• Kolkata, India – In a remarkable display of academic prowess, Nilufa Yasmin from Katwa, Purba Bardhaman, has secured the top position nationally in Bengali at the UGC NET 2025 examination. Achieving a perfect 100 percentile, Yasmin’s success has not only brought immense pride to her home state of West Bengal but also serves as a resounding answer to the often-asked question: “What will you do with a degree in Bengali?”

The results, declared on July 21, saw Nilufa emerge as the leading candidate among 3,684 aspirants in the Bengali discipline for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor eligibility. Her achievement underscores the profound value of dedication to literature and, as she aptly puts it, music.

Currently pursuing her Ph.D. at Burdwan University in the Bengali department, Nilufa’s research delves into the influence of medieval Bengali literature, particularly “Padavali,” and the music of various communities. Her journey to this national triumph is built on a foundation of consistent academic excellence; she has topped her classes from school through college and secured a third-place ranking at the postgraduate level in university. While her recent national first place was unexpected, it is a testament to her perseverance.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was quick to congratulate the state’s achievers. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she extended her felicitations: “Heartiest congratulations to Nilufa Yasmin of Katwa, Purba Bardhaman for securing 100 percentile in Bengali in the UGC NET June 2025 results. Also, congratulations to Rikta Chakraborty for securing the second position nationally in Mass Communication and Journalism. Your achievements make the state proud. Congratulations to your parents, guardians, and teachers.”

Nilufa credits her success not just to her individual effort but to the unwavering support of her family and colleagues. She shared that despite missing the JRF opportunity in her first two attempts, their encouragement kept her going, embodying the spirit of “Don’t give up, my friend.” Her passion for music remains steadfast, and she occasionally uploads videos of her singing to YouTube.

When asked how she managed her studies alongside her demanding Ph.D. work, Nilufa’s smiling response was immediate: “My family helped me a lot.” Her guide, Professor Ramen Kumar Sar of the Bengali department, also provided constant encouragement, ensuring her focus remained primarily on her studies.

Burdwan University’s Bengali department has a proud history of producing top UGC NET achievers. Prior to Nilufa, Chandamanjari Chattopadhyay secured the first position in 2021, followed by Priyanka Kundu in 2023. Nilufa has had the opportunity to learn from their experiences. Professor Sar expressed his delight at the consistent performance of the department’s female students, highlighting Nilufa’s significant hard work, especially considering her third attempt. However, he also noted a challenge: “For research work in Bengali literature, students mostly have to rely on libraries. This often leads to a shortage of adequate information and scope for debate later on. As a result, there are limitations in the work.”

This year’s UGC NET saw 5,269 candidates qualify for Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor eligibility. Among them, Nilufa Yasmin stood first nationally in Bengali, and Rikta Chakraborty from Madhyamgram secured the second position nationally in Mass Communication and Journalism.

Nilufa Yasmin’s story is a powerful reminder that dedication, combined with a passion for one’s chosen field, can lead to extraordinary achievements. Her success not only elevates the profile of Bengali studies but also inspires countless others to pursue their academic and artistic dreams with unwavering resolve.