Have you ever felt that maybe you are not from a big city or a famous college, so you can’t clear a big exam? Do you sometimes feel a little scared because your background is very simple? If you have ever felt this, then you must read the story of Nikhil Gotephode. It is a story full of hope, hard work, and a very strong heart.
Nikhil, a boy from a small village, has just become a NABARD Grade A Officer. His journey will teach you that it doesn’t matter where you come from. What matters is where you want to go.
Let’s walk with Nikhil on his journey and see how you can also make your dreams come true.
How a Small Village Boy Cracked NABARD Grade A Exam
Here’s a little about Nikhil and his simple start.
Nikhil studied in a Zila Parishad school in a small village called Sangadi. He studied in a Marathi medium, not in a big English school. Later, he did his B.Tech in Computer Science from a government college in Amravati. No IITs, no IIMs. Just a simple, humble background.
Many of us think that only students from very big colleges can clear exams like NABARD. But Nikhil is here to show us that your hard work is bigger than your background.
“I have done my schooling from the small village… from the Zila Parishad primary school.”
But what made this engineering student decide to prepare for government exams? Let’s find out.
Why Nikhil Left Engineering Jobs to Prepare for NABARD Grade A
Here’s how Nikhil’s real journey started.
During the lockdown in 2020, while his friends were preparing for IT jobs, Nikhil saw the life of engineers in big companies. He felt it wasn’t for him. He wanted to do something that would help society, something that would bring him satisfaction.
He saw the success stories of UPSC toppers and felt a spark.
“I knew I didn’t want to do that [corporate job]. I felt I could get a lot of satisfaction by contributing to the social sector.”
So, he started preparing for UPSC. He gave 2 attempts, but couldn’t clear the prelims. One time, his CSAT was weak, and the next time, his GS was. It must have been so disheartening, right? To work so hard and get stuck at the very first step.
But Nikhil didn’t stop. He knew he needed a job for financial security, and this is where his path took a new turn.
How Nikhil Found His NABARD Grade A Dream After UPSC Attempts
Let’s see how Nikhil found his way to NABARD.
After the UPSC attempts, Nikhil started looking for other exams where his preparation could be used. He tried for EPFO but didn’t make it. Then, he found NABARD. When he saw the syllabus and the work NABARD does, he felt an instant connection.
“When I saw the syllabus, I thought this exam is made for me. I can do it.”
That self-belief is so important, isn’t it?
He gave his 1st NABARD attempt in 2023. He cleared Prelims, then gave Mains, but missed the interview call by just 1.5 marks. It was so close!
It’s very easy to feel sad and give up at this point. But Nikhil learned from it. He knew what his weak area was.
This is where Nikhil did something very smart, something you can learn from.
Nikhil’s Smart NABARD Grade A Preparation Strategy
Here’s a simple trick Nikhil used that made all the difference.
Instead of crying over his small miss, Nikhil made a plan.
The next NABARD exam was one year away. What to do till then? He decided to appear for every single exam that came his way, SSC CGL, CHSL, and others.
Why did he do this? To stay in the exam cycle. To keep his mind sharp. This constant practice built his MCQ aptitude, the skill to solve multiple-choice questions, even when you have to guess smartly.
But his real secret was this:
Before starting to study for any new exam, he would first give a mock test.
This helped him understand where he stood. He would note down his weak areas and then, he would work only on his weaknesses. He didn’t waste time studying everything from zero again.
But even with this smart plan, the journey had a very tough moment. Let’s see what happened next.
Nikhil’s Struggles and Lowest Point in His NABARD Grade A Journey
Let’s talk about a moment when Nikhil almost felt like giving up.
In January 2024, Nikhil appeared for the SSC CGL Mains. He was very confident he would get a post. But when the answer key came out, his score was much lower than he expected. He was heartbroken.
And the biggest challenge?
His NABARD interview was just 10 days away!
He felt completely shattered. He was so sure about CGL, and it didn’t work out. How could he prepare for the NABARD interview, which was an even bigger challenge?
Do you sometimes feel this way too? When one bad result makes you doubt everything?
“That was my lowest point. I was quite sure about CGL, but it didn’t happen. And I had to prepare for the NABARD interview.”
But what he did in the next 10 days is what defines a true winner.
How Nikhil Prepared Intensively for NABARD Grade A Interview in 10 Days
This is the most inspiring part of Nikhil’s story.
After feeling sad for a day or two, Nikhil told himself,
“This is the last exam of the season. This is my last chance. I have to give it my all.”
That thought became his biggest motivation.
For the next 8-9 days, he studied like never before. He studied for 15 hours/day. He went through every report, every website, and every small detail about NABARD. He made new notes from scratch.
“Even while sleeping, questions would run in my mind. What will they ask? What will I answer? I would wake up in the middle of the night to add a point to my notes.”
This is the kind of dedication that creates success stories. He turned his lowest moment into his biggest strength.
Now, let’s look at some simple things that helped him throughout his journey.
Simple NABARD Grade A Preparation Tips from Nikhil’s Journey
Here are some small but powerful habits that kept Nikhil going.
Nikhil says YouTube was his primary teacher. But he had one rule.
“For every subject, I chose one teacher on YouTube and stuck to them. I didn’t watch 3 – 4 different teachers for the same topic. This avoids confusion.”
There were days when Nikhil felt very down. He would cry, feel sleepless, and not want to do anything.
So what did he do to feel better?
- He would talk to his parents or his best friends.
- He would play chess online, which was his hobby.
- He would watch travel vlogs on YouTube to relax his mind.
It’s okay to take a break for a day or two when you feel low. Do something you love, and then come back to your studies with new energy.
And finally, it was time for the biggest test of all.
How Mock Interviews Helped Nikhil Crack NABARD Grade A Interview
Here’s how Nikhil faced the final round.
Nikhil gave two mock interviews, one of which was with EduTap. He says the EduTap mock interview was 30 minutes long. This prepared him for his actual interview, which was also unusually long (22 minutes).
“The panel at EduTap gave me feedback to study the NABARD website and annual reports well. Many questions in my real interview were on similar lines, which gave me a lot of confidence from the start.”
This shows that practicing in a real-like environment helps you stay calm and confident on the final day.
After all this hard work, the result day came. He saw his roll number in the selection list. He called his father, who said, “I am proud of you. You have made me so happy.” Those were tears of happiness.
What a beautiful moment!
Nikhil’s Advice for NABARD Grade A Aspirants
Here is what Nikhil wants to tell every student like you.
“My success is special because if I can do it, then anyone can do it. I come from a rural background, studied in Marathi medium, and I was not a very bright student in college. If I can do it, just have self-belief in yourself, and you will do it too.”
His story is a beautiful reminder that our beginnings don’t decide our future. Our courage does.
NABARD Grade A Preparation Action Plan Inspired by Nikhil
If Nikhil’s story has inspired you, here is what you can start doing from today:
- Believe in Yourself: First, tell yourself, “I can do this.” Your belief is your biggest power.
- Test Yourself, Keep Analyzing: Before starting a new subject, take a mock test to find your weak spots.
- Focus on Weak Areas: Don’t re-read entire books. Just work on the topics where you are weak.
- Keep Practicing: Give as many exams or mocks as you can. It keeps your brain active and ready.
- One Source is Enough: For each subject, choose one good teacher or book and trust it completely.
- It’s Okay to Feel Sad: When you have a bad day, talk to someone, play a game, or take a break. Don’t hide your feelings.
- Turn Your Fear into Fuel: Use your toughest moments as motivation to work even harder.
Nikhil Gotephode’s journey is not just about clearing an exam. It’s about fighting your own doubts, getting up after every fall, and believing in your dream when no one else does. We hope his simple and honest story gives you the strength you need to continue your own journey. You can do it!
