Telugu states students shine in JEE Main 2026
Hyderabad: Students from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have secured 100 percentile in the first session of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026, with three among the 12 toppers nationwide.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted Paper 1 of JEE Main 2026 from January 21 to 28 for admission to National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) and other institutions for the 2026–27 academic year.
Of the 13.55 lakh candidates who registered, 13.04 lakh appeared. Around 1.60 lakh candidates are estimated to have taken the test from the two Telugu states. The NTA released the final answer key at 10 am on Monday and declared the results at 6.30 pm.
Mohith scores 300 out of 300
Pasala Mohith, from Jammalamadugu in YSR Kadapa district and studying at Sri Chaitanya campus in Vijayawada, secured 300 out of 300 and 100 percentile.
Experts said Mohith is likely to secure a top rank in the final merit list after the second session. The second phase of JEE Main will be conducted online from April 2 to 9. Candidates who appeared in the first session can also take the second session. The NTA will consider the best score of the two sessions to prepare All India Ranks and category-wise cut-offs. About 2.50 lakh candidates will qualify for JEE Advanced scheduled on May 17.
Mohith said clarity of concepts and focused preparation helped him score full marks. “Understanding concepts clearly is more important than solving thousands of questions. Lack of clarity creates confusion during the exam and wastes time. I began the paper with mathematics and prepared to the level where answers were recalled immediately after reading the question,” he said.
He added that he avoided revisiting solved questions and focused on the next one. “Mock tests helped me analyse mistakes. I noted errors after every test and ensured they were not repeated,” he said. Mohith aims to pursue BTech at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and later complete MTech at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
His parents, Dr Sabitha, a dentist at Jammalamadugu Area Hospital, and Dr P. Kiran Kumar, a doctor at the government hospital in Proddatur, said they were proud of his achievement.
Vivaan, Mahith also secure perfect scores
M. Vivaan Sharath from Hyderabad also secured 100 percentile. He said he aims to perform well in JEE Advanced and study at an Indian Institute of Technology. “Though my parents can afford to send me abroad, I want to study at an IIT and serve the country,” he said. His family, originally from Maharashtra, has been settled in Hyderabad for 25 years.
Narendrababu Mahith, studying at Narayana educational institutions in Tirupati and originally from Anantapur, secured 100 percentile. His father, Narendrababu, is a lecturer. “My father shifted the family to Tirupati for my studies. With their support and 15 hours of daily study, I achieved this result,” he said. He aims to secure a seat at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay.
Srived tops in SC category
Deva Srived, from Sompalli in Dr B R Ambedkar Konaseema district, secured 99.999 percentile and emerged as All India topper in the Scheduled Caste category.
A student of Tirumala Junior College in Rajamahendravaram, he said he aims to pursue the Indian Administrative Service and become a district collector. His parents, Suribabu and Injeti Lakshmi Surekha, are government teachers.
SRIKAKULAM: District students cross 99 percentile
Students from Srikakulam district also posted strong results in JEE Main Paper-1.
A total of 3,400 candidates appeared at three centres in the district.
Allu Rohith from Narasannapeta secured 99.9 percentile. He said his goal is to perform well in JEE Advanced and secure a seat in a top IIT.
Thandela Pawan Sai from Thandelavanipeta village in Narasannapeta mandal secured 99.95 percentile. He said he aims to secure a seat in Computer Science at IIT Bombay.
Gudla Sahithi from Kanchili secured 99.6 percentile.
Narava Roshan Ram from Srikakulam city secured 99.6 percentile.
Metta Venkata Sai Sarag from Podugupadu village in Kotabommali mandal secured 99.5 percentile.
Battula Vamsi Krishna from Kanchili secured 99.4 percentile.
Rahul Ippili from Kanchili secured 98.5 percentile.
Parents and local representatives congratulated the students.
