A success story is like a candle that burns itself to illuminate the path for others, offering guidance and hope. It not only dispels darkness but also sparks a flame of determination and inspiration in the minds of those who dare to dream. In this article, we will talk about an individual who not only cleared the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) but also cracked the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). The individual is…
Mrinal Kutteri was born and raised in Hyderabad, where he lives with his parents, younger brother, and grandparents. His parents originally hail from Kerala, and interestingly, no one in his immediate family is a doctor.
From Classes 8–9, Mrinal developed a keen interest in biology and chemistry. His journey toward NEET spanned approximately 3.5 years, with dedicated preparation during Classes 11–12, guided by the Aakash Institute. In an interview with India Today in 2021, the NEET topper shared,“I wanted to initially become an army doctor and live a life of medicine and adventure but that gradually turned into an interest mainly in medicine. Also, the pandemic had an impact as it was inspiring to see doctors all across the world on the frontlines.”
The shift from offline to online studies during the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the learning experience for many students. However, Mrinal initially found the transition enjoyable. Mrinal recalled that when the lockdown began, he initially enjoyed having plenty of free time, allowing him to focus on his hobbies while academics took a backseat. However, this had a negative impact on his studies, and he eventually had to go through an adjustment period before finding his rhythm again.
Unlike many toppers, he did not strictly adhere to a study routine. Mrinal admitted that he preferred a flexible approach to studying rather than strictly following a timetable. He believed that creating and trying to adhere to a rigid schedule, only to struggle with it, would be a waste of time.
In an interview with India Today in 2021, the NEET topper shared,”So, I went for a free-form and flexible pattern. I set a goal for each day and how I achieved it was up to me. There were many days when I couldn’t achieve the goal, but it was not about getting demotivated or discouraged. Being okay with this free form is what I think really helped me.”
Mrinal stated that his study hours varied significantly from day to day. While there were times when he felt highly productive, there were also days when he couldn’t study at all. Despite the variation in his study routine, Mrinal mentioned that on average, he studied for about 4 hours a day, and on particularly productive days, he managed around 5 hours, aside from his college commitments. However, he never went beyond that.
It is a common practice that we leave all our hobbies during our examinations. However, this was not the case with Mrinal Kutter. Mrinal revealed that his main source of motivation came from binge-watching TV shows on Netflix and Prime. He particularly enjoyed comedy, and these shows helped keep him motivated throughout his preparation. Speaking to India Today(2o21), Mrinal mentioned,”I also love music and listen to various artists like Taylor Swift, Linkin Park and a lot more. There are a lot of songs that get your blood pumping and get you inspired and in the zone you know, so music played a very important role.”
Mrinal Kutteri is an avid gamer, a passion he has nurtured since Class 8. He scored an impressive 98.16% in his ICSE Class 10 board exams and 88.6% in his Class 12 boards. While he participated in a few Olympiads, SpellBees, and quizzes in Class 10, his focus shifted primarily to NEET preparation during Classes 11-12.
In Class 12, he appeared for KVPY and JEE Main without any additional preparation beyond his NEET studies. Despite this, he achieved a remarkable 99.9 percentile in his JEE Main exam.
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