Meet Atul Kumar, the IIT candidate who got a lifeline from the SC

Atul Kumar an 18 year old boy from the Titora village of Muzaffarnagar faced incredible challenges while preparing for the highly competitive IIT entrance exam. Studying for 18 hours a day, with breaks only for food and sleep, he endured an intense 11-month schedule.

Though he successfully cleared the exam, his entry to IIT nearly slipped due to financial obstacles.

Atul, the son of a daily wage laborer, missed his chance to join IIT-Dhanbad after his family failed to pay the acceptance fee on time. However, an unexpected lifeline arrived, when the Supreme Court, ordered the institute to accept him for the BTech course.

Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, along with Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, led the bench that ruled in Atul’s favor. The three judges recognised his talent and also his determination, stating:  “We cannot allow such a talented young boy to go away. He cannot be left in the lurch.” The order has been passed under Article 142 of the Constitution which empowers the Supreme Court to pass any order in the interest of justice.

Atul Kumar journey to IIT

Atul’s preparation journey was far from easy. He joined a coaching institute after completing his schooling in Kanpur and studied there for 11 months. The course was designed for students coming from weaker sections. The course began with foundational concepts and then moved to advanced material. “At the coaching institute, they started from the basics and then moved toward the advanced level,” Atul explained.

He shared his perceptions regarding the pressure most candidates face during entrance exams, especially those who contemplate extreme actions. “One should not commit suicide. If one opportunity ends, then another opens up,” he advised.  Atul asked students to consider other options, such as an MTech at IIT if they cannot get into BTech.

The dream of the boy was almost over when his parents failed to pay ₹ 17,500 within the due date. He nearly lost an admission as his father, Rajendra Kumar, even thought of selling off his 1.5 bigha of land for the fee.  “I had almost made up my mind to sell my father’s land,” Atul shared. Thankfully, the situation didn’t escalate that far, and his father’s gratitude was clear: “I would like to thank Justice Chandrachud ji and also thank my advocate.”

The whole Titora village now celebrates Atul with the air of pride, it is a story of perseverance, holding on resilience and support from the country’s highest court which gave hope to many aspiring students all over the nation.

With his admission now secured, Atul can finally focus on his dream of becoming an engineer, a goal he has nurtured since class 9. Inspired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Atul’s love for chemistry and determination to rise above life’s challenges continue to fuel his journey.

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