SHILLONG:
Swapnil Bhattacharya had realised well in time that there was no proxy for hard work and determination, and that stood him in good stead.
On Tuesday, Bhattacharya, who hails from the city, cleared the Union Public Service Commission examination, the only one from the state to do so.
Bhattacharya was an Edmundian until class 10. He then completed his class 12 from Army Public School, Shillong. Following his 12th, he moved to Delhi and pursued his graduation in Physics from Kirori Mal College, Delhi University.
An elated Bhattacharya told The Meghalayan that his preparation was a mix of both “hard and smart” work.
About how his preparation cycle was, he said that it was nothing out of the ordinary, but he did take the aid of coaching during his college days. His interview was cordial and pleasant and nothing noteworthy, he mentioned.
He said that both his school and college had a key role to play in shaping his personality and giving him the right mindset to appear for the UPSC examination.
Bhattacharya, who bagged the all-India rank of 344, also mentioned that he was happy and satisfied with his position, although it was not clear immediately which service he would get.
Notably, six candidates from Assam, four from Nagaland, four from Manipur, three from Arunachal Pradesh, one from Sikkim, and one from Tripura cracked the exams from North East.
Mayur Hazarika from Assam managed to make his space in the top 10 securing the 5th position.