For lakhs of students preparing for competitive exams, success is often associated with marathon study sessions, sleepless nights, and relentless pressure. But the story of JEE Advanced 2026 topper Shubham Kumar tells a different tale. The 18-year-old from Bihar's Gaya not only secured the top rank in one of India's toughest entrance examinations but also followed a disciplined routine built around consistency, self-belief, and a few unusual habits. Among them were a manifestation ritual and a conscious decision to avoid dependence on air conditioning.Shubham Kumar emerged as the topper of JEE Advanced 2026, scoring an impressive 330 out of 360 marks. The results were announced on Monday, placing him at the top of one of the country's most challenging engineering entrance examinations.Speaking to PTI after the results, Shubham credited his achievement to the support of his parents, his teachers in Kota, and his own hard work over the past two years. The 18-year-old had moved to Kota after Class 10 to prepare for the examination. Reflecting on his result, he told PTI that he had been "toiling hard" for the entrance exam for two years and therefore expected a strong performance.While his score attracted widespread attention, one aspect of his preparation journey has particularly intrigued people online.His manifestation habitAccording to India Today, Shubham had a manifestation habit that he followed throughout his preparation. He regularly wrote the words "JEE Advanced Topper" on his notebooks.The practice was more than just a motivational exercise. As reported by India Today, Shubham believes that visualisation and self-confidence help students remain focused and prevent them from losing direction during the long and often difficult preparation process. For him, repeatedly seeing those words reinforced his goal and helped him stay committed through setbacks and periods of self-doubt.What did his daily routine look like?Shubham followed a balanced approach. In an earlier interaction cited by India Today, he remarked that "nobody can study for 18 hours a day." Instead of chasing unrealistic study targets, he focused on six to eight hours of self-study daily in addition to his classroom coaching.RevisionOne rule remained non-negotiable throughout his preparation. Whatever was taught in class had to be revised on the same day. Alongside regular revision, he consistently solved practice questions, analysed mistakes, and devoted extra attention to topics where he felt less confident.Proper sleepHis schedule also prioritised proper sleep. Shubham typically went to bed around 10:30 pm and woke up at 6:30 am. Over time, his sleep cycle became so consistent that he no longer needed alarm clocks to wake up in the morning.Simple breakfastHis mornings generally began with a simple breakfast of sprouted moong and fruits rather than heavier meals.No social mediaTo maintain focus, he deliberately reduced distractions. Social media and movies were largely kept out of his routine during the preparation phase, allowing him to concentrate on his academic goals.ReadinessAnother habit highlighted by reports reflected his attention to practical exam-day readiness.Avoided ACShubham avoided air conditioning while studying. His reason? He wanted to ensure that his performance would not be affected by environmental conditions during the examination. By not relying on the cooling comfort, he aimed to stay adaptable regardless of the temperature or setting on exam day.Despite the demanding preparation schedule, academics were not the only thing in his life.SportsHe also made time for sports, ensuring that physical activity remained a part of his routine even during the intense preparation period.