Kota JEE Toppers Viral Video: Clip Shows Students Securing 99+ Percentiles Using Keypad Phones
A viral video of Kota JEE toppers using keypad phones instead of smartphones has sparked a debate on digital discipline. While students with 99.75 percentiles credit their success to a social media detox, the footage has raised concerns about the extreme pressure and isolation in India’s coaching capital during the JEE Main 2026 results.
Mumbai, February 21: A viral video featuring top performers from the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 has ignited a nationwide debate over the role of smartphones in competitive exam preparation. The video, captured during the result celebrations in the coaching hub of Kota, shows several high-achieving students, including those with 99.47 and 99.75 percentiles, displaying simple keypad phones rather than the latest flagship smartphones. The contrast between their monumental academic success and their lack of modern digital access has prompted a heated discussion on social media regarding screen time, discipline, and the mental health of aspirants.
The video, which has garnered millions of views across platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, features students like Himanshi and Om Shivhare. When asked about their preparation strategies, many of these toppers revealed that they consciously avoided smartphones and social media for years to maintain absolute focus. While some netizens have hailed this as "ultimate discipline," others have raised concerns about the extreme social isolation and pressure students endure in Kota's high-stakes environment. JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Result Declared: 12 Toppers Score 100 Percentile; Check Scorecard at jeemain.nta.nic.in.
Viral Video Shows Students Securing 99+ Percentiles Using Keypad Phones
The Choice of 'Digital Detox'
For many students in Kota, the switch to a basic feature phone is a deliberate choice intended to eliminate the "infinite scroll" of social media apps. The student Om Shivhare, who scored a 99.75 percentile, noted in the viral clip that he does not have a single social media account. The logic, according to many toppers, is that even 15 minutes of "mindless browsing" can break the deep concentration required to solve complex physics and mathematics problems.
Keypad phones, which are limited to calling and basic texting, serve as a "communication tool" rather than an "entertainment hub." This trend has become so prevalent in Kota that local shops often stock specific basic models marketed specifically to students as "Focus Phones." List of 32 Fake Universities Across India Identified by UGC .
Public Reaction: Inspiration vs. Concern
The viral video has divided public opinion. Supporters of the keypad-only approach argue that it is a necessary sacrifice for a life-altering goal. "This is the reason she is a topper; focus is the only currency in Kota," wrote one user on X. Many educators also advocate for limited screen time, citing that blue light and digital distractions can severely hamper a student’s cognitive retention and sleep patterns.
However, a significant portion of the audience viewed the footage with a sense of "tragedy." Critics argue that forcing teenagers to regress to 1990s technology is a symptom of a "toxic" and "mechanical" education system. "They look like they’ve been liberated from a cage," one viral comment noted, referencing the intense celebration videos of toppers like Kabeer Chhillar and Arnav Gautam. There is a growing concern that such extreme measures, while effective for exams, may hinder a student's ability to develop digital literacy and healthy boundaries with technology.
This debate comes at a time when student well-being in Kota is under intense scrutiny. While Rajasthan produced the highest number of 100 percentilers in the JEE Main 2026 (including Kabeer Chhillar with a perfect 300/300 score), the city has also faced criticism for the immense psychological toll on its residents.
The "Keypad Phone" trend is seen by many as part of the "Kota Code"—a set of unspoken rules that include 14-hour study days, minimal social interaction, and the total abandonment of personal hobbies. While the results often yield "perfect" scores, the viral debate highlights the ongoing struggle to balance academic excellence with a healthy, balanced teenage life.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 21, 2026 03:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).