{
  "id": 11845230,
  "title": "‘IIT Guwahati taught me more than engineering: Coffin dances, Maggi and an events head title’ | Life in an IIT",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/iit-guwahati-taught-me-more-than-engineering-coffin-dances-maggi-and",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T04:40:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/education/life-in-an-iit-guwahati-aryan-srivastava-btech-biosciences-jee-advanced-mains-ranker-mnmnit-preparation-guide-student-wellbeing-10904002/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Aryan Srivastava spent eight months in 2023 and 2024 as a double life. At MNNIT Allahabad, he attended classes and maintained a normal presence on campus, while secretly preparing for JEE Advanced without anyone realizing. This dual lifestyle allowed him to secure an AIR 8703 in JEE Advanced and eventually enroll at IIT Guwahati, where he is studying Biosciences and Bioengineering. Aryan grew up in Prayagraj, where his father worked in banking and his mother taught at a school. At age seven, he began studying trigonometry from his sister's Class 10 math book, eventually deciding on a career path. He misses Prayagraj but finds Guwahati keeps him busy enough to limit homesickness. Aryan first appeared for JEE Main and scored 99.2 percentile, but a medical issue led to a poor JEE Advanced attempt. He chose MNIT Allahabad as a partial drop allowed him to continue preparing while attending classes. After reappearing for JEE Advanced in 2024, he secured an AIR 8703 and joined IIT Guwahati. He tried to avoid campus clubs initially but eventually became part of Anchorenza, Equinox, and TEDxIITGuwahati. His most memorable performance was playing Astronomia for a full hall of professors. He joined the Students Welfare Board to stay informed about campus activities and was eventually appointed Events Head, managing a Burger King launch, rulebook drafting, and the Pan-IIT Wellbeing Summit. The Brahmaputra in winter captivates him, and he enjoys the city's curiosity-driven atmosphere.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Aryan Srivastava juggled IIT Guwahati studies and JEE Advanced preparation secretly.",
    "He secured AIR 8703 in JEE Advanced, joining IIT Guwahati for Biosciences and Bioengineering.",
    "Aryan became IIT Guwahati's Events Head, managing major campus events and summits."
  ],
  "editors_take": "IIT Guwahati's vibrant campus life, with opportunities to engage in various clubs and events, has helped Aryan Srivastava balance his academic and personal growth, making his transition smoother.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}