academic excellence

In a remarkable feat of academic excellence, Kushagra Gupta from Karnataka has emerged as a state topper by securing a perfect 100 percentile score in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2025 Session 2. The results, announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) late on April 18, 2025, have highlighted Gupta’s exceptional performance on a national level. Kushagra, a student of Narayana Co-Kaveri Bhavan College, Kasavanahalli in Bengaluru, has not only topped Karnataka but has also joined the elite group of 24 students across India who have achieved this coveted perfect score in the JEE Main Session 2, Paper-1 (B.E./B.Tech.). This outstanding achievement underscores the high caliber of talent emerging from the state. This is not the first time Kushagra has demonstrated his prowess in the highly competitive examination. Earlier, he had also secured a perfect 100 percentile score in JEE Main Session 1, held in January 2025. This consistent performance speaks volumes about his dedication, rigorous preparation, and deep understanding of the subjects. The Principal and staff members of Narayana Co-Kaveri Bhavan College have extended their heartfelt congratulations to Kushagra on his phenomenal success. His achievement is a moment of immense pride for the institution and the entire state of Karnataka. Adding to the state’s accolades, Mathangi Parthasarathy and Ratan S. Bhagwati, students of Narayana Olympiad School, Sahakar Nagar, also secured impressive scores of 99.99 percentile in the same examination. Their achievements further highlight the strong performance of students from Karnataka in this national-level engineering entrance exam. The JEE Main 2025 Session 2 witnessed participation from a vast number of aspiring engineers across the country. Out of the 14.75 lakh unique candidates who appeared in both sessions, 24 have achieved the perfect 100 NTA score. Rajasthan has emerged with the highest number of top scorers, with six students securing the perfect percentile, followed by Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh with three each. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh each have one student in this top bracket. Among the 24 candidates with a perfect 100 NTA score, two are female, namely Devdutta Majhi from West Bengal and Sai Manogna Guthikonda from Andhra Pradesh, showcasing the increasing representation of women in the field of engineering. Kushagra Gupta, reflecting on his achievement, credited consistent examination practice at his institution for his success. “At Narayana, we were tested very often. Everyday examinations at the institution helped me prepare better for JEE Mains. It gave me clarity on what to expect in the examination,” 1 he stated. He reportedly dedicated 12-13 hours daily to his studies, maintaining a focused and step-by-step approach.   1. indianexpress.com indianexpress.com Looking ahead, Kushagra is now setting his sights on JEE Advanced, the next crucial step towards securing a seat in the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). He is particularly interested in pursuing Computer Science Engineering at either IIT Bombay or IIT Madras. “I am going to add another extra layer of preparation for JEE Advanced,” he affirmed, acknowledging the intense competition for IIT seats. His parents, Amit Gupta, who works as a department head at Alstom Transport India Limited, and Madhumita Gupta, a senior scientist at Philips Healthcare, have undoubtedly played a significant role in his success by providing a supportive and encouraging environment. Kushagra’s remarkable achievement serves as an inspiration to countless other students across the nation aspiring to excel in competitive examinations. His story underscores the importance of dedication, consistent effort, and effective guidance in achieving academic excellence. The National Testing Agency has also released the category-wise cut-off scores for JEE Advanced eligibility. The general (UR) category cut-off stands at 93.10 percentile, while for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) it is 80.38 percentile, for OBC-NCL it is 79.43 percentile, for SC it is 61.15 percentile, and for ST it is 47.90 percentile. The JEE Main examination is conducted for admission to various undergraduate engineering and technology programs across the country, including NITs, IIITs, and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs). The top performers in JEE Main are also eligible to appear for the JEE Advanced examination, which is the gateway to the IITs. Kushagra Gupta’s stellar performance in JEE Main 2025 Session 2 is a testament to his hard work and the quality of education he has received. As he prepares for the next challenge, the entire state of Karnataka and his institution will be keenly watching and cheering for his continued success. His achievement will undoubtedly motivate many young minds to strive for excellence in their academic pursuits.