IIT JAM 2026 AIR 30 Chemistry Topper Chandranarayan Sharma: Strategy, Preparation and Success Story

Chandranarayan Sharma’s IIT JAM preparation was built over several stages rather than one perfect study plan. While pursuing B.Sc. Chemistry at Patna Science College, he began preparing from the first year, but could not initially complete the entire syllabus.

By the second year, his preparation became more consistent. The third year then became about revision, DPP solving and repeated testing. Even illness just before the examination added another challenge, but Chandranarayan stayed composed on exam day and went on to secure AIR 30 in IIT JAM 2026 Chemistry.

When JEE Did Not Work Out, IIT JAM Opened Another Route

Chandranarayan came across IIT JAM after his earlier JEE attempt did not give him the outcome he wanted. He realised that JAM could provide another route towards studying at an IIT.

“JEE jab diye toh mera ho nahi paya. Wahan se pata chala ki IIT JAM ke through bhi hum IIT college ja sakte hain.”

He began preparing from the first year of B.Sc., although his initial progress was limited.

“First year mein thoda-thoda, yaani kam hi hua. Poora syllabus cover nahi kar paaye.”

Instead of stopping there, he continued building his preparation over the next two years.

PW Saakaar Became Part of His Preparation From First Year

Chandranarayan started preparing with a PW batch during his first year. In the second year, he began again with another batch and became more consistent with syllabus coverage.

“Second year aate-aate mera start ho gaya dobara se batch leke.”

By the end of the second year, he had completed the syllabus. His third year could therefore focus more heavily on practice.

“Third year mein entry kiye toh revision start kiya, plus mein DPP solving.”

He also upgraded to Saakaar Pro during his preparation and used the available practice resources as he moved closer to the examination.

Organic Was His Favourite, But Not Always His Highest-Scoring Area

Among Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Chandranarayan was particularly interested in Organic Chemistry. Interestingly, that interest also made him more conscious about his performance in the subject.

“Bahut zyada interested the hum Organic mein.”

During preparation, however, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry generally gave him better marks.

“Inorganic aur Physical mera bahut achha jaata tha marks-wise, lekin Organic utna jaata nahi tha.”

The final IIT JAM paper turned out differently. Chandranarayan felt that Organic Chemistry supported him well in the actual exam, making his favourite area count when it mattered.

PW Exam Guidance Came Back to Him During the Actual Paper

Exam day brought an unexpected challenge. Chandranarayan had been unwell since February 13 and entered the centre unsure about how the paper would go.

“Exam dene ke liye gaye toh bahut zyada lag raha tha ki kya hoga, kaise hoga.”

Before the paper, he tried talking to people around him to relax. Once the exam began, he also remembered advice from PW YouTube sessions about avoiding preventable mistakes and not rushing.

“Aap bolte the ki ye galti nahi karna hai, woh ekdum dimaag mein focus ho gaya tha.”

That reminder helped him stay conscious of his pace and approach questions more carefully.

Once the Paper Started, His Exam-Day Anxiety Settled

Despite feeling unwell beforehand, Chandranarayan found himself completely absorbed once the question paper appeared.

“Question paper aaya, phir ekdum lag raha tha meri bimari khatam ho gaya hai.”

He was also able to manage his three hours effectively and completed his attempt before time ran out.

“Last mein lagbhag 15 minute pehle tak mera poora complete ho chuka tha.”

The result was 59.67 marks and AIR 30, turning a difficult start to exam day into one of the strongest outcomes of his academic journey.

His College Environment Around IIT JAM Changed With Time

According to Chandranarayan, IIT JAM awareness at his college was relatively limited when he first began preparing.

“Shuru-shuru mein kisi-kisi ko zyada pata nahi tha.”

That changed considerably by the time he reached the examination. He recalled seeing much greater participation from his department.

“Last mein pata chala lagbhag 101 students hum log Chemistry Department se ja rahe the IIT JAM ke liye.”

With Chandranarayan now securing AIR 30, students at his college also have a successful JAM attempt from their own department to look towards.

Chandranarayan’s Journey From an Incomplete Start to AIR 30

Chandranarayan did not begin IIT JAM preparation by completing everything perfectly in his first year. His syllabus took time, his favourite subject did not always produce his best practice scores, and illness made the final exam day uncertain.

What changed across the three years was the consistency of his approach. PW Saakaar preparation, syllabus completion, DPP solving, revision and repeated test practice gradually replaced the incomplete start he had experienced in first year.

With 59.67 marks and AIR 30 in IIT JAM 2026 Chemistry, Chandranarayan eventually found another route towards the IIT goal he had once pursued through JEE, and made that second route count.