It's a moment of pride for the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, as Himanshu Thapliyal, an alumnus of the 2023 MTech batch in Nanotechnology, has secured All India Rank (AIR) 1 in the prestigious UPSC Engineering Services Examination (ESE).

Himanshu's story isn't your typical overnight success. Born in Uttarakhand and raised in Lucknow, his academic journey began with a JEE rank of 5,83,000—not exactly a dream start. But he didn't let that stop him.

He went on to pursue a BTech in Electronics and Communication at NPSEI, Pithoragarh. With unshakable focus, Himanshu cracked GATE and earned a spot in the MTech Nanotechnology programme at NITK (2021–2023).

Talking about his time at NITK, Himanshu shared, "Initially, it was difficult to figure out what I wanted to do in life. NITK gave me exposure, great friendships, and the clarity I needed to move forward."

DREAMING BIG

Securing AIR 1 wasn't just about the rank for Himanshu. It was a step toward his goal of joining the Indian Telecom Services.

"With this rank, I can finally achieve that goal. My focus now is to understand the system, identify where I can contribute, and give back to society in every way possible," he says.

SUPPORT THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE

Behind every success story is a strong support system, and Himanshu is no exception. He credits his achievement to his parents, Lakshmi and Shambhu Thapliyal, his teachers, and his friends.

He also expressed gratitude to Professor S Anandhan from NITK's Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, along with his close-knit group of friends. Their encouragement and camaraderie, he says, kept him grounded and focused.

ADVICE TO ASPIRANTS

For those aiming for similar success, Himanshu's advice is clear: "Make the most of your time at NITK. Balance your studies with preparation, stay disciplined, and don't miss out on the experiences that shape you."

The NITK community, faculty, and alumni celebrated Himanshu's outstanding success, applauding his perseverance and wishing him continued excellence as he embarks on his professional journey.