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GAIL Utkarsh’s Legacy of Educational Empowerment Fueling Aspirations from Adversity to Achievement

Gail Utkarsh Cover Story

These are the stories of young minds who refused to let their circumstances define them—who dared to dream beyond the barriers of limited resources and scarce opportunities. Their journeys, from humble beginnings to the prestigious corridors of IITs and NITs, stand as powerful testaments to the transformative impact of education, mentorship, and timely intervention.

At the heart of their success is GAIL Utkarsh, a flagship initiative by GAIL India Ltd., which has been a beacon of hope for talented yet underprivileged students for over 15 years. This program has consistently proven that when opportunity meets determination, even the most ambitious dreams can become reality. Through rigorous coaching, personalized mentorship, and an unwavering support system, GAIL Utkarsh has not only prepared these aspirants to excel in JEE examinations but has also instilled in them the confidence and resilience to thrive in an increasingly competitive world.

With over 1,300 students supported so far, GAIL Utkarsh continues to be a force of change, empowering the next generation of leaders, engineers, and innovators.

Amit Mandola

For years, IIT felt like an impossible dream—one that I dared to chase but had no clear path to reach. Growing up in a small town in Madhya Pradesh, with my father working as a security guard and my mother managing our home, the idea of affording top-tier coaching was beyond reach. I had the determination, but not the means.

Then came the turning point—GAIL Utkarsh SUPER 100.

An initiative by GAIL executed by CSRL, this program provides free residential coaching to students like me—bright, ambitious, yet financially constrained. I took the entrance test, cleared the interview, and secured a spot. That moment changed everything.

More than just academic training, GAIL Utkarsh SUPER 100 gave me belief. The teachers weren’t just instructors; they were mentors who saw potential in every student. They pushed us, supported us, and instilled the confidence we lacked. Surrounded by peers with the same dreams, I found inspiration and a renewed determination.

With their guidance, I cleared JEE Mains, then took the leap and appeared for JEE Advanced—securing admission to IIT Mandi for Computer Science. It was a dream turned into reality.

Today, I study at IIT Mandi, but my journey truly began at GAIL Utkarsh SUPER 100. Without their support, I wouldn’t be here. GAIL and CSRL are not just educating students—they are transforming lives and reshaping India’s educational landscape, one dream at a time.

Arju

I hail from a small town in Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh. Our family is a tight-knit one—my parents, two younger brothers, and me. My father works as a  labourer, and my mother is a homemaker. Growing up in a modest household, I understood early on that education was the key to breaking the cycle of financial hardship.

My journey began in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), where I completed my 10th grade in 2018 at Taiyyapur, Auraiya, and my 12th grade in 2020 at Bangalore Urban, Karnataka. Despite the challenges I faced, I kept pushing forward, knowing that a solid education would help me unlock new opportunities. It was during this period that I came across GAIL Utkarsh Super 100 Kanpur.

Being selected for the program was a turning point in my life. At GAIL Utkarsh Super 100, I found not just a place to study, but a community of mentors and peers who were all invested in my success. The entire faculty was there for me at every step, teaching not just academic concepts, but also life lessons in perseverance, self-belief, and discipline. The environment of dedication and focus at GUS-100 pushed me to give my best every single day. In 2021, I cleared JEE Advanced and earned my place at IIT BHU, Varanasi, to pursue Electrical Engineering.

The journey didn’t end there. GAIL India extended their support to me beyond just coaching, providing scholarships of ₹45k in my first year and ₹75k in my second year, which helped me manage my academic expenses at IIT BHU. With their help, I was able to stay focused on my education, undeterred by the financial challenges that could have held me back.

My time at IIT BHU was transformative, not just academically but personally. I dedicated myself to honing my skills and preparing for a future that was full of possibilities. The hard work paid off when I secured an on-campus placement with GAIL India Ltd. in the Contracts and Procurement (C&P) role.

I owe this success to everyone who stood by me—my parents, mentors, and the GAIL Utkarsh Super 100 team. Their belief in me, even when I had doubts, was the fuel that kept me going. As I stand here today, I am filled with gratitude for every person who has helped me along the way.

Govind Singh

I am Govind Singh, a proud IIT BHU alumnus and Chemical Engineer at Reliance Industries Limited, but my journey here was far from easy. It’s a story of resilience, second chances, and the power of the right support at the right time.

I come from Uttar Pradesh, where my father toiled as a farmer and my mother managed our home. Education was my only escape from financial struggles, but growing up in a village with no proper study space, erratic electricity, and minimal resources, my dreams often felt out of reach.

Despite these challenges, I secured admission to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Taiyyapur, Auraiya, where I found a structured education system and teachers who encouraged me to dream bigger. My ambition was to crack JEE Advanced, but my first attempt in 2019 ended in a heartbreak. With no means to afford private coaching, my aspirations seemed to slip away.

Then came a turning point—GAIL Utkarsh Super 100 Kanpur. This initiative wasn’t just about coaching; it was about transforming potential into success. With expert faculty, a well-structured study plan, and the unwavering motivation of mentors, I found the discipline, focus, and belief I needed to try again.

This time, I succeeded. In 2020, I cleared JEE Advanced and secured a place at IIT BHU Varanasi in Chemical Engineering and Technology. The journey didn’t stop there. The values and knowledge I gained propelled me forward, and today, I work at Reliance Industries Limited, contributing to one of the world’s leading energy giants.

Looking back, I know I couldn’t have done this alone. GAIL Utkarsh Super 100 didn’t just help me prepare for an exam—they gave me a future. Their commitment to empowering students like me is changing the educational landscape of India, ensuring that talent, not financial status, determines success.

To every student out there struggling with doubt—keep pushing forward. The right opportunities exist, and when they come, seize them with everything you have. If I could do it, so can you!

Sandeep

After 10th grade, I stood at a crossroads. My dream was clear—to prepare for IIT JEE—but financial constraints threatened to hold me back. Giving up was never an option, so I chose to continue my education at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Shajapur, where I could study while striving toward my goal.

Then came a life-changing opportunity—GAIL Utkarsh Super 100, a free residential coaching program for students like me. Getting selected felt like stepping into a world of possibilities.

Surrounded by dedicated teachers and a competitive yet nurturing environment, I honed my problem-solving skills and strengthened my conceptual foundation.

With this solid foundation, I secured admission to NIT Bhopal in Electrical Engineering. From there, I embraced new challenges, continuously striving for excellence. Today, as I stand on the brink of an exciting career with opportunities that once seemed unattainable, I am reminded of how far I’ve come.

This journey has reaffirmed that education, when coupled with the right support, has the power to change lives. Keep striving, because the right opportunities await those who dare to chase them.

Saurabh

I grew up in a family where financial constraints were a constant challenge, but I always believed education was the key to a brighter future. My time at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) gave me a strong foundation, but the dream of pursuing higher education seemed out of reach. My parents, though supportive, couldn’t afford the hefty coaching fees for engineering preparation.

Then, I came across GAIL Utkarsh Super 100, Kanpur – offering a chance to pursue my dreams without the burden of financial strain. I worked tirelessly to qualify, understanding that this was my one shot at turning my aspirations into reality.

Once I joined GAIL Utkarsh Super 100 Kanpur centre, everything changed. The program offered a holistic approach to learning—structured lessons, a disciplined environment, and mentorship from the best teachers, whose unwavering belief in my potential inspired me to push harder every day. The world-class faculty and structured guidance not only helped me master the concepts but also gave me the confidence to believe in myself.

After months of hard work and dedication, I cleared my exams and secured admission to MANIT Bhopal, a significant step toward my engineering aspirations. But the journey didn’t stop there. Throughout my engineering years, I continued to grow, building both my technical and professional skills, ensuring I was ready for the next big opportunity.

That effort bore fruit when I secured a position at JSW, with an impressive CTC. What seemed like a distant dream just a few years ago had become my reality.

Looking back, I can clearly see how GAIL Utkarsh played a pivotal role in transforming my life. Their commitment to guiding students from humble backgrounds and empowering them to reach their full potential gave me the tools I needed to succeed. Now, as I step into my professional journey, I am driven by a deep desire to mentor others—to show them that with the right guidance and relentless effort, success is not just possible, but inevitable. Talent knows no boundaries, and with the right support, no dream is too far out of reach.

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