PM Modi Celebrates ALLEN Kota Students’ Triumph at International Chemistry Olympiad

Kota, July 30, 2025 – In the 124th edition of his monthly radio program Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the remarkable achievements of Indian students, spotlighting Devesh Pankaj Bhaiya and Debdatta Priyadarshi from ALLEN Career Institute in Kota. The duo brought global recognition to India by securing a gold and silver medal, respectively, at the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) 2025, held in the UAE from July 5 to 14. Their success underscores Kota’s reputation as a hub of academic excellence and India’s growing prowess in global STEM competitions.

During his address, PM Modi stated, “A few days ago, our students won medals at the International Chemistry Olympiad. Devesh Pankaj, Sandeep Kuchi, Debdatta Priyadarshi, and Ujjwal Kesari have made the country proud.” He also highlighted India’s strong performance at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2025 in Australia, where the nation secured three gold, two silver, and one bronze medal, reinforcing India’s rising influence in academic Olympiads.

Devesh Pankaj Bhaiya, a Class 12 student, and Debdatta Priyadarshi, a Class 10 student, were part of India’s four-member IChO team, with both training at ALLEN Kota. Devesh, a seven-year veteran of the institute, has an illustrious academic record, including selection by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a 97.6% score in Class 12, and All India Rank 8 in JEE Advanced 2025. He also holds the distinction of being the first Indian to represent the country at the International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO) in Class 8, winning gold twice. Debdatta, who has been with ALLEN for three years, is preparing for JEE Advanced while continuing to excel in Olympiads. Hailing from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, he credits Kota’s competitive environment for his growth.

Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Devesh emphasized the need for greater prominence for science Olympiads, stating, “Science Olympiads should be given the same importance as the Olympic Games. The academic environment at ALLEN Kota helped clarify my concepts and built a strong foundation for both competitive exams and Olympiads.” Debdatta echoed similar sentiments, saying, “The competitive spirit of Kota and ALLEN’s guidance made me stronger. The faculty supported me every step of the way.”

Nitin Kukreja, CEO of ALLEN Career Institute, highlighted the institute’s commitment to nurturing talent for global competitions. Since launching its Olympiad preparation program in 2013, ALLEN students have won 69 gold, 54 silver, and 12 bronze medals across various international Olympiads, with 38 gold medals in the IJSO alone. “Our efforts focus on bringing India’s talent to the forefront of national and international stages,” Kukreja said.

Devesh’s academic journey is a testament to his dedication. A recipient of the Bal Shakti Puraskar in 2020, he scored 99.9976 percentile in JEE Main (AIR 65) and has earned numerous accolades in national and international Olympiads. His family, originally from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, has supported his journey, with his mother, a civil engineer, residing in Kota for seven years to guide him.

The achievements of Devesh and Debdatta, celebrated by PM Modi, highlight the transformative role of institutions like ALLEN Kota in shaping India’s future in STEM. As India prepares to host the Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad in Mumbai next month, these young achievers continue to inspire students nationwide to pursue excellence in science and innovation.