Every year, lakhs of students prepare for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) with one dream—to secure a seat at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. For many, an All India Rank (AIR) in the top 50 almost guarantees admission to the coveted Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) programme at the country’s most sought-after engineering institute.Mahroof Ahmed Khan had achieved exactly that.With an outstanding AIR 32 in JEE Advanced, the 18-year-old from Lucknow had earned the opportunity to study Computer Science at IIT Bombay. But instead of accepting what many consider the ultimate destination for engineering aspirants, Mahroof made a decision that surprised many.He gave up the seat—not because he wanted another institute, but because he did not want to leave behind his twin brother, Masroor Ahmed Khan.
A JEE success story shared by two brothers
The twin brothers, sons of doctor parents from Lucknow, have shared every milestone of life together. From childhood classrooms to intense JEE preparation, they studied side by side, solving problems together and motivating each other through one of India’s toughest entrance examinations.Their hard work paid off with remarkable results.Mahroof secured AIR 32, while Masroor earned an impressive AIR 169 in JEE Advanced. The achievement brought immense pride not only to their family but also to their school and city.However, counselling presented an unexpected challenge.
One seat at IIT Bombay, one difficult decision
Mahroof’s rank comfortably secured him a Computer Science seat at IIT Bombay. Masroor, despite his excellent rank, was unlikely to get the same branch at the institute.Accepting IIT Bombay would have meant the brothers studying in different cities for the first time in their lives.For Mahroof, the choice was not difficult.Rather than joining IIT Bombay alone, he decided to opt for IIT Kanpur, where both brothers could pursue B.Tech in Computer Science together.The decision reflected a belief that some dreams are worth sharing, even if it means letting go of another.
More than brothers—they were each other’s study partners
The twins describe each other as more than siblings.Throughout their JEE preparation, they relied on one another whenever they encountered difficult concepts or challenging problems. If one got stuck while solving a question, the other would step in to explain it.Years of studying together had built a partnership based on trust, encouragement and healthy competition.That bond eventually influenced one of the biggest academic decisions of their lives.
A lesson that goes beyond ranks
For students, entrance examination results often become the sole measure of success. Mahroof and Masroor’s story offers a different perspective.While achieving a top rank demands dedication and perseverance, values such as family, companionship and mutual support are equally important.By choosing IIT Kanpur over IIT Bombay, Mahroof showed that success is not always about securing the most coveted seat. Sometimes, it is about making a decision that reflects one’s priorities and values.Their journey also highlights the importance of collaborative learning. Instead of competing against each other, the brothers became each other’s greatest strength throughout their preparation.
An inspiring message for JEE aspirants
Every year, thousands of students preparing for JEE believe they must walk the journey alone. Mahroof and Masroor’s story reminds aspirants that having the right support system can make a significant difference.As the twin brothers begin their B.Tech journey together at IIT Kanpur, they carry not only exceptional JEE ranks but also a story that has resonated with students across the country.In an education system often defined by competition, their decision stands out for a different reason—it celebrates the power of family, shared dreams and choosing togetherness over prestige.Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available reports and is intended for educational and inspirational purposes.
