Tamil Nadu Government School Students Achieve Remarkable Success in JEE Main Exam
In an inspiring display of academic excellence, students from government schools in Tamil Nadu have delivered outstanding performances in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main. The results, recently released by the National Testing Agency (NTA), reveal that three students have emerged as top scorers in the state, with two achieving an impressive 99.5 percent.
Top Performers from Humble Backgrounds
S Praveen, a Tamil-medium student and state topper among government school attendees, scored 99.5 percent in the JEE Main Paper 1. He is joined by A Velmurugan, who also secured 99.5 percent, and R Naresh, who achieved 99.42 percent. All three hail from modest backgrounds and received residential coaching at the Centre of Academic Excellence (COAE), a model school located in Chennai.
While Praveen has already completed his Class XII, scoring 588 marks in 2025, Naresh and Velmurugan are currently preparing to appear for their board exams this year. Their achievements underscore the potential of students from government schools when provided with the right resources and support.
Widespread Success Across Government Schools
Data from the school education department indicates that 448 students from Tamil Nadu government schools scored more than 79 percent in the first session of the JEE Main exam, which was conducted from January 21 to 28. Notably, 218 of these high achievers were from model schools. The 79 percent mark is significant as it was the cut-off percentage to qualify in JEE last year.
Among these successful candidates, 154 students received training under the Vibrant Education Targeted Reputed Institutions (Vetri) schools initiative. This program, launched in alignment with the state education policy, identifies high-performing government higher secondary schools per block and equips them with facilities comparable to model schools.
Impact of State Education Initiatives
The Vetri schools initiative has proven to be a game-changer in a short span. School Education Secretary B Chandra Mohan highlighted this achievement, stating, "This is a huge accomplishment because it is hardly one year since Vetri schools were launched. Apart from Vetri school students, 76 students who studied in government higher secondary schools also attained high scores in JEE."
Under this initiative, weekend classes are organized for interested students to prepare for competitive exams such as JEE, CLAT, and NEET. This structured support system has been instrumental in bridging the gap between government school students and their private school counterparts.
Intensive Training and Personalized Guidance
COAE Headmaster Senthilvalavan attributed the success to the intensive training provided at the model school. "Students are offered after-school training from 3 pm to 7 pm, and full-day classes on weekends. In Class X, students are assessed and given options to choose what they want to pursue," he explained. This personalized approach ensures that students receive tailored guidance based on their interests and strengths.
The combination of rigorous academic preparation and strategic state policies has created an environment where students from all backgrounds can thrive. The achievements of Praveen, Velmurugan, and Naresh serve as a testament to the effectiveness of these educational reforms.
As Tamil Nadu continues to invest in its education system, the success of these students offers hope and inspiration for future generations. It demonstrates that with the right opportunities and dedication, government school students can compete at the highest levels and achieve remarkable results in national competitive exams.
