The Iranian Ministry of Science confirmed a major policy shift regarding the upcoming nationwide university entrance examinations. Minister of Science Hossein Simaee Sarraf announced that the government will officially reintroduce dedicated university quotas for individuals affected by military conflicts. This regulatory update impacts the structural framework of the upcoming nationwide competitive exams for the 2026 academic cycle. Higher education administrators are developing the necessary framework to verify student eligibility before implementation.
The core decision remains absolute, but the Ministry of Science must finalize several critical administrative mechanisms. Government officials are drafting the formal execution phases alongside regional administrative bodies. The ministry needs to designate the specific state agencies responsible for issuing valid eligibility certificates to applicants. Authorities will disclose the exact percentage of seats reserved for these candidates after completing these initial planning phases. Public university admissions offices are preparing their systems to accommodate these legislative modifications.
Iranian government established similar educational allocation systems immediately following the conclusion of the eight-year Iran-Iraq War. During that era, the state designed these special entry pathways to support combat veterans, wounded soldiers, and their immediate families. The original framework left a lasting impact on Iranian higher education, so this new announcement generated significant social discussion. The current administration emphasizes that the modern policy aims to standardize support for citizens impacted by regional instability.
From a broader political perspective, this policy reflects ongoing efforts by the administration to address long-standing social welfare commitments. Educational experts suggest that altering the distribution of university seats could shift competitive dynamics for standard applicants. The Ministry of Science intends to publish a comprehensive regulatory guidebook explaining the verification process in detail. This upcoming publication will clarify the exact scope of the program before the official registration period begins.