Class-XII student Rajanikant Nayak, who hails from Denua village in Mayurbhanj district, cracked the JEE (Advanced) by securing an all-India ST rank of 245. The Telegraph speaks to the 17-year-old Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) student about his journey and aspirations.

• Now that you have cracked the JEE, which is your institute of preference?

I will to try to get into IIT Khargpur because it's one of the oldest IITs and has the best faculty. I will opt for the mechanical branch.

• How did you prepare for the entrance examination?

I did not have time to prepare for JEE (Mains) as our Plus Two examination was scheduled around the same time. I was more focussed on the Plus Two exams. But once I qualified for JEE (Advanced), we were provided with coaching at KIIT International School for 15 days. I also put in eight to nine hours of study daily on an average.

• Tell us about your background and your journey to KISS.

My parents enrolled me in Kendua Primary School in Denua where I studied till Class V. Later, I enrolled in Sarat Government High School, run by the SC/ST development department. It was a residential school from where I passed my matriculation exam with 89.9 per cent. Some of my seniors were already in KISS, and my teachers advised me to apply for Plus Two there, which I did.

• How did your family react to your success?

I lost my father as a small boy. My mother is a daily-wage labourer and the family's sole earning member. When I informed her, she did not understand. She probably thought that I was going to just another institute and asked me to work hard and do well.

• What facilities do you think would help students like you?

I think we are far behind when it comes to speaking English and general knowledge. I am also sceptical about how the IIT students will be. I wish I was a little more confident, smart and a better communicator so that I can compete with them.

• Did you ever dream of joining the IITs?

Although mine was an interior village, as kids we heard stories of doctors and engineers. By the time I was five, I already wanted to become one. Our entire class would say they wanted to become engineers when they grew up. However, I was never clear about the job profile of an engineer until now. It is actually a dream come true.

• What is the first thing you would do after you get a job?

My only sister suffers from paralysis and is bed-ridden. We do not know the exact disease she is suffering from. She had to discontinue her studies after Class V. I will ensure that she is provided with the best medical care.