After missing the JEE Advanced cut-off by just two marks in 2021, Meerut’s Sanket Kumar chose self-study over coaching
June 21, 2026: Sanket Kumar from Meerut has achieved his dream of joining the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after overcoming an early setback in his academic journey. A former student of Dewan Public School, Sanket narrowly missed the JEE Advanced cut-off by just two marks in 2021. Determined to succeed, he took a gap year despite advice against it and prepared independently through YouTube lectures and previous years’ question papers. His hard work paid off when he cleared both JEE Main and JEE Advanced the following year and secured admission to the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) in Thiruvananthapuram.
During his Aerospace Engineering studies at IIST, Sanket chose the less-explored field of vibrations and acoustics, becoming the only student in his batch to specialize in the subject. He further enhanced his experience by working for three months on an advanced engineering research project with Japan-based Shinra Inc. After graduating with a CGPA of 8.2, he was shortlisted for an ISRO interview and successfully secured a position as Scientist/Engineer.
Sanket will now begin his career at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, where rocket systems are tested before launch. A resident of Modipuram, he credited his family for supporting him throughout his journey, especially during his gap year. He even kept his ISRO interview a secret from his parents to surprise them with the final result. His family expressed immense pride in his achievement, while his former school principal described him as a focused and disciplined student who remained committed to his goals.