Life in an IIT | From a Hindi medium school in a village to a software development engineer, IIT Madras student shares his journey

I was first introduced to the opportunities one gets at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) in Class 11. After that, there was no looking back. I started my preparation in Class 11 from the school I went to. My preparation got a boost when after Class 12, I enrolled in the Abhayanand Sir's Super 30 centre in Jodhpur.

After cracking the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced in 2020, I got admission to BTech in Civil Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).

Early childhood, JEE preparation

I come from Taswariya Bansa, a remote village in the Bhilwara district of Rajasthan. Here, most students in Class 11 and 12 pursue arts or aim for BA, BEd, or BSc degrees, with the idea of a BTech being virtually unheard of. Many aspire to join the ITIs after schooling and the concept of engineering and IITs was a distant dream for most of us.

My life took a significant turn when I scored 95.33 per cent in Class 10. I appeared for my Class 10 exam in 2017. This achievement made headlines and I was dubbed as a ‘farmer's son who created history’. These headlines in the news brought opportunities my way and I was offered a sponsorship to study at Sangam Academy, an English-medium residential school in Bhilwara.

Transitioning from a Hindi-medium government school, where sitting on a bench was a luxury, to this new environment was both challenging and transformative. At Sangam Academy, I first learned about the IITs and the highly competitive JEE exams.

My first attempt at JEE Main in 2019 earned me a 92 percentile, and I barely crossed the JEE Advanced cut-off. Although I was offered admission to an NIT, my cousin Abhishek Chawala suggested I apply to the CSRL Super30 programme in Jodhpur. The Super 30 center in Jodhpur is run by Oil India and the NGO CSRL (Center for Social Responsibility and Leadership).

I was selected for the Super30 programme after clearing all rounds of interviews conducted by the faculty in chemistry, physics, and mathematics followed by a written test. This opportunity was invaluable since my family could not afford coaching.

In my second attempt in 2020, I secured a 98.25 percentile in JEE Main. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our preparations, and despite 13 months of hard work and numerous mock tests, I didn't achieve the score I had hoped for. Nevertheless, I secured a seat in Civil Engineering at IIT Madras on the first day of JOSAA counseling on November 12, 2020.

Life at IIT Madras

I came to the IIT Madras campus in my third semester on December 15, 2021 after the Covid restrictions were relaxed. The initial transition to online learning due to the pandemic was challenging. Poor internet connectivity and shared living spaces made it difficult to maintain focus. Finally, after three semesters, we were allowed on campus.

The excitement of exploring the vibrant IIT Madras campus was unparalleled. The initial quarantine was followed by workshops that provided hands-on experience in various practical aspects. The academic sessions commenced, and I was enthralled by every aspect of campus life, different workshops, seminars and lecture series, from the deer and blackbucks to the numerous extracurricular activities.

Leadership and growth

I immersed myself in various extracurricular activities, serving as the coordinator for the Project Management Team of CFI (Center for Innovation), a student-run 24x7 lab working on innovations like blockchain technology, autonomous vehicles, Raftar formula racing, hyperloop team (seven competition teams + 14 different works on different fields of technology). Later, I became the head of this team.

I also coordinated the Civil Engineering Association which bridges the gap between students and professors and was a super-coordinator at SAATHI, a club ensuring the well-being of the student body.

These experiences honed my communication and interpersonal skills, helping me overcome my initial introversion. Enrolling in the NCC (National Cadet Corps) as a compulsory course taught me the values of unity, discipline, and mental and physical growth.

Overcoming personal loss

Tragedy struck during my fifth semester when my father, the sole breadwinner of our family, passed away, leaving us in debt and financial hardship. This loss strengthened my resolve to succeed. I started taking my studies seriously, determined to secure a job and support my family.

After the death of my father, my two brothers took on the additional responsibility of managing our family’s agricultural work. The lack of job openings, coupled with the discouraging realities of exam papers being leaked or cut-off scores being extremely high, made it challenging for them to pursue further studies or secure a stable career.

Yet, despite these obstacles, they remained determined, balancing their time between family responsibilities and their studies, resolute in their commitment to support our family.

Their dedication and perseverance have been a source of inspiration for me, motivating me to pursue my own dreams and never give up, no matter the challenges.

Final reflections and future aspirations

Although my branch was civil engineering, I was drawn to technology, particularly machine learning. I solved numerous DSA (Data Structures and Algorithms) problems and leveraged my technological aptitude to secure a job as an SDE (Software Development Engineer) at Air India with a package of Rs 20 LPA. I will join the company in Gurugram in July.

Throughout these years, I have realised that the JEE Advanced exam is a major milestone, but it is not the end of your journey. Here's how one can navigate life after the test, whether you aced it or not:

Celebrate Your Efforts: You worked hard and that's something to be proud of! Regardless of the outcome, take a moment to celebrate your dedication and the knowledge you've gained. This experience will benefit you in many ways.

Didn't get the results you wanted? That's okay: Remember, failure is just a stepping stone. It doesn't define your entire future. There are plenty of opportunities out there, like the online B S degree from IIT Madras, which doesn’t require JEE Main or JEE Advanced marks. Look into courses from top institutions like NPTEL, etc.

Be patient during counselling: The next step is counselling, which might involve some waiting. Use this time wisely by researching various colleges – NITs, IIITs – and exploring all available options. Stay informed about new trends and opportunities, such as, from this year there is the sports quota in IITs for different departments.

Seek guidance from mentors: Talk to counsellors, mentors or seniors who can provide valuable advice. Their insights can help you make well-informed decisions about your future.

Prioritise your well-being: The pressure of exams can be overwhelming. Make sure to take care of your mental health. Engage in activities like playing games, spending time with parents, taking time for a hobby, that make you happy and help you relax.

Stay positive: Trust that the divine has planned the best for you and have faith in your abilities.

My journey illustrates the power of perseverance and the impact of supportive educational opportunities. My story is not just about personal achievement but also about the potential for transformation within communities when access to quality education is provided.

I am passionate about contributing to educational initiatives in rural areas, aspiring to establish programmes that provide coaching and mentorship to underprivileged students, helping them realise their potential.

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