Meet the Exceptional Indian Student Who Defied Conventional Wisdom to Pursue His Passion

Dhritishman Dutta, an 18-year-old prodigy from Assam, has made headlines by cracking the ITT-JEE and NEET entrance exams, but instead of taking admission in a prestigious engineering or medical college, he has chosen to pursue a research degree at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Bengaluru.

Dhritishman’s academic journey began with a remarkable performance in the Assam Board 10th examination, where he secured 94.2 percent marks, ranking ninth in the state. His exceptional talent was further showcased in the JEE Main and Advanced exams, where he scored 99.875 percentile and achieved an All India rank of 1,422, making him eligible for admission in top engineering colleges like IITs. However, he chose to focus on the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) 2024, which allowed him to secure the All India Fourth Rank.

In the NEET UG medical entrance exam, Dhritishman scored 625 out of 720 points, making him eligible for admission in private medical schools. Despite having the option to pursue an MBBS degree, he opted for a research degree at IISER Bengaluru, which is considered the top research institute in the country. The institute offers four-year BS degree programs and five-year BS MS dual degree programs, and admission is granted through the IISER IAT entrance exam.

Dhritishman’s decision to pursue research was influenced by his interest in the subject and his desire to explore more options. In an interview with The Indian Express, he revealed that he had started preparing for the IAT after class 10th, focusing mainly on the PCMB subjects. He took coaching at Aakash and used NCERT textbooks and notes provided by the coaching centre to prepare for the exam.

When asked about his preparation routine, Dhritishman explained that he would study online from 7 pm to 10 pm after completing his school homework and taking a short rest between 1 pm and 3 pm. He emphasized that his online coaching did not interfere with his board exam preparation and school routine. He also believed that the essence of the syllabus remains the same, regardless of the board, and that CBSE students do not have an edge in national-level exams.

Dhritishman’s daily routine involved setting goals for himself, which he rarely met. He would dedicate a day to reviewing and studying PCMB courses, paying less attention to Biology, which had a 25 percent weightage in the IAT exam. His dedication and hard work have paid off, and he is now set to begin his research journey at IISER Bengaluru.

It is inspiring to see students like Dhritishman who defy conventional wisdom and pursue their passions, even if it means taking an unconventional route. His story serves as a reminder that there are multiple paths to success, and it is essential to follow one’s heart and interests.