Mujahid Hussain bags AIR 3 in JEE Advanced, credits calm prep routine and faith

India Today

2 days ago

Seventeen-year-old Majid Mujahid Hussain is not new to topping exams. But when the JEE Advanced 2025 results dropped on June 2, even he was a little stunned.'It was the blessings of my parents and the grace of God I have secured this rank,' he says simply. 'I felt very happy that my dream came true.'Originally from Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh, Mujahid secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 3, scoring an impressive 330 out of 360. That also makes him one of the highest scorers from the IIT Bombay zone, which had three candidates in the top 10 this year.advertisementA ROUTINE BUILT ON BALANCE, NOT PRESSURE
What stood out in Mujahid's journey wasn't just his rank but the way he approached the whole process. He didn't go into isolation or cut himself off from everything. Instead, he relied on a steady, pressure-free rhythm built around a strong coaching-school combo.His school, Micro Vision Academy, had a tie-up with Narayana Coaching Centre -- something he found incredibly helpful.'I had the opportunity to study along with coaching every day,' he says. 'It was a very healthy learning schedule which I followed. I prepared without any pressure.'That kind of system helped him stay consistent without burning out, something many JEE aspirants struggle with.GOODBYE DISTRACTIONS, HELLO FOCUSOf course, preparing for one of India's toughest engineering entrance exams isn't all smooth sailing. Mujahid admits it wasn't always easy to avoid distractions. 'It was a bit difficult to keep ourselves away from social media and mobile,' he says. 'Still, I kept myself controlled on that part. It helped me have more time for preparation.'advertisementStaying off screens and away from constant notifications gave him clarity and space to stay in the zone -- something that added up over months.WHY THE RIGHT MATERIAL MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCEWhen asked about his strategy across subjects, Mujahid doesn't overcomplicate it. He stuck to what worked for him -- and that was the Narayana study material.'To be very precise, I completely relied on and followed Narayana Study Material other than my school books,' he shares. 'It helped me to turn every stone possible.'He says the material, coupled with what his faculty guided him on, helped him tackle even the tricky bits with confidence.Mujahid also believes that just going through school books won't cut it if you're aiming for a top rank in JEE. 'Only getting knowledge from school books will not give a proper solution for the IIT JEE exams,' he says.'Narayana Study Material is one of the best for preparation -- for sure you can see yourself in the top rank list.'THE BUMPY BITS, AND WHO HELPED HIM THROUGH THEMHigh ranks often come with their own set of tough moments. For Mujahid, too, the path wasn't exactly smooth. But what helped were his teachers and the support around him.advertisement'Yes, it was a big challenge and a tough path,' he says. 'But my faculty and the Narayana study material helped me make it a smooth stint.'It's rare to hear a JEE topper speak so much about ease and calm -- but Mujahid makes it clear that guidance and the right environment made a massive difference.THE DREAM: IIT BOMBAYNow that the toughest hurdle is behind him, Mujahid is looking ahead -- and he knows exactly where he wants to go next.'Yes, I had a dream to study at IIT Bombay,' he says. 'Both my parents are also happy that it's my dream come true.'For him, this is more than just a college admission. It's the start of a journey he's been working towards for years.ADVICE FOR FUTURE ASPIRANTS: FOLLOW, PRACTISE, BELIEVEIf there's one thing Mujahid wants future JEE aspirants to remember, it's that they don't need a complicated plan.'Just fix your schedule, focus on what your faculty tell you to follow,' he says. 'Stick to the material for practice and give as many mock exams as possible.'His own routine didn't involve jumping from one resource to another or blindly copying topper hacks — he kept it simple, stayed consistent, and gave every mock paper his best shot.advertisementA FAMILY ROOTED IN EDUCATIONMujahid's calm confidence might also come from the atmosphere at home. His father works in the education industry, and he says that this support gave him 'immense confidence' throughout the journey.He's no stranger to academic achievements either — before JEE Advanced, he had already cracked international Olympiads, and he had topped JEE Mains 2025 (Session 1) with a score of 296 out of 300.