One mark separates Mridupani Nambi from his goal in 2020. After months of preparation, he failed to qualify for the preliminary phase of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Engineering Services Examination (ESE), also known as Indian Engineering Services (IES), from a single mark. The result left her disappointed, but it also reshaped the way she approached the exam.Instead of treating the encounter as the end of his journey, he saw it as an opportunity to prepare differently. He distanced himself from the distractions, refined his strategy, and returned the following year with a clearer plan. His second attempt ended with an All India Rank (AIR) 21, securing his place as an Indian Engineering officer.
Early years and engineering background
Mridupani Nambi is a native of Hyderabad, where she completed her schooling. In an interview, she shared that she was academically inclined from an early age and developed a strong interest in engineering and technology during her school years.After completing Class 12, he started preparing for the Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE), aiming to pursue engineering from a reputed institution. He later enrolled at the G. Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Science, where he completed his Bachelor of Technology (BTech).His engineering education gradually strengthened his interest in competitive exams. While pursuing her degree, she also began to think more seriously about her long-term career goals.
UPSC Engineering Services Exam Selection
After graduation, Mridupani chose to prepare for the Union Public Service Commission’s Engineering Services Examination instead of immediately pursuing a job. During her academic years, she learned about the various exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, and the Engineering Services Exam emerged as the path she wanted to follow.The decision marked a shift from academic preparation to one centered on public service through engineering.
The meeting of a brand
Mridupani appeared for the Engineering Services Examination for the first time in 2020. Despite her preparation, she fell short in the preliminary examination by just one mark.The result was difficult to accept. Missing an exam by such a narrow margin can often feel more daunting than a wider gap because it raises questions about what could have been done differently. For a while, he felt disappointed. However, rather than allow that disappointment to define the outcome, he decided that his next attempt would be different.
A change in preparation
After the result, Mridupani reduced distractions by putting away her phone and social media. The decision allowed more time to be devoted to structured revision and preparation.His second attempt focused on consistent revision, mock tests and time management. Rather than starting from scratch, he worked to improve the areas that had prevented him from clearing the exam on his first attempt.
AIR 21 in the second attempt
The revised preparation paid off. In his second attempt, Mridupani secured All India Rank 21 in the Union Public Service Commission Engineering Services Examination and became an Indian Engineering Services officer.Their journey shows how a narrow failure does not necessarily determine the final outcome. A single mark kept her out of the exam one year, but disciplined preparation helped her succeed in the next.For many competitive exam aspirants, his story serves as a reminder that setbacks are not always indicators of ability. Sometimes, they become the starting point for a more focused and effective preparation.
