Media Release
Mangaluru, Apr 22: Twenty-five students from Mangaluru have scored above the 99th percentile in the JEE Main 2026, placing them among the top 13,000 of over 13 lac candidates nationally. Four of these students crossed the 99.9 percentile, ranking them within the top 1,300 in the country. All 25 are students of CFAL Institute, a centre for advanced learning founded in the city in 2004.
The results challenge the long-held assumption that competitive exam preparation at the highest level requires students to move to coaching hubs like Kota, Hyderabad, or Bengaluru. These 25 students achieved national excellence while staying in Mangaluru and living with their families.
Top achievers
Abhhi Sannayya, the batch topper, scored a 99.9678 percentile. He was followed by A Aditya Rao (99.9554), Rishon Fernandes (99.93), Mrinal D Bhat (99.90), and Lauren Marian Patrao (99.89).
Other notable scorers in the 99+ cohort include Bhuvan Shetty (99.82), Rishith P (99.65), Meenakshi Unnithan (99.61), Rishabh Naik (99.61), Mohak S Raj (99.56), Akshith Ram K (99.50), Sanath Sanjay Shet (99.46), Ira Jain (99.29), Nireeksha N (99.36), and Swagath Shetty (99.35).
Beyond the 99th percentile tier, the depth of the results was notable, with 40 students crossing the 98th percentile and 52 crossing the 97th. At the 99th percentile, CFAL’s success rate is approximately ten times the national average.
Significance of the scores
A score above the 99th percentile typically secures a seat at a National Institute of Technology (NIT). Scores above 99.5 often grant admission to top-tier NITs such as those in Surathkal, Trichy, and Warangal. For the four students above 99.9, these marks indicate a strong chance at an IIT through JEE Advanced, for which the JEE Main serves as a qualifier.
Vijay Moras, founder and director of The Learning Centre Trust, stated that every year families consider sending children to other states for coaching. He noted that this year’s results provide proof that the necessary preparation and results can be achieved locally in Mangaluru.
Future opportunities
A strong JEE Main score provides entry into 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, and 28 Government-Funded Technical Institutions (GFTIs). It also serves as the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced, which opens doors to 23 IITs and IISc Bangalore. Additionally, several international universities, such as the National University of Singapore and the Singapore University of Technology and Design, consider JEE scores as part of their admission process.
About the institution
CFAL was founded in 2004 by Severine Rosario, Henry Rosario, Vijay Moras, and Sonia Moras. Over 22 years, it has grown into an institutional ecosystem that includes the Early Learning Centre, TLC School, and the CFAL Research Centre. The academic team consists of subject-matter specialists who focus on individual student diagnosis and conceptual depth.
Compared to 2025, the institution's 99.5+ cohort grew from 5 to 13 students, while the 99+ cohort increased by 70%, from 17 to 25. The 97+ cohort also expanded from 38 to 52 students.
The academic team at CFAL noted that while they are proud of the 25 students scoring above the 99th percentile, the institution remains focused on closing the gap between a student's potential and their performance under exam pressure.