No Phone, No Distractions: Meet JEE Main 2025 Topper Om Prakash Behera

Odisha boy scores 300/300 in JEE Main, proves focus beats FOMO

In a world dominated by smartphones and constant notifications, Om Prakash Behera stands out. This Gen Z topper, who secured a perfect 300/300 in JEE Main 2025, doesn’t own a mobile phone and deliberately stays away from WhatsApp, Facebook, and all things social media.

Why? “Social media affects my concentration and wastes time,” Om Prakash said in a conversation with ET Now Digital. He believes that the key to cracking one of India’s toughest exams lies not just in studying hard—but in studying smart and staying focused.

His Formula for Success

Om Prakash’s journey is rooted in three key principles:

• Methodical self-study
• Strategic planning
• Complete avoidance of distractions

“I worked hard for three years. I used to analyze every test I gave, understand where I lost marks, and make sure I didn’t repeat those mistakes,” he said.

Despite the ups and downs in weekly test scores, Om Prakash never let low marks shake his spirit. “Overthinking a bad result doesn’t help. Instead, treat it as a lesson, and work on your weaknesses.”

For him, NCERT textbooks were the Bible. “I focused mainly on NCERT for JEE Main. It’s enough if you really understand the concepts,” he shared.

No Phone, No Problem

Unlike most of his peers, Om Prakash doesn’t own a smartphone and has no plans to buy one—at least not while he’s preparing for exams. “It will only distract me from my goals,” he says firmly.

In an age where screen time often outruns study time, his choice feels almost radical—but clearly, it worked.

The Family Behind the Fighter

Om Prakash prepared in Kota, with his mother Smita Rani Behera, a college lecturer in Odisha, staying by his side throughout his three-year journey. His father, Kamalkant Behera, is an Odisha Administrative Services officer.

Their unwavering support made a big difference. “My parents always believed in me and encouraged me. That really helped during tough times,” he said.

The Road Ahead

Scoring 100 percentile in JEE Main is only half the journey. Om Prakash now has his sights set on JEE Advanced. “My dream is to study Computer Science at IIT Bombay. That’s my goal now.”

To aspirants, he offers simple but powerful advice: “Don’t panic over low marks. Use them to learn and improve. Follow your teachers’ guidance, stick to NCERT, and practice mock tests consistently.”

And his final note? “The JEE result is just a stepping stone. Stay grounded, keep learning, and stay focused.”