My struggles in IIT/IIM as a SC/ST student

I got into IIT Madras and IIM Ahmedabad through SC/ST reservation, and my journey was a mix of struggle and growth. At IIT, I really struggled. I failed several courses, repeated many, and even ranked in the bottom five in my first semester. Coming in with a lower cutoff, I felt completely out of place among students who seemed far more prepared. That insecurity created intense anxiety, which destroyed my ability to study. Over time, with a few friends and persistence, I completed IIT—but with very low confidence. IIM Ahmedabad was a different story. I didn’t fail any course, performed decently, and didn’t feel as out of place. Class participation was hard because of my confidence issues, but academically I did well. More importantly, IIMA changed my mindset. It removed my limiting beliefs and made me feel I could do anything—including starting a company, something I never thought I was capable of before. Reservation caused me pain early on, but it ultimately uplifted me, which is what it was meant to do. The imposter syndrome lingers, but real-world achievements help me see that I’ve earned my place through my own effort.