Bhubaneswar: Twin brothers Maharoof and Masroor, who came to Kota from Odisha and have been studying there for the past three years, have both emerged as toppers of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced.
Maharoof secured an All India Rank of 32, while Masroor achieved AIR 169. The ranks were different, but the outcome they chose was the same.
Despite Maharoof qualifying for the coveted Computer Science seat at IIT Bombay, the brothers have decided to join IIT Madras together, where both are expected to secure admission in Computer Science. For most JEE toppers, IIT Bombay CSE is the default first choice. In this case, the choice was guided by continuity. The twins have studied together since their early school years and spent the last three years sharing the same Kota routine. Splitting across institutes after clearing one of India’s toughest exams would have broken that pattern. Maharoof’s decision to opt for IIT Madras keeps the brothers on a common campus and in the same branch.
The Kota Shift
The move to Kota happened three years ago after the brothers developed a strong interest in Mathematics in Class IX. Though both parents are doctors — their father is an MD serving at IIT Bhubaneswar and their mother an MS in Gynaecology — the family supported the engineering goal. The mother relocated to Kota to stay with the twins and manage their daily schedule, health, and overall well-being, while the father continued his medical duties in Bhubaneswar with periodic visits. Life in Kota followed a fixed structure. Coaching classes ran about five hours daily, followed by an hour of doubt-clearing sessions. Self-study was spread across six hours in multiple blocks. One hour of badminton served as recreation, and sleep was kept to seven hours. Mobile use was largely tied to study resources. The brothers treated competition as collaborative, with each working to strengthen the other’s weak topics so both improved together.
Results That Reflect The Routine
The three-year plan produced consistent outcomes. Maharoof’s record includes AIR 32 in JEE Advanced, AIR 44 in JEE Main, 95.20% in Class X, and 98.6% in Class XII. Masroor secured AIR 169 in Advanced, AIR 58 in Main, 97.6% in Class X, and 94.6% in Class XII.
Looking Beyond BTech
The immediate next step is BTech in Computer Science at IIT Madras. The longer-term plan for both brothers is the Civil Services. Management studies at an IIM is also being considered, with the final call to be based on opportunities available after graduation.
The family attributes the outcome to Kota’s academic ecosystem — peer group, structured material, and accessible teachers — combined with steady support at home.
The mother’s role in handling food, health, and morale during the preparation phase was central to maintaining consistency through the ups and downs of coaching.
From Odisha to Kota to IIT Madras, the twins’ path was shaped by preparation. The final turn was shaped by preference — choosing to move forward together rather than apart.
