For years, IIT seemed like a dream meant for students from big cities with access to expensive coaching and better resources. But Inderjeet, a teenager from a small village in Rajasthan, has proved that determination can overcome even the toughest challenges.
Inderjeet, a resident of Pathanwala village in Sri Ganganagar, has secured an OBC-NCL rank of 1040 in JEE Advanced 2026 and is set to become the first IITian from his village.
His father drives an e-rickshaw, and the family’s annual income is less than ₹1 lakh.
Until Class 9, Inderjeet studied in a local school where very few students knew about competitive exams like JEE and NEET. His dream began in Class 10 after seniors introduced him to IIT and engineering entrance exams.
With limited financial resources, joining a major coaching institute was not possible. Instead, he turned to online learning.
However, studying online was also challenging due to internet limitations and frequent power cuts in his village.
To solve the problem, his father suggested that he study at a nearby village library, which offered free internet, electricity, and a quiet environment.
The library soon became the centre of his preparation.
After appearing for JEE in 2025 and not getting the result he wanted, Inderjeet decided to take a drop year. He followed a strict study schedule, spending long hours preparing for physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
Like many aspirants, he faced moments of self-doubt. But he remained determined and refused to give up.
According to Inderjeet, one of the biggest misconceptions about IIT preparation is that success is only possible through expensive coaching.
He believes students from villages and small towns can achieve the same goals with dedication, discipline, and self-belief.
Now, Inderjeet hopes to pursue a BTech degree at Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee and dreams of working in artificial intelligence and machine learning at companies such as Google
The moment he shared his result with his parents remains one of the most emotional moments of his life.
For a young boy from a small Rajasthan village, the achievement is not just a personal success it is an inspiration for countless students who believe their circumstances limit their dreams.
