Amity University Noida B.Tech Admissions 2025
ApplyAmong Top 30 National Universities for Engineering (NIRF 2024) | 30+ Specializations | AI Powered Learning & State-of-the-Art Facilities
JEE Advanced 2020 Topper Interview: Hardik Rajpal (AIR - 6) - A key to a good outcome is to keep working on your mistakes and misconceptions irrespective of the circumstances around you. With such a positive attitude, Hardik Rajpal from Hyderabad has managed to secure AIR 6 in JEE Advanced 2020. Not only JEE Advanced, Hardik is one of the toppers in other engineering entrance exams as well such as JEE Main 2020 B.Arch (AIR 1), TS EAMCET (Rank - 5), AP EAMCET (Rank 8), JEE Main B.Tech (Rank 111). He believes that one should keep working towards their goal no matter what. Careers360 team conducted an exclusive JEE Advanced 2020 topper interview with Hardik Rajpal. Read the detailed interview of JEE Advanced 2020 topper Hardik Rajpal below.
Hardik Rajpal is interested in Computer Science and Engineering as he has always liked to understand how computer programs tick and used that knowledge to further customise his own working space on a computer.
Careers360: Congratulations for your performance in JEE Advanced 2020! What was your reaction upon knowing your score?
Hardik Rajpal: I was shocked to the bones on hearing of the JEE Advanced result as I had no clue that I did the exam so well. In fact, right after the exam I was almost certain that I had messed up and lost the opportunity. However, it turns out I did much better than others.
Careers360: Tell us something about yourself. Which board have you studied under? Which school have you studied in?
Hardik Rajpal: I completed the intermediate course (11th and 12th) under the Telangana State Board at Narayana Junior College, Hitex Branch. My study in the 9th and 10th grades were done as IGCSE (Cambridge International Examinations) at Rockwell International School in Hyderabad.
Careers360: What is your score in JEE Advanced 2020? What's your score in Physics, Maths and Chemistry?
Hardik Rajpal: In JEE Advanced, I secured a total of 329 marks, with 109 in Mathematics, 105 in Physics and 115 in Chemistry.
Careers360: Did you appear in JEE Main, TS EAMCET and AP EAMCET also? What were your scores then?
Hardik Rajpal: Yes, I appeared in JEE Main, TS EAMCET and AP EAMCET exams as well.
I secured a percentile of 99.993 in the B. Tech paper of JEE Mains which fetched me a rank of 111 in the open category. I secured 100 percentile in Maths, but not in Physics (99.96) or Chemistry (99.91).
In the B. Arch paper of JEE Mains, I secured all India Rank 1 and hundred percentile, with a 100 percentile in Maths and 99.64 in Aptitude and 93.36 in Drawing.
In TS EAMCET, I ranked 5th with a total score of 139.22, divided up as 61.56 in Maths, 39.11 in Physics and 38.55 in Chemistry.
Also, I was ranked as 8th in the open category in AP EAMCET. My total score was 153.39, split up as 78.92 in Maths, 36.29 in Physics and 38.18 in Chemistry.
Careers360: Why do you want to study engineering? When did you decide to study engineering? Which branch would you be interested in? Any reason?
Hardik Rajpal: Engineering is a very welcoming field due to its many applications in the modern world. I decided to pursue engineering in 8th grade, however, I did not start JEE preparation until 11th grade. I am deeply invested in Computer Science and Engineering as I have always liked to understand how computer programs tick and use that knowledge to further customise my own working space on a computer.
Careers360: Did you face any difficulties since the examination was conducted completely in computer based mode?
Hardik Rajpal: I didn’t face any hurdles due to the digitalisation of the exam.
Careers360: How did the pandemic affect your preparation for the exam?
Hardik Rajpal: Even during the pandemic, our college kept us focused on the JEE Advanced exam with regular worksheets and Video lectures, and the effect of the pandemic was negligible.
Careers360: When did you start your JEE Advanced preparation? Tell us something about your preparation strategy and daily routine for JEE Advanced?
Hardik Rajpal: I only took coaching for JEE Advanced and JEE Mains. For Mains, the target was to achieve 100% accuracy, with zero errors in the exam from the student's end, failing which I received my rank as 111. Therefore, for JEE Advanced, the aim was to develop a selective and systematic approach to attempting the paper, with which the Narayana management helped me greatly. I was well in touch with the syllabus and hence I only wrote consecutive practice papers for Advanced, one to two per day.
Careers360: Did you take coaching for JEE Advanced 2020 and if yes from where? What are the benefits of coaching according to you?
Hardik Rajpal: I did take coaching from Narayana for JEE Advanced. The key benefits of joining a coaching institute are their top-notch resources and facilitators.
Careers360: Mock tests and sample papers – how extensively did you practise with the help of these? Do you think practising from the previous year papers help and how?
Hardik Rajpal: In fact, I only practised with sample papers and previous papers that were provided on the website and these really helped me shape my strategy for the final exam and in figuring out the time allotment per subject. I solved one to two papers per day.
Careers360: Are there any special books that you feel have helped with your JEE Advanced preparation? Are the school text books adequate for preparing for JEE Advanced and Class XII?
Hardik Rajpal: I only read my class notes, NCERT textbooks and solved the questions provided by my college and coaching institute. The key benefits of joining a coaching institute are their top-notch resources and facilitators. These were more than sufficient for the exam.
Careers360: What do you think are the key factors behind your stupendous success in JEE Advanced?
Hardik Rajpal: My parents are my pillars of strength. The unstinted support provided by them in my journey to success cannot be measured. Their confidence in me has only spurred me to always do my best. This, coupled with the competitive environment as well as the support provided by the Narayana management have been the reasons for my success in all the entrance exams today.
Careers360: How did you de-stress yourself during the preparation? What are your hobbies? How often could you pursue them?
Hardik Rajpal: I used to unwind by listening to music, mostly pop and most of the time by Taylor Swift. I also used to watch sitcoms, when time was in my favour but otherwise, songs were a quick and really effective way to relax. My hobbies are writing and reading but I didn’t touch them even once during the last month of my preparation. (Otherwise I used to turn to them once in a week.) I did, however, listen to music and when I felt I needed to. There were times when I was extremely let down or elated and I didn’t hesitate much to sneak ten minutes out of my tight schedule.
Careers360: Who is your ideal or biggest inspiration in life and why?
Hardik Rajpal: At the moment, I am fascinated with Taylor Swift’s undeterred and unmatched success in the music industry. I have often fought my way out of difficult situations, taking her as an example. I am moved by her unquenchable desire to work for her art’s own sake, despite what the media and people in general say or think of her.
Careers360: You know you are an inspiration to thousands of students across the country. Do you have any message for future aspirants on tackling the JEE Advanced exam?
Hardik Rajpal: So many tips come to my mind for the future aspirants but if I am to provide a very brief word of advice, I would tell them to keep working towards their goal no matter what. They could be preparing for JEE Advanced, Mains or EAMCETs; there will be days when they are let down by their result and find it hard to believe in themselves but the key to a good outcome is to keep working on your mistakes and misconceptions irrespective of the circumstances around you. Just look to take the next closest step in your preparation, undeterred by what others say or think of you.
With a JEE Advanced rank of 20,340, your son can likely get admission in newer IITs like IIT Bhubaneswar, Gandhinagar, Ropar, Mandi, Indore, Patna, or Jodhpur, mostly in less competitive branches.
Top IITs and popular branches like CS or ECE are unlikely.
Hello,
With a JEE Advanced rank of 3878 in the female category, your chances of getting Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) at an IIT depend on the specific IIT and its previous year cutoffs.
Usually, for general female category (also called female-open or female-general), ECE cutoffs in older IITs like Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, and Madras are quite high, often within the top 2000-3000 ranks.
For your rank around 3878, you might have a chance at newer or mid-tier IITs like IIT Bhubaneswar, IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Patna, IIT Ropar, or IIT Indore, where the ECE cutoff for female candidates has sometimes gone beyond 3500 or 4000 in recent years.
So, based on past trends, Electronics in top older IITs may be tough, but in newer IITs, you have a reasonable chance.
Hope it helps !
Hello,
Yes, If you work hard and study regularly, you can definitely crack JEE Main and JEE Advanced.
IIT Madras is tough, but many students from state boards have made it with good preparation. Focus on understanding concepts well, practice lots of questions, and solve previous years’ papers.
Also, try to join a good coaching or online classes if possible. Believe in yourself and stay consistent. You have a good chance!
Hope it helps !
Hey there! congratulations on your performance in JEE Advanced 2025! with an AIR 13,014 and category rank of 3,141 in OBC-NCL category, you have a fair chance of securing admission to certain branches in various IITs, especially considering the reservation policies and female candidate quotas. Based on the previous year's cutoff trends and your category rank, here are some possibilities;
If you need assistance with counseling process or have further questions about specific branches or institutes, feel free to ask! All the best!
Congrats on your PREP ST rank 228 in JEE Advanced 2025! With such a good rank in the preparatory category, you have a strong chance to get a preparatory course seat in IITs. The preparatory course helps you join core branches like Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, or Computer Science after one year based on your performance. IITs like IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, or IIT Roorkee may offer you a seat. Stay confident and apply carefully during counseling!
A flight attendant ensures passenger safety and comfort during flights. Key duties include conducting safety checks, assisting passengers, serving food and drinks, and managing emergencies. They must be well-trained in safety procedures and customer service. A high school diploma is typically required, followed by rigorous training to qualify for the role.
A Flight Engineer monitors and operates an aircraft’s complex systems like engines, fuel, and hydraulics during flight, ensuring optimal performance and safety. They assist pilots with technical issues, conduct inspections, and maintain records. This role requires strong technical knowledge, problem-solving, and communication skills. Training usually involves a degree in aviation or aerospace engineering and specialised certification.
An Aircrew Officer operates and navigates aircraft, ensuring safe flights and compliance with aviation regulations. Key duties include managing flight systems, conducting pre- and post-flight checks, and adhering to safety standards. The role typically requires working five days a week, with around 120 flight hours monthly. Employment may be contractual or permanent, depending on the airline.
An aerospace engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems. They apply physics and engineering principles to improve aerospace technologies, often working in aviation, defence, or space sectors. Key tasks include designing components, conducting tests, and performing research. A bachelor’s degree is essential, with higher roles requiring advanced study. The role demands analytical skills, technical knowledge, precision, and effective communication.
An air hostess, or flight attendant, ensures passenger safety and comfort during flights. Responsibilities include safety demonstrations, serving meals, managing the cabin, handling emergencies, and post-flight reporting. The role demands strong communication skills, a calm demeanour, and a service-oriented attitude. It offers opportunities to travel and work in the dynamic aviation and hospitality industry.
An aeronautical engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains aircraft and related systems. They work on components like engines and wings, ensuring performance, safety, and efficiency. The role involves simulations, flight testing, research, and technological innovation to improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise. Aeronautical engineers collaborate with teams in aerospace companies, government agencies, or research institutions, requiring strong skills in physics, mathematics, and engineering principles.
A Safety Manager ensures workplace safety by developing policies, conducting training, assessing risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance. They investigate incidents, manage workers’ compensation, and handle emergency responses. Working across industries like construction and healthcare, they combine leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills to protect employees and maintain safe environments.
An airline pilot operates aircraft to transport passengers and cargo safely. Responsibilities include pre-flight planning, in-flight operations, team collaboration, and post-flight duties. Pilots work in varying schedules and environments, often with overnight layovers. The demand for airline pilots is expected to grow, driven by retirements and industry expansion. The role requires specialized training and adaptability.
Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues.
A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.
An architect plans and designs buildings, ensuring they are safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. They collaborate with clients, engineers, and contractors throughout the construction process. Key skills include creativity, design software proficiency, and knowledge of building codes. In India, a 5-year B.Arch degree and registration with the Council of Architecture are required to practise professionally.
Having a landscape architecture career, you are involved in site analysis, site inventory, land planning, planting design, grading, stormwater management, suitable design, and construction specification. Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of Central Park in New York introduced the title “landscape architect”. The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) proclaims that "Landscape Architects research, plan, design and advise on the stewardship, conservation and sustainability of development of the environment and spaces, both within and beyond the built environment". Therefore, individuals who opt for a career as a landscape architect are those who are educated and experienced in landscape architecture. Students need to pursue various landscape architecture degrees, such as M.Des, M.Plan to become landscape architects. If you have more questions regarding a career as a landscape architect or how to become a landscape architect then you can read the article to get your doubts cleared.
Urban Planning careers revolve around the idea of developing a plan to use the land optimally, without affecting the environment. Urban planning jobs are offered to those candidates who are skilled in making the right use of land to distribute the growing population, to create various communities.
Urban planning careers come with the opportunity to make changes to the existing cities and towns. They identify various community needs and make short and long-term plans accordingly.
A plumber installs, maintains, and repairs water, gas, and waste systems in homes and buildings. Their duties include fixing leaks, installing fixtures, testing systems, ensuring safety compliance, and working with other professionals on projects. They also document repairs and may supervise apprentices. Plumbers play a key role in ensuring public health and the smooth functioning of essential utilities.
Individuals who opt for a career as construction managers have a senior-level management role offered in construction firms. Responsibilities in the construction management career path are assigning tasks to workers, inspecting their work, and coordinating with other professionals including architects, subcontractors, and building services engineers.
Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems.
Individuals who opt for a career as geothermal engineers are the professionals involved in the processing of geothermal energy. The responsibilities of geothermal engineers may vary depending on the workplace location. Those who work in fields design facilities to process and distribute geothermal energy. They oversee the functioning of machinery used in the field.
Energy efficiency engineering is a broad field of engineering which deals with energy efficiency, energy services, facility management, plant engineering, and sustainable energy resources. Energy efficiency engineering is one of the most recent engineering disciplines to emerge. The field combines the knowledge and understanding of physics, chemistry, and mathematics, with economic and environmental engineering practices. The main job of individuals who opt for a career as an energy performance engineer is to find the most efficient and sustainable path to operate buildings and manufacturing processes.
Individuals who opt for a career as energy performance engineers apply their understanding and knowledge to increase efficiency and further develop renewable sources of energy. The energy efficiency engineers also examine the use of energy in those procedures and suggest the ways in which systems can be improved.
A geologist attempts to comprehend the historical backdrop of the planet we live on, all the more likely to anticipate the future and clarify current events. He or she analyses the components, deployments, results, physical characteristics, and past of the planet. A geologist examines the landforms and landscapes of the earth in relation to the geology, climatic, and human processes that have shaped them.
A geologist studies earth procedures, for example, seismic tremors, avalanches, floods, and volcanic eruptions to review land and draw up safe structure plans. When he or she researches earth materials, explores metals and minerals, yet in addition search for oil, petroleum gas, water, and strategies to extricate these.
A career as a Petroleum engineer is concerned with activities related to producing petroleum. These products can be in the form of either crude oil or natural gas. Petroleum engineering also requires the exploration and refinement of petroleum resources. Therefore, a career as a petroleum engineer comes up with oil and gas onshore jobs. There are also desk jobs in the petroleum industry. In layman’s terms, a petroleum engineer is a person who finds the best way to drill and extract oil from oil wells. Individuals who opt for a career as petroleum engineer also tries to find new ways to extract oil in an efficient manner.
A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.
A career as a civil engineer is of great importance for the infrastructural growth of the country. It is one of the most popular professions and there is great professional as well as personal growth in this civil engineering career path. There is job satisfaction in this civil engineering career path, but it also comes with a lot of stress, as there are multiple projects that need to be handled and have to be completed on time. Students should pursue physics, chemistry and mathematics in their 10+2 to become civil engineers.
A career as a Transportation Engineer is someone who takes care of people's safety. He or she is responsible for designing, planning and constructing a safe and secure transportation system. The transportation sector has seen a huge transformation and is growing day by day and improving every day.
As a Transport Engineer, he or she needs to solve complex problems such as accidents, costs, traffic flow, and statistics. A Transport Engineer also collaborates for projects with some other companies.
A Loco Pilot operates trains, ensuring safe and timely transport of passengers or goods. Starting as an Assistant Loco Pilot, one can progress to senior roles with experience. The job demands technical knowledge, focus, and adherence to safety protocols. It involves coordination with train staff and may require working long hours under pressure.
Among Top 30 National Universities for Engineering (NIRF 2024) | 30+ Specializations | AI Powered Learning & State-of-the-Art Facilities
Highest CTC - 82 LPA | Average CTC - 18.25 LPA | NAAC Grade A+ Accredited
Ranked #1 Among all Private Indian Universities in QS Asia Rankings 2025 | Scholarships worth 210 CR
NAAC A++ Grade | Category-I Deemed to be University Grade by UGC
NAAC A+ Grade | Ranked No.1 Private University in India (QS World University Rankings 2025)
NAAC A+ Grade | Among top 100 universities of India (NIRF 2024) | 40 crore+ scholarships distributed