PW GATE 2026 CH AIR 1 Topper: Ekta Priyadarshnee

Ekta Priyadarshnee's journey to securing All India Rank 1 in GATE Chemical Engineering offers valuable insights for aspirants. She is a final-year B.Tech student who is enrolled in PW for GATE preparation. Ekta achieved this feat in her second attempt, attributing her success to consistent self-study, hard work, and dedication. Her experience underscores that with the right mindset and support, achieving top ranks is possible for anyone.

Importance of Parental Support and Gender Equity

Parental support played a critical role in Ekta's success, providing essential resources and encouragement. In the context of engineering, particularly core technical fields, such support is vital, especially for girls. Societal norms sometimes discourage female participation in demanding engineering roles, yet Ekta encourages girls to come forward and study, especially to enter core engineering sectors. Government initiatives also aim to improve gender ratios in these fields, fostering a more inclusive environment.

Balanced Approach to Studies and Learning Philosophy

Ekta identifies as a "mixed" type of student, maintaining a healthy balance between academics and extracurricular activities like dancing, sports, and photography. She advocates against continuous, rote studying. Her core advice for effective learning is: "Study qualitatively, don't study quantitatively." This emphasizes a focus on depth of understanding and conceptual clarity over simply logging many study hours.

Significance of Previous Year Questions (PYQs) for Previous Year GATE Papers

Previous Year Questions (PYQs) are critically important for GATE preparation. Ekta's primary focus was on solving PYQs extensively. Dedicating significant time to PYQs helps aspirants understand:

• The types of questions asked.

• The frequently tested topics.

• The nature of questions, including assertive reasoning.
  For GATE, it is essential to concentrate more on numerical problems rather than solely on theory. Solving PYQs is a direct and effective path to achieving a top rank.

Ekta’s Future Career Aspirations: Focus on PSUs

Ekta's current plan is to pursue Public Sector Unit (PSU) jobs. She aspires to become an engineer in the industry. The one-year validity period of the GATE score for PSUs influenced this decision. While she has not definitively decided on M.Tech, her primary focus remains on securing a PSU position.

Key Advice for GATE Aspirants

For all GATE aspirants, the most crucial message from Ekta is to always listen to your inner voice. Key principles for success include:

• Do not compare your journey with others.

• Cultivate strong self-belief.

• Maintain dedication and consistency in all endeavors.

• Develop effective time management and ensure accuracy.

• Seek motivation and inspiration, but avoid toxic comparison with others.