Every year, lakhs of students from Science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics- PCM) appear for Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) dreaming of making it to the prestigious IITs and NITs. But is clearing JEE the only gateway to success for PCM students? Or has our education system overly glorified one exam while sidelining other equally promising paths?
With rising awareness about alternative careers, skill-based learning, and mental health, it’s time to ask: “ Do all PCM students need to crack JEE to succeed in life?” The rising cases of student suicides in Kota- the coaching hub of India- are a heartbreaking reminder of the crushing pressure many young aspirants face in pursuit of single goal.Let’s explore the alternatives, challenges, and success stories beyond the JEE bubble.
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The JEE Craze: Numbers Don’t Lie
Over 12 lakh students register for JEE Main yearly, while only 15,000 secure seats in the IITs. That’s roughly a 1.2% success rate. The immense competition, coaching pressure, and peer expectations have made JEE not just an exam, but a cultural phenomenon in Indian households. But what happens to the remaining 98%?
Do they fail in life? Not really. Many of them go on to succeed in research, entrepreneurship, liberal arts, economics, and more.
What Makes JEE So Dominant?
| Factors Driving the JEE Craze | Description |
| IIT Brand Value | Being an IITian is viewed as a symbol of success, prestige, and global exposure. |
| Peer and Parental Pressure | PCM students are often expected to appear for JEE, regardless of interest. |
| Coaching Industry Influence | Coaching centers market JEE as the ultimate goal with flashy results and packages. |
| Lack of Career Awareness | Students in Classes 11–12 rarely learn about alternative career options. |
| The Reality | JEE is just one of many career paths available after PCM, not the only one. |
Is JEE the Only Path to Engineering?
No!
Here are some alternative exams and entry points:
| Exam | Colleges Covered |
| BITSAT | BITS Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad |
| VITEEE | VIT Vellore and other campuses |
| MET | Manipal Institute of Technology |
| SRMJEEE | SRM University |
| CUET UG (Science programs) | Central Universities offering BSc, BTech |
| Private University Entrances | Ashoka, Shiv Nadar, IIIT-H etc. |
These colleges provide excellent infrastructure, faculty, and placement opportunities- often comparable to NITs and new IITs.
Alarming Rise in Kota Suicides: Is Cracking JEE Worth the Pressure?
Every year, Kota becomes a pressure cooker of lakhs of JEE aspirants. Behind top ranks lie sleepless nights, mental strain, and tragically, rising student suicides. In 2023 alone, over 25 students in Kota took their lives, shattering families and raising urgent questions. Is a JEE rank worth this emotional cost? It’s time we rethink the glorification of one exam and prioritize student well-being over blind academic race.
Top Career Options After PCM – Beyond JEE
| Career Option | Entrance/Eligibility | Top Institutions | Career Opportunities |
| 1. Architecture | NATA or JEE Main Paper 2 | CEPT University, School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) | Architect, Urban Planner, Interior Designer |
| 2. Data Science & AI | Varies by program; typically Class 12 with Maths | IIT Madras (Online B.Sc.), IIIT-Hyderabad, Ashoka University | Data Analyst, ML Engineer, AI Researcher, Big Data Consultant |
| 3. Economics & Finance | Class 12 with Maths; DU CUET, Ashoka entrance, SAT for some | Delhi University, Ashoka, Azim Premji, SRCC | Economist, Financial Analyst, Investment Banker, MBA, CFA |
| 4. Liberal Arts | Varies (CUET, SAT, or institute-specific tests) | IISc Bengaluru, KREA University, Shiv Nadar, Ashoka | Policy Research, Communications, Education, Multidisciplinary Careers |
| 5. Design and Creativity | UCEED, NID DAT, NIFT Entrance Exam | NID, NIFT, IITs (IDC Bombay), Pearl Academy | UX/UI Designer, Product Designer, Graphic Designer, Brand Strategist |
| 6. NDA / Merchant Navy | NDA Entrance Exam (UPSC), IMU CET for Merchant Navy | NDA Pune, Indian Maritime University, TMI, Samundra Institute | Indian Army/Navy/Air Force Officer, Marine Engineer, Merchant Navy Officer |
| 7. Research & Academia | IISER Aptitude Test, JEE Advanced (for IISc), NEST (for NISER), ISI Admission Test | IISERs, ISI Kolkata, NISER Bhubaneswar, IISc Bengaluru | Scientist, Research Fellow, Academician, R&D Specialist |
| 8. Coding and Startups | No formal entrance; self-taught via platforms like Coursera, coding bootcamps | Masai School, Scaler Academy, Internshala, upGrad | Software Developer, Tech Entrepreneur, Freelance Programmer, Product Engineer |
Students Who Took the Road Less Travelled
Aditi Sharma – BITS Pilani Alumna
“Missing IIT didn’t stop me. I studied Computer Science at BITS, got into a US grad school, and now work at Google.”
Samarjeet Das – IISER Pune
“I loved physics but didn’t want to do engineering. IISER helped me pursue fundamental research, and now I’m headed to Europe for PhD.”
Aarav Bhardwaj – Ashoka University
“I took PCM but loved Economics. I didn’t even attempt JEE. Now I’m interning at the World Bank after my undergrad.”
What Needs to Change in the PCM Ecosystem?
| Problem | Suggested Solution |
| Obsession with JEE | Broader career counseling in schools |
| Limited awareness of options | Use CUET, career fairs, ed-tech platforms to explore more |
| One-size-fits-all coaching | Focus on aptitude and interest-based learning |
| No real-world skills taught | Add entrepreneurship, coding, design thinking in Class 11–12 |
Government, educators, and parents need to create an ecosystem where engineering is one of the many respected options, not the only one.
Rising Careers That Don’t Require JEE
| Career Path | Eligibility/Pathway | Top Institutes / Recruiters | Career Opportunities |
| 1. UI/UX Design and Product Thinking | B.Des, UCEED, or short-term UX/product design courses (online or offline); ideal for creative + tech-inclined students | IDC IIT Bombay, NID, Coursera, DesignBoat, Google, Zomato, Microsoft | UI/UX Designer, Product Designer, Design Strategist, Human-Centered Design Expert |
| 2. Game Development & Animation | Game design, 3D animation, or VFX courses; coding + artistic skills helpful | MAAC, MITID Pune, Arena Animation, Ubisoft, EA, MPC, DreamWorks | Game Developer, Animator, 3D Artist, Game Designer, VFX Specialist |
| 3. Aviation and Commercial Pilot Training | Class 12 PCM with medical fitness; join DGCA-approved flying schools; pass exams like CPL | IGIA Chandigarh, Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics, Capt. Sahil Khurana Academy | Commercial Pilot, Flight Instructor, Airline Crew Member |
| 4. Robotics & Mechatronics | B.Tech in Robotics, Mechatronics, or AI; available in private Indian universities or via global UG programs | SRM University, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, TU Munich, MIT | Robotics Engineer, Automation Expert, AI Developer, Mechatronics Engineer |
| 5. Digital Marketing & Tech Management | Online certifications in SEO, content marketing, analytics; ideal for PCM students with interest in business & tech | upGrad, Digital Vidya, Google Digital Garage, ed-tech/startup firms | Digital Marketing Manager, SEO Analyst, Tech Product Manager, Growth Hacker |
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt that JEE opens many doors. But success is not defined by one exam, rank, or path. For every IIT topper, there’s also an innovator, researcher, policymaker, or designer making a real-world impact- with or without JEE.
So, if you’re a PCM student and you’re feeling the pressure of JEE- breathe. There’s a big world beyond that exam. Explore it, embrace your interests, and define success in your own terms.
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