From Pathanamthitta to Penn State: Kerala student bags ₹1.5 cr scholarship

Pathanamthitta: At a time when many students question the value of traditional science courses, a young scholar from rural Kerala has charted a remarkable path to global academic excellence. Ajay Anilkumar from Perunad in Pathanamthitta has won a prestigious scholarship worth ₹1.5 crore to pursue research at Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), one of the top-ranked institutions in the US. A graduate of Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, Ajay completed his BSc in Chemistry with first rank at Mahatma Gandhi University.

From early on, he set his sights on research, preparing for national-level entrance exams such as the Joint Admission Test for Master's (JAM)—a key gateway to premier institutions like the IITs. His hard work paid off when he secured 36th rank in the national entrance test for Central Universities and gained admission to the University of Hyderabad (HCU) for MSc Chemistry—an experience he describes as “life-changing.”

At HCU, Ajay was exposed to a research-oriented curriculum and mentored by PhD scholars. He worked primarily on Organic Chemistry synthesis, focusing on the development of carbon-based compounds. A year-long project in organic materials, inspired by Malayali professor T P Radhakrishnan’s classes in Material Chemistry, proved pivotal in securing his admission to Penn State. Ajay graduated with first rank in MSc Chemistry from HCU and then began applying to international PhD programmes, guided by the QS World University Rankings. He focused on the Fall semester (August–September), which offers more seats and funding opportunities than the Spring intake.

Applications required a Statement of Purpose (SOP), letters of recommendation, academic credentials, and proof of English proficiency. Ajay cleared the first round based on his academic and research background; a subsequent online interview sealed his selection. He credits his parents—P K Anilkumar, an employee of the Perunad Service Cooperative Bank, and T D Jayasree, Regional Manager at Consumerfed Pathanamthitta—for their support throughout his academic journey.

Building blocks of success
During his postgraduate studies, Ajay also completed a stipendiary internship at IIT Madras under the Summer Research Fellowship programme. He encourages students to apply for similar fellowships at institutions like the IITs, IISERs, and IISc, which are open to students across disciplines, including humanities, science, and engineering.

Ajay also received the UGC PG Scholarship, which helped cover close to ₹3 lakh in expenses—including airfare and visa costs—for his studies in the US. The scholarship supports 10,000 postgraduate students across India and is based on graduation performance. More details are available on the National Scholarship Portal: https://scholarships.gov.in