Archive · 6 Sep 2026
From a Pani Puri Stall to IIT Guwahati Life
Priyanshu grew up mostly in Darbhanga, Bihar, and dreamed of studying at an IIT.
He prepared for the JEE exams at a coaching institute in Patna.
One day, while eating pani puri, his mentor called and told him he had become an IIT student.
His ranks led him to choose Mechanical Engineering at IIT Guwahati.
Moving to the campus introduced him to people from many different places and backgrounds.
He made a close group of eight friends and joined several clubs.
The Athletics Club helped him learn sprinting even though he had never done it before.
He also represented IIT Guwahati in relay races at the Inter-IIT Sports Meet.
A zero in a mathematics course taught him that struggling does not prevent someone from achieving meaningful things.
Priyanshu Kumar learned he had qualified for IIT Guwahati when his mentor called him at a pani puri stall in Darbhanga.
Originally from Madhubani, Bihar, he spent most of his life in Darbhanga and prepared for JEE in Patna.
He secured All India Rank 7,457 in JEE Main and 3,863 in JEE Advanced.
He chose Mechanical Engineering after deciding that his rank would not secure Computer Science at the top IITs and that mechanical work interested him more.
At IIT Guwahati, he joined several clubs, represented the institute in relay races, and learned from academic setbacks including receiving a zero in mathematics.
- Who
- Priyanshu Kumar, a final-year Mechanical Engineering student at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati.
- What
- He describes his journey from preparing for the JEE exams in Bihar to studying at IIT Guwahati and developing through academics, friendships, sports, and clubs.
- When
- He joined IIT Guwahati on July 31, 2023, and is now in his final year at about 21 years old.
- Where
- He grew up mainly in Darbhanga, prepared in Patna, and studies at IIT Guwahati.
- Why
- His JEE ranks led him to focus on Mechanical Engineering, which he felt suited his interests better than the available Computer Science options.
- Home
- Priyanshu is originally from Madhubani, Bihar, and considers Darbhanga his home.
- JEE Main rank
- All India Rank 7,457
- JEE Advanced rank
- All India Rank 3,863
- Institute
- Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
- Degree
- Mechanical Engineering
- First campus day
- July 31, 2023
- Interests and activities
- Athletics Club, Literature Society, Automobile Club, TEDxIITGuwahati, writing, and sports