BS (Data Science)
In January 2021, with a quiet determination to rebuild his academic journey, Anupam Kumar Jha enrolled in the IIT Madras BS Degree in Data Science and Application, marking the beginning of a transformative chapter in his life. He initially enrolled in the program as a learning opportunity, but it soon became a transformative four-year journey, reshaping him personally and professionally.
Hailing from a small town in Rajasthan, Anupam chose to pursue the BS degree as a standalone program. The early days were not easy.
With no fixed classroom routine or attendance system, the responsibility of learning rested entirely on him. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by it, he embraced the responsibility and used it to grow.
“This program changed me completely, both personally and professionally,” Anupam shares. For him, the biggest transformation was internal. The program demanded discipline. Watching lectures regularly, completing weekly assignments honestly, and staying consistent required strong time management. During the Diploma level, the intensity felt overwhelming at times. Yet, he made a simple rule for himself – study every single day, no matter what. Over time, this consistency became a habit, and the journey felt smoother.
He credits much of his clarity to trusting the course structure and the faculty. Rather than searching endlessly for extra material, he relied on what was taught. This helped him build a strong conceptual base, especially in Mathematics, Statistics, and core Data Science subjects.
The assignments and examinations, designed at a high level of rigor, strengthened his fundamentals and sharpened his problem-solving ability.
Financial support became a defining pillar in his journey. Receiving a significant fee waiver and scholarship assistance eased a major burden, but what truly stood out was the timely laptop support through the Ram Shriram Laptop Support initiative when he needed it most. This comprehensive backing did more than reduce financial stress – it ensured uninterrupted learning and reinforced his belief that the institution was invested in his success. The encouragement he received strengthened his resolve to give nothing less than his best.
Today, Anupam works as a Content Professor in the Data Science department at ‘PhysicsWallah’, a role he began in May 2025. He develops academic content in areas such as Linear Algebra, Statistics, and occasionally Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence. The theoretical depth he gained during the BS program now directly supports his teaching. He shares that studying under experienced faculty gave him the confidence to explain complex ideas clearly and effectively. In December, 2025, he successfully completed the BS Degree, a milestone that reflected years of discipline, consistency, and belief in the process.
Looking ahead, he aspires to move deeper into academia and pursue a PhD at a leading institution in India. His long-term goal is clear – to continue learning, teaching, and contributing to the field of data science.
“Trust your professors. Trust the process. And stay consistent,” he says while acknowledging that a non-campus program demands self-belief and patience.
There may be moments of doubt, but staying committed makes all the difference. For Anupam, the BS journey was not just about earning a degree – it was about building discipline, strengthening foundations, and discovering the joy of learning.
– written by Pushpanjali
