Ananya Sharma’s Inspiring Journey from Failure in RBI to NABARD Grade A Success

For NABARD Grade A | 27th September 2023 – 15 mins read

“It is the willpower and determination to continue despite the challenges which not only pave our path to success but also give us courage to face our fears”

– Ananya Sharma

At some point in our lives, we all have read stories that talk about an ordinary individual’s journey from facing failure to becoming a shining example of success for others. Yet, in our routine lives, we begin to indulge in self-doubt as soon we encounter any challenge that poses an obstacle to our endeavors.

However, there are some who despite the hurdles that come their way, do not stop believing in themselves and more so, in their potential to transform their dreams into a living reality.

Talking about one such inspiring story of sheer determination, Ananya Sharma’s journey is a testament to that fact. At the young age of 22, she accomplished a remarkable feat by clearing the prestigious NABARD Grade A 2022 exam on her very first attempt.

However, the interesting part is that her story is not just about her incredible achievement but also about how she bounced back from initial failures and persevered through challenges as she couldn’t clear the RBI Grade B exam despite her rigorous preparation for the same.

So, what led her to achieve this astounding success in an exam like NABARD Grade A after encountering an unsuccessful attempt in the RBI exam?

Well, do not worry because we will be unraveling through her journey to learn more challenges she overcame as well as her winning strategies which carved her way to success.

So, what are we waiting for? Let us begin!

Her Educational Background

Hailing from Faridabad district in Haryana, Ananya’s educational journey began with a background in humanities.

She pursued her graduation in Political Science from Gargi College, Delhi University, and also undertook a 3-year language course in German up to an advanced diploma level at St. Stephen College, Delhi University, which she completed in the year 2020.

After giving a lot of thought, she decided to pursue a master’s in Political Science from Delhi University. However, little did she know that her academic journey would take an unexpected turn towards the world of competitive exams.

The Journey from RBI to NABARD Grade A

In the first year of her post-graduation, Ananya’s journey towards competitive exams began when she stumbled upon a video offering an in-depth analysis of the RBI Grade B exam.

From that moment on, she was determined to take on the challenge. She dedicated an entire year to preparing for the RBI Grade B exam, with her first attempt in May 2022.

Unfortunately, falling short of just 3 marks in the Reasoning Section, she couldn’t clear the exam that year, however, failure did not deter her.

During her short break in June, she discovered the NABARD Grade A exam, and from there, her preparation journey took a new direction.

She meticulously studied the syllabus, and exam pattern, and relied on success stories of NABARD Grade A toppers for guidance. By July, she had embarked on her preparation for the NABARD exam, determined to succeed.

Building the bridge between RBI and NABARD Syllabus

Having had a solid foundation in sections like Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and English Language, Ananya’s rigorous preparation for RBI helped her to cover the subjects based on priorities.

With a strong command in the QRE section, she strategically decided to focus more on subjects like Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD), Economic and Social Issues (ESI), and General Awareness for the NABARD Grade A exam.

She recognized the overlap between the two exams’ syllabi and tailored her study plan accordingly. This decision allowed her to leverage her strengths while working on areas that needed improvement for NABARD.

Her Strategies to cover ARD and Current Affairs

For ARD, Ananya recommends attending live sessions conducted by Suraj Sir, which she found extremely helpful.

She also utilized YouTube and the Website of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University to understand the key aspects of the syllabus.

Starting with easier topics like Agronomy, she gradually progressed to more challenging chapters like Animal Husbandry, Irrigation, and Horticulture, making the preparation process less burdensome.

Regarding the coverage of current affairs through PIB (Press Information Bureau), she adopted a meticulous approach. Ananya created separate notebooks for PIB 247, reports and indices, and census data.

This organization allowed her to cover current affairs comprehensively, a crucial aspect of the NABARD Grade A exam.

Realizing the Significance of Note-Making & Mock Tests

Note-making played a pivotal role in Ananya’s preparation strategy. She initially referred to Manish Sir’s videos for PIB news and then revised them from PDFs.

Additionally; she revisited the index multiple times to reinforce her understanding of the topics. This active and consistent revision formed a crucial part of her preparation for the NABARD Grade A exam.

Apart from that, Ananya’s approach to mock tests was also a key factor in her success. She practiced mock tests extensively, using the technique of reverse learning, which proved particularly helpful for subjects like Decision-Making and Computer Awareness.

Managing Distractions and Utilizing Time Effectively

In an age filled with distractions, Ananya managed to stay focused on her goals. She avoided social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Additionally, she also took measures on YouTube to prevent distractions from unrelated videos during her preparation.

Ananya would take short breaks, lasting half an hour to an hour, to watch her favorite TV show before committing to her nighttime study schedule, as she found it helped her remain focused.

Learning from her Past Mistakes to Perform Better

Reflecting on her previous mistakes, Ananya recognized that she had gotten nervous while solving the reasoning section during the RBI Grade B exam.

She believed that more effective time management could have made a huge difference. This realization motivated her to keep a close eye on the time taken to solve questions of different sections during mock tests for the NABARD exam.

Along with this, Ananya also emphasized the importance of remaining calm during the actual exam. While mock tests can simulate exam-like conditions to an extent, the real exam may present unexpected challenges.

Her NABARD Interview Experience

According to Ananya, her NABARD Grade A interview that took place in Mumbai was a memorable experience.

Despite the considerable distance from her hometown, she felt a special connection to the NABARD Head office.

Being the first candidate to be interviewed that day, she was surprisingly relaxed and calm. The interview started with a formal introduction to the panelists, followed by questions about her personality, interests, and motivation to prepare for NABARD.

She shared her knowledge about the collaboration between NABARD and Germany, highlighting her language background as an asset.

Ananya’s interview went well, and she credits her calm demeanor and thorough preparation to have played a crucial role in her success in the Interview.

Ananya’s Advice for Aspirants

Well, Ananya’s journey was not without its challenges and setbacks. Despite her confidence in clearing the RBI Grade B exam, she fell short of cracking it. However, not much later she found herself on the list of successful candidates for the NABARD Grade A exam.

Her advice to aspirants is to persevere, even when things don’t go as planned. Sometimes, despite our best efforts and hard work, success may elude us.

Instead of becoming disheartened, Ananya encourages aspirants to view setbacks as strokes of luck.

She strongly believes that with persistence and continuous hard work, success will eventually come. Therefore, focus on building a strong foundation, work on the details and soon you will find yourselves progressing towards your goal.

Ananya’s remarkable journey from failure to success in the competitive exams arena is a testament to her determination, hard work, and most importantly, her ability to learn from her mistakes.

Her story inspires us all to pursue our dreams relentlessly, regardless of the challenges we face along the way. As she has shown that, with dedication and a focused approach, even the most challenging goals can be achieved.

So, my dear folks, let Ananya’s inspiring story be a reminder for us all that success is attainable for only those who persevere and failure is nothing but a stepping stone in the progressive realization of our dreams!