IIT Kharagpur Graduate Cracks 14 Govt Exams: 'Keep Fighting, Keep Preparing'
New Delhi: A 29-year-old engineering graduate from Andhra Pradesh has achieved a rare feat by qualifying in 14 Central Government recruitment examinations, turning early failures into a story of perseverance. Lomada Nagendra Sai, from Kadapa, prepared for nearly three years before his name appeared in multiple selection lists.
Sai completed a five-year integrated BTech-MTech programme in Industrial and Systems Engineering at IIT Kharagpur. Initially, he planned a career in the IT sector. However, the wave of layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic changed his outlook. “During COVID, I saw many employees losing their jobs. Since both my parents are government employees, I felt a government job would provide stability and long-term security,” he said.
He began preparing for competitive examinations in 2022. His first attempts ended in failure, but Sai refused to give up. He moved from Andhra Pradesh to Hyderabad for full-time preparation under proper guidance. For nearly three years, he followed a demanding routine of around 12 hours a day, including regular mock tests, detailed analysis of mistakes after each exam, and daily revision of general studies.
His efforts gradually bore fruit. His name appeared in recruitment lists issued by agencies such as the Staff Selection Commission (SSC), AIIMS, and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). His latest selection in the SSC Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) recruitment took his total number of Central Government selections to 14.
Despite receiving multiple opportunities, Sai chose to join the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) as a Social Security Officer, saying the position best suited his career aspirations. After accepting the post, he skipped document verification for the remaining recruitments, allowing other eligible candidates to be considered.
Sai's message to aspirants is simple: “There are opportunities across several departments. Apply wherever you are eligible, even if the vacancies are few. Hard work and consistency matter the most.” He also urged candidates not to lose confidence after initial failures. “Many talented candidates quit because they lose confidence. As long as you are within the age limit, keep fighting and keep preparing,” he added.
His journey from an IIT graduate to securing 14 government selections has inspired many young aspirants. His parents said they are overjoyed by his achievement.
