Yogeshwari Selvam, a student from Government Higher Secondary School in Padanthal, Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu, has beaten the odds to earn a seat in the prestigious aerospace engineering program at IIT Bombay by securing a high rank in JEE (Advanced).
Though not considered an exceptional student early on—just above average by her own admission—Yogeshwari’s interest in aerospace engineering sparked in Class VII. “Somehow, I became fascinated with the subject,” she recalled. That passion became her driving force, helping her rise above personal and financial challenges.
Her father works at a tea stall, and her mother is employed in a fireworks manufacturing unit. Despite the family’s modest income, her parents were determined to support the education of all their children, including their daughter.
Yogeshwari only learned about the IIT entrance process when she attended a session under the Kalloori Kanavu initiative, part of the Tamil Nadu government’s Naan Mudhalvan scheme, in her final year of school. “That was when I first heard about the JEE exam and realised that IIT could be within reach if I put in extra effort,” she said.
She was further encouraged after attending the ‘Coffee with Collector’ event, where Virudhunagar Collector V.P. Jeyaseelan interacted with students and inspired them to aim high.
With no access to private coaching, Yogeshwari’s preparation came through a special 40-day training program in Erode after her Class XII board exams, organised under the Naan Mudhalvan scheme. She was one of 230 government school students selected for this focused support. An educational consultant with the Virudhunagar Educational Trust identified her potential, especially her strength in Mathematics.
Initially, her parents were reluctant to send her far from home for the training, but they eventually agreed, recognising it as a chance for a brighter future. Despite studying in Tamil medium throughout school, she adapted quickly during training, picking up essential English vocabulary to tackle the highly competitive exam.
Yogeshwari’s hard work paid off—she secured the 75th rank in the differently-abled category (as she suffers from dwarfism) within the non-creamy layer of the OBC community. In recognition of her success, Collector Jeyaseelan presented her with ₹5,000 from discretionary funds and assured her that the Tamil Nadu government would cover her IIT education expenses.
Looking ahead, Yogeshwari is determined to join the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after completing her degree, staying true to the dream that took root years ago in a small government school classroom.
(With inputs from The Hindu)
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