Chennai: In an experiment to encourage holistic development of students, IIT Madras had earlier announced the introduction of admissions for sportspersons in its UG programme, from the 2024-25 academic year. "A separate sports rank list will be prepared based on the student's achievements under the Sports Excellence Admission
programme," said director V Kamakoti.

Students who have cleared JEE and have won gold, silver or bronze medals in 13 disciplines including chess, football, cricket, aquatics, athletics, hockey and squash at nine recognised sports events such as National Games and Senior Nationals will be considered for the programme. The score will be higher for international medals.
The institution has also introduced eight sports electives such as 'mechanics of sports'. "Sports students need to opt for only 60% of fixed electives and are free to choose the 40%, which can be from the sports electives," said Kamakoti.

If the annual income of the family of the candidate is proven to be less than a‚¹5 lakh, fee concessions will be considered for the candidate, he added. The institution has also announced the setting up of a Centre of Excellence in Sports Science and Analytics, which will offer state-of-the-art training to athletes. "Even a world-class athlete like Neeraj Chopra has had to take training abroad. But institutions like IITs could offer technology-based training and help launch world class athletes who excel in academics as well," said Mahesh Panchagnula, Dean of Alumni and Corporate Relations.

"We need to create customised tools for Indian sports persons to train and excel, with Indian diets," said Kamakoti.

A sports complex is already constructed on campus and will be inaugurated by March or April 2024, the director added.

IIT students from across the country have already displayed their mettle in inter-IIT sports meets and the sports quota is aimed at encouraging what is already there, Kamakoti said. "Parallelly, we want the sports students to be models and leaders for the rest of the students. We had one national swimmer here who inspired many others to try aquatics. Sports training leads not just to good health and a good physique but discipline and an ability to deal with instantaneous success and failure."

For details: https://jeeadv.iitm.ac.in/sea/