In Bihar’s Gaya district lies Patwa Toli, a village popularly known as the “Village of IITians.” What makes it remarkable is the presence of IIT-educated engineers in almost every household. Every year,
more than a dozen students from the village qualify for the IIT-JEE examinations, turning it into a remarkable hub of academic success.
The trend of IITians from the Patwa Toli began in 1992 when Jitendra Prasad became the first student from the village to be selected for IIT. After Prasad’s selection in IIT, enthusiasm arose among the students and gradually the students started preparing for engineering. The biggest success was achieved in the year 1999 when 7 students were selected for IIT simultaneously. Since then, the students of Patwa Toli have not looked back. Every year 8 to 10 students are selected for IIT.
Vriksha Be The Change, a free coaching institute run in Patwa Toli, has also played an important role in the success of the students. According to data provided by the organisation, the village has produced around 200 IITians and the number of students pursuing B.Tech or engineering from NIT or other colleges is more than 500.
In another recent achievement, 45 students from Patwa Toli qualified for JEE Main, with 38 of them advancing to JEE Advanced, while the remaining students scored above 90 per cent. This unique combination of education, community support and mentorship has made Patwa Toli a shining example of how a village can nurture and transform the dreams of its young students.
In the years 1992, 1993, 1997, only one student was selected for IIT. Three students were selected in 1998, seven in 1999, two in 2000 and 2001, three in 2002, five in 2003, six in 2004 and 2005, eight in 2006, three in 2007 and 2008, four in 2009 and 2010, six in 2011, seven in 2012, five in 2013, eight in 2014, twelve in 2015, eleven in 2016, twenty in 2017, five in 2018, fourteen in 2019, eighteen in 2020, twenty-one in 2021, fourteen in 2022, eleven in 2023, eighteen in 2024 and twelve in 2025.
The village provides free education and guidance to help students pursue their dream of entering the IITs. According to ANI, students receive support and inspiration from their seniors, many of whom have secured jobs in India and abroad. Once successful, these alumni continue the tradition by mentoring and supporting the next generation. Online learning facilities have also been introduced to make quality education more accessible.
Patwa Toli has also earned another distinction. The village has a long-standing tradition of textile weaving, earning it the nickname “Manchester of Bihar.”
