Kota, Rajasthan: Two students who prepared in Kota have achieved a rare milestone in India’s highly competitive engineering entrance exam, the Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) 2026, by scoring a perfect 300 out of 300 marks, securing 100 percentile.
The top scorers, Kabir Chillar and Arnav Gautam, credit their success to disciplined preparation, strong conceptual clarity, and sustained guidance from Kota-based coaching institutes.
Kabir Chillar: Eye on IIT and MIT
Originally from Gurugram, Kabir Chillar has lived in Kota for the past two years to prepare for the exam. His father, Mohit Chillar, is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, while his mother, Priyanka Chillar, is a school teacher.
Kabir said his time in Kota was transformative, helping him build a strong foundation in physics, chemistry, and mathematics. He now aims to crack the JEE Advanced and pursue a B.Tech in Computer Science at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. He also hopes to pursue higher studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the future.
Emphasizing self-analysis, Kabir noted that identifying and correcting mistakes significantly improved his performance. He followed a structured study schedule that included regular revisions and mock tests, while short walks with friends helped him relax between study sessions.
Arnav Gautam: Olympiad Achiever with a Clear Strategy
Arnav Gautam prepared for JEE Main alongside his Class 12 board exams and has now set his sights on JEE Advanced, with the goal of securing a Computer Science seat at IIT Bombay.
Arnav said he completely avoided social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook during preparation, using only WhatsApp for academic discussions and doubt-solving. He stressed that staying away from distractions was critical to maintaining focus.
An accomplished Olympiad participant, Arnav represented India at the Asian Physics Olympiad in 2025, where he won a bronze medal. He believes Olympiads sharpen analytical thinking and complement competitive exam preparation when paired with proper guidance.
During the JEE Main exam, Arnav followed a deliberate time strategy—solving chemistry first, then physics and mathematics—allowing him enough time to recheck the entire paper.
Family and Coaching Support
Arnav has been enrolled in coaching programs since Class 6 and received scholarships based on his performance in internal examinations. His father, Dr. Buddhi Prakash Gautam, a faculty member at Kota University, said consistent mentoring played a crucial role in his son’s success.
Both students highlighted the importance of experienced faculty, disciplined routines, time management, and mental balance in cracking one of India’s toughest entrance examinations.
Their achievement once again reinforces Kota’s reputation as the country’s leading hub for engineering exam preparation.