For those considering joining the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and changing their lives forever, some good news.

IIT-Bombay saw the highest number of students graduating this year. A total of 1293 degrees were awarded as follows.

• PhD: 105
• M Tech: 551
• Master of Management: 47
• Master of Design: 30
• MPhil: 10
• M Sc: 128
• B Tech: 422

This year, of the top 100 rankers in the Joint Entrance Examinatoion, 46 joined IIT-Bombay. While a good majority joined various MNCs and Indian companies, the others are set to go to foreign universities like MIT and Stanford to pursue their PhD degrees.

Would you like to follow the footsteps these super achievers?  Meet the award winners at IIT-Bombay and get their mantras for success.

. Srikanth Jagabathula, President of India gold medal winner

Mantra for success: A desire to excel. I am very organised, and always on time. I love the subjects I learn. I have always done things I like to do, which is very important.

Advice to IIT aspirants: Don't get bogged down by pressure. Many people are very talented, but it is important how you perform on the day of the entrance. You have to prepare well for two years, and learn to cope with pressure. 

. Krishnamurthy Rengarajan, IIT-B gold medallist

Mantra for success: There is no short cut to success. One has to work very hard, put in a lot of effort. You should have a problem-solving mentality and a right approach to every problem. My parents always stood by me. Their support has been invaluable and I am overwhelmed.

Advice to IIT aspirants: Work hard, you have to spend a lot of time preparing as exams are getting more competitive.

. Diwakar Shukla, Topper, M Tech dual degree in Chemical Engineering

Mantra for success: I work very hard, am very focussed on studies and attend all sessions. I don't have a specific study schedule. If I get interested in a particular subject or project, I can spend 24 hours on it!

Advice to IIT aspirants: Work is duty. You have to really slog it out to get through the test. You should be motivated and work really hard. Never give up!

. Supreet Joshi, Topper, M Tech dual degree in Electrical Engineering

Mantra for success: Hard work comes first. Focus on what you do. Concentration in everything I do has helped, along with my strong will to excel.

Advice to IIT aspirants: There is no short cut to success; one has to be smart and sharp, dedicated and determined to face the most difficult tasks.

. Ashwin Limaye, Topper, M Tech dual degree in computer science and engineering

Mantra for success: The most important thing is to pay attention in class. Don't mix work and play, stay focused and organised. An engineering degree helps to have a structured approach to problem-solving, which is important.

Advice to IIT aspirants: Get your basics right. You must learn to ask why and not how. I did not go for any formal coaching, I did a correspondence course along with 3 of my friends, so it was mostly combined study.

. Amrita Sateesh Mahale, Topper, B Tech Aerospace Engineering

Mantra for success: Lots of hard work, two years of preparation. I attended coaching classes after class 10.

Advice to IIT aspirants: One has to work really hard, put in a lot of extra work for two years to get the branch of choice. But don't be dejected if you don't get selected. One has a lot of opportunities and many interesting options today.

. Sneha Gupta, Topper, B Tech (Metallurgical Engineering and Material Science)

Advice to IIT aspirants: You must work hard, and have problem-solving skills. I used to study for about 8 hours a day, and also attended coaching classes.

Did you get into the IIT of your choice? What advice would you give to aspirants? Tell us.