IITM BS for PwD Students: Fees, Cutoffs and Exam Support

Yes, the IITM BS is open to students with disabilities, and there are clear official benefits. If you have 40% or more disability with a PwD certificate, you pay Rs 2,000 to apply instead of Rs 4,000. You need only 30% in the qualifier assignments and a 40% average in the exam. You get at least 50% fee support on course fees, and you can ask for a scribe in exams with prior approval.

Who counts as PwD for these rules

Every rule below says "PwD with 40% disability" or "40% or more disability". So:

• You need a PwD certificate showing 40% or more. You upload it when you apply (JPEG, JPG or PDF, 50 KB to 2 MB).
• If your certificate shows less than 40%, the PwD rules do not apply. You follow the rules for your other category.
• If you are also SC or ST, a separate, lower fee applies.

The list of documents to apply has one more item, for those it applies to. It is proof that you were permanently disabled, or a parent was disabled or killed, while serving in the defence or paramilitary forces. The admissions pages do not say what benefit this brings, so ask support if it applies to you.

Application and re-attempt fees

SC and ST candidates without a disability pay the same fees as the PwD column. The application fee is not refunded.

Lower cutoffs in the qualifier

These lower cutoffs apply only to the qualifier. The admissions pages say plainly that there is no relaxation in grades or pass rules once you join. You pass courses on the same terms as everyone. See qualifier passing marks.

Help with course fees

IIT Madras covers part of the course fee for PwD students. The DS academics page gives this table:

What you need to show:

• For 50%, the PwD certificate is enough.
• For 75% as a PwD student with family income of Rs 1 lakh or less, the page lists the PwD certificate, an EWS or OBC-NCL certificate, and a family income certificate.
• SC or ST students who are also PwD need both certificates.

Other points:

• Fee support is not available to students outside India.
• At the Diploma and degree levels, the academics pages say a nominal fee may be charged for extra document checks. No amount is published.
• In DS, if you exit with a certificate and later rejoin, the re-admission exam fee of Rs 5,000 has a 50% waiver for PwD students with over 40% disability.

More detail is in the fee waiver rules.

Exams: scribes and medical aids

For learners in India, all quizzes, end term exams and the qualifier are written in person at an exam centre. The exam instructions document linked from the DS handbook covers students who need support.

If you need a scribe:

• Declare it before the exam and get it approved, with proper proof.
• The scribe must not be from the same department or discipline as you.
• The scribe must not be a blood relative.
• The scribe must have a lower educational qualification than you.
• If you bring a scribe without approval, you will not be allowed to write the exam.

If you need a medical aid: hearing aids, wheelchair assistance, arm slings, medicines and similar items need approval by email at least 3 days before the exam. The document names support@ds.study.iitm.ac.in (opens in a new tab). Carry the approval email with you.

The document does not mention extra time. If you need it, ask support well before the exam.

Exam dates are fixed and not moved for individuals. When you pick your two exam cities, think about travel and access. See how exam centres are chosen.

Studying online

• Lectures are videos. The handbook says qualifier content includes videos, tutorials, assignments and text transcripts.
• A laptop or desktop and a good internet connection are mandatory.
• ES and AE need campus visits to IIT Madras for lab courses. The ES FAQ says you arrange your own stay. Raise any access needs with support before a lab visit.

You can try the official lectures first in the lecture library.

Common questions

My disability certificate says 35%. Do I get PwD benefits?

No. Every official rule uses 40% or more. You apply under your other category, such as General, OBC-NCL, EWS, SC or ST.

Are there reserved seats for PwD students?

The official pages do not mention reserved seats. Entry works through the qualifier cutoffs, and the DS admissions page says everyone who passes the qualifier can register for the Foundation level.

Do PwD students get lower pass marks in courses after joining?

No. The relaxation is only for the qualifier. After you join, the pass rules and grading are the same for all students.

Which address do I use to ask for a scribe?

The instructions ask you to declare it in advance but do not name a separate address for scribes. Write to your programme's support team: support@study.iitm.ac.in (opens in a new tab) for DS or support-es@study.iitm.ac.in (opens in a new tab) for ES. Do it well before the exam.