JEE Advanced has changed the course of life for A Rajeshwari, a tribal student from Tamil Nadu who secured an all-India rank of 417 in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. Her extraordinary achievement has earned her not just national recognition but also full educational support from the Tamil Nadu government, as announced by Chief Minister M K Stalin on June 6.
Rajeshwari, a student of a government tribal residential school under the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare (AD&TW) department, is now set to become the first ever from her school to secure admission to an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Her journey from Karumandurai, a remote village nestled in the Kalvarayan Hills near Salem, to the prestigious IITs is an inspiring story of resilience, hard work, and state support.
A Dream Fulfilled Against All Odds
Belonging to the Malayali community, Rajeshwari has faced personal hardships, including the loss of her father. Yet she never let her circumstances define her. Instead, she carried forward her father’s dream of academic success with grit and determination, culminating in her success at one of the country’s toughest entrance exams.
CM Stalin praised her spirit and called her achievement a source of pride not just for the state but for the IITs themselves. “The true pride for IITs is when more of our daughters such as Rajeshwari join. Our Dravidian model government will continue to work towards this,” he said in a statement.
Government Support Through Kalloori Kanavu
Recognising the challenges faced by students from marginalised communities, the Tamil Nadu government has actively worked to support higher education through schemes like Kalloori Kanavu. In the 2025–2026 state budget, ₹50 crore was allocated for the educational expenses of 2,000 students who have secured seats in premier institutions across India.
Rajeshwari’s case falls under this support system, and the government will bear her complete academic expenses, ensuring she can study without the burden of financial stress.
By the Numbers: JEE Advanced 2025
According to IIT Kanpur, which conducted the 2025 edition of the JEE Advanced, a total of 1,80,422 students appeared for the exam on May 18. Out of these, 54,378 candidates qualified. In the ST category, 14,010 students appeared and 5,008 successfully cleared the test. Among all qualifiers, 9,404 are women — a figure that shows gradual progress in bridging gender gaps in STEM fields.
Lighting the Way for Others
Rajeshwari’s accomplishment is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when talent meets opportunity. Her story speaks to the potential of tribal students and highlights the importance of targeted support from both institutions and governments.
With CM Stalin’s backing, Rajeshwari not only steps into the world of IITs but also becomes a symbol of possibility for countless other students from remote and underrepresented communities.
In a time when education is one of the few ladders out of systemic inequality, the success of students like Rajeshwari and the commitment of governments to back them show the path forward: one where every child, no matter where they come from, has a fair chance to dream — and achieve.
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