Anand Kumar’s journey from financial hardship to becoming the founder of Super 30 is closely linked to his belief that talent should not be limited by a student’s financial background. The mathematics teacher from Patna, Bihar, once aspired to study at the University of Cambridge, but could not pursue the opportunity because his family lacked the resources to support his overseas education.
Following the setback, Kumar helped his mother, Jayanti Devi, sell papads to support the family. His experiences with financial hardship later influenced his decision to help talented students who could not afford expensive coaching for competitive examinations.
From Two Students to Super 30
Kumar established the Ramanujan School of Mathematics in Patna in 1992. He later launched Super 30 in 2002 to prepare selected students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds for the entrance examinations of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
The programme became known for providing free coaching, study materials, food and accommodation to selected students. By reducing the financial burden of preparation, it aimed to give talented students from low-income families a better opportunity to compete for admission to leading engineering institutions.
Kumar’s mother also played an important role by preparing meals for the students. The initiative grew from a small educational effort into a widely recognised programme focused on access to competitive education.
Making IIT Preparation More Accessible
Super 30 was designed to address a major barrier faced by many students: the high cost of private coaching for IIT entrance examinations. Through academic guidance and residential support, the programme sought to help students prepare for demanding examinations without placing an additional financial burden on their families.
The initiative brought national attention to the challenges faced by academically gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds. It also highlighted the role that targeted educational support can play in expanding access to higher education.
Recognition for Contributions to Education
Kumar’s work received national and international attention, including recognition of Super 30 by Time magazine in 2010. In 2023, he received the Padma Shri in the Literature and Education category for his contribution to the field of education.
His story has also reached wider audiences through the 2019 Hindi film Super 30, starring Hrithik Roshan, which portrayed his efforts to help students prepare for IIT entrance examinations.
Turning Personal Setbacks into Educational Opportunity
Kumar’s experience of being unable to pursue his own overseas education helped shape his focus on students facing similar financial barriers. Through Super 30, he sought to make high-quality coaching accessible to students whose abilities might otherwise go unsupported.
His journey from helping his mother sell papads to building a recognised educational initiative illustrates how personal experiences can influence efforts to widen educational access. Super 30 continues to be associated with the goal of helping talented students pursue engineering education regardless of their economic circumstances.
