IIT Bombay CSE and Nothing Else: From perfect JEE main score to AIR 2 in Advanced, Kabeer never had a plan b

When the Joint Entrance Examination, JEE Advanced 2026 results were declared, Kabeer Chhillar found himself just one mark away from the top rank. The 17-year-old student from Gurugram secured All India Rank, AIR 2 with 329 marks. For Kabeer, however, the result was predictable. IIT Delhi zone student was sure that we would be among tap rank holders. Having already scored a perfect 300 out of 300 in JEE Main 2026 Session 1, Kabeer skipped the second session. Rather, he devoted the following months entirely to JEE Advanced preparation. He now hopes to pursue Computer Science Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Bombay. "There was never a Plan B," Kabeer told Careers360, reflecting on his determination that shaped his preparation journey. JEE Advanced 2026 topper LIVE updates.

The Gurugram student's road to success began much earlier. After completing Class 10 in 2024, he moved to Kota, Rajasthan, in search of a more competitive academic environment. The decision was influenced by JEE topper Ved Lahoti, whose preparation strategy and success story convinced Kabeer that Kota can be that X factor and could help him take his preparation to the next level.

Engineering was not a sudden choice. Kabeer enrolled in coaching classes in Class 8 and gradually became more committed to pursuing the IIT dream. "Initially, I wasn't sure if I would attempt JEE, but it always felt like a childhood calling. This was my only plan; there was never a Plan B," he said.

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His academic interests evolved with time. Mathematics was his favourite subject while growing up, but Physics became his strongest interest during Class 11. By the start of Class 12, he had also developed a deep appreciation for Chemistry. Biology, however, never appealed to him as a career path. "It was a scoring subject, but I never saw myself becoming a doctor," he said.

Kabeer has maintained an impressive academic record throughout his school years. In the CBSE Class 10 board examinations, he scored 98 per cent overall, including 99 in Mathematics, 98 in Science, 99 in Spanish, 97 in English, 97 in Social Science, and a perfect 100 in Information Technology.

Academic Conversations at Home

Education was a natural part of life at home. His father, Mohit Chhillar, is an IIT Kharagpur graduate from the 1997 Electrical Engineering batch and currently works in the private sector. His mother, Priyanka Chhillar, teaches Mathematics and Science. Despite their academic backgrounds, Kabeer says his parents never pressured him to perform. "My father helped me develop my interest in Mathematics and Science, and our dinner-table conversations often revolved around these subjects. But my parents never interfered in my studies," he told Careers 360.

Although Kabeer plans to pursue Computer Science Engineering at IIT Bombay, he does not necessarily see himself following a traditional engineering career path. His long-term interests lie in research and academia. "I would like to explore research and perhaps become a professor someday. Astronomy also fascinates me. I've always been interested in stars and space," he said.

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Kabeer Chhillar's Preparation Strategy

A classroom student at Allen Career Institute, Kota, Kabeer attributes much of his success to conceptual learning rather than rote memorisation. He focused on understanding topics thoroughly, dividing chapters into manageable sections and maintaining concise notes for revision.

"Instead of memorising, I tried to understand concepts deeply," he said.

His study routine was built around consistency rather than extreme schedules. On most days, he studied between seven and nine hours, extending the duration only when required. He strongly favoured self-study over group learning. He says that two hours of self-study can be more productive than six hours of group study,

Another key aspect of his preparation was analysing mistakes after every mock test. Rather than focusing solely on scores, he concentrated on identifying weak areas and improving them consistently. For JEE Main and JEE Advanced aspirants preparing for future attempts, Kabeer's advice is simple: revise Chemistry thoroughly, maintain accuracy, and ensure that hard work is directed towards the right goals.

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Other JEE Advanced 2026 rank holders

Qualified candidates will now participate in JoSAA Counselling.