The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is breaking new ground with the introduction of the 'Sports Excellence Admission' (SEA) for the 2024-2025 academic year. In a first for any IIT, this initiative will offer two additional seats in each of its undergraduate programmes specifically for Indian Nationals, with one seat exclusively reserved for female students.
This groundbreaking initiative aims to recognise and reward outstanding student-athletes, encouraging them to pursue higher education while continuing to excel in their sports disciplines. By offering these dedicated seats, IIT Madras is committed to nurturing talent both academically and athletically.
Students seeking admission through SEA must qualify for the JEE (Advanced). However, unlike the typical process managed by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA), the SEA admissions will be handled through a specialised portal launched by IIT Madras on June 11, 2024.
Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, expressed his enthusiasm for the program, stating, "Sports not only teaches youth to maintain good health and disciplined life but also the mental maturity to handle success and failures, and how to transform failures to success with perseverance and hard work. Sports quota will ensure presence of youth with these qualities in our campus who will be role models for other children."
Eligible candidates must be on the Common Rank List (CRL) or a category-specific rank list in the JEE (Advanced) 2024, and must have won at least one medal in a National or International level sports competition within the last four years.
A unique 'Sports Rank List' (SRL) will be compiled based on the candidates' performances in a designated set of sports, and seat allotment will be conducted accordingly.
IIT Madras boasts an array of sports related electives and state-of-the-art sports facilities, including the Center of Excellence in Sports Science and Analytics (CESSA). CESSA offers top-tier sports science and education courses and is developing advanced sports coaching products through strategic collaborations aimed at benefiting students and coaches alike.
This innovative approach by IIT Madras not only underscores the institute’s dedication to academic excellence but also highlights its commitment to fostering a holistic educational environment where sports and academics go hand in hand.
