Mumbai student who studied on terrace & used neighbour’s Wi-Fi cracks JEE Advanced, gets IIT Delhi seat

For Mumbai student Abhishek Sujit Sharma, preparing for the JEE Advanced exam meant studying wherever he could find the space and resources to continue. When his mobile data ran out, he would climb to the terrace of his home and use a neighbour's Wi-Fi to access online lessons and study material.

A few months after that preparation, Sharma secured admission to IIT Delhi after qualifying JEE Advanced with an All India Rank (AIR) of 2,456. His story is that of a student who continued preparing for one of India's toughest entrance examinations despite limited financial resources and little space at home.

From Mumbai chawl to IIT Delhi

Sharma's family lives in Harad Chawl in Lokmanya Tilak Nagar, Mumbai. According to India Today, the family of four lived in a rented room for Rs 3,000 a month.


His father worked as a labourer at a steel fabrication company, while the family managed with limited resources. Their home also did not have a private washroom, adding to the challenges of everyday life.

For Sharma, finding a quiet place to study was difficult. The small rented room offered limited space, making the terrace an important part of his preparation.

Neighbour's Wi-Fi became his study lifeline

Internet access was another challenge during his JEE preparation. With limited mobile data available, Sharma would head to the terrace whenever his phone's data ran out.

There, he could connect to a neighbour's Wi-Fi and continue watching online classes, accessing study material and keeping up with his preparation.

The terrace effectively became an extension of his classroom, allowing him to continue studying despite the lack of a dedicated study room or uninterrupted internet connection.

Online learning helped Sharma prepare for JEE Advanced

Instead of relying on expensive coaching arrangements, Sharma turned to online learning for his preparation.

The approach allowed him to access educational content without placing the additional financial burden of a traditional coaching programme on his family. His academic ambition was centred on science, with a particular interest in physics.

His preparation, however, was not limited to finding study material. He also had to make the most of the limited space and resources available to him.

Parents made sacrifices during his preparation

Sharma's parents also adjusted their own living arrangements to support his studies.

According to the India Today report, they would sleep on the floor so that their son could use the bed. The arrangement was one of several sacrifices the family made while he prepared for the competitive examination.

For a student studying in a small rented home, even having a designated place to rest and study could make a difference.

Sharma scores 199 marks in JEE Advanced

Sharma eventually scored 199 marks in JEE Advanced and secured an OBC-NCL rank of 415. His overall All India Rank stood at 2,456.

His result earned him a place at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, marking a major milestone for his family.

He is also reported to be the first IITian from his slum community, making his achievement particularly significant for those around him.

From a Mumbai terrace to IIT Delhi

Sharma's journey to IIT Delhi began in circumstances far removed from the private study rooms and extensive resources often associated with competitive exam preparation.

A rented room, limited internet access and a terrace became part of his daily routine. When resources were scarce, he found ways to continue his studies, eventually securing a place at one of India's premier engineering institutions.


Inputs from agencies