GATE Topper Interview – Vaijenath Biradar (AIR 13 CS, 2016)

Cracking the GATE is a dream of most Engineering students in India. GATE 2016 was one such opportunity that fulfilled a lot of dreams. Vaijenath Biradar, son of a farmer, actualized this big dream by claiming AIR 13 (CS) in GATE 2016. He has scored 78.4 marks out of 100 in one of the most difficult competitive exams in India. Vaijenath shared his feelings of being a GATE 2016 Topper with Aglasem and chipped in some essential tips for GATE aspirants. Read the complete interview to know more about Vaijenath and his success at GATE.

About Vaijenath

Vaijenath Biradar comes from a middle-class family living in Aurangabad, where his father is a farmer and mother is a homemaker. His Brother is a Software Engineer working in Pune. He has pleased his everyone in his family. While answering about the family support received, he expressed

They supported me a lot throughout my preparation by not forcing me to go for placements in my final year. They understood my absence at various family events because of study. A big thanks to my mom, dad and big Brother.

Surely, GATE 2016 Topper Vaijenath has made all of them proud. But, one must wonder how does it feels to achieve what you dream against all the odds. Vaijenath also shared his feelings of sweet shock the moment he realised that he has done it. He recalls

After seeing my result on the website, I didn’t believe at first and I cross checked for 3­4 time, but it didn’t change and it was AIR 13. I was very happy and feels blessed at that time. Until then no one from my college came under 20, so everyone from college and family were wishing me. I was not too surprised by the result because answer key

Not to surprise, Computer Network, Data Structure and Algorithms are his favourite subjects. Moreover, he believes that because of GATE now every subject which is in gate syllabus is his favourite. Now, this is called dedication. Listening to music, motivational lectures and cycling are his hobbies.

GATE Preparation Strategy

Nothing worth having comes easy and GATE is so not an easy thing. Students prepare night and day for the same. We tried to get insights on Vaijenath preparation plan and he elaborated

I started in January but couldn’t get needed pace until the end of my semester exams, but I was consistent with GATE by spending 3-­4 hours per day. From June, I used to prepare for the full day, around 8 – ­9 hours per day.

To start preparation for exams like GATE you need a lot of motivation. Find out the reason, why you want to do GATE. Believe in yourself, and just start it. Its never too late.

Answering about the coaching he joined for GATE preparation, he told us “Yes, I attended online coaching by Ravindrababu Ravula. He is a great teacher. Coaching is not necessary but it makes a lot of things easy. If you have doubt on a single topic then I suggest you join some coaching.”

Balancing studied with GATE preparation is a headache for GATE aspirants. All may go in vain with a little distraction. GATE 2016 Topper himself revealed

As I stated very early (January 2015), I had lot of time. Even though I bunked some classes. Professors at my college were good, they understood my reason and they managed my attendance. Don’t take B.Tech exams too seriously.

Vaijenath, not everyone is so lucky to have Professors like that (if you know what we mean). Starting early is surely the key to be followed.

Books for GATE CS

Apart from these books, Vaijenath also recommended Ravindra’s videos on Theory of Computation & Compiler Design

Success Mantra

There are a lot of achievers and all of them had their own code for success. Just one thing which is common in all is sticking to your plan whatever it is. One can get a better key for GATE success as Vaijenath discloses his success mantra.

I believe only in the hard­work. Solve previous year question papers. Join some test series and give the test seriously. Do some meditation to increase your concentration. Revise, Revise and Revise!!!

On Exam Day

After all the preparation and the training comes the day of performance. Everything you do (or don’t do) on the exam day shapes your Result. We asked GATE 2016 Topper Vaijenath about his happenings of exam day and he recalled

I was waiting for that big day for a long time and that day came. I didn’t talk to anyone on that day. Little bit of worried before 2 hours of start of the paper but once I started I forgot everything other than gate. I finished whole paper in 2:30 hrs attempting of 91 marks and was very happy.

He also advised students to visit the exam centre before that big day. He also suggested that if one doesn’t know the question then skip it as soon as possible. Even if you get 4­ – 5 continuous questions which you don’t know then don’t be panic, you just want 60+ marks to get an IIT so you have 40 marks of margin.

Future Plans

After the GATE success, Vaijenath has plans to join M. Tech in CSA at Indian Institute of Science Banglore which is one of the most reputed colleges after IITs. Being very confident and hard working, we believe Vaijenath will surely fetch more happiness for his family and himself. Best of Luck from the entire Team of Aglasem.

This interview has been compiled by Aglasem correspondent Pranjali Rastogi and edited by Lalit Sharma.

This is a part of a series of interviews with toppers of exams and boards – Toppers Speak – bringing to the fore bright young minds who will go a long way — the kind who play a crucial role in the changing world. This interview has been edited and condensed. If you are a topper (or know one), please be in touch: [email protected]