Behind every successful JEE aspirant is often a story of perseverance, sacrifice and unwavering support. For Bihar’s Gunjan Kumar, his journey to securing a place at IIT Delhi became possible not only because of his determination but also due to his mother’s extraordinary commitment during one of the most difficult phases of his preparation.
A resident of Sitamarhi, Gunjan had been studying at ALLEN Career Institute in Kota for two years when he was diagnosed with pneumothorax, or a collapsed lung, in October 2025. The condition left him bedridden for nearly three months, preventing him from attending classes just months before the JEE examinations.
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Refusing to let his son’s dream slip away, Gunja, a homemaker with a BEd degree, stepped in as his study partner. Living with him in Kota, she began attending online lectures alongside him, carefully preparing detailed notes that later became an essential part of his revision. Her efforts ensured that Gunjan’s preparation continued despite his illness.
Adding to the challenge, Gunjan also suffers from severe vision impairment, having lost more than 70 per cent of his eyesight and requiring 9.5-power spectacles. Despite these obstacles, he scored 91.8 percentile in JEE Main and secured PWD OBC Category Rank 50 and Common PWD Rank 120 in JEE Advanced, earning admission to the Computer Science programme at IIT Delhi.
Gunjan credited his success to his mother’s dedication and the guidance of his teachers, saying difficult circumstances test courage as much as knowledge. His mother said her son’s dream had become her own, and preparing notes during his illness was the least she could do to help him succeed. Their story has emerged as a powerful example of resilience, family support and determination overcoming adversity.
