controversy where thousands of students across India have reported discrepancies in their CBSE Class 12 marks with many claiming their scores appear lower than expected due to alleged errors in the digital marking system. Students and parents had been demanding a one time blanket relaxation of the 75% rule which IIT Roorkee has declined. However the July 15 deadline for revised marksheet submission effectively gives CBSE students time to apply for re-evaluation and potentially restore their marks.

Read More: JoSAA 2026 Counselling Schedule OUT: Check Round 1 Seat Allotment June 13 at josaa.nic.in

What IIT Roorkee Said Official Statement

IIT Roorkee in a social media post on X (formerly Twitter) stated that candidates whose Class 12 marks are currently less than 75% (for General/OBC-NCL/GEN-EWS) or less than 65% (for SC/ST/PwD) are eligible to fill their choices at present and seats will be allocated to them based on their JEE Advanced rank. However such candidates must send a revised scorecard with at least 75% or 65% as per their category by July 15, 2026 through the email orgjee@iitr.ac.in.

Responding to demands for relaxation IIT Roorkee clarified that such a move is not feasible as candidates from multiple education boards across the country participate in the admission process.

In plain language here is what this means:

  • You CAN register for JoSAA 2026,fill choices and receive a seat allotment even if your CBSE marks are currently below 75%
  • BUT your admission will NOT be confirmed until you submit a revised marksheet showing 75%+ (or 65%+ for SC/ST/PwD) by July 15, 2026
  • If you cannot produce the revised marksheet by the deadline your allotted seat will be cancelled

The 75% Rule Complete Explanation

What Is the 75% Criteria?

The 75% criteria is a mandatory eligibility requirement for admission to IITs, NITs, IIITs and GFTIs through JoSAA counselling. It requires:

Candidates must have secured at least 75% aggregate marks in their Class 12 board examination (65% for SC/ST/PwD categories) or be in the top 20 percentile of their respective board to be eligible for admission to IITs, NITs, IIITs and GFTIs through JoSAA counselling.

CategoryMinimum Marks RequiredAlternative
General (UR)75% aggregate in Class 12OR top 20 percentile of board
OBC-NCL75% aggregate in Class 12OR top 20 percentile of board
EWS75% aggregate in Class 12OR top 20 percentile of board
SC65% aggregate in Class 12OR top 20 percentile of board
ST65% aggregate in Class 12OR top 20 percentile of board
PwD65% aggregate in Class 12OR top 20 percentile of board

Read More: JEE Advanced Result 2026 Declared: Shubham Kumar AIR 1 (330/360), Download Scorecard at jeeadv.ac.in, JoSAA June 2

How is the 75% Calculated for IITs JEE Advanced?

For IIT admissions the aggregate marks are calculated using five subjects

  1. Physics
  2. Chemistry
  3. Mathematics
  4. One language typically English or Hindi
  5. One additional subject best performing subject

Only the marks in these five specific subjects count toward the 75% calculation not the overall percentage shown on your marksheet if it includes more subjects. This is important a student with 72% overall may still qualify if their five-subject aggregate crosses 75%.

How is the 75% Calculated for NITs/IIITs/GFTIs JEE Main?

For JEE Main (NITs, IIITs and GFTIs) the method of calculating aggregate marks may vary based on the respective board evaluation system and JoSAA guidelines. Generally the percentage is calculated using the five principal subjects as specified by the board which may differ from the IIT formula.

CBSE OSM Controversy What Happened?

The CBSE On-Screen Marking (OSM) system is a digital marking method where examiners evaluate answer sheets on computer screens rather than physical papers. In 2026 thousands of students across India reported that their CBSE Class 12 marks appeared unusually low with many high-performing students scoring below their expectations and critically below the 75% threshold required for IIT admission.

Key complaints raised by students and parents

  • Marks in individual subjects appeared significantly lower than expected
  • Some students who performed well in mock tests received unexpectedly low scores
  • Questions raised about consistency and accuracy of the OSM system
  • Multiple petitions filed demanding re-evaluation or relaxation of the 75% rule

CBSE’s response has been to allow affected students to apply for re-evaluation and re-checking through its standard verification process.

Read Noe: JEE Advanced 2026 DECLARED Response Sheet & Answer Key Out: Download at jeeadv.ac.in, Result June 1

What CBSE Students Below 75% Should Do RIGHT NOW

Step 1 — Register for JoSAA 2026 Immediately

JoSAA has confirmed that students currently below 75% can fill choices and receive seat allotment. Do NOT wait register at josaa.nic.in immediately. JoSAA 2026 registration is open from June 2, 2026.

Step 2 Apply for CBSE Verification / Re-Evaluation

If you believe your CBSE Class 12 marks are incorrect due to the OSM controversy:

CBSE Verification Process:

  1. Visit cbse.gov.in
  2. Apply for “Verification of Marks” within the deadline typically within 21 days of result
  3. Pay the fee per subject ₹500 per subject for verification
  4. CBSE will re-check totalling ensure all answers are marked and verify marks

CBSE Re-Evaluation (Re-checking) Process

  1. If verification does not resolve the issue apply for re-evaluation of answer sheets
  2. Higher fee per subject for re-evaluation
  3. Marks can increase or decrease after re-evaluation
  4. Apply only for subjects where you are confident of scoring higher

Step 3 Submit Revised Marksheet by July 15, 2026

Once you receive your revised CBSE marksheet showing 75% or above (or 65% for SC/ST/PwD),send it to IIT Roorkee at orgjee@iitr.ac.in by July 15, 2026.

Email format:

  • Subject: “Revised Class 12 Marksheet JEE Advanced 2026 Roll No: [Your Roll Number]”
  • Attach: Scanned copy of revised CBSE marksheet clear, high-resolution PDF
  • Include: Your name JEE Advanced roll number and a brief note explaining the CBSE OSM revision

Step 4 — Keep Your JoSAA Seat Active

During this period, continue participating in JoSAA rounds normally:

  • Accept your seat allotment
  • Pay the seat acceptance fee
  • Choose Float option to keep upgrade chances alive
  • Do NOT surrender your seat before July 15 deadline

Top 20 Percentile The Alternative to 75%

If you do not meet the 75% marks criterion and cannot get a revised marksheet in time the top 20 percentile alternative may save your IIT/NIT admission

Candidates who are in the top 20 percentile of their respective board examinations are also eligible for admission to NITs, IIITs and GFTIs based on their JEE results.

How to check if you qualify under top 20 percentile:

  • CBSE publishes the top 20 percentile cutoff marks every year after results
  • The cutoff is different for Science, Commerce and Humanities streams
  • If your marks are at or above the published CBSE top 20 percentile cutoff for your stream you qualify even if below 75%
  • Top 20 percentile cutoff is typically around 78–82% for CBSE Science stream but this varies year to year

Important distinction: The top 20 percentile alternative is available for NIT/IIIT/GFTI admissions. For IIT admissions via JEE Advanced check the latest official JoSAA notice eligibility rules for IITs may differ slightly from NITs.

Also Read: AP EAMCET Result 2026 Declared Live: Download Rank Card at cets.apsche.ap.gov.in, Cutoff & Counselling Dates

Year-Wise History of 75% Criteria Has It Ever Been Relaxed?

Year75% Rule StatusReason
2026In force — NO relaxationCBSE OSM controversy relief via July 15 deadline
2025In force — no relaxationNormal year
2024In force — no relaxationNormal year
2023In force — no relaxationNormal year
2022In force — no relaxationNormal year
2021RelaxedCOVID-19 pandemic board exams cancelled/disrupted
2020RelaxedCOVID-19 pandemic board exams cancelled

The 75% rule has only been relaxed twice in recent history both times due to COVID-19 disruptions. The 2026 CBSE OSM controversy while serious has not triggered a formal relaxation. Instead IIT Roorkee has offered the revised marksheet submission pathway as a middle ground.

What If You Cannot Meet 75% Even After Re-Evaluation?

If your revised CBSE marks still fall below 75% after re-evaluation and you do not qualify under the top 20 percentile criterion

Option 1 — CBSE Improvement Examination If you appear for the CBSE improvement exam and score 75% or more in Class 12 you will be eligible for JoSAA counselling for IITs in the following year provided you also qualify JEE Advanced. However,this applies to the next admission cycle not 2026.

Option 2 — Private University Admissions BITSAT (BITS Pilani) VITEEE (VIT University) Manipal MET, SRMJEEE and other premier private universities do NOT require the 75% board marks criterion for their admissions. Excellent engineering education is available without the 75% rule.

Option 3 — State-Level Counselling Many state engineering counselling processes (MHT CET, KCET, AP EAMCET etc.) do not strictly enforce the 75% rule for state colleges. Check your specific state counselling eligibility.

Option 4 — Wait and Attempt Again If this is your first JEE Advanced attempt you can reappear in JEE Advanced 2027 with your improved Class 12 marks either through CBSE improvement exam or natural board improvement.

Also Read: AP EAMCET Answer Key 2026 Released: Download PDF at cets.apsche.ap.gov.in, Result June 1

FAQs — IIT Admission CBSE Marks 75% Rule 2026

Q1. Is the 75% criteria relaxed for IIT admission in 2026? No. IIT Roorkee has confirmed there is no relaxation in the 75% eligibility criterion for IIT admissions in 2026. The rule is fully in force.

Q2. Can I participate in JoSAA 2026 if my CBSE marks are below 75%? Yes. IIT Roorkee has clarified that students currently below 75% can still fill choices and receive seat allotment in JoSAA 2026. However they must submit a revised marksheet showing 75% or above by July 15, 2026 at orgjee@iitr.ac.in.

Q3. What is the deadline to submit a revised CBSE marksheet for IIT admission 2026? The deadline to email your revised marksheet to IIT Roorkee is July 15, 2026. Email: orgjee@iitr.ac.in.

Q4. What happens if I cannot submit the revised marksheet by July 15? If you cannot produce a revised marksheet showing 75%+ (or 65%+ for SC/ST/PwD) by July 15, 2026, your allotted IIT seat will be cancelled. You may still be eligible for NIT/IIIT/GFTI admission if you qualify under the top 20 percentile criterion.

Q5. What is the CBSE OSM controversy about? CBSE’s On-Screen Marking (OSM) system has been controversial in 2026 with thousands of students reporting unexpectedly low marks. Students and parents allege that the digital marking system produced inaccurate scores particularly in theory subjects. CBSE is allowing re-evaluation and IIT Roorkee has provided the July 15 pathway for affected students.

Q6. How is 75% calculated for IIT admission? For IIT admission, 75% is calculated as the aggregate of five subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, one language and one additional best-performing subject. This may differ from the overall percentage on your marksheet.

Q7. What is the top 20 percentile alternative to 75%? Candidates in the top 20 percentile of their board examination are eligible for admission even if their marks are below 75%. CBSE publishes the top 20 percentile cutoff marks every year check cbse.gov.in after result declaration.

Q8. Was the 75% rule ever relaxed before 2026? Yes the 75% rule was relaxed in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic disruptions to board examinations. It has not been relaxed in any year since.

Q9. Can I use CBSE improvement exam marks for IIT admission? Yes. If you appear for the CBSE improvement exam and score 75% or more you will be eligible for JoSAA counselling in the following year. Improvement exam marks are valid for JEE Advanced eligibility.

Q10. I scored 74.8% in CBSE do I qualify? No, you need to meet the 75% threshold. However you may qualify under the top 20 percentile alternative. Check the CBSE top 20 percentile cutoff for your stream at cbse.gov.in. If your marks are at or above the published cutoff you are eligible regardless of your percentage.

Also Read: COMEDK UGET Result 2026 Declared (May 29): Download Rank Card at comedk.org, Marks vs Rank & Counselling

Key Takeaways What Every JEE Candidate Must Know

SituationWhat to Do
Above 75% CBSE marksYou are eligible register for JoSAA immediately
Below 75% — planning re-evaluationRegister for JoSAA NOW; apply for CBSE re-evaluation submit revised marksheet by July 15
Below 75% — in top 20 percentileCheck CBSE cutoff you may be eligible without 75%
Below 75% — not in top 20 percentilePrivate universities (BITS, VIT) state counselling or attempt again next year
Concerned about OSM errorApply for CBSE verification (₹500/subject) escalate to re-evaluation if needed

Author Profile

Abdul
Abdul is a Passionate Content Writer at ZeroToScaled, Covering the Latest Updates on Education, Board Results, Recruitment News, He Focuses on Creating Simple, Accurate and User Friendly Content that Helps Readers Stay Updated with Important Announcements.