In a quiet corner of Uttar Pradesh, Titora village became the unlikely stage of a story that has now captured the nation’s attention. Atul Kumar, an 18-year-old Dalit student from a financially stressed family, achieved the dream that many students across India strive for by cracking the prestigious IIT JEE-Advanced exam. His hard work got him a seat in the Electronics Engineering branch at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. However, this victory soon turned into heartbreak. Due to financial constraints and a technical glitch, Atul missed the deadline to pay the acceptance fee of Rs 17,500, jeopardizing his chance of a better future.
On June 24, after his parents collected the required amount through hard work, Atul attempted to complete the payment process on the admission portal. However, the portal closed before they could submit their details.
The financial condition of his family made this blow even more painful. Atul’s father Rajendra Kumar works as a daily wage laborer in a garment factory in Meerut, earning only Rs 450 per day. Atul’s mother, Rajesh Devi, supplements her income by working in the fields and making cots. Despite these difficulties, the family has always prioritized education, with Atul’s elder brothers achieving notable academic success. One of his brothers completed his MTech from NIT Hamirpur, while the other completed his BTech degree from IIT-Kharagpur.
Ray of hope from Supreme Court
Along with efforts to resolve the issue with IIT Madras, Atul approached the Madras High Court for legal assistance, which recommended that he approach the Supreme Court for relief.
Titora village was full of conversation and support for Atul, who was determined to regain his seat at IIT. His case then reached the Supreme Court, where Chief Justice DY Chandrachud was moved by Atul’s plight and assured him that the court would help him as much as possible. “We will help you as much as possible,” the CJI said. While the court sought response from the Joint Seat Allocation Authority and IIT-Madras, where Atul had appeared for the exam.
The Supreme Court used its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to grant admission to Atul in IIT Dhanbad. Atul, who had secured 1,455 rank in his category in the JEE (Advanced) 2024 exam, was offered a seat in the Electrical Engineering program for the four-year Bachelor of Technology course. This was his second and last chance to gain admission.
In Titora, the Supreme Court’s intervention brought a ray of hope. The local community stood behind Atul and his family. A neighbour, who lent Rs 10,000 to help, expressed the village’s collective faith in Atul’s future. A TNN report quoted neighbor Pawan Kumar as saying, “Despite their financial struggles, education has always been their priority, and we are sure that Atul and his brother will emulate their elder siblings.”
Uttar Pradesh government took steps
Just as things seemed to be looking up, the Uttar Pradesh government took a step that came as a huge relief to the family, who was struggling to make ends meet, yet remained steadfast in its commitment to education. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the state government announced that it will provide financial assistance to Atul. The Department of Social Welfare will bear the entire cost of their education at IIT Dhanbad through scholarships.
“Under the state scholarship scheme, the Social Welfare Department will bear the entire IIT fees through scholarship to ensure Atul’s education,” the official statement said. The decision came after the matter reached the notice of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who immediately directed officials to ensure all possible assistance to the student.
Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun personally contacted Atul’s family and assured them that the state government would bear the fees for his entire four-year program at the IIT. “The state government has also contacted IIT Dhanbad and taken necessary steps to complete the admission process,” the official statement said.
A family’s resilience amid adversity
For Atul, government intervention is a lifeline. Reflecting on the challenges faced by his family, Atul told TNN, “Only we know what we have gone through. I need to do this for my parents. And I am waiting to repay Rs 3 lakh, which my father took as a loan to help us study.” His father is hopeful despite his financial burden, saying, “Whatever I earn It is spent on my sons’ education. We have been barely making ends meet for six years now, but I believe better days will come.
Atul’s teacher, Rajkumar Motala, also reflected on his student’s perseverance. TNN quoted him as saying, “His story is proof that talent exists everywhere, even in the poorest sections of the society. We are all praying for him. Just watch, God will listen. “
a new beginning
Thanks to the intervention of the Supreme Court and the Uttar Pradesh government, Atul is ready to begin his journey at IIT Dhanbad. His story stands as a testament to resilience, the power of community, and the importance of education as a tool for social upliftment. The road ahead is still challenging for Atul, but with the support of his family, village and now the state, his future looks very bright.
(With inputs from TNN and PTI)
