BITSAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 (Revised): Age Limit, Qualifying Marks, Course-wise Requirements

BITS Pilani has revised the BITSAT eligibility criteria 2026, removing a certain clause for class 12th reattempt. Before starting with the BITSAT registration, students must check the criteria. Read to know the BITSAT eligibility criteria for nationality, age limit, qualifying marks and more.

BITSAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences (BITS), Pilani, has revised the BITSAT eligibility criteria 2026. In a major update, the authority has decided to remove the clause allowing full class 12 reattempt. This decision affects only a certain category of candidates and does not apply to most students. BITSAT 2026 eligibility is now restricted to those who are appearing for Class 12 for the first time in 2025 or 2026. Students who passed Class 12 in 2025 and are appearing for improvement exams in specific subjects only.

The authority published the detailed BITSAT eligibility criteria 2026 at admissions.bits-pilani.ac.in a day before the registration started. The eligibility criteria specify the minimum requirements to be able to fill the application form. The BITSAT registration window for session 1 is open until March 16, 2026. The BITSAT criteria covers important aspects like minimum marks, age limit, subjects required and more. Any student who does not fulfil all the conditions mentioned will not be considered for admission. The BITSAT 2026 exam dates have been announced online. The BITSAT exam will be held from April 15 to 17, 2026 (Session 1) and May 24 to 26, 2026 (Session 2). Read to know more about the BITSAT 2026 eligibility criteria.

BITSAT Eligibility Criteria Overview

The important highlights of the BITSAT eligibility criteria can be checked from the table given below.

Also check: Documents required for BITSAT 2026

Changes in BITSAT 2026 Eligibility

• Students who retake their full class 12 exam are NO LONGER eligible to apply for the exam.

BITSAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 - Details

The official BITSAT 2026 eligibility criteria have been released online. The same is updated below. Students must check the eligibility criteria on this page to have a smooth application process. Any candidate who fails to meet the eligibility conditions will not be considered for admission, despite their performance in the exam.

General BITSAT Eligibility Criteria

Nationality: Students should be of Indian nationality or Non-Resident Indians (NRI) or Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).

Age Limit: There is no upper or lower age limit. However, the students should meet the eligibility criteria announced by the BITS Pilani authorities.

Qualifying Exam: 12th  class qualifying (or equivalent) examination from a recognised Central or State Board.

CAIE and IB Board Students: Students from Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) board should have completed the required subjects at A level. For International Baccalaureate (IB) board students, the subjects should have been completed at a higher level to be eligible for admission.

For B.E. (Except B.E. Environmental and Sustainability Engg), and M.Sc. Programmes

• Subjects in Qualifying Exam: A minimum of five subjects are required, including Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, one language and any additional subject beyond these four.
• Marks in Qualifying Exam: Students should have scored an aggregate of 75%  in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. In these subjects, the students should have individually scored 60% marks. While calculating the percentage, both theory and practical components should be considered.

For B.Pharm and B.E. Environmental and Sustainability Engg Programmes

• Subjects in Qualifying Exam: Students should have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics, one language, and any one additional subject beyond these four in 12th standard.
• Marks in Qualifying Exam: In the 12th qualifying exam, the students should have an aggregate of at least 75% in Physics, Chemistry and Biology/Mathematics. Individually, the students should have secured 60% marks in these subjects. Both theory and practical components should be considered during the percentage calculation.

What are the additional important BITSAT eligibility criteria?

Students who passed the 12th class qualifying examination in 2025 or will be appearing in 2026, will be eligible for BITSAT 2026. If a candidate has taken more than one attempt in the qualifying exam, then only their latest performance is considered.

• Students have to appear class 12 examination for the first time in 2025 or 2026, with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics/Biology as compulsory subjects. The results should be available by June 30 of the admission year. OR
• Students who completed their class 12 exam in 2025 may reappear for improvement exams in specific subjects. The result of the improvement exam must be available by June 30 of the admission year.

BITSAT 2026 Age Limit

Students who are wondering if there is any age limit in BITSAT 2026 must note that there is no age limit. Candidates only have to meet the qualifying exam year requirement. Candidates can appear for the exam despite their age. They only have to meet the academic requirements, which include passing year and the minimum marks in the qualifying exam.

The BITSAT age limit queries are on the rise because of a technical glitch experienced on the first day of registration, where candidates were unable to select their date of birth after June 2008. However, this issue is now resolved. 

BITSAT Eligibility for NRI/OCI Students

There is no separate BITSAT admission process for NRI students. The candidates can apply similarly to the Indian students and will have to provide an equivalence certificate from AIU at the time of admission. OCI students will have to fill out their nationality as per their passport in the application form.

Must Read: BITSAT 2026 Photo and Signature Guidelines: Size, Format & Upload Rules

BITSAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Board Toppers (Direct Admission)

To identify the topper, the following criteria will be adopted.

• The topper must have taken Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology subjects in 12th class examination.
• To be eligible, a student must fulfill the minimum eligibility criteria of obtaining a minimum of 75% aggregate marks in PCM/PCB, with at least 60% marks in each of the individual PCM/PCB subjects in their class 12 examination.
• The topper has obtained the highest aggregate percentage of marks in the 12th class among all the students who have taken Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology
  subjects in 2025 from the Board.
• For the purpose of calculating the aggregate percentage, the aggregate marks should include the marks of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics and /or Biology subjects in addition to other subjects, irrespective of whether the Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology

Also Read: BITSAT 2026 Best Books and Resources: Check Preparation Tips, Important Materials & More