“It Was a Dream I Thought I’d Never Achieve”: 17-Year-Old Student With 90% Disability Secures Admission to IIT Madras

J Santhosh, 17, was once only dreaming of going to IIT Madras. Last year, he missed his school's trip to the institute because of his health condition. A year later, he secured admission to the IIT Madras BS Degree Programme in Data Science and Applications after clearing the qualifier examination on his second attempt. His journey, supported by his family, Tamil Nadu Volunteers and IIT Madras' IITM For All initiative, has turned that missed trip into an admission offer.

Since birth, Santhosh has lived with 90% spinal muscular disability and cerebral palsy since birth. Despite his health challenges, he remained focused on his Class 12 studies and eventually became his school's topper. He was quite successful as he had originally studied for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), but the regular engineering course would not have been suitable due to his health condition.

When he got confirmation that he will be joining IIT Madras, it was an emotional moment for him. I can't think of any words to say, I was just so happy. I never thought that the opportunity could come my way like this,” Santhosh said. He said it was a dream of his that he thought he never would get to experience.

A School Trip That Started an IIT Dream

Santhosh's interest in IIT Madras started when his classmates went to the school and came back talking about their visit. He did not go with them but remembering their story, he thought about studying at the institute. His headmaster, around the time of his Class 12 results, introduced him to the BS Degree Programme in Data Science and Applications of IIT Madras.

He then searched for more information and came across a motivational video about IITM For All, an initiative aimed at making higher education and STEM learning more accessible. The video was by Hari Krishnan, Head of Social Initiatives & Outreach at IIT Madras. “That video gave me hope and motivated me to explore the opportunity,” Santhosh said.

He cleared the Qualifier on his Second Attempt

It was not an easy journey to get into IIT Madras. His application process was problematic with a particular ITI and he was linked to Tamil Nadu Volunteers through an NGO which was helping his family with food and other essentials. Also, Hari Krishnan visited his home, gave instructions and assisted him in the application related problem. Later, Tamil Nadu Volunteers assisted Santhosh in preparing for the qualifier exam, and also provided him training sessions.

Santhosh again took up the challenge of the qualifier and cleared it on his second attempt, thus qualifying him to join the four-year BS programme. He was also that one who was admitted to the programme among all his classmates, reports said, quoting IIT Madras.

What makes the IIT Madras Data Science Programme Special?

Santhosh was impressed by the structure of the IIT Madras BS Data Science course. A considerable amount of the programme is delivered remotely, but students will have to undertake in-person examinations and quizzes. This flexibility allowed him to pursue higher education in a more practical method while tackling his physical limitations.

Previously, Santhosh wasn't sure about going to college at all. At first, he wasn't even sure he'd be able to get to college due to his disability. Now he would like to learn as much as possible and get as much hands-on experience as he can on the degree.

The programme will enable him to develop skills in areas such as data science, analytics and full-stack development. Santhosh would like to apply those skills to a career in the IT industry, ideally one that would let him work from home.

His Parents Remain His Biggest Motivation

Behind Santhosh's achievement is a family that has supported his education through difficult circumstances. His father works as an auto driver, while his mother has devoted much of her time to supporting him. Santhosh says his parents remain his biggest source of motivation.

“My biggest motivation is my mother and father,” he said. He also hopes that his future career will allow him to give his parents a comfortable life in return for everything they have done for him.

Support from Tamil Nadu Volunteers will continue as Santhosh begins the programme. Through the IITM For All initiative, the volunteers will provide him with in-person assistance during the initial stages, including AI training, and will also bear his first-year tuition expenses. 

100% Efforts over 90% Disability 

Santhosh's story is also about something that is beyond his own admission – awareness. He stumbled upon the IIT Madras programme when he got a tip-off from his headmaster and then learned about IITM For All. He feels that other students with disabilities might also be able to obtain a higher education but don't realize that this is an option.

Timely guidance has made all the difference in the lives of his own students. A trip to the school that he could not attend started a dream. It didn't stop that journey, and it didn't stop his first failed attempt to qualify.

Now, Santhosh is getting ready for his course in Data Science and Applications at IIT Madras to start from September. He has also expressed his desire to go for appearing for GATE and pursuing a masters degree.

Life is indeed unpredictable. Last year, Santhosh missed the opportunity to visit IIT Madras with his classmates. Now he has his own seat at the institute. A boy who had imagined studying at IIT Madras is now getting ready for his dream institute.