JEE 2026: Kota Dominates Top Ranks Again as Shubham Kumar Secures AIR 1

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has declared the results of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced 2026. Of the 1,79,694 candidates who appeared for both papers conducted on May 17, a total of 56,880 candidates qualified for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Among the successful candidates, 10,107 are female students.

With the announcement of the results, celebrations erupted across Kota, India's coaching hub, as students from the city once again delivered an impressive performance. According to teachers from leading coaching institutes, Kota students secured six of the top 10 ranks in JEE Advanced 2026. Notably, this marks the third consecutive year that a student trained in Kota has secured All India Rank (AIR) 1.

Shubham Kumar emerged as the national topper, scoring an outstanding 330 out of 360 marks. The topper credited his success to self-belief, hard work, and consistent preparation.

"I always believed that I would perform well. My hard work has paid off," Shubham said.

A regular classroom student at a Kota coaching institute for the past two years, Shubham had earlier secured AIR 6 in JEE Main 2026. He improved further in JEE Advanced to claim the coveted top rank.

"I attribute my success to the guidance of my teachers, regular practice, and the unwavering support of my family," he said. Shubham added that he hopes to pursue a BTech in Computer Science from IIT Bombay.

The celebrations extended beyond students, with parents and mentors gathering at coaching institutes across Kota to mark the achievement. One parent expressed satisfaction with the city's academic environment and praised the dedication shown by students. Another parent summed up the mood, saying, "Their hard work has paid off."

Among the other top performers, Kabeer Chhillar secured AIR 2, while Jatin Chahar claimed AIR 3.

Arohi Deshpande emerged as the highest-ranked female candidate in the examination. She scored 280 out of 360 marks, earning the distinction of female topper in JEE Advanced 2026.

This version is tighter, more newspaper-style, and avoids repetition while highlighting the key achievements and reactions.