- Aashish Mandavi is pursuing a BTech program in Material Sciences and Metallurgical Engineering at IIT Hyderabad
I come from Kanker, a small city in Chhattisgarh. I am the eldest son of my parents. My journey to IIT began with the encouragement of my school teachers and parents, who motivated me to take on the challenge of JEE Main and JEE Advanced. The idea of studying at a premier institution with world-class facilities and endless opportunities drove me to work tirelessly.
I appeared for my 10th CBSE board exams in 2019 and my 12th in 2021. During this time, I dedicated nearly 15 hours a day to preparing for JEE while balancing my studies for the board exams. I gave mock tests and solved previous years’ question papers, setting daily goals for myself.
The disciplined approach helped me secure admission to IIT Hyderabad on my first attempt. I am now in the final year of my BTech programme in Material Sciences and Metallurgical Engineering at IIT Hyderabad. Seeing the manufacturing sector recover and grow after the pandemic inspired me to choose this branch, recognising its importance in driving industrial innovation.
I joined IIT Hyderabad in 2021, marking my first experience living away from home. Initially, it was tough to adjust to the unfamiliar food, culture, and language, but I gradually adapted. By the end of my first year, I had made friends and started enjoying campus life.
In my second year, I volunteered with the Office of Career Services (Placement Cell), and by my third year, I was part of 12 campus clubs, ranging from cultural to professional societies. In my final year, I focused solely on my role as placement head, which helped me develop leadership, communication, and management skills.
My day starts at 7 am. After breakfast, I attend classes from 9 am to 5.30 pm, with a break for lunch. Evenings are for the gym or outdoor sports, and after dinner, I work on club activities or study until around 2.30 am. I enjoy staying active and spending time with friends, often hanging out at campus canteens or going for evening walks.
Being at IIT Hyderabad has been a transformative journey. The challenges and opportunities here have shaped me into a more confident and capable individual. I have grown personally and professionally, discovering my true potential in the process.
While my time at IIT has been invaluable, my ultimate goal lies beyond engineering. I grew up inspired by my father, who served as a police officer. Watching him in uniform instilled in me a deep respect for public service and planted the seed of my dream to one day join the Indian Police Service through the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The idea of serving the nation in such a capacity has always been close to my heart.
To fully focus on this goal, I plan to skip campus placements and dedicate myself entirely to UPSC preparations after my BTech is over. Becoming an IPS officer is not just a career choice for me – it is a lifelong ambition rooted in my desire to contribute meaningfully to society.
