Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Apr 21: Toiyeb Ashiq has made history by securing All India Rank 152 in JEE Main 2025, marking the highest-ever rank achieved by any student from Jammu and Kashmir in this prestigious national-level engineering entrance exam.
In addition to this remarkable feat, Toiyeb has been officially recognised as the State Topper of Jammu & Kashmir, with his name proudly listed on the official JEE state toppers list.
Toiyeb’s brilliance is further highlighted by his perfect 100 out of 100 in Mathematics, placing him among the top scorers in the subject nationwide.
“Mathematics is the subject I find most interesting because it really challenges me to think critically and solve problems creatively. But if I had to pick the easiest subject for me, it would be Chemistry—I’ve always been comfortable with it,” Toiyeb told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
Toiyeb’s academic journey took off in Class 10, when he enrolled in RISE’s intensive three-year programme. Before that, he had already demonstrated outstanding performance, emerging as the CBSE Class 10 Board Topper in 2023.
Since then, he has pursued academic excellence with a rare combination of discipline, focus, and humility.
RISE, an educational initiative founded by IITians Mubeen Masudi, Imbesat Ahmad and Salman Shahid, has played a pivotal role in his journey. The institute has grown from modest beginnings into a beacon of academic excellence, helping students from the valley access national-level opportunities.
“My journey has been shaped a lot by RISE,” said Toiyeb. “There’s study material available everywhere nowadays, but what truly makes a difference is the right mentorship and guidance—and that’s exactly where RISE came in.”
“The teachers here not only helped me academically but also taught me how to stay disciplined. In a time when distractions are just one click away, they helped me stay focused and manage my time better,” he added.
Toiyeb also credited his success to his supportive parents: “They trusted me and never interfered with my routine. That trust gave me a sense of responsibility and helped me stay grounded.”
With his sights set on the future, Toiyeb is aiming to pursue Computer Science, a field he finds exciting and transformative. He shared, “I’m fascinated by how computer science is changing the world—from building useful tools to exploring AI and cyber security. It’s a domain that really excites me.”
To his peers and future aspirants, Toiyeb offered a heartfelt message: “Stay disciplined, even when it’s hard. Find your goal and remind yourself of it when you feel distracted. Whether it’s studying or chasing any dream, do it with focus, honesty, and consistency. That’s what truly makes the difference.”
Salman Shahid, Co-founder of RISE and an IIT Kharagpur alumnus, lauded Toiyeb’s historic feat: “Toiyeb’s achievement is not just a rank—it is a message to every student in Kashmir that with hard work, the right guidance, and belief in yourself, nothing is impossible. He represents the future we believe in: brilliant, hardworking Kashmiri youth reaching the highest levels of academic success. This is a historic moment not just for RISE, but for the entire valley.”
Despite the accolades and recognition, Toiyeb remains grounded and focused. “I am happy, but this is just a step. My full focus is on the JEE Advanced exam coming next month,” he said with quiet determination—(KNO)
