IIT-JEE Toppers: Where Are They Now?

Summary

The video explores the career paths of JEE toppers, revealing a trend of Indian tech talent migrating to the US. Despite India's economic growth, top IIT graduates still seek better research and development opportunities abroad. Factors like higher stipends, better PhD programs, and exposure to global tech companies drive this brain drain. However, some choose to stay, driven by personal ties or the belief in India's potential to offer similar opportunities.

Takeaways

• 🎓 **JEE Toppers' Success**: JEE is one of the world's most challenging exams with a success rate of only 1%, yet many top rankers have excelled.
• 🌏 **Global Opportunities**: Many JEE toppers choose to study and work abroad, particularly in the United States, due to better opportunities.
• 🏫 **Educational Aspirations**: Top rankers often seek advanced degrees from prestigious international universities like MIT and Stanford.
• 💼 **Professional Growth**: The desire to work in a conducive professional environment, with access to cutting-edge technology and research, drives many to America.
• 💡 **Innovative Entrepreneurship**: Some toppers return to India to start their own companies, aiming to create the same opportunities they experienced abroad.
• 📈 **Research and Development**: The United States invests significantly more in R&D than India, which may influence the decision of top talent to move abroad.
• 💰 **Financial Incentives**: High-frequency trading companies offer lucrative packages, attracting many IITians who seek high salaries.
• 🏥 **Lifestyle Considerations**: Personal reasons such as family, social life, and quality of life play a role in the decision to stay in or return to India.
• 🏛️ **Government Opportunities**: Some choose to work for the Indian government, seeking to make a difference through public service.
• 🎖️ **Scholarships and Education**: Scholarships for advanced studies are offered to top performers in competitions, encouraging them to pursue further education.
• 🌱 **Scaler School of Technology**: A new institution focusing on practical, project-based learning to prepare students for the job market and entrepreneurial ventures.

Q & A

What is the success rate of JEE and how does it compare to universities like Harvard and MIT?

The success rate of JEE is only 1%, which is lower than universities like Harvard and MIT.

What did the speaker find surprising about the JEE toppers' decisions?

The speaker found it surprising that the factors behind the JEE toppers' decisions were unique and interesting, leading to a significant number of them moving to America.

What was Abhinav Kumar's educational path after topping the JEE?

Abhinav Kumar, after topping the JEE, went to MIT for his bachelor's in Math, Physics, and Computer Science, then did his PhD in Mathematics from Harvard, and later worked at Renaissance Technologies.

What is the term used by Forbes to refer to the founders of a company started by JEE rank 3, Soham Mazumdar?

Forbes refers to the founders of the company started by Soham Mazumdar as the 'IIT Mafia'.

What pattern did the speaker notice among the top JEE rankers from the 1998 and 2009 batches?

The pattern noticed was that almost all the top rankers ended up in America, indicating a trend of India's top talent seeking opportunities abroad.

What is one of the main reasons that Vishwa, a JEE topper, chose to do his PhD in America?

Vishwa chose to do his PhD in America because he realized that good PhD programs, especially in his field of interest, were mainly available outside of India.

What financial challenges did Vishwa face when considering doing a PhD in India?

Vishwa faced financial challenges such as a low stipend of Rs 20,000-27,000/month and having to pay tuition fees, making it difficult to survive in a city like Mumbai.

What is the percentage of the first 1000 top-rankers of the 2010 JEE batch who are likely to migrate from India?

The research paper analyzed that 38% of the first 1000 top-rankers of the 2010 JEE batch are likely to migrate from India.

Why did Abhimanyu Saxena and Anshuman Singh return to India after working in America?

Abhimanyu Saxena and Anshuman Singh returned to India to provide the same exposure to Indian engineers that they received in America by creating the Scaler School of Technology.

What percentage of GDP does America spend on research and development compared to India?

America spends 3% of its GDP on research and development, while India spends only 0.6%.

What are the four common career options that IITians have according to the speaker?

The four common career options for IITians are working in tech companies, working for a consulting company, doing post-graduate degrees, and working for high-frequency trading companies.