UAE-based students have once again demonstrated exceptional prowess in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 Session 1, with standout performances that highlight the growing strength of STEM education among Indian expatriate communities in the United Arab Emirates. Led by Jaishnu Sulakshan from The Indian High School (IHS) in Dubai, who secured an impressive 98.92 percentile, these results underscore the effectiveness of local coaching centers and rigorous preparation within the UAE's CBSE curriculum schools. The National Testing Agency (NTA) declared the results on February 16, 2026, following exams conducted from January 21 to 30 across centers including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
This achievement is particularly notable given the competitive landscape, where over 13 lakh candidates appeared nationwide and abroad, with 12 securing perfect 100 percentiles. UAE students, primarily from Indian CBSE schools, not only competed at a national level but also dominated regional rankings through dedicated coaching ecosystems like ATP STEM Education and ALLEN Overseas.
Understanding JEE Main: Gateway to India's Premier Engineering Institutes
The JEE Main, conducted by India's NTA, is the first stage of the Joint Entrance Examination, a highly competitive test for admission to National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and as a qualifier for JEE Advanced, which unlocks seats at the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). The exam assesses Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics at the Class 12 level, with percentiles indicating relative performance— a 98.92 percentile means outperforming 98.92% of test-takers, placing one in the top 1.08%.
For UAE's Indian expat families—numbering over 3.5 million—the exam represents a pathway to world-class engineering education without relocating to India. With JEE centers in Dubai (ZZ04), Abu Dhabi (ZZ17), and Sharjah (ZZ08), accessibility has surged, enabling local preparation. Over 180,000 students study in UAE's 100+ CBSE schools, many aspiring for JEE alongside local options like Khalifa University or the new IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus.
UAE's Standout Toppers in JEE Main 2026 Session 1
Jaishnu Sulakshan from The Indian High School, Dubai, leads UAE achievers with 98.92 percentile, trained at ATP STEM's centers in Bur Dubai, Al Nahda, Sharjah, and Ibn Battuta. ATP STEM reported 11 of 45 students above 95 percentile (25%) and 21 above 90 (44%), the region's highest success rate.
ALLEN Overseas UAE centers celebrated 12 students above 99 percentile:
| Student Name | School | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Aarish Banerjee | Ambassador School Dubai | 99.88 |
| Hans Rajeskumar Patel | Delhi Private School Dubai | 99.85 |
| Zain Ahmad | The Indian High School Dubai | 99.82 |
| Kaushik Thatikonda | Delhi Private School Dubai | 99.64 |
| Sriram Vapush Chivukula | Abu Dhabi Indian School | 99.33 |
| Mritunjay Mukherjee | Delhi Private School Dubai | 99.30 |
| Laksman Santhosh Kumba | Our Own High School | 99.27 |
| Snehin Syamal | Abu Dhabi Indian School | 99.20 |
| Kavin Saravanabhavan | Delhi Private School Dubai | 99.18 |
| Shaanvi Verma | Dunes International School Abu Dhabi | 99.15 |
| Mohammad Tahmid Alam | - | 99.03 |
| Akaitab Giri | Abu Dhabi Indian School | 99.03 |
Overall, 15 Gulf students from ALLEN scored 99+, reflecting UAE's dominance.
Coaching Centers Fueling UAE's JEE Success
UAE's JEE coaching ecosystem has matured, with ATP STEM and ALLEN Overseas leading. ATP's conceptual focus yielded doubled 95+ scorers in two years. ALLEN's multiple branches (Bur Dubai, Al Nahda, JLT, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Musaffah) produced 12 UAE 99+ scorers. Other centers like Brilliant Pala and Unique World Education report similar successes. These allow preparation alongside UAE schooling, avoiding India relocation.Gulf News on UAE JEE success
- Structured curricula from Grade 8-12
- Mock tests mimicking NTA format
- Expert faculty from IITs/NITs
- Local exam center convenience
CBSE Schools in UAE: Breeding Ground for JEE Aspirants
With 180,000+ in 100+ CBSE schools, UAE nurtures JEE talent. Top producers: Delhi Private School Dubai (4 ALLEN toppers), Abu Dhabi Indian School (3), Indian High School Dubai, Ambassador School. These schools integrate JEE prep, boasting 98.5% Class 12 pass rates.
CBSE alignment with JEE syllabus eases transition, supplemented by after-school coaching.
Preparation Strategies of UAE JEE Toppers
Toppers like Jaishnu emphasize consistent practice, conceptual clarity over rote learning. ATP founder Atinderpal Singh notes: “Rigorous preparation at UAE level matches India.” Common strategies:
- Daily 10-12 hours study
- Full syllabi coverage early
- Multiple mocks weekly
- Balanced UAE school + coaching
Challenges: Time zones for online mocks, but local centers mitigate.
UAE Higher Education Landscape: IITs or Local Alternatives?
While IITs allure, UAE offers strong engineering: Khalifa University (QS top 200), UAEU, AUS. New IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi accepts JEE Advanced qualifiers, ideal for UAE NRIs (20 seats reserved).Explore higher ed jobs in UAE BITS Pilani Dubai, Heriot-Watt provide IIT-like rigor locally.
Toppers may choose IITs for prestige or stay for family/proximity.
Implications for UAE-India Educational Ties
Success boosts UAE-India collaboration: MoUs, student exchanges. UAE's 3.5m Indians drive demand; coaching boom reflects this.ALLEN Gulf results
Future Outlook and Actionable Advice
Session 2 in April offers improvement chance. For aspirants: Start early, choose reputed coaching, balance school.UAE scholarships for engineering Parents: Support holistic prep.
UAE's JEE prowess positions it as STEM hub.Career advice for engineers
Conclusion: UAE's Rising STEM Stars
UAE students' JEE triumphs celebrate dedication, local infrastructure. As IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi grows, options expand. Explore higher ed jobs, university jobs, rate professors, UAE education.
