Tag Archives: artificial-intelligence

Sep9

From NSEJS & INJSO to the Indian IJSO Team: Manan Mishra, Pranshu Tayal & Arnav Khandelwal on Their Journey with Devansh Mittal

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Introduction

The true measure of a teacher’s impact is often best expressed through the words of the students themselves. These three testimonials come from Manan Mishra, Pranshu Tayal, and Arnav Khandelwal, each of whom achieved significant success in the Junior Science Olympiad journey under my mentorship. Manan, Arnav and Pranshu were selected for the six-member Indian National Team for IJSO 2026, after clearing NSEJS, INJSO.

What makes their words especially meaningful to me is the consistency in what they experienced: learning Physics through intuition rather than memorization, developing the ability to visualize physical phenomena, connecting concepts across different areas, and gaining the confidence to tackle unfamiliar problems. Their testimonials are, ultimately, a reflection of a teaching philosophy centred not merely on preparing students for examinations, but on teaching them how to think.

Testimonial: Manan Mishra (Online Batch)

1. Title: From a “Wall of Formulas” to the Indian IJSO Team: Manan Mishra’s Journey of Intuitive Physics

2. Student’s Name: Manan Mishra (Online Batch)

3. Achievements:

  • Selected for the 6-Member Indian National Team for IJSO 2026 (Stage 3 HBCSE OCSC Qualifier)
  • Qualified HBCSE Orientation-Cum-Selection Camp (OCSC) 2026 for Junior Science
  • Cleared National Standard Examination in Junior Science (NSEJS) & Indian National Junior Science Olympiad (INJSO)
  • Mentored by Devansh Sir through the Intensive Online Physics Course

Context & Background: Manan Mishra joined Devansh Sir’s online physics course at a time when physics felt like an intimidating “wall of formulas.” Through Devansh Sir’s focus on first-principles intuition, predictive qualitative reasoning (“what do you expect to happen?”), and interdisciplinary synthesis across mechanics, heat, and optics, Manan transformed his analytical thinking to conquer unfamiliar multi-concept problems, ultimately securing his selection for the Indian National Team for IJSO 2026.

4. What They Said About Devansh Sir:

“When I started, physics problems felt like a wall of formulas. Your course completely changed that. You focused on building intuition first — you made sure we understood WHY something happens before jumping to equations. That shift helped me tackle unfamiliar problems in the selection rounds with confidence instead of panic. You didn’t just teach physics — you taught us how to approach it.”
Respected Devansh Sir,

I am Manan. I was your student in the physics course, and I’m writing to thank you for the role you played in helping me get selected for the Indian team for IJSO 2026.

When I started, physics problems felt like a wall of formulas. Your course completely changed that. You focused on building intuition first — you made sure we understood why something happens before jumping to equations. That shift helped me tackle unfamiliar problems in the selection rounds with confidence instead of panic.

I really liked how the course went beyond textbooks. The problem sets were designed to make us think, not just plug-and-chug, and the way you linked concepts across mechanics, heat, and optics gave me a connected picture of physics. The regular doubt discussions meant I never had to leave a question half-understood.

Your mentorship was the best part. You didn’t just teach physics — you taught us how to approach it. Your habit of asking “what do you expect to happen here?” before solving trained me to trust my reasoning. That mindset was crucial during the IJSO selection camps.

The final IJSO exam is in December, and I feel ready because of the foundation you gave me. I’m genuinely grateful for your guidance, Sir.

Thank you very much!
Best regards,
Manan Mishra
Selected for Indian National Team, IJSO 2026 | HBCSE OCSC Qualifier

Key Methodological Insights & Takeaways:

  • Intuition Before Equations: Prioritizing physical reality and understanding the qualitative “why” before algebraic formulation eliminated examination panic and unlocked spontaneous problem solving.
  • Cross-Domain Concept Synthesis: Linking fundamental concepts across mechanics, thermal physics, and optics replaced isolated formulas with a coherent, unified picture of physics.
  • Predictive Reasoning Pedagogy: Devansh Sir’s signature habit of asking “what do you expect to happen here?” trained students to trust their scientific instincts during high-stakes national camps.

Testimonial: Pranshu Tayal (Allen Kota Offline)

1. Title: Learning to Think Like a Physicist: Pranshu Tayal’s Path to OCSC Selection & Representing India at IJSO 2026

2. Student’s Name: Pranshu Tayal (Allen Kota Offline)

3. Achievements:

  • Selected for the 6-Member Indian National Team for IJSO 2026 (Stage 3 HBCSE OCSC Qualifier)
  • Qualified HBCSE Orientation-Cum-Selection Camp (OCSC) 2026 for Junior Science
  • Cleared National Standard Examination in Junior Science (NSEJS) & Indian National Junior Science Olympiad (INJSO)
  • Classroom Physics Student at Allen Career Institute, Kota under Devansh Sir

Context & Background: Studying physics under Devansh Sir’s direct offline mentorship at Allen Kota, Pranshu Tayal developed the rare and transformative ability to “truly think like a physicist.” Devansh Sir’s uncompromising emphasis on conceptual depth and intuitive reasoning provided the exact bedrock Pranshu needed to master challenging Olympiad concepts, conquer NSEJS and INJSO, and earn selection to represent India on the international stage at IJSO 2026.

4. What They Said About Devansh Sir:

“Your teaching has gone far beyond helping me solve problems. Through your emphasis on conceptual clarity and intuitive understanding, you taught me how to truly think like a physicist. Many of the important and challenging concepts that I learned from you played a crucial role… ultimately leading to my selection for OCSC and the opportunity to represent India at the International Junior Science Olympiad.”
Respected Sir,

I am Pranshu Tayal, a student of Allen Kota, and I have had the privilege of learning Physics under your guidance.

Your teaching has gone far beyond helping me solve problems. Through your emphasis on conceptual clarity and intuitive understanding, you taught me how to truly think like a physicist. Many of the important and challenging concepts that I learned from you played a crucial role in my preparation for NSEJS and INJSO, ultimately leading to my selection for OCSC and the opportunity to represent India at the International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO).

This achievement would not have been possible without your guidance, mentorship, and the strong foundation that you helped me build. The ability to understand Physics deeply and intuitively has been one of the most valuable lessons I have gained from being your student.

I sincerely thank you for your dedication, encouragement, and the knowledge you have shared with me. I hope that many more students who learn from you achieve great success and continue to benefit from your exceptional teaching and mentorship.

Thank you so much, Sir.
Pranshu Tayal
Selected for Indian National Team, IJSO 2026 | Allen Kota | HBCSE OCSC Qualifier

Key Methodological Insights & Takeaways:

  • Thinking Like a Physicist: Moving beyond formulaic problem solving into profound physical inquiry, enabling effortless navigation of non-standard Olympiad challenges.
  • Bedrock Conceptual Grounding: Solidifying foundational laws in mechanics and modern physics early on eliminated the need for rote memorization across multi-stage national examinations.
  • High-Touch Kota Classroom Culture: Direct offline mentorship, personalized conceptual rigor, and continuous encouragement created an environment where ambitious goals translated into national selection.

Testimonial: Arnav Khandelwal (Offline Batch)

1. Title: Developing Scientific Persistence & Deep Reasoning: Arnav Khandelwal on Reaching the OCSC 2026 Selection Camp

2. Student’s Name: Arnav Khandelwal (Offline Batch)

3. Achievements:

  • Selected for HBCSE Orientation-Cum-Selection Camp (OCSC) 2026 for Junior Science (Stage 3 IJSO)
  • Cleared National Standard Examination in Junior Science (NSEJS) & Indian National Junior Science Olympiad (INJSO)
  • Rapid 3-Month Conceptual Evolution from Class 9 Foundation to National Olympiad Finalist
  • Offline Mentee under Devansh Sir

Context & Background: Joining Devansh Sir’s specialized INJSO and OCSC intensive preparation in Class 9, Arnav Khandelwal experienced a rapid and profound shift in his scientific approach. Devansh Sir’s emphasis on tackling challenging, non-routine problems through persistence and physical intuition rather than pure calculation propelled Arnav to the third and final national stage of IJSO.

4. What They Said About Devansh Sir:

“The two to three months I spent in this course completely changed the way I approached physics. What I appreciated most was that the course focused not only on theory but also on challenging problems that required deep thinking and persistence… Sir also encouraged us to understand the intuition behind physical concepts rather than relying only on mathematical calculations.”
Respected Devansh Sir,

My name is Arnav Khandelwal, and I was in Class 9 when I joined this course to prepare for INJSO and later for OCSC. The two to three months I spent in this course completely changed the way I approached physics.

What I appreciated most was that the course focused not only on theory but also on challenging problems that required deep thinking and persistence. Through these problems, I developed better reasoning and problem-solving skills. Sir also encouraged us to understand the intuition behind physical concepts rather than relying only on mathematical calculations, which proved extremely useful during competitive examinations.

Overall, this course was much more than exam preparation. It helped me develop a genuine interest in physics and played an important role in kickstarting my journey toward the final stage of IJSO preparation. I will always remain grateful to Devansh Sir for his guidance, support, and inspiring way of teaching.

With regards,
Arnav Khandelwal
HBCSE OCSC 2026 Qualifier (Stage 3 IJSO) | INJSO & NSEJS Qualifier

Key Methodological Insights & Takeaways:

  • Rapid Conceptual Rewiring: Demonstrating that 2–3 months of intuition-first instruction can fundamentally transform a student’s problem-solving paradigm from calculation-heavy to insight-driven.
  • Intellectual Persistence with Challenging Problems: Cultivating cognitive stamina and deductive reasoning by grappling with multifaceted Olympiad problems without premature solution lookups.
  • Igniting Lifelong Scientific Curiosity: Transforming competitive examination preparation into a captivating intellectual journey that inspires long-term academic excellence.