JEE Advanced Topper Who Left IIT Bombay for MIT: Chitraang Murdia's Journey of Choosing Passion Over Interest
Joint Entrance Exam - Advanced 2026 ( JEE Advanced )
Chitraang Murdia, who secured the top rank (AIR 1) in JEE Advanced exam, made a tough decision to leave the BTech Computer Science course at IIT Bombay. His story serves as an inspiration to many students who will face difficult decisions in their careers in the future. Read on to learn more about Chitraang's journey and the lessons it offers.
JEE Advanced Topper Who Left IIT Bombay for MIT: Chitraang Murdia's Journey of Choosing Passion Over Interest
Chitraang Murdia was JEE Advanced topper in the year 2014 with All India Rank of 1. Naturally, he enrolled in a Bachelor of Technology program in computer science at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. Despite his success in this field, Chitraang realised that while he was interested in computer science, his true passion lay in physics and the pure sciences. In an interview with shiksha.com back in 2014, he shared insights about his journey preparing for the JEE Advanced exam and the tough choice he made to leave IIT Bombay to pursue what he loved.
Explore colleges based on JEE Advanced
Want better recommendations?
There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.
- Chat with our counselor
- Get your personalised list of colleges & exams matching your preferences
Chitraang’s journey towards cracking JEE Advanced and where he is now is truly inspiring and indicates that plans can change and tough decisions are to be taken that can seem risky. But a leap of faith must be taken and everything falls into place at the end. Let's check how Chitrang decide his journey.
Also Read: JEE Advanced Rank Needed for IIT Bombay CSE Admission
- Chitraang Murdia's JEE Preparation Tips
- What Happened After Joining IIT B and Why Did He Quit?
- What is IIT JEE Topper Chitraang Murdia Doing Now?
- Who is a Postdoctoral Researcher?
Chitraang Murdia's JEE Preparation Tips
Chitrang has shared that:
- He took coaching classes at Allen in Kota.
- He signed up for weekend programs also.
- He traced his progress after each test.
- He used to study 15 hours a day.
- He achieved 335 out of 360 in JEE Mains and 334 out of 360 in JEE Advanced.
For those preparing for the JEE Advanced exam, he offered some valuable advice:
Work hard, focus, avoid distractions, and consider joining a reputable coaching institute if you can.
What Happened After Joining IIT B and Why Did He Quit?
In a 2014 interview with Shiksha.com, Chitraang Murdia shared that he felt IIT did not match his expectations in the long run. He was not sure about the research facilities at the IITs at the UG level.
Leaving one of India’s best engineering institutes was not a cakewalk for him
Chitrang was confused about his decision to leave IIT after 1 year. However, he discussed with many people about his situation and desires.
Explore more B.Tech exams with upcoming dates
JEE Main
10 Dec '25
12 Dec '25
14 Dec '25
1 Jan '26
31 Dec '25 - 7 Jan '26
6 Nov '25 - 7 Nov '25
9 Nov '25
19 Sep '25 - 12 Nov '25
15 Oct '25 - 10 Jan '26
Finally, after many calculating thoughts he applied for a transfer to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and successfully got in. By transferring instead of starting fresh, he ensured that his year at IIT Bombay was still valuable and not wasted.
Differences in IIT admission process and MIT admission process?
Chitrang said that for IIT admission you just need JEE Advanced rank. However, MIT admission considers various factors like SAT scores and a CV (which is a document listing your achievements and experiences). They ask for essays that give MIT an insight into your personality, interests, work experiences, etc.
What is IIT JEE Topper Chitraang Murdia Doing Now?
Murdia shared his passion for research during a 2014 interview with shiksha.com. He is now working as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. Before this role, he obtained his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, after earning his Bachelor's degree in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Who is a Postdoctoral Researcher?
A postdoctoral fellow, often called a postdoc, is someone who conducts research after completing their PhD, which is the highest level of academic study. This phase of research can be supported by a paid position or a grant that provides financial assistance. Postdocs usually work under the guidance of an experienced researcher known as a principal investigator.
No, you cannot appear for JEE Mains and Advanced as a class 11th student. The eligibility criteria for JEE Mains and Advanced specify that candidates must have passed their class 12th examination or have appeared for it in the current year to be eligible for the exam. JEE Mains is usually held in the months of January and April, while JEE Advanced is held in the month of May - June. To be eligible for JEE Advanced, you would need to first appear for JEE Mains and qualify the exam. So, it's advisable to focus on your class 12th studies and prepare for JEE Mains and Advanced in the future, when you meet the eligibility criteria.
As per the official JEE Advanced brpchure, there is no restrictions on tattoo. Candidates can have tattoos and they will not be denied entry becasue of this. However, it is to be informed that tattoos should not alter or differentiate the appearance of candidate and his photo used in filling the JEE Advanced / Mains application form.
In India, colleges like the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) also offer postdoctoral positions with stipends ranging from INR 65,000 to INR 80,000, along with additional benefits.
Video Recommendation: Top Engineering Colleges Apart from NITs and IITs
Read More:
The minimum marks required in JEE Mains to qualify for JEE Advanced 2026 will be announced with the JEE Main 2026 final result after session 2 exams. Last year's minimum marks in JEE Mains to qualify for JEE Advanced were:
2025:
- Unreserved (UR): 93.1023262
- Gen-EWS: 80.3830119
- OBC-NCL: 79.4313582
- SC: 61.1526933
- ST: 47.9026465
- UR-PwD: 0.0079349
2024:
- General (UR): 93.2362181
- General (UR) PWD: 0.0018700
- Economically Weaker Section (EWS): 81.3266412
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): 79.6757881
- Scheduled Caste (SC): 60.0923182
- Scheduled Tribe (ST): 46.6975840
2023:
- General (UR): 90.7788642
- OBC-NCL: 73.6114227
- SC: 51.9776027
- ST: 37.2348772
- GEN-EWS: 75.6229025
- General (UR) PWD: 0.0013527
Candidates aiming for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) need to meet these cutoff marks in JEE Mains to be eligible for JEE Advanced 2026.
Currently: Assistant Manager - Content
Role: News & Feature Writer, Content Editor
Expertise: Engineering Education and Counselling
Mamona Majumder specialises in news and feature writing, content editing, and educa
Read Full BioNews & Updates
Explore Other Exams
31 Oct '25 - 27 Nov '25 | JEE Main 2026 Registration Ses... |
Jan '26 | JEE Main Admit Card 2025 Sessi... |
3 Nov '25 - 16 Apr '26 | SRMJEEE 2026 Registration (Pha... |
3 Nov '25 - 4 Jun '26 | SRMJEEE 2026 Registration (Pha... |
Feb '26 | COMEDK application form 2026 |
May '26 | COMEDK exam date 2026 |
1 Oct '25 - 15 Mar '26 | MET 2026 application form - Ph... |
Mar '26 | MET 2026 application form - Ph... |
Jan '26 | BITSAT 2026 application form -... |
May '26 | BITSAT 2026 application form -... |
Feb '26 | TS EAMCET 2026 notification |
Mar '26 | TS EAMCET 2026 application for... |
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
Candidates should ideally try to solve at least 3 previous year JEE question papers per week. However, candidates can also increase the frequency of this to 5 to 6 papers per week, one month before the exam.
M
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 weeks ago
Well, becoming a rocket scientist is a long-term commitment, and it depends on your education path and goals It takes almost 5 to 6 years with a bachelor's and 8 to 12 years if you want to study higher. Here below is how long it usually takes:
- Bachelor's degree: You have to study aeronautical enginee
M
Beginner-Level 3
Answered 3 weeks ago
Who work on the rocket-propelled vehicles, they apply the principles of Mathematics, Physics, and Material Science to solve challenges related to these vehicles. Rocket Scientists are involved in the process of design and development of the vehicles such as small drones, satellites, and commercial a
L
Beginner-Level 2
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, this field is considered hard. It is complex and demands high precision. There can be extreme consequences for minor errors. The overall field is extremely challenging as it requires to apply the basic scientific principles to design and develop rockets. It requires sophisticated engineering wi
P
Beginner-Level 2
Answered 3 weeks ago
The following are the qualification which can help you to become a rocket scientist:
· Bachelor's Degree such as B.Tech/B.E can take up to four years to complete.
· You can do a two years Master's Degree M.Tech/M.E./M.S. after graduation.
· For advanced level study in this field, you
C
Beginner-Level 2
Answered 3 weeks ago
There can't be a straightforward answer to this question. The salary package differs as per the experience, location and employer. In India, one can expect somewhere between Rs 10 Lacs to Rs 43.5 Lacs annual salary. In US, it can range between $65,000 to $118,000.
Y
Beginner-Level 2
Answered 3 weeks ago
Well, that's great, as you are preparing for JEE Advanced Physics. From my research, I would like to recommend some of the books and resources that will help you learn the basics and understand the concept:
1. Concept of Physics (Vol 1 and 2) by H.C. Verma
2. Understanding Physics Series by D.C. Pande
M
Beginner-Level 3
Answered a month ago
- Candidates should have JEE Advanced rank.
- Candidates must have at least 75% aggregate marks in class 12 and SC, ST and PWD candidates must have atleast 65% marks.
- Candidates must be within the category wise top 25 percentile of successful candidates of their respective class 12 boards.
Y
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
No, your candidature will be rejected as you need to have minimum of 75% in class 12 to be eligible for admisison to the IITs, NIT, IIITs and GFTIs via the JoSAA counselling. Even if you pass JEE Advanced and JEE Main, of you do not have 75% minimum marks in class 12 boards you will no get admission
V
Contributor-Level 6
Answered a month ago
Devdutta Majhi was the female topper in JEE Advanced 2025. She has scored 312 marks out of 360 marks and got anm all India rank of 16.
A
Contributor-Level 6
There are two attempts for JEE Advanced. A candidate can attempt JEE Advanced twice in two consecutive years.
Candidates who took the JEE Advanced exam in 2025 can appear again in 2026. Those who will appear for the examn firts time in 2026, will be able to take the exam again in 2027.