He scored only 1 in Chemistry and failed to crack JEE, a few years later he became Director of IIT Madras and even conducted the same exam
For millions of students across India, a low score in an entrance exam may feel like the end of the road. Every year, when the JEE results are announced, countless aspirants wonder if a disappointing result will decide their future. But the extraordinary journey of V. Kamakoti, now the dean of IIT Madras, tells a very different story.Long before he headed one of India’s most prestigious engineering colleges – and even conducted the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) – Kamakoti was just another student facing failure. According to himself, he scored only one point in chemistry and could not pass JEE. Few could have imagined that this student would one day become the chancellor of IIT Madras, receive the Padma Shri, and become one of India’s most respected voices in the fields of engineering, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
An exam did not determine his future
For many students, failing in JEE feels like a permanent setback. Kamakoti’s story reminds us that this is not the case.Rather than letting one exam define him, he continued to pursue engineering through other opportunities, eventually finding his way to IIT Madras. There, he earned master’s and doctoral degrees in computer science and engineering, laying the foundation for an academic career that spanned more than two decades.In 2001, he joined IIT Madras as a faculty member. Over the years, he is known for his work in computer architecture, VLSI circuit design, embedded systems and information security, and has led several major national technology initiatives funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.Ironically, the student who had failed JEE went on to serve as the JEE chairman of IIT Madras, overseeing the exam that had rejected him.
From researcher to one of India’s most respected academic leaders
Kamakoti’s rise in academia has been marked by excellence in research and public service.In January 2022, he became the dean of his alma mater, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. By then, he had led the institute’s microprocessor development program, directed the National Information Security Initiative, and served on the National Security Advisory Council. He also chairs the Artificial Intelligence Working Group established by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.His contributions have earned him numerous honors, including the DRDO Academic Excellence Award, IBM Faculty Award, VASVIK Industrial Research Award, Abdul Kalam National Fellowship for Technology Innovation, and the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian honor, in 2026.Yet despite these achievements, Kamakoti often talks about something beyond rankings and awards – preparing students for their futures.
Why he believes the future of engineering is changing
As dean of IIT Madras, Kamakoti has been a consistent advocate for engineering education that goes beyond textbooks.He pushed for more attention to responsible artificial intelligence, arguing that as artificial intelligence becomes more powerful, questions about ethics, accountability and bias become equally important.He also advocates the concept of practical colleges, bringing experienced industry professionals into the classroom so that students can gain practical opportunities while learning theory. Under his leadership, IIT Madras expanded its interdisciplinary approach, strengthened entrepreneurship and deep tech research, and worked to attract more international students.For Kamakoti, engineering education is not just about producing graduates, but about producing innovators who can solve real-world problems.
A lesson every JEE aspirant can take home
Every admission season brings stories of top players, AIR 1 holders and perfect scores. They deserve to be celebrated.But stories like Kamakoti’s deserve equal attention.They remind students that success is rarely a straight line. Disappointing grades, failing the college entrance examination, or even setbacks again and again cannot determine the rest of a person’s life. What is often more important is the willingness to continue learning, adapting, and seizing opportunities that subsequently arise.After years of failing to crack JEE, V. Kamakoti not only stepped through the doors of IIT Madras, but returned as dean, helped shape the future of the exam he once failed to crack, and went on to become one of India’s most respected academicians.Sometimes life’s greatest success stories begin with what once felt like failure.Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information about the academic and professional life of Dr. V. Kamakoti. The claims about his JEE attempts and chemistry scores should be read in the context of public reports. Readers are advised to refer to official interviews or verified statements for complete details.
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