How to Get Into an IIT: The Complete Path

The route in one line

Admission to the IITs runs through a single, fixed pathway: clear JEE Main, finish among the top qualifiers to become eligible for JEE Advanced, clear JEE Advanced, and then secure a seat through the JoSAA counselling process. There is no other entrance route into the IITs for B.Tech programmes.

Step 1 — Class 12 with the right subjects

You must have passed (or be appearing in) Class 12 or an equivalent qualifying examination with the required subjects — Physics and Mathematics are compulsory, plus one of Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or a technical vocational subject. IIT admission also has a Class 12 performance norm (historically a minimum aggregate or a top-percentile position of your board), which is set each year, so confirm the current norm in the official information brochure.

Step 2 — Clear JEE Main and qualify for JEE Advanced

JEE Main is conducted by the NTA twice a year. Only a limited number of top JEE Main performers become eligible to register for JEE Advanced — the official figure is the top 2,50,000 candidates (across categories). Your goal in JEE Main, if your target is an IIT, is to finish well within this eligibility band.

• JEE Main → qualify within the top band to unlock JEE Advanced
• JEE Advanced is attempted a maximum of two times in two consecutive years

Step 3 — Clear JEE Advanced

JEE Advanced is conducted by one of the zonal IITs and is the actual entrance exam for the IITs. It tests deeper conceptual understanding than JEE Main, and the pattern is set fresh each year. Your rank here determines which IITs and branches you can be allotted.

Step 4 — JoSAA counselling

A rank alone does not give you a seat — you must register for JoSAA counselling and fill your choices of institute and branch in true order of preference. Seats are allotted over several rounds based on your rank, category, and locked choices. Read our JoSAA guide for the full float/slide/freeze process.