Kota’s Rajit Gupta Tops JEE Advanced 2025 with AIR 1: “Stay Happy, Stay Consistent”

Rajit now aims to pursue BTech in Computer Science at IIT Bombay. In this interview with Shiksha.com, he shares his journey, preparation strategy, and advice for future JEE Advanced aspirants

IIT Madras declared the JEE Advanced 2025 results on June 2. Rajit Gupta, a student from Kota, emerged as the All India Rank 1 holder. Rajit not only topped the toughest undergraduate engineering entrance exam in the country but also made history by becoming the first local student from Kota to secure AIR 1. A student of Allen’s regular classroom program, Rajit now aims to pursue BTech in Computer Science at IIT Bombay. In this interview with Shiksha.com, he shares his journey, preparation strategy, and advice for future aspirants.

Q. Congratulations on your result! What was your reaction when you came to know about your rank?

Rajit Gupta: Thank you very much. The moment I saw my result and realised I had secured All India Rank 1 in JEE Advanced, it was a feeling beyond words. I was happy and a little overwhelmed, but honestly, I had stayed confident about my preparation throughout. It’s a proud moment for my family, my teachers at Allen Career Institute, and for Kota because for the first time in history, a local student from the city topped JEE Advanced. It feels amazing to bring this honour to my hometown and to Allen, where both my father and I prepared for our engineering entrance exams.

Q. When and how did you decide to pursue BTech?

Rajit Gupta: I’ve always had a deep interest in Mathematics and Science right from childhood. Growing up in Kota, where the culture of academic excellence is very strong, I was naturally inclined towards engineering. My father, being an engineer himself, also inspired me. By the time I reached Class 9, I knew I wanted to pursue BTech. Once I joined Allen’s regular classroom program in Class 11, my path became even clearer, and I decided to give my best shot at JEE Advanced.

Q. Tell us something about your family and schooling.

Rajit Gupta: I come from an academically driven family in Kota. My father, Deepak Gupta, is a subdivisional engineer at BSNL and a former Allen student who secured 48th rank in RPET 1994. My mother, Dr. Shruti Agarwal, is a professor of Home Science at JDB College, Kota. I completed Class 10 with 96.8% marks. Being in Kota, the education hub of India, gave me the right environment to stay focused on my goals.

Q. When did you start preparing for JEE Advanced and what was the strategy?

Rajit Gupta: I started serious preparation in Class 11 after enrolling at Allen. My strategy was simple: stay happy, avoid stress, and focus on learning from my mistakes. I never followed a rigid study routine but made sure I gave my 100% whenever I studied. Clearing doubts promptly, revising consistently, and strengthening fundamentals were key.

Q. What were your strong and weak areas?

Rajit Gupta: Mathematics and Physics were my strong suits — I enjoyed solving problems and applying concepts. Chemistry needed more effort initially, but with Allen’s structured support, I was able to turn it into a strength through consistent practice.

Q. Which books did you refer to?

Rajit Gupta: I mainly relied on Allen’s study material, which is very comprehensive. For Chemistry, I also referred to NCERT books. I avoided too many external resources to stay focused and reduce distractions.

Q. How did you balance JEE prep with board exams?

Rajit Gupta: Allen’s program was well-aligned with the school curriculum. I tried to study topics common to both exams together, managed time effectively, and focused on conceptual clarity — which helped me do well in both.

Q. What was your exam-taking strategy?

Rajit Gupta: Staying calm was key. I attempted easy questions first to build confidence, then tackled the tougher ones. I prioritised accuracy and time management, avoided guesswork, and entered the exam with a positive mindset.

Q. How did you unwind during your preparation?

Rajit Gupta: Happiness was my mantra. I played with kids in my colony to relax and refresh my mind. I avoided burnout by only studying when I felt ready and happy to do so.

Q. Your dream college and course?

Rajit Gupta: My dream is to study Computer Science at IIT Bombay. It’s a premier institute with brilliant peers, great faculty, and exciting opportunities. I’ve always wanted to be part of that ecosystem.

Q. What are your future plans after BTech?

Rajit Gupta: I’d like to pursue research or higher studies in computer science and emerging technologies. AI and future-tech domains excite me. I want to work on meaningful innovations, either in India or abroad.

Q. Your message to next year’s JEE Advanced aspirants?

Rajit Gupta: Stay happy and don’t burden yourself with pressure. Avoid comparisons, focus on clarity, and learn from your mistakes. Trust your teachers and the process. Enjoy the journey — that’s the secret to success.

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