Small town Bengal girl bags AIR 16, emerges as JEE Advanced female topper
When the JEE Advanced 2025 results came in, Devdutta Majhi didn't check the website herself. The news came from her mother, and it was the moment she'd been dreaming of.'I was very happy to know this from my mother, it was my dream and it has become a reality,' says Devdutta.Her dream? A place at IISc Bangalore. Her result? All India Rank 16, the highest for any girl this year. She also topped the state of West Bengal.advertisement
But it wasn't just about the rank, it was about every single choice and effort she made along the way.A TOWN CALLED KATWA AND A STUDY-FRIENDLY HOMEDevdutta lives in Katwa, a town in East Burdwan district, West Bengal. Her family played a huge role in her journey.Her mother, a high school physics teacher, and her father, a college professor, helped build a calm, focused environment that let her thrive.'The only challenge that I faced during preparation is lack of good teachers in our sub-urban area,' she says.'I had to rely on online coaching and support from Delhi teachers. However, my mother helped to create a good environment in our home, perfect for studying,' she adds.And that environment clearly worked. She topped her Class 10 West Bengal board exams and ranked sixth in her Class 12 board exams. She also qualified for the Indian National Physics Olympiad (INPhO).A SIMPLE, CONSISTENT ROUTINEadvertisementUnlike the extreme schedules you often hear about, Devdutta's routine was steady and efficient. 'I was fortunate that my school supported me a lot during this journey. I could devote lot of time on self studies,' she says.She attended LIVE online classes from FIITJEE eSchool, connecting with teachers based in Delhi. The flexibility of online learning worked in her favour, especially with no distractions.'I never used mobile for entertainment or relaxation,' she says. 'I used it solely for attending the LIVE online classes. I did not take any pressure as such, I just focused on my studies.'THEORY FIRST, THEN PROBLEMSHer prep method was methodical: 'I focused on the theory part followed by problems. This combination for each topic helps to make the concept strong. It is true for each subject.'While many students dread Physics or Maths, it was Chemistry that tested her patience the most. 'I found chemistry to be difficult and challenging at times. My teachers at FIITJEE helped me to tide over it,' she says.THE RIGHT KIND OF SUPPORT MATTERSDevdutta is clear about the role coaching played. 'Right coaching is obviously necessary for guidance wherein the teachers can help to channelise my strengths in the right way and help to overcome challenges,' she explains.advertisementHer FIITJEE mentors offered subject-wise tips, helped convert weaknesses into strengths, and provided full sets of study material, national-level mock tests, and crucial exam strategies.But coaching alone isn't enough, she adds. 'Besides coaching modules students must have reference books for practice also.'STAYING AWAY FROM THE NOISEThere was no late-night scrolling, no WhatsApp distractions, no Instagram reels. Devdutta's phone was strictly for academics.Her choice to stay away from mobile entertainment helped her stay focused, even when motivation dipped.JEE preparation is not just a test of knowledge, it's about emotional strength too. But Devdutta kept things simple: 'I did not take any pressure as such, I just focused on my studies.'WHAT'S NEXT?Now that the exam is behind her, Devdutta's goal is clear: 'I want to do BTech from IISC Bangalore.'While many top rankers aim for IIT Bombay or Delhi, Devdutta is drawn to IISc, known for its research-first approach and academic depth. It's a fitting choice for someone who's already excelled at national-level olympiads.ADVICE FOR FUTURE ASPIRANTSWhen asked what advice she'd give to students hoping to crack JEE, she doesn't talk about shortcuts or hacks.advertisement'I would like to tell the students that hardwork has no substitute,' she says. 'They must keep doing it and must have belief in themselves.'Simple words, but coming from someone who's lived them every day, they carry weight.Devdutta Majhi's journey from a small town in Bengal to becoming the female topper in one of India's top entrance exams is no fairy tale. It's proof of what consistency, clarity, and quiet confidence can do.She didn't have elite coaching centres down the street. She didn't spend hours scrolling on social media. But she did have focus, family, and the will to stick with it.And now, she's not just one of the top JEE Advanced rankers of the year. She's also a quiet inspiration to thousands of students, especially girls, looking to dream big from small towns.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
21 hours ago
- India.com
Studied MBBS and MD, topped Haryana Civil Services, got married, cracked UPSC twice while raising a kid, her AIR was..., she is...
The UPSC exam is often touted as the most difficult competitive exam in India. The Union Public Service Commission holds the exam once a year, and lakhs of candidates from various academic and professional backgrounds enroll each year in pursuit of IAS, IPS, IFS, and other prestigious services. Despite the great competition and unfathomable effort that candidates exert towards UPSC preparation, many candidates take a leap of faith and chase this dream while juggling a job, family, and other commitments. Dr. Pragati Verma, who obtained AIR 355 for UPSC 2023, is one of these impressive individuals, with a great story to tell, demonstrating if you are sufficiently dedicated and have the right mindset, you can achieve even the biggest goals, regardless of circumstances. What makes her accomplishment even more outstanding is that she did this while working at a hospital and preparing for her exams, demonstrating her ability to handle both work responsibilities and intense preparation efforts. Dr. Pragati Verma, who achieved All India Rank(AIR) 355 in the UPSC 2023 examination, is from Meham sub-division in the Rohtak district of Haryana. Speaking about her educational qualification, Pragati finished her schooling from Meham, did MBBS from PGIMS Rohtak, and pursued MD in Radiodiagnosis at PGIMER Chandigarh. After her postgraduation, she worked as a Senior Resident at AIIMS Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh for one year. After one year, she married Dr. Atul Verma. The couple is blessed with a son, named Rajvardhan Verma. After marriage, she worked in private and corporate hospitals in Kurukshetra as a Radiology Consultant while simultaneously preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. As per a report of News18 Hindi, Dr. Pragati Verma started her UPSC preparation in May 2021 and subsequently appeared for the 2021 Preliminary exam a few months later. However, she narrowly missed qualifying by approximately 10 marks. She did not let it stop her from repeatedly strategizing her preparation and in her second attempt, passed Prelims, Mains, Interview, and got an All India Rank of 740. She belonged to the OBC category. She obtained 756 marks in the written examination and 171 marks in the personality test. Overall, she secured 927 marks in the UPSC Civil Services(Main) Examination, 2022. Her All India Rank(AIR) was 740. With an aim to be in the IAS, she sat for the UPSC 2023 exam and got AIR 355. She obtained 787 marks in the written examination and 175 marks in the personality test. Overall, she secured 962 marks in the UPSC Civil Services(Main) Examination, 2023. Her All India Rank(AIR) was 355. In 2023, Dr Pragati Verma obtained 2nd rank in the Haryana Civil Services (HCS), also securing All India Rank 740 in UPSC 2022-23. After her success in HCS, she joined the service and worked in the Ambala Division as an Officer on Special Duty to the Commissioner. According to OdishaTV, at the age of 31 and as a mother to a three-year-old son, Rani secured 355th rank in the UPSC exam, improving her performance from her previous attempt. With this achievement, she is now set to become an IAS officer. Dr Pragati Verma comes from a family with a strong tradition of public service. Her father is a primary teacher, while her mother works in the health department. For added context, her father-in-law, R.C. Verma, is a retired IAS officer and served as Deputy Commissioner in four districts of Haryana, including Bhiwani, Palwal, Nuh, and Rewari.
India.com
a day ago
- India.com
Meet the Farmer's Daughter Who Cracked UPSC in Her Second Attempt With AIR…. And Said No to ‘Kanyadaan' at Wedding- Know All About Her Inspiring Story
photoDetails english 2919898 Updated:Jun 22, 2025, 11:34 AM IST Who is Tapasya Parihar? 1 / 9 Tapasya Parihar from Narsinghpur, Madhya Pradesh. She secured All India Rank 23 in the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2017. What made her achievement even more remarkable was that she accomplished this feat without joining any coaching institute, relying entirely on self-study and personal discipline. Her Earlier Academic Journey 2 / 9 Tapasya was hard working and a good student since childhood. She completed her schooling from the Kendriya Vidyalaya and after completing the class 12th, she went to ILS (Indian Law Society's Law College in Pune. UPSC 3 / 9 The UPSC Civil Services Exam is one of the most esteemed competitive exams in India, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit candidates for top administrative roles like IAS, IPS, and IFS. The examination process includes three stages, which includes, Preliminary, Mains, and Interview that evaluates candidates on their general knowledge, analytical ability, and overall personality. Her First Attempt? 4 / 9 After completing her graduation in Law, she appeared for the one the toughest exams in India, UPSC. She took coaching but she couldn't clear the preliminary examination in her first attempt but failure didn't break her spirits and passion. Turning To Self Study 5 / 9 After failing in her first attempt, she decided to change her strategy, left her coaching and switched to self-preparation. She focused more on mock paper and current affairs. Changing her strategies helped her a lot. Becoming IAS 6 / 9 All of her hard work and sacrifice paid off when she cleared the UPSC Civil Service Examination (CSE) in 2017 with All India Rank of 23 and became Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer in Bihar Cadre. Her Family 7 / 9 Tapasya is from a very normal family, when she told her about her dream of becoming an IAS, they supported her a lot. Her father, Vishwas Parihar is a farmer in his hometown and her uncle is a social worker. Her grandmother has been the president of the district Panchayat of Narsinghpur. Her Marriage and Her Stand Against Norms 8 / 9 She is married to an Indian Foreign Service Officer (IFS) named Garvit Gangwar and during her wedding, Tapasya chose to reject the 'Kanyadaan' ritual, and told her father that she does not see herself as something to be given away. Tapasya As An Inspiration 9 / 9 Tapasya's journey is inspirational for millions of aspirants across India. She shows that failure is not the end and giving up is not an option. Her story proves that self-discipline and determination can lead to extraordinary success.
India.com
2 days ago
- India.com
Meet woman who did not go to coaching, secured AIR 1 in IIT PhD entrance, cracked UGC-NET, NIMHANS, also topped Class 12th board exam; she is…, hails from..
It is often believed that no obstacle is too big to overcome with real commitment and hard work. Damini Singh Brar, a 26-year-old, from Sanjauli, a small town near Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, demonstrates this belief. Damini Singh Brar has been able to overcome every hurdle because of her consistent focus to accomplish and work ethic that has allowed her dreams to become a reality while re-defining the meaning of academic success. Damini's commitment and innumerable hours of preparation enabled her not only to clear one of the most prestigious and difficult PhD entrance exams in the country, but to be at the top. She achieved All India Rank 1 in the PhD (Psychology) entrance at IIT Kanpur. Along with it, she also topped the PhD entrance exam of another leading institution in India, IIT Delhi. Damini topped the PhD entrance exam in Psychology at IIT Kanpur, claiming the All India Rank 1, as well as being ranked first in the PhD entrance exam at IIT Delhi. She has now decided to pursue a PhD at IIT Delhi, one of India's top institutes. But there's more! Damini also cleared (written exam) the test for PhD admissions for NIMHANS, Bengaluru and was invited for the interview. Earlier in 2024, she cleared the UGC-NET exam in Psychology in her first attempt, and this adds to her stack of achievements. You may find it hard to believe, but Damini was able to clear all such tough exams on her own and without coaching classes. She studied diligently through self-study, without attending any coaching classes. After hearing about her accomplishments, it's clear how brilliant she is academically. She was always an exceptional student. Damini does not just hold this status as an exceptional college graduate. She achieved her schooling as a top student in Shimla, then continued that as a topper in her Class 12 board exam. She consistently performed well from a very young age. After completing Class 12, Damini enrolled in Lady Shri Ram College for graduation in English Honours, which is one of the well-known colleges affiliated with Delhi University (DU). After that, she went on to complete her Master's in Applied Psychology from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Mumbai, which is one of India's leading institutes in the field of social sciences. It's important to notice that Damini comes from a poor family background. Her father Rajneesh Brar is a Sanitary Inspector with the Shimla Municipal Corporation, and her mother Meera Brar is a homemaker. Despite being from a poor family background, with few resources, she has made her family and hometown proud through her own hard work and effort. Everything she has achieved has been through her own doing. Today, Damini is an inspiration for millions of students in the country.
