Heartbreaking Journey: UP’s Atul Kumar cracks IIT entrance in the last attempt, looses seat for missing fees payment deadline by 5 minutes

An 18-year-old student from Uttar Pradesh, Atul Kumar, has found himself in a distressing situation after narrowly missing out on his seat at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dhanbad. Atul, who recently cracked the JEE (Advanced) exam in his final attempt, faced a heartbreaking setback when he missed the online payment deadline of ₹17,500 by just three to five minutes.

Atul Kumar hails from Titora village in Muzaffarnagar, coming from a below-poverty-line Dalit family. His father, a daily wage laborer at a transformer factory, and his mother, who works as an agricultural laborer and makes cots, have always prioritized their children’s education despite their financial struggles. “I will eat half a roti, but I will definitely educate my children,” his father, Rajendra, expressed, showcasing the family’s commitment to education.

The ordeal began when Atul checked his exam results on his older brother’s laptop on June 9. Realizing he had successfully secured admission to the Electrical Engineering program at IIT Dhanbad, he felt a wave of excitement wash over him. In a race against time, Atul borrowed money from villagers to gather the necessary fee. However, just as he attempted to make the payment at 4:45 PM on June 24, he encountered a technical glitch—the college’s online portal was unresponsive, and he ultimately missed the deadline.

In the wake of this unfortunate turn of events, Atul reached out to IIT Dhanbad and his coaching institute but received no assistance. Undeterred, he sought help from various authorities, including the Jharkhand Legal Services Authority, the Madras High Court, and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, in hopes of reclaiming his hard-earned seat. However, these efforts were met with frustration and disappointment.

In a final attempt to regain his seat, Atul approached the Supreme Court, where his case caught the attention of Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud. Upon hearing Atul’s story, the CJI assured him of assistance. “Keeping in view the social background of the petitioner and the difficulties faced by him, we believe that this is a fit case for issuing notice to ascertain whether something can be done to safeguard the entry of the petitioner,” CJI Chandrachud remarked, offering a glimmer of hope to Atul and his family.

As the matter has been listed for hearing on September 30, Atul Kumar’s determination and the support from his family highlight the significant barriers faced by underprivileged students in pursuing their dreams. The outcome of this case may not only determine Atul’s academic future but also serve as a beacon of hope for many others in similar situations.

Atul’s journey underscores the importance of addressing systemic issues that hinder deserving students from accessing quality education. His story resonates with the broader narrative of aspiration and struggle, shedding light on the obstacles many face in their pursuit of knowledge and advancement.