Sumant became interested in circuits and electronics as a child. Perhaps it was because he grew up in the industrial city of Faridabad, though he himself can't pinpoint the reason. Nevertheless, the wish to have a career in STEM was sparked. Although his aim was clear, achieving it proved a difficult endeavour.

Sumant's father was a security guard who regularly put in overtime to support a family of five. Because of his irregular working hours, Sumant saw very little of his father, but he realised how great the sacrifices his father was making were.

Securing a place at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Bundi was a major turning point. It was at this school that he became acquainted with Avanti's test preparation programme and gained access to free, high-quality JEE coaching materials and mentorship. He took full advantage of the opportunity, committing almost 12 hours a day to preparation. Combining independent study with mentor-led sessions built his ability to overcome challenges and prepared him to give his best shot at one of India's toughest examinations. "I am the first in my family to have taken this route," he says with pride, "and that sense of responsibility drives me every day."

His teachers at Avanti identified Sumant's strengths and weaknesses and arranged his study plan to build on them, while also providing test-preparation strategies and career advice.

Sumant is one of 36 students from JNV Bundi's 50-strong cohort to secure a place at India's IITs, after all 50 qualified in JEE Main. Ninety-five per cent of them are the first in their families to take an engineering entrance exam, and a number of them are the first in their families to reach and complete Class 12. Sumant has decided to study Electrical and Electronics Engineering at IIT Kharagpur, the course that has always been his dream. "It would not have been possible without the support of my Avanti teachers, friends, and family," he says.

Sumant is certain of one thing: with determination and access to the right opportunities, dreams do not have to be limited by circumstances. The path he has followed shows what young people can achieve when their potential is met with the right resources and guidance.