When Pushpak Pujari was preparing for the IIT entrance examination, his mother would often stay awake with him until 2 or 3 am. Sometimes, she would fall asleep at the study table while he continued studying. Having lost his father in Class 10, Pujari did not want to leave his family and move to Kota for coaching. Instead, he chose to prepare largely at home, with his mother’s support.His first attempt earned him an All India Rank (AIR) of 2,790. Although it was a respectable result, it was not enough to secure the engineering course and IIT of his choice. Pujari decided to give the examination another attempt, a decision that eventually took him to IIT Delhi with AIR 183.
He chose to prepare at home instead of moving to Kota
Pujari’s decision to stay home was closely linked to his family circumstances. After his father’s death when he was in Class 10, he did not want to move away for coaching and leave his family behind.He prepared mostly on his own, relying on his studies and the support of his mother. According to his account shared on X, she remained beside him during late-night study sessions, sometimes staying awake until the early hours of the morning.Her presence became an important source of motivation as he worked towards his goal of studying at an IIT.
He skipped college trips and festivals for another attempt
After securing AIR 2,790 in his first attempt, Pujari began college but continued preparing for the IIT entrance examination alongside his studies.The decision meant missing out on experiences that many college students look forward to, including trips to Goa, college festivals and outings with friends.He spent much of that year balancing college with preparation for another attempt at securing admission to his preferred engineering programme.The second attempt brought a significant improvement in his rank. Pujari secured AIR 183 and gained admission to the Electrical Engineering programme at IIT Delhi.
Why his mother remains central to his IIT journey
For Pujari, getting into IIT Delhi was one of the proudest moments of his life. However, when he looks back at that period, he says the rank is not the first thing that comes to mind.Instead, he remembers his mother sitting beside him night after night, watching him study and sometimes falling asleep at the table.Her support through the difficult period, particularly after the family’s loss, remains central to how he remembers his preparation journey.Pujari’s experience offers a glimpse into the personal circumstances behind competitive examination success. His journey involved preparing without moving to a coaching hub, taking a second attempt while attending college and improving his rank from 2,790 to 183.For him, the achievement is inseparable from the person who stayed beside him throughout the preparation.Disclaimer: This article is based on Pushpak Pujari’s publicly shared account on X. TOI Education has not independently verified all personal and examination details.
