From Kashmir to IITs: Meet the girls who cracked JEE Advanced 2025
'In my ten years of being a part of RISE, I don't know a single girl from Kashmir who cracked the JEE Advanced exam and went to an IIT,' says Salman Shahid, co-founder of RISE, an engineering coaching institute in Srinagar. Three Kashmiri girls, Maleeha, Sadaf, and Janees, have cleared the highly competitive JEE (Advanced) and secured admission to the IITs, breaking a gender barrier. In so doing, they extended the all-India trend of more girl students cracking JEE Advanced to their state of Kashmir.
The JEE Advanced 2025 had 9,404 female candidates qualifying, the highest since 2017. The growth from 7,137 female qualifiers in 2017 (~14.1%) to 9,404 female qualifiers in 2025 (~17.3%) comes on the back of a concerted effort such as the introduction of a 20% female supernumerary quota at all the 23 IITs.
Over the past decade, the number of students from Jammu and Kashmir gaining admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) has steadily increased, reflecting the growing impact of educational initiatives in the region. While exact year-wise statistics are limited, data from coaching programs such as the Indian Army's Kashmir Super 30 and private institutes like RISE provide a glimpse into this upward trend.
In 2017, reportedly nine students from Kashmir cracked the IIT entrance exam through the Super 30 programme. This marked an important early milestone in improving access to top-tier technical education for students in the Valley. Between 2018 and 2020, RISE coaching institute played a role in taking the momentum forward, helping some 5-10 students each year secure seats in IITs.
This pattern continued into the 2021-2025 period, with around 10 Kashmiri students annually gaining admission to premier engineering institutes. A particularly noteworthy development occurred in 2025, when two Kashmiri girls scored above 99 percentile in JEE Main.
While the achievement is historic this year, the stories behind it are deeply personal for Janees and Sadaf. For Janees, the journey to IIT was shaped by both quiet defiance and unwavering self-belief. She has her sights set on IIT Kharagpur, though she says she's still exploring which stream she would like to pursue. 'I'm open to all subjects and ready to explore.'
Sadaf, among the trio, describes the moment she saw her JEE Advanced result as 'deeply emotional.' She said: 'All the months of hard work, sacrifice, and long study hours had finally paid off.' She hopes to pursue her studies at IIT Delhi, with the long-term goal of giving back to society and inspiring other girls from Kashmir to dream bigger.
The medical stereotype
Like many girls in the Valley, Janees's parents were expecting her to follow the well-trodden path toward medicine. 'When I was in Class 10, my parents hoped I'd become a doctor. But once they saw how much I enjoyed Math and non-medical subjects, they didn't pressurise me,' she said. 'There was some hesitation because of the stereotype that engineering is for boys but they let me follow my passion. I wanted to become an engineer, and they supported me. Today, they are really happy.'
Reflecting on her challenges, Sadaf points out the twin barriers of stereotype and limited exposure. 'One of the biggest challenges was fighting the idea that IIT is too ambitious or too tough for girls…there's also a lack of resources compared to metro cities.'
To others walking the same path, Sadaf believes, 'don't let fear or stereotypes hold you back….intelligence and ambition have no gender…..surround yourself with people who uplift you, work consistently, and never underestimate your strength.' While Janees advised, 'confidence, hard work, and consistency is really important to be in the field and to adhere for what you want to do.'
Beyond studies
Outside the world of competitive exams and rigorous study schedules, Sadaf enjoys watching true crime documentaries and the occasional horror film. 'Sometimes I watch cricket with my brothers, but they're the real fans.' Though studies have consumed most of her recent months, she said that 'the environment at home is supportive and relaxed. It's the best place to recharge.'
Beyond academics, Janees describes her home life as calming and comforting. 'Apart from studies, the environment at home is quite simple and cozy. I enjoy spending time with my family, and talking to them brings me a sense of peace…meeting my extended family during Eid is something I cherish. It's full of warmth and connection.'
While JEE preparation didn't leave much room for extracurriculars recently, Janees carries fond memories from her school days when she trained in judo and even represented her State at the Khelo India Sub Junior Nationals. She calls it a memorable experience.
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