He Missed an IIT Madras Trip. Now, This Teen With Cerebral Palsy Is an IIT Madras Student

Sometimes, a dream begins with something as simple as listening to friends talk about a school trip. For 17-year-old J Santhosh, it began when his classmates returned from a visit to IIT Madras. He could not join them because of his disability, but their stories made him wonder what it would be like to study at one of India’s premier institutions.Today, he no longer has to wonder. Santhosh, who has lived with cerebral palsy since birth and has a 90% spinal muscular disability, has secured admission to the four-year BS programme in Data Science and Applications at IIT Madras. He cleared the programme’s qualifying examination on his second attempt.The institute celebrated his achievement with a message: “Dreams don't always follow an easy path — but determination can take you where you aspire to be.”When One Door OpenedSanthosh initially hoped to prepare for JEE, but his health challenges made that route difficult. Instead, he focused on his studies and went on to become his Class 12 school topper. India Today reports that it was then that his headmaster introduced him to IIT Madras’ BS Degree programme in Data Science and Applications.While searching for information, Santhosh discovered a motivational video by Hari Krishnan, Head of Social Initiatives & Outreach at IIT Madras, about ‘IITM for All’, an initiative aimed at making STEM education more accessible.That video gave him hope. But getting there still wasn't easy. When he faced difficulties with his application, an NGO supporting his family connected him with Tamil Nadu Volunteers. Hari Krishnan later visited Santhosh at home, helped resolve the application issue and guided him through the process. With support from the Tamil Nadu Volunteers team, Santhosh prepared for the qualifiers and cleared them on his second attempt.The flexibility of the Data Science programme is especially important for Santhosh. Much of the course can be pursued from home, making higher education more accessible to him. Now, his focus is firmly on the future. He hopes to gain practical knowledge, build a career in the IT sector and find a job that could allow him to work from home.A Dream Bigger Than IITSanthosh credits his parents as his biggest motivation. His mother has devoted much of her time to supporting him, while his father works as an auto driver to support the family. His dream is deeply personal: to give his parents a comfortable and proud life.And IIT Madras may only be the beginning. Santhosh hopes to eventually clear GATE and pursue a master’s degree. The boy who once missed an IIT Madras school trip is now walking towards a future from the very institute he once could only dream of visiting.