Getting into ISRO as a Scientist.
My primary education began in Dundlod, a small village in Rajasthan. The medium of study was Hindi and board as RBSE (Rajasthan Board Of Secondary Education). I secured 90% in 10th in 2006. I wanted to study Engineering and therefore, I switched to a CBSE English medium school for 10+2.
Getting into ISRO as a scientist.
I took PCM stream and was able to secure just 72% in 12th board. I could not secure as much as I expected not because I did not work hard but sudden change in medium. I took one year drop and moved to Kota to get better opportunities for engineering preparation. I took IIT JEE and AIEEE in the same year but could not get a good rank.
However, it did not let my courage down to pursue my goal. Finally, I took admission in Mewar University in B.Tech (CS). I was a departmental topper there with a CGPA of 9. In order to further hone my skills and satisfy my research interest, I started preparing for GATE exam right from my third year of engineering through self study. By God’s grace, I secured an AIR-99 in GATE-2013. Eventually, I got admission in IIT Delhi in M.Tech in Computer Science (2013-15 batch) through direct admission. In my third semester, I was placed in Dell R&D Center, Bangalore.
There, I observed a unique trend happening in premier institutes like IITs, IIMs etc. that most of the students have their dreams of working in big MNCs at heavy packages and finally settling out of India instead of serving society via doing starts-ups, serving in government agencies etc. As far as I know, IITs are built with a motive that students can pursue education from there to serve Indian society. In fact, GoI subsidize tuition fees of students in these premier institutes so that no deserving student remain excluded due to lack of funds. This idea stuck in my mind and I decided to serve society where my maximum technical potential could be utilized.
Myths and opportunities at ISRO and other government jobs.
So, In my last semester at IIT Delhi, I applied for Indian Army in TGC-121 entry. I was fortunate to clear Service Selection Board (19-SSB) exam in first attempt from one of the toughest selection board, Allahabad board. However, I could not join due to excessive carrying angle at the elbow found in medical exam carried out for SSB cleared students later on. I was shattered but I composed myself and started looking into other opportunities. Meanwhile, my degree was completed and I joined in DELL R&D Center at Bangalore in July. However, my heart was not in that job. I want to give it back what I took from society. Around Aug-Sep 2015, I found notification for the post of Scientist-SC in ISRO and I decided to join ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) by taking the exam conducted by ICRB (ISRO Centralised Recruitment Board). Here, I would like to mention that for Scientist post, there are three types of entries to ISRO via:
- ICRB - on regular intervals
- IIST - Admissions after 12th, eligible students are absorbed in ISRO after completing graduation.
- At individual centre level - Multiple centres of ISRO recruits based on its requirement and/or specialization of field and not so regular. Commonly done for M.Tech and Ph.D. candidates.
I took an exam conducted by ICRB in order to join ISRO. My final result of ISRO was out in March 2016, and I joined ISRO in May, 2016. There are certain myths about government organisations like ISRO that if you join there you would not get time and opportunities for your hobbies and that it’s a 9 to 5 socially isolated job. Let me tell you this isn’t true. ISRO provides ample opportunities to follow your passion and develop your skills like sports, yoga, creative activities etc. My command over Hindi is good right from my childhood, hence I participate in various Hindi writing competitions and have won prizes for that also.
I would like to advise students that you should study to gain knowledge and not just to secure good marks. I could have stopped when my 12th marks were out, but I was confident about my knowledge and hard labour. Just work hard, have faith in you and keep going, you will achieve success sooner or later.