Shubham Kumar, an 18-year-old from Gaya, Bihar, topped the JEE Advanced 2026 with a score of 330 out of 360. He attributed his success to rigorous preparation, supportive family, and a focused study environment at Allen Career Institute in Kota. Shubham emphasized the importance of ignoring negative media coverage about the pressures in Kota and instead relied on the city's resources, which attract many students for competitive exam preparations. He maintained a strict study schedule, dedicating 8-10 hours daily, while also engaging in hobbies like cricket and badminton on Sundays. Shubham plans to pursue a BTech in Computer Science at IIT Bombay. His fellow top scorer, Kabeer Chillar, who secured the second rank with 329 marks, also highlighted the benefits of avoiding social media distractions. Both students' achievements reflect the effectiveness of dedicated study environments and personal discipline in achieving academic success.