Kedarnath youth, who lived in tents and carried pilgrims' luggage, cracks IIT Madras. Check his motivation behind this journey

While most students prepare for competitive exams in air-conditioned rooms with Wi-Fi and coaching classes, Atul Kumar was hauling luggage for pilgrims along the rugged trails of Kedarnath. Living in tents with no internet and barely enough time or resources, Atul still managed to do the unthinkable—he cracked the IIT Joint Admission Test for Master’s (JAM) and secured admission into the prestigious IIT Madras.

Atul, a young man from the hills of Uttarakhand, used to support his family by guiding horses and mules along the steep pilgrim paths of Kedarnath Dham. In an exclusive interview with ANI, he opened up about how his journey from a modest background led him to one of India’s top institutes.

What changed everything for Atul?
He shared that initially, he had no clue what IIT even was. He revealed that growing up, he faced water shortage challenges and had limited awareness about education. It wasn’t until a teacher told him about the possibility of pursuing a master’s degree at IIT that his mindset shifted. That moment, he says, “changed everything.”

How did Atul prepare for IIT?
Atul began preparing for the JAM exam in July, after returning from his seasonal work in Kedarnath. He was working there in June. There was no network, and he lived in tents, so studying wasn’t possible, he mentioned. However, once back, he got help from his friend Mahavir, who shared his own notes from previous preparations. With dedication, Atul studied consistently leading up to the February exam.

His family background added to the pressure. Atul’s father works as a horse handler, their main source of income. Meanwhile, his elder sister is married, and the younger one just completed her education.

What was his biggest motivation?
During his time in Kedarnath, Atul handled tough tasks—carrying goods, managing logistics for pilgrims, and supporting them on treacherous terrain. Despite the physical strain, he kept his eyes on the goal: building a better life for himself. He told ANI that his biggest motivation was to move ahead in life, escape his place and create something better for himself.