When Harsh Jha first arrived in Delhi two years ago, he was just another teenager with a dream. At 15, he left his home in Begusarai, Bihar, with one goal: to secure a seat in the prestigious Computer Science programme at IIT Bombay.

On Tuesday, that dream moved closer to reality as the 17-year-old scored a perfect 100 in Paper 1 of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main, catapulting him into the ranks of the country’s top engineering aspirants. “I decided in Class 10 that I wanted to study Computer Science at IIT Bombay,” he said.

His goal was ambitious, but Harsh’s performance in academics hinted at his potential — he scored a stellar 99 per cent in his CBSE Class 10 Board exams.

To pursue his IIT dream, Harsh made the bold decision to move to Delhi. He enrolled in FIITJEE’s coaching programme in Kalu Sarai, known for its rigorous preparation for JEE aspirants while attending a “dummy school” for formalities. “I can’t reveal the name of the school. It’s a dummy school,” he said, referring to institutions designed to support students prioritising competitive exams over regular schooling.

Adjusting to life in Delhi was no easy feat. Away from the comfort of home, Harsh lived in a hostel in Jia Sarai, a bustling hub for IIT aspirants. Days began early, with back-to-back classes and hours of self-study. Despite the pressure, Harsh found moments of solace in small pleasures — watching English movies was one of them. “Will Smith is my favourite actor. His movies always lift my spirits,” he said.

His father, a teacher in neighbouring Jharkhand, and his mother, a homemaker, always emphasised the importance of education. Amidst the grind, Harsh found unwavering support from his mother. “Whenever I felt stressed or overwhelmed, I would call her. She always knew the right words to say to keep me motivated,” he says.

Harsh said his teachers at FIITJEE played a pivotal role in his success, providing him with the guidance and resources he needed to excel. “They were always there to clear doubts and push me to do better,” he said.

With a perfect JEE score under his belt, Harsh is closer than ever to his dream of joining IIT Bombay’s prestigious Computer Science programme. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “I will now focus on my Class 12 Boards first, then will move forward with my JEE Advanced preparation”.