IIT ISM Dhanbad abolishes 75% attendance requirement for all students

IIT ISM Dhanbad has announced a major change in its academic policy, removing the mandatory attendance requirement for all students across undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs.

The Senate approved the “no mandatory attendance policy,” which takes effect immediately.

The institute is now the first among the 23 IITs to eliminate the 75% minimum attendance rule, allowing students to sit for exams regardless of their classroom attendance from the 2025–26 academic year.

Students at IIT ISM Dhanbad had been advocating for this relaxation, arguing that the strict attendance criteria were a barrier to self-paced learning, research, and internships.

Under the new rules, students can appear for examinations in registered courses without penalties for missing classes.

Faculty will continue to record attendance through the existing digital app, but it will no longer impact eligibility for exams.

The policy also applies to full-time PhD scholars, though they must continue fulfilling fellowship and assistantship duties.

Stipends will remain tied to departmental attendance practices, ensuring accountability for research and teaching responsibilities.

Hostellers have been instructed to notify their wardens in writing before staying out overnight, maintaining oversight despite the relaxed classroom attendance norms.

The decision is expected to provide significant flexibility for students, aligning with broader trends in higher education toward self-directed study and experiential learning.

Earlier, University Grants Commission Secretary Manish Joshi indicated that the UGC might consider relaxing its own 75% attendance guideline for higher education institutions, signaling potential nationwide policy changes.