In a country where a perfect 360/360 in JEE Main is often viewed as a golden ticket to a high-paying corporate desk, Kalpit Veerwal, the 2017 All India Rank (AIR) 1, is rewriting the script. Nine years after his historic achievement, Veerwal took to social media on April 2, 2026, to reflect on a journey that led him away from tech firms and toward a career as a singer-songwriter.
The Historic 360/360
In 2017, Veerwal became a household name overnight. He was the first student ever to secure a perfect score in the JEE Main, topping both the general and Scheduled Caste (SC) categories.
“This day looked normal back then, but it changed my life. I went from yet another high schooler to national news overnight.” — Kalpit Veerwal on Instagram
The Pivot: Why Not Corporate?
Despite completing his education at IIT Bombay, Veerwal found that the traditional corporate trajectory—often the default for IIT graduates—held little appeal. Instead, he leveraged the platform his rank provided to explore diverse fields:
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The Educator & Entrepreneur: He spent years influencing and guiding students through his own ventures.
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The Investor: Lately, his focus has shifted toward finance and strategic investing.
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The Artist: Most recently, he has pivoted to the creative arts, releasing original music as a singer-songwriter on platforms like Spotify and YouTube.
Social Media Backlash & The “Tech Firm” Pressure
Veerwal’s post sparked a debate about the “responsibility” of IIT graduates. When a user suggested he “should” start a tech firm to create employment and give back to the country that funded his education, Veerwal’s response was direct:
“Nah, I like media and finance more. I don’t think I ‘should’ make yet another tech firm.”
This candid rejection of the “societal mold” resonates with a growing trend among Gen Z and millennial achievers who view academic excellence as a tool for personal freedom rather than a predetermined career path.
