KCET 2017 Topper Interview: Anirudh S AIR 3
KCET 2017 Topper
Meet KCET 2017 Topper Anirudh S who managed to bag an AIR 3 with a score of 176/180. This Bengaluru boy has been preparing for JEE Mains and KCET for the last 2 years and was expecting a rank within the Top 10. But much to his surprise, he became one of the Top 3 scorers of the exam which was no less than a shock and a happy moment for him and his family.
Talking about the role of coaching institute’s in a student’s life, Anirudh believes that coaching institutes these days focus mainly on the academics and not the overall development of a student. A lot of students land into depression due to extreme study pressure. Coaching institutes are meant to coach, guide and mentor student but unfortunately they lack these qualities.
In a candid interview with Shiksha, Anirudh S shared his future plans and preparation strategies with us. He also shares prep tips for future aspirants Read the full interview below.
Q. Congratulations on your achievement. How are you feeling being the KCET 2017 topper? Did you expect it?
It was a surprise for me. All I expected was to land somewhere between the Top 10 but not Top 3 for sure. But I am extremely happy with the results.
Q. What was your rank in JEE Main 2017? Can you share your JEE Main and KCET 2017 score?
JEE Main 2017 rank: 273; JEE Main 2017 score: 304/360
KCET 2017 score: 176/180
Q. How long have you been preparing for?
I have been preparing from around 2 years. Since the very beginning of my Class 11th.
Q. What was your preparation strategy for the exam? What is the minimum time frame needed to prepare for both the exams?
My mantra was to keep the concepts clear and not keep any backlogs. Revise the chapters regularly and solve as many sample papers as possible.
Minimum time required to prepare is at least of 2 years if you wish to start from scratch. Rest depends on the caliber of the particular person as a few even manage to crack the exam in much lesser time.
Q. Did you also appear for JEE Advanced? What was your strategy for the exam?
Yes, I did appear for JEE Advanced and now waiting for the results. My focus was to crack JEE Advanced so the preparation began 2 years back.
The course structure of JEE Advanced also contributed to the preparation for JEE Main and KCET so, luckily it took no extra time to prepare for all the exams I planned to appear for.
Q. What did you do to improve your weak areas?
I did encounter a few weak spots while preparing for the exams. Eventually I worked on them and ended up making them my strengths.
I segregated the topics that needed more attention then and started revising them. Also, prepared a list of topics that weren’t easy to remember and then focused on trying to understand the concepts.
Q. Which institute are you vying for and which is the course you aim to pursue?
I aim to seek admission in IIT Madras and pursue BTech in Computer Science.
Q. What are your expectations from your dream institute?
IIT is everything I want. That feeling of having all the bright minds around is itself exceptional. Other than that, I haven’t thought of any other things like job as for now, I am enjoying my time.
Q. Have you taken any other exam/s besides JEE Main, JEE Advanced and KCET?
No, I have not taken any other exams but Olympiads. I have always been interested in taking Olympiads and testing my brain and skills.
Q. Do you think coaching is required to crack JEE & KCET?
I don’t think coaching is important but yes, they tend to boost your chances of cracking the exam. I feel that a bright student can easily crack the exam without any external assistance. It is just the NCERT syllabus that needs to be practiced. And if your NCERT syllabus is on your fingertips, success is in your hands.
If you are ready to devote your life and work hard for your aim, you can easily get good results.
Q. Any tips for aspirants taking the KCET next year?
It is very important to stay calm and concentrate on your goals. I have witnessed a number of my friends who went blank while writing the paper or did not even appear due to fear.
I would advise them not to panic both while preparations and writing the exam. As this can bring your performance down. If you don’t know the answer of one question, move to the other with a calm and focused mind.
Coaching centers generally focus on the academic performance of the students and overlook the emotional state of the student. But this is something a teacher should definitely pay attention to because he is not just a teacher but a coach who needs to look after a student as a whole.
Q. So, tell us something about your family?
My father is an Engineer and is currently working with BSNL. My mom is a homemaker and my elder brother is pursuing his last semester MS in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University.
Q. What plans for the future? What do you want to become?
I am not clear with my future plans as of now. Maybe I will get into some research based work, technical research to be specific.
Q. Tell us about yourself and your hobbies?
My Hobbies include listening to music and playing various sports like cricket. I have always been a studious being and people usually find me funny. I do not have much friends but wish to make some in the new college.
Also Read:
KCET 2017 Results: Know Toppers
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Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 weeks ago
If you belong to the General AI category, the highest (most competitive) last round cutoff was 155 for admission to the M.Sc. in Physics course. The lower the cutoff rank, the more competitive the course is for admission, and vice versa.
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
No, to get admission into IIT Madras MTech course, students have to appear for the GATE exam. This is a part of minimum eligibility criteria for M.Tech course admissions. After clearing the GATE exam, the students are selected on the basis of merit list. The students have to obtain a minimum of 60%
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Answered 2 months ago
IIT Madras MBA admission process 2024 is closed. The admission process for 2026 will start in the month of January 2026.
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Answered 2 weeks ago
No, IIT Madras is not very expensive but even if students feel that it is, worry not there are scholarships available for students. Some of the top scholarships offered by Chennai IITM are mentioned below:
Indian Institute of Technology Chennai (Indian Institute of Madras) Scholarships | Eligibility | Scholarship Amount/ Benefit |
|---|---|---|
-Merit-cum-Means/ Free studentship (offered to 25% of admitted students) | - Family income less than INR 4.5 LPA - Renewal of scholarship for students with a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the previous semester | 67% tuition fee exemption |
Notional prize (offered to 7% of admitted students) | - Rank in JEE - Family income less than INR 4.5 LPA | One time grant of INR 1,000 |
SC/ ST scholarship | - Family income less than INR 4.5 LPA - Renewal of scholarship for students with a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the previous semester | - Free mess charges - pocket allowance INR 250 per month - over and above tuition fee exemption |
Indian Women's Association at Bonn scholarship | - Family income up to INR 5 LPA - Rank in JEE | INR 1,250 per month for 12 months for one BTech student only. |
M Sankaraiah and M Saradha (Mithigiri) Scholarship | Based on the highest CGPA by the end of the fourth semester of BTech/ dual degree electrical engineering | One time amount of INR 20,000 |
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Answered 2 weeks ago
Direct admissions are possible in IIT Madras for some Diploma programmes. For other programmes such as UG and PG courses, direct admissions are not available. Students will have to appear for the entrance exam for admission to the available programmes.
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Indian Institute of Technology Chennai gives various UG, PG & other courses through its multiple departments. These courses are provided across Engineering & various other streams. Below table shows the list of IIT Madras in Chennai departments in detail:
IIT Madras Departments | ||
|---|---|---|
Aerospace Engineering | Biotechnology | Applied Mechanics & Biomedical Engineering |
| Physics | Ocean Engineering | Metallurgical & Materials Engineering |
| Medical Science & Technology | Mechanical Engineering | Mathematics |
| Management Studies | Humanities & Social Sciences | Engineering Design |
| Electrical Engineering | Data Science & Artificial Intelligence | Computer Science & Engineering |
| Civil Engineering | Chemistry | Chemical Engineering |
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IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP) aims to build a knowledge & innovation ecosystem. IIT Madras has been ranked 180 by the QS World University Rankings 2026. The below is the international ranking:
Ranking Body | Category | IIT Chennai Rank |
|---|---|---|
QS Rankings 2026 | Asian University Ranking | 70 |
| QS World University Rankings 2026 | QS World University Rankings 2026 | 180 |
| QS Rankings 2026 | QS Sustainability Ranking 2026 | 305 |
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IIT Madras is a government college which was established in as an 'Institute of Eminence'. The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (Chennai IIT Madras or IITM) was established in 1959. Being a government college, the fee for various courses is not very high.
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