Arohi Deshpande achieved All India Rank (AIR) 77 in the JEE (Advanced) 2026 examination, emerging as the highest-ranked female candidate in the country. This milestone marked the successful culmination of a strategic decision her family made four years ago: to relocate their entire household to Kota, Rajasthan, the hub of competitive exam coaching in India.
A Family's Sacrifice for an IIT Dream
The journey began in 2022 when Arohi, then a Class 9 student, left her hometown of Pune to study in Kota. Unlike many teenagers who move alone to pursue the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) dream, Arohi had her entire family by her side. Her parents restructured their careers to accompany her, and even her grandmother relocated to provide additional support.
"We didn't want her to spend those crucial years away from family," said her father, Prasad Deshpande. His job allowed him to work remotely, enabling him to stay in Kota for extended periods. Arohi's mother, Amita, balanced professional commitments in Gurgaon while ensuring she was largely present in Kota. "If she was going to devote four years to this goal, we wanted to be there with her," she explained.
The Result and Its Implications
When the results were announced late at night, the family gathered around the screen, anxiously waiting. The rank meant that Arohi's long-standing ambition of studying Computer Science at IIT Bombay was now within reach. However, her father is careful not to romanticize the Kota experience. "Kota is not for everyone. The city runs on a relentless cycle of classes, tests, and preparation. It demands tremendous discipline and energy," he said.
Trade-offs and Realizations
The move came with trade-offs. "Cities like Pune and Hyderabad offer a more rounded childhood with sports, music, and other activities. But we realized Arohi genuinely loves academics. Kota gave her the environment she wanted," her father added. Arohi traces her interest in engineering back to Class 7, when she began exploring Olympiads and studying from higher-grade textbooks. Mentors suggested Kota as the next step.
"I was surprised at how quickly my parents agreed," Arohi said. "Not only did they support the idea, they all decided to move with me." She credits that decision for helping her navigate the inevitable setbacks that come with preparing for one of India's toughest examinations. "There were days when I didn't perform well and felt disappointed. Having my family around made all the difference. They encouraged me and helped me bounce back," she added.
The family has now returned to Hyderabad. The IIT dream stands fulfilled, a testament to the power of collective sacrifice and unwavering support.
