For many students aspiring to study at an IIT, the journey seems to begin and end with one examination: the Joint Entrance Examination, or JEE. But Pragya’s story offers a different perspective. When the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted her plans to take the JEE while she was in Malaysia, she did not abandon her dream of studying at an IIT. Instead, she found another route to the Indian Institute of Technology Madras.In 2021, Pragya joined the IIT Madras BS programme in Data Science and Applications. Four years later, she has completed the degree and is working as an AI/ML Engineer in Bengaluru.IIT Madras BS Programs recently highlighted her journey on social media, describing it as a reminder that “JEE didn’t go as planned. But Pragya didn’t give up on her IIT dream.”
When one route closes, another can open
Pragya’s experience is particularly relevant for students who believe that not securing a conventional JEE pathway means the end of their IIT aspirations.The IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications offers an alternative undergraduate route into one of India’s premier institutions. Launched to provide students with access to a rigorous programme in data science and programming, the programme uses a flexible learning model and is open to students from different educational backgrounds who meet its eligibility requirements.For Pragya, the programme became the route through which an interrupted JEE journey eventually turned into an IIT education.She enrolled in September 2021 and completed her BS degree in Data Science and Applications in April 2025, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Pragya IIT Madras journey. (Photo: LinkedIn)
From classroom learning to AI and machine learning
Her journey did not stop with an IIT degree. During her undergraduate years, Pragya gained industry exposure through internships in data science.Her LinkedIn profile shows that she worked as a Data Science Intern at NutriNation in 2023, where she worked with technologies and concepts including Retrieval-Augmented Generation and vector databases.She later joined Fiery as a Data Science Intern, working from January to October 2024. Her projects included developing a Retrieval-Augmented Generation application for company documentation, an intent-recognition application and a home-decor application.These experiences gave her an opportunity to work on technologies that are increasingly shaping the artificial intelligence industry.
From student to AI/ML engineer
In October 2024, Pragya began working as an AI/ML Engineer at Cyncly in Bengaluru, according to her LinkedIn profile.Her transition from an undergraduate student to an AI/ML professional illustrates another important aspect of her journey: the value of combining academic learning with practical experience.Rather than waiting until graduation to explore the technology industry, she used internships to gain exposure to real-world projects. Her work with RAG applications, vector databases and AI-based applications helped build a bridge between what she studied and the skills employers seek.
A different definition of the IIT dream
Pragya’s story is not simply about finding an alternative way into IIT Madras. It is about how a setback can change the route without changing the destination.The conventional narrative often places enormous emphasis on a student’s JEE rank. But IIT Madras BS Programs’ message around Pragya’s journey makes a broader point: “Your JEE result alone doesn’t define your future. Your journey does.”For students, that message is significant. Competitive examinations can open important doors, but they are not the only measure of a person’s ability, ambition or eventual career.Pragya began with an interrupted examination plan in Malaysia during the pandemic. She then chose a different academic pathway, completed an IIT Madras degree in Data Science and Applications, gained practical experience through internships and eventually moved into an AI/ML engineering role in Bengaluru.Her journey is a reminder that sometimes a detour is not a departure from the dream. It can become the route that leads you there.