A dream I never thought possible: 17-year-old with 90% disability joins IIT Madras

17-year-old J Santhosh, who has a 90% disability and cerebral palsy, has secured admission to IIT Madras' BS Data Science programme after clearing qualifiers on his second attempt, overcoming health challenges with family and NGO support. 17-year-old J Santhosh with 90% disability secures BS Data Science seat at IIT Madras (Image courtesy: @iitmadras/X) (AI enhanced)For 17-year-old J Santhosh, IIT Madras was once a place he could only hear about from his friends. Last year, when his school organised a visit to the institute, Santhosh could not go. His friends returned and shared stories of their experience, leaving him wondering what it would be like to study at one of India’s premier institutions.Today, that dream has taken an unexpected turn.Santhosh, who has 90% spinal muscular disability and has lived with cerebral palsy since birth, has secured admission to IIT Madras’ four-year BS programme in Data Science and Applications. He cleared the programme’s qualifiers on his second attempt, turning the institute he once missed visiting into the place where he will now begin his higher-education journey.“I honestly have no words to express how happy I felt. I never even imagined that an opportunity like this would come to me,” Santhosh said. “When I realised that I had earned a place at IIT Madras, I was extremely happy and emotional. It was a dream that I thought I could never achieve, but now it has become a reality.”A SCHOOL TRIP THAT PLANTED A DREAMSanthosh’s journey towards IIT Madras began with something as simple as a conversation with his friends. When his classmates returned from the school’s IIT Madras visit, they spoke about their experience. For Santhosh, those conversations planted the idea that studying at IIT could help him achieve something significant. He initially decided to prepare for JEE. But his health issues made it difficult for him to pursue that path. Instead, he focused on his studies. Santhosh went on to become the school topper in Class 12. It was around the time of his results that his headmaster told him about the IIT Madras BS Degree programme in Data Science and Applications.He began searching for more information and came across a motivational video by Hari Krishnan, Head of Social Initiatives & Outreach at IIT Madras, about the ‘IITM For All’ initiative.That video, Santhosh says, gave him hope.“I searched online and came across a motivational video by Mr Hari Krishnan about the IITM For All initiative. That video gave me hope and motivated me to explore the opportunity,” he said.FROM AN APPLICATION HURDLE TO AN IIT ADMISSIONGetting the opportunity, however, was not straightforward. When Santhosh tried to apply, he faced issues with his application. At the time, an NGO that was supporting his family with food and basic needs helped connect him with Tamil Nadu Volunteers.That connection proved crucial. Hari Krishnan personally visited Santhosh’s home, guided him, and helped resolve the application issue. The Tamil Nadu Volunteers team also supported him with training and preparation for the qualifier examination.Santhosh appeared for the qualifiers again and cleared them on his second attempt.And just like that, the boy who had missed an IIT Madras school visit was preparing to enter the institute as a student.CHOOSING A COURSE THAT WORKS FOR HIMFor Santhosh, the Data Science programme is more than an academic opportunity. Its flexibility also makes it possible for him to pursue his education largely from home. Initially, he was unsure whether college would even be possible because of his disability.“Initially, I was not even sure whether I would be able to go to college because of my disability,” he said.Now, he wants to make the most of the opportunity.“Since I have a 90% disability, I want to make the best use of the time and opportunities I have, learn as much as possible, and gain practical knowledge through this degree.”Through the ‘IIT-M for All’ initiative, Santhosh will receive in-person support from Tamil Nadu Volunteers during the initial stages, including AI training. The organisation will also bear his first-year tuition expenses.‘MY BIGGEST MOTIVATION IS MY PARENTS’Behind Santhosh’s achievement are two people he credits above everyone else: his parents.“My biggest motivation is my mother and father,” he said.His mother has dedicated her life to supporting him, spending most of her time with him and helping him throughout his education. His father works as an auto driver and has worked hard to support the family.For Santhosh, his IIT admission is therefore not just a personal achievement. He wants to use the opportunity to build a better life for himself and take care of his parents.“My biggest dream is to give my parents a comfortable and proud life and treat them like a king and queen for all they have done for me,” he said.‘I DON’T WANT TO STOP WITH THIS DEGREE’Santhosh already has plans beyond his undergraduate degree.He hopes the programme will help him build a career in the IT sector and secure a good job, preferably one that would allow him to work from home.“I strongly believe that this degree will help me get a good job, hopefully with the possibility of working from home, and build a better future for myself,” he said. But he does not want his journey to end there.“If I get the opportunity, I would also like to clear GATE and pursue my Master's degree.”A MESSAGE FOR OTHER STUDENTSSanthosh also hopes his story will encourage other persons with disabilities who may be looking for opportunities to pursue higher education.He believes awareness is key. His own journey began only after his headmaster introduced him to the programme and he discovered the ‘IITM For All’ initiative through Hari Krishnan’s video.“I came to know about IITM For All only because of the guidance and support I received. I believe many students like me may also have the potential, but they may not know that such an opportunity exists,” he said.His request to the Government is simple: create greater awareness about such opportunities among students.He believes schools can play an important role by informing students about the programme while they are still in Class 12. If students know about the opportunity early and can prepare for the qualifier alongside their school studies, it could give them confidence and provide them with a higher-education pathway.For Santhosh, that pathway has already begun. A year ago, he could not join his classmates on a visit to IIT Madras. Today, he has earned his own place there; not as a visitor, but as a student ready to build the future he once thought was beyond his reach.- EndsPublished By: Karan YadavPublished On: Sep 3, 2026 14:25 IST