Students aiming for top engineering colleges like IIIT Hyderabad can find good news about their admission process for the 2026 academic year. IIIT Hyderabad offers specific ways to get into its B.Tech programs without needing the common 75% marks in Class 12 board exams. This is a helpful update for many students preparing for JEE Main 2026 who might be worried about their board exam scores.
Normally, to get admission into National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) through JoSAA counselling, students need to pass JEE Main. Along with a good JEE Main rank, they must also score a minimum of 75% in their Class 12 board exams. For students from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), the requirement is 65%.
IIIT Hyderabad's Special Admission Paths
IIIT Hyderabad provides two main routes for admission to its engineering programs. Both routes have different Class 12 marks rules compared to the national 75% rule.
1. UGEE Exam for B.Tech + MS Dual Degree
IIIT Hyderabad conducts its own entrance test called the Undergraduate Engineering Entrance Exam (UGEE). This exam is specifically for admission to its B.Tech + MS dual degree programmes. These are special programs where students earn both an engineering degree (B.Tech) and a Master of Science (MS) degree at the same time, offering deeper study in their chosen field.
For UGEE eligibility, candidates only need to have passed their Class 12 examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as subjects. There is no minimum 75% aggregate rule for UGEE. This is a key difference from the standard JEE Main admission process for other colleges.
Students applying through the UGEE mode are selected based on their performance in the UGEE exam. After the written exam, they also go through interview rounds as part of the selection process.
2. JEE Main Route with 60% PCM Rule
IIIT Hyderabad also accepts students based on their JEE Main scores for its B.Tech programs. However, even for this route, the institute has its own clear set of rules for Class 12 marks.
To get into IIIT Hyderabad using a JEE Main score, candidates must have a valid score in the JEE Main exam. Additionally, they must have scored at least 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) in their Class 12 board examinations.
This means that while a JEE Main score is needed, the Class 12 board marks requirement is 60% in PCM, not the higher 75% rule that applies to many other NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. This difference makes IIIT Hyderabad an attractive option for students whose Class 12 board percentages might be lower than 75% but are still good enough.
Key Differences in Eligibility
To help students understand the requirements clearly, here is a summary of the eligibility for IIIT Hyderabad:
| Admission Mode | Required Exam/Criteria | Class 12 Board Marks Rule |
| UGEE (B.Tech + MS Dual Degree) | IIIT Hyderabad UGEE Exam + Interview | Pass Class 12 with PCM (No 75% minimum needed) |
| JEE Main (B.Tech Programs) | Valid JEE Main Score | At least 60% in PCM in Class 12 (No 75% minimum needed) |
Why This is Important for Students
The national 75% board marks rule can add significant pressure on students, who often focus heavily on preparing for competitive entrance exams. Sometimes, their board exam percentages might not meet this high cut-off, even if they perform well in JEE Main.
IIIT Hyderabad's different admission criteria offer a valuable alternative. It ensures that students with strong entrance test performance or at least 60% in their Class 12 PCM subjects still have a chance to get into a highly-rated engineering college. For those preparing for JEE Main 2026, understanding these specific rules at IIIT Hyderabad can help them plan better and reduce stress about board exam percentages, thereby widening their choices for higher education.
