Overview

• Atul Kumar will depart for Chennai on July 22 after clearing the IIT-JAM 2025 and earning admission to IIT Madras’s MSc Mathematics program.
• He began dedicated IIT-JAM preparation in July 2024 after returning from Kedarnath, where a lack of network access made studying impossible during the pilgrimage season.
• Local teachers first informed him about postgraduate paths at IITs, and his friend Mahavir supported his studies by sharing notes and guidance.
• Kumar’s family has long sustained itself by transporting pilgrims on horses and mules, making his admission a source of pride and inspiration for his remote Uttarakhand community.
• His achievement highlights how determination and grassroots support can help students overcome geographic and socioeconomic barriers to premier institutions.