Achin Bansal - Topper IIT-JEE, 2007

Success mantra for Achin - “Prepare with devotion and without tension. Understand each subject, do not cram”.

Once known as the backwaters of Punjab, the Malwa region comprising the Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar and Faridkot districts, has started making its presence felt in the education field. These districts have scaled new heights especially in the competitive examinations.

Bathinda and several towns surrounding the region have developed as nurseries of engineers and doctors for the past one and half decades. This is not the end, a new story is being scripted by the students of this region, as they have been making it to the list of successful candidates of the UPSC’s Civil Services exam every year.


Achin Bansal from Kotkapura, who topped the IIT-JEE, 2007, scripted a history of sorts by becoming the first student from Punjab to win the top seat, and that too from a school affiliated with the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB).

In an interview with The Tribune, the 17-year-old Achin Bansal said only hard work, preparation without tension, practice and concentration can bring the desired result in any competitive examination.

Achin, who will be the first engineer from a family of doctors and advocates, says being a student belonging to a small town like Kotkapura does not play any big role while preparing, though it gives a consistent feeling that you have to compete with those students who belong to big cities and have number of facilities at their disposal.

“I prepared for IIT-JEE for two years (my Class XI-XII) and secured a rank of 374 in IIT-JEE 2000. Two years of hard work had paid off… but life changed completely for me. I reached IIT Bombay with lots of hopes, expectations and of course many prejudices – many of which were blown apart when I saw the room that I had to share with my roommate. I mean, it was barely enough for one person and to think that you would be sharing it with someone was torture (Don’t worry, things are better now, everyone gets a single room)! Nevertheless, I had to manage and I learnt the first lesson – not to waste too much time in complaining about things and quickly getting to work to the best of my ability.

I was soon faced with the problems of living in a hostel and the first month was indeed very turbulent. No, it wasn’t ragging that took me off (there was not much of it anyways), but the struggle to create a personal space for myself in a totally new place outside home. Soon, all the hiccups were settled and I made some of the most wonderful friends and thoroughly enjoyed the first year of my stay. Needless to say, being regular meant that studies were also going well and that gave an added impetus to everything around me.

In the second year we started attending classes in our department. It was then, that the true meaning of engineering dawned upon me and I began to relish and enjoy the numerous new things that I learnt in the classrooms. Of course, I participated in a host of extracurricular activities and was amazed at the opportunities of self-growth that they offered. Life was indeed on an upswing.

Thereafter, things got more and more hectic with the academic load increasing by leaps and bounds. I still cherish some of the sleepless nights which we spent working in the labs for projects, competitions and various other activities. Things culminated in the final year with my project which enabled me to define a problem on my own and attempt a solution to it. It was one of the most learning experiences of my life.

Today, I stand at the threshold of a new life, of a new world wherein I will take up a job and work. It is difficult to believe, but my student life has ended (for the time being at least!). The last five years have seen a lot of changes in me… I have grown both as an individual – within myself as well as a social being. This place has not only given me the technical knowledge required to start my career, it has also contributed tremendously in my personal growth.

Another thing that my college taught me was the need to give in a full effort every time in everything that we do. Half-hearted attempts are not acceptable. This small realization has helped me overcome many moments of self-doubt.

I urge you to ask yourself this question: What is your commitment towards whatever you are doing? What is your commitment towards your short-term/long-term aim(s) in life?

Your immediate aim is IIT-JEE. It is not difficult, it has been done by people like you before, you have the ability, you can and will get through with flying colors… just remember “No Half-Measures”.

As one of my JEE teachers used to say that for you at this time,
“IIT-JEE is not everything, it is the ONLY thing.”