No JEE, No CS, Failed NEET Thrice: How an IIT Madras Online Degree Turned a Dropout Into a Data Scientist
No JEE, No CS, Failed NEET Thrice: How an IIT Madras Online Degree Turned a Dropout Into a Data Scientist
Sanjay B’s journey from repeated medical entrance failures to a data scientist role at Syngenta proves that IIT Madras’s BS in Data Science and Applications is rewriting the rules for higher education in India.
Three failed NEET attempts. No JEE rank. No background in computer science. For many, that might have meant the end of the road. But for Sanjay B, it became the beginning of an unexpected success story.
Today, at just 24, Sanjay works as an Associate Data Scientist at Syngenta in Pune. His journey didn’t follow the conventional IIT admission path but instead began with the IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications – a fully online programme with no entrance exam requirement. When he enrolled, Sanjay didn’t even know how to code. Through IIT’s structured self-paced learning model, he mastered Python, Java, SQL, Machine Learning, Data Structures, and Algorithms, all while working full-time.
Before entering the tech field, Sanjay had already been working since the age of 18, holding roles in telesales, banking, and financial services at SBI Cards, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Calibehr. These jobs honed his people skills and discipline, which he later applied to his studies. Alongside the IIT Madras degree, he simultaneously pursued a Bachelor’s in Health Science from the University of the People and will begin a Master’s in Financial Engineering at WorldQuant University in April 2025.
His time at IIT Madras was marked by an active involvement in projects, including GoodWill AI – an AI-powered document query system – and applications for household services, tea shop analytics, and predictive modelling for concrete strength. Skills in RAG systems, Vue.js, Flask, and SQL became central to his portfolio, helping him secure an internship at the CII Institute of Logistics, which later led to his current role at Syngenta, where he applies machine learning to real business problems.
Reflecting on his journey, Sanjay credits the IIT Madras BS programme for his transformation. “I failed NEET three times. Everyone thought my career was over. But today, I’m a data scientist. If something holds you back, burn them with your wings of fire,” he says.
The IIT Madras BS in Data Science and Applications, a four-year degree open to learners of all ages and educational backgrounds, aims to make high-quality, industry-relevant education accessible without the need for traditional entrance exams. For students like Sanjay, it’s not just a course – it’s a second chance at a career they never thought possible.
