In an impressive display of academic excellence, Ved Lahoti from the Delhi zone has topped the JEE Advanced 2024 exam with a remarkable score of 355 out of 360, setting a new record for the highest-ever score in the history of the examination. This year’s results also reflect an overall increase in the pass percentage, signaling a rise in the academic standards among aspirants.
The Rise in Pass Percentage and Cut-offs
The JEE Advanced exam, the gateway to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), saw a notable increase in the pass percentage this year, jumping to 26.77% from last year’s 24.26%. The qualifying cut-offs have also risen across various categories, highlighting the competitive nature of the exam.
A total of 48,248 candidates have qualified for admission to the 17,740 seats available across 23 IITs. This year, 180,200 students appeared for the exam, held on May 26.
Top Performers and Their Unique Strategies
Ved Lahoti, originally from Madhya Pradesh, attributed his success to the “positive pressure and healthy competition” he experienced while preparing in Kota, Rajasthan, a renowned coaching hub for JEE aspirants. Living alone in Kota, Ved received visits from his mother every two months, allowing him to focus intensely on his studies without distractions. His hard work and perseverance paid off with a record-breaking score and the top rank in the country.
In contrast, Dwija Patel, who topped among female candidates with an impressive score of 332 and an All-India Rank of 7, prepared for the exam from her home in the IIT Bombay zone. Dwija preferred the comfort of her home environment, avoiding the need to adjust to a new setting. She joined a nearby coaching institute, allowing her to focus entirely on her studies without the stress of relocation.
Both Ved and Dwija, like many other top performers, aspire to secure a seat in the Computer Science Engineering (CSE) program at IIT Bombay, which remains the most sought-after branch among the top rankers.
Regional Performance and Zone Contributions
The IIT Madras zone, which includes states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry, has once again emerged as a significant contributor to the pool of qualified candidates. This year, 145 of its candidates have ranked within the top 500, with four out of the top ten hailing from this zone. The region continues to maintain its reputation for producing high-caliber students, echoing its performance from previous years.
Other notable contributions include:
- IIT Delhi Zone: 10,255 qualified candidates
- IIT Bombay Zone: 9,480 qualified candidates
- IIT Roorkee Zone: 5,136 qualified candidates
- IIT Kanpur Zone: 4,928 qualified candidates
- IIT Bhubaneshwar Zone: 4,811 qualified candidates
- IIT Guwahati Zone: 2,458 qualified candidates
This distribution highlights the diverse geographical representation in the pool of successful candidates.
Gender and International Representation
Out of the 48,248 candidates who cleared the JEE Advanced exam, 7,964 are girls, indicating a continued presence of female achievers in this challenging examination. However, the number of foreign candidates clearing the exam has decreased from 13 last year to seven this year. Additionally, 179 candidates with OCI/PIO status have qualified.
JoSAA Counselling and Future Steps
With the results declared, the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) has commenced the counseling process for seat allocation in IITs and other premier institutions. This year, candidates can prepay their fees before the “mock round” and the official start of seat allotment, a new feature aimed at streamlining the admission process.
As the top performers, including Ved Lahoti and Dwija Patel, prepare for the next steps in their academic journeys, their stories serve as an inspiration to future aspirants. Their dedication, strategic approach, and resilience underscore the values needed to excel in one of India’s toughest entrance examinations.
