GATE 2015 Toppers: AIR 1 Instrumentation Engineering - Swapnil Pandey

Bagging an All India Rank 1 in GATE 2015 - Instrumentation Engineering – was an unexpected dream, for Swapnil Pandey. A kid at heart, Swapnil loves playing computer games, travelling, playing TT (Table-Tennis) and helping people.

A BITS Pilani graduate,  Swapnil aims to join NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation), a PSU( Public Sector Undertaking). This young lad believes that he would not have made it to the top without the support of his parents.

In a candid chat with shiksha.com, Swapnil Pandey - GATE 2015 Topper with an AIR 1 IN Instrumentation Engineering - talks about the mantra for his success, plans for the future and his success story. Read the full excerpt below.

I feel great. I can’t define my feelings. It’s been two three days that GATE 2015 results got declared but the feeling hasn’t sunk in. I feel at top of the world for making my parents proud. You know, it was my father who saw the result and he had tears in his eyes. He has been with me for the last three months. It was a big moment for me.

I did expect that I would be somewhere in the Top 10 students, but this was not expected, not at all. You always have hope, but always thought that I wouldn’t top.

I graduated last year from BITS Pilani and then joined a company called IMS Health in Gurgaon. I left the job in November last year as I was not getting sufficient time for my GATE 2015 preparation. I aimed to score well in the exam. I did not aim to top but definitely be one of the toppers.

No. This was my second attempt. Last year my rank was 108. However, my preparation was not good at all but I took the exam as all my friends took the exam.

Also, I got a call from IOCL (Indian Oil Corporation) last year.

Last year my score was 42.33 out 100 and this year I scored 83.67 out of 100.

Yes, I did take coaching classes in August.

It’s not at all necessary to join coaching classes. I joined because I had no one with me to study. Infact, I joined weekend classes only as I was working that time. One of the other reasons for me to join a coaching institute  was that I could get to meet the teachers who would be able to solve my queries.

Self-study is more than enough for GATE preparation. And actually what matters is self-study only. You know, coaching centers will tell you what to read, how to prepare but at the end of the day, strategy matters and how well have you understood the concept.

I have been preparing for the last three months. You have to be thorough with your concepts. I am an engineering student and it was not rocket science for me. It was just like brushing up my concepts once again.

‘Study whenever you get time’ was my mantra for GATE preparation. Till November, I was in a job and came home around 7:30 pm. While I was working, I aimed to devote four hours each day to my studies. When I left my job, I used to study around 10-12 hours.

There is no difference in the syllabus but there is a difference in the strategy. In UG exams, you need to explain how a particular machine works but in GATE, you need to focus and explain the application of that machine.

The UG exams are mostly elaborative. And GATE is bit of tricky and shorter because at this level, your aptitude is being tested.

I have no plans of pursuing my M.Tech. But, I aim to join a PSU and for now, my target is NTPC(National Thermal Power Corporation). However, I will still consider my faculty members for the same. In case, if I change my mind, I will head to any of the good IITs or IISC, Bangalore.

In BITS, there was a provision of internship in the last six months. So, I wanted to know where and which field do I fit in the most. In third year, I was greatly interested and inclined towards VLSI Design and all. So, I did my internship in a company in Greater Noida.

In the first two months of internship, I enjoyed a lot but I lost my interest pretty soon. And that’s when I knew that VLSI is not my thing.

Then, I joined an analyst company thinking that may be MBA is my future. I wanted to give it a try. But here too, I couldn’t give my best. This is the point where I decided to go Instrumentation Engineering and then go to PSUs. I wanted to be linked to the core subject. I was determined to do it.

Actually, determination, consistency and hardwork are the three magic words of my life. Also, the key of success are my parents.

• Be consistent.
• Be true to yourself. Don’t show others what you can do. Improve yourself and have a competition with yourself
• Practice a lot. Improve your strategy
• Believe in yourself
• Be confident. Not overconfident or under confident.
• Do not lose hope. The paper is designed for students at this level. So, it’s not a rocket science. Be cool and calm and take the exam.
• Keep your pace. Take the exam with ease.
• Never compare yourself with anyone. And if you have to, then compare yourself with yourself.
• And lastly, believe in God.  

I am a happy go lucky person and I like talking to people, especially elderly people. I love taking experiences from them.

Being the only son of my parents, I have always been pampered to the core. I do what I like and my parents always support me.

I love playing computer games, travelling, playing Table Tennis and helping people too.