For many JEE Advanced toppers, securing a Computer Science seat at IIT Bombay is considered the ultimate prize after years of relentless preparation.
While Maharuf could comfortably secure a coveted Computer Science seat at IIT Bombay, Masroor's rank made admission to the same programme at the institute significantly more difficult.
He chose to forgo IIT Bombay and instead pursue Computer Science at IIT Madras so that he and his brother could continue studying together.
"I am getting Computer Science at IIT Bombay, but I want to study with my brother.
So we are both preparing to take up Computer Science at IIT Madras," Maharuf said.
For many JEE Advanced toppers, securing a Computer Science seat at IIT Bombay is considered the ultimate prize after years of relentless preparation. But for an Odisha boy and his twin brother, staying together mattered more.
Maharuf and Masroor, who spent three years preparing for the country's toughest engineering entrance exams in Kota, are winning hearts online after choosing brotherhood over what many would consider a dream opportunity.
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In JEE Advanced 2026, Maharuf secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 32, while his twin brother Masroor achieved AIR 169. Their ranks were high enough to place them among the country's top engineering aspirants, but they also created a dilemma.
While Maharuf could comfortably secure a coveted Computer Science seat at IIT Bombay, Masroor's rank made admission to the same programme at the institute significantly more difficult.
Rather than joining different colleges, Maharuf made a decision that surprised even those closest to him. He chose to forgo IIT Bombay and instead pursue Computer Science at IIT Madras so that he and his brother could continue studying together.
"I am getting Computer Science at IIT Bombay, but I want to study with my brother. So we are both preparing to take up Computer Science at IIT Madras," Maharuf said.
For Masroor, the gesture carried deep emotional significance.
"It means a lot to me to have such support from my brother. Both of us have always supported each other. That's why we want to study together," he said.
The decision has become a source of immense pride for their family, who view it as proof that the brothers have always prioritised supporting one another over individual achievements.
Behind their success lies years of sacrifice from their parents.
Their father, Dr Mansoor Ahmad Khan, is an MD in Medicine and serves as the in-charge of the dispensary at IIT Bhubaneswar. Their mother, Dr Zeenat Begum, is an MS in Gynaecology and previously worked as a government physician at Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited Hospital.
When the twins decided to move to Kota to prepare for engineering entrance examinations, Dr Begum left her job and relocated with them so they could focus entirely on their studies. Their father remained in Odisha due to work commitments and was only able to visit every couple of months.
According to Dr Khan, much of the credit for their success belongs to their mother.
"Most of the credit for the success of both of them goes to my wife. I could not give much time because of work, but she took care of the children, supported them and created the right environment for learning," he said.
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Academically, both brothers have maintained an exceptional record throughout their school years.
Maharuf secured AIR 32 in JEE Advanced and AIR 44 in JEE Main. He also scored 95.2 per cent in Class 10 and 98.6 per cent in Class 12.
Masroor secured AIR 169 in JEE Advanced and AIR 58 in JEE Main, alongside scores of 97.6 per cent in Class 10 and 94.6 per cent in Class 12.
The twins followed a highly disciplined routine while preparing in Kota. Their days typically included around five hours of coaching classes, an hour dedicated to clearing doubts with teachers, and nearly six hours of self-study at home.
To maintain balance, they also made time for badminton every day and limited phone usage largely to educational purposes.
According to Maharuf, one of their biggest strengths was the healthy competition they shared.
"There was healthy competition between us. We used to explain weak topics to each other and clear doubts together. Many times there was no need to ask a teacher because we would work out the solution ourselves," he said.
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Even after disappointing test scores, he said, they would motivate each other rather than dwell on setbacks.
Despite coming from a family of doctors, both brothers chose a different path.
Masroor said his interest in mathematics began around Class 9, eventually inspiring him to pursue engineering and prepare for IIT.
Their ambitions, however, do not end with engineering. Both brothers have expressed an interest in preparing for the Civil Services after completing their BTech in Computer Science, while also keeping the option of management studies open in the future.
Reflecting on their experience in Kota, their father said the reality of the coaching hub was very different from some of the negative perceptions often associated with it.
"Kota's system is fantastic. Both academic and non-academic support are available here. The children got a good environment, their mother was with them and everything was organised," he said.
Their mother echoed those sentiments, praising the city's faculty and competitive academic environment. She said her primary role was ensuring the twins remained healthy, mentally supported and focused throughout their preparation.
As counselling season begins and thousands of students weigh their options, the story of Maharuf and Masroor has stood out not just because of their ranks, but because of a decision that placed family above prestige. For the twin brothers, staying together appears to have been the easiest choice of all.
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Published By: Yashna Talwar Published On: Jun 3, 2026 16:25 IST
