Preparing for GATE in a specialised paper requires more than hard work; it demands clarity about what to study and what to skip. Prasad Naik from VIT Chennai proved this by securing AIR 2 in GATE 2026 PI. Despite joining the PI batch after beginning his internship, he created a focused study plan that helped him make the most of every month.
Instead of trying to cover every topic in equal depth, Prasad analysed previous years' question papers, identified the highest-weightage subjects, and prioritised them throughout his preparation. With the support of Physics Wallah lectures, subject-specific guidance, and focused revision, he built a preparation strategy that helped him maximise his score. His journey shows that success in GATE often comes from studying smart, staying consistent, and trusting a well-planned approach.
How Physics Wallah Helped Prasad Naik Build a Smart GATE PI Strategy
Prasad began his GATE journey while balancing his internship, which meant he had less preparation time than many other aspirants. Instead of worrying about the delayed start, he focused on building consistency.
"So I started with Parakram Batch jo PI ke liye specifically tha... thoda late join kiya because internship chal rahi thi. Internship close karne ke baad lectures start kiye."
Joining the batch after a few lectures had already been completed did not discourage him. Once his internship ended, he dedicated himself to completing the lectures and building strong conceptual understanding. Having a clear starting point allowed him to stay organised throughout his preparation.
As his preparation progressed, Prasad realised that covering every subject in equal depth was neither practical nor necessary. Instead, he analysed the previous years' GATE PI papers and identified the topics carrying the highest weightage.
"Sabse pehle PI ka past data dekha... Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, Maths, GA aur Metrology mila ke major marks cover ho jaate hain. Fluid aur Thermo mein sirf important concepts hi kiye."
Instead of spending dozens of hours on low-weightage topics, he concentrated on Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Mathematics, General Aptitude, and Metrology. For subjects like Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, he revised only the frequently tested concepts.
This selective preparation strategy helped him cover the syllabus more efficiently while ensuring maximum returns from the topics that mattered most in the examination.
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Once his preparation gained momentum, Prasad relied heavily on Physics Wallah's dedicated PI content. Along with regular lectures, the additional topic-specific sessions helped him prepare beyond the standard syllabus.
"GateWallah ka majority contribution tha... Maths bhi detail mein padhaya tha. PI specifically jo extra lectures Aditya Sir aur Swadesh Sir ne liye the, unmein se bhi questions aaye."
According to Prasad, the detailed Mathematics classes strengthened his fundamentals, while the extra PI lectures covered several concepts that proved useful during the examination.
Instead of searching across multiple resources, he stayed focused on one learning path, allowing him to revise efficiently and avoid unnecessary confusion.
By the time the examination approached, Prasad's focused preparation had given him confidence. His emphasis on high-weightage topics, combined with focused revision, translated into an excellent performance.
"Mera expectation tha top five... IIT Bombay IOR mera primary focus hai. Saath hi prestigious institutes aur PSUs mein bhi apply karunga."
Securing AIR 2 in GATE 2026 PI opened multiple opportunities for higher education as well as PSU recruitment. With a strong GATE score, he planned to pursue his preferred master's programme while also keeping career opportunities open.
His journey highlights that understanding the exam pattern and preparing strategically can often make a bigger difference than simply covering more material.
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Looking back, Prasad believes that every aspirant should first understand the exam pattern before deciding how to prepare.
"Jo almost 75–85 marks ke subjects hain, unpe focus karo. Har topic ko equal time dene ki zarurat nahi hoti."
His advice encourages students to study intelligently instead of trying to cover every chapter in extreme detail. Knowing which topics deserve more attention helps save valuable preparation time while improving overall performance.
Prasad Naik's journey demonstrates that success in GATE comes from making informed decisions throughout the preparation process. Starting after an internship, identifying high-weightage topics, following lectures, and trusting a focused strategy helped him secure AIR 2 in GATE 2026 PI. His story reminds aspirants that disciplined preparation, smart subject selection, and consistent learning can produce exceptional results, even when preparation time is limited.