Silent Grit, Stellar Result: Budgam Girl Tops JEE Among J&K Females with 99.84 Percentile
SRINAGAR, April 19 – In a world often obsessed with noise and instant recognition, 17-year-old Attiya Zehra from Budgam has quietly scripted a story of unwavering determination, patience, and silent perseverance. With no fanfare, no aggressive self-promotion, and no shortcuts, Attiya soared to the top by securing an impressive 99.84 percentile in the prestigious Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) – the highest score among female candidates from Jammu and Kashmir.
Her journey, however, didn’t start at the top. Earlier this year, in her first attempt, Attiya scored an 84.10 percentile—a respectable result but not quite enough for admission into her dream engineering institutes. But instead of allowing disappointment to derail her aspirations, she chose to reflect, reset, and rework her strategy.
“There was no magic formula,” she says. “I just identified the gaps and committed to improving what I could.”
True to her words, Attiya didn’t change coaching centers or subscribe to expensive new study platforms. She didn’t chase trends or follow the crowd. Instead, she quietly retreated into her own focused world—trimming distractions, minimizing mobile usage, and doubling down on consistency. With a routine grounded in revision, mock tests, and self-discipline, she transformed her shortcomings into stepping stones for success.
Attiya, who studied at Alasma Educational Institute and later at Spring Buds School Budgam, was always known among teachers as a quiet, observant, and goal-driven student. She was not the one to dominate classrooms or seek attention, but her results always spoke volumes.
“She wasn’t loud about her goals,” recalled one of her schoolteachers. “But when the moment came, she delivered with calm precision.”
A strong support system at home added to her strength. Her father, Ghulam Hassan Khanday, a Physical Education Master and the Incharge Activity Officer at the District Youth Services and Sports Office in Budgam, stood by her side throughout the journey. With two elder sisters—one a journalist and the other a research scholar—Attiya had clear examples of dedication, intellect, and quiet excellence within her family.
“I grew up watching them work hard,” Attiya shared. “Their journeys gave me the confidence that success comes with sustained effort, not shortcuts.”
Interestingly, the remarkable achievement was followed by a modest response at home. Apart from a few congratulatory calls and messages, there were no elaborate celebrations. Attiya herself remains grounded, already shifting her focus to what lies ahead. She now plans to pursue Computer Science Engineering and hopes to secure admission to one of India’s top-tier institutions like the IITs or NITs.
For now, she’s allowing herself a brief pause to rest after months of intense preparation—but her mind is already looking toward the future.
To fellow students navigating disappointment or preparing for challenging exams, Attiya has a simple but powerful message: “If it doesn’t go your way the first time, don’t give up. Reflect on what went wrong, fix it, and try again. That’s what made all the difference for me.”
In an age where the pressure to showcase every step of success is overwhelming, Attiya Zehra’s quiet rise stands as a powerful reminder: sometimes, the loudest victories are born in silence.
