Kerala's JEE Mains State Topper Vaishnav ENK Sets Sights on Aerospace Engineering at Premier IITs
In a remarkable academic achievement, Vaishnav ENK, a native of Thrissur, Kerala, has emerged as the state topper in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Mains) with an impressive percentile score of 99.98. The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the results of this highly competitive engineering entrance test on Monday, revealing that while twelve candidates nationally achieved a perfect 100 percentile, no student from Kerala secured that top mark.
Background and Family Details of the Young Achiever
Vaishnav is currently a Class XI student at Devamatha CMI Public School in Thrissur. He is the eldest son of Kritheesh E K and Sandhya, with a younger brother, Karthick, who is studying in Class X. The family has an international background, having previously settled in Muscat before relocating to Thrissur three years ago. They now reside in Nattika, Triprayar, where Vaishnav has focused intensely on his academic goals.
The Success Mantra: Ambition and Persistent Hard Work
Speaking about his incredible feat, Vaishnav expressed that he was expecting a percentile score above 99.5 but surpassed his own expectations. He attributes his success to a combination of prolonged ambition and relentless dogged perseverance. In an interview, he elaborated, "I believe everyone has more or less the same intelligence. But you need to be ambitious to attain a high goal and also work hard consistently for the same. This was my success mantra."
Unlike many toppers who often opt for conventional engineering streams, Vaishnav has set his sights on pursuing Aerospace Engineering at top-tier institutions such as IIT Bombay or IIT Madras. This specialized interest highlights his unique career aspirations within the competitive field of engineering.
Preparation Strategies and Future Plans
Vaishnav credits his entrance coaching at the Brilliant Institute in Thrissur as a pivotal factor in his preparation. He emphasized the importance of a supportive peer group and rigorous practice using previous years' question papers. "I have found peer groups, those having the same mentality, as having a positive impact. Another factor, I think, is the practice using previous years' question papers," he added.
Looking ahead, Vaishnav is already gearing up for future challenges. With Class XII board exams approaching, he has shifted his focus to the theory component, noting that seniors have advised him these exams might be "more tougher" than JEE Mains. Additionally, he has commenced preparations for the JEE Advanced exam, scheduled for May 17, 2026, and plans to appear for the Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical (KEAM) entrance test as well.
Parental Support and Insights
His parents have been instrumental in his journey, crediting his success to unwavering hard work and clear goal-setting. His mother, Sandhya, shared, "Vaishnav had a clear goal and wanted to pursue Aerospace Engineering from a top IIT institute. He started preparing hard from Class XI by joining the Brilliant coaching centre and staying at the hostel there." This disciplined approach, combined with familial encouragement, has clearly paid off in his outstanding performance.
As Vaishnav continues to balance board exam preparations with advanced engineering entrance studies, his story serves as an inspiration to aspiring students across Kerala and beyond, demonstrating that with ambition, perseverance, and strategic planning, high academic goals are within reach.
