Nittin Bhagat – NPTEL STAR
Nittin Bhagat, a 24-year-old from Jammu, continued his remarkable journey with deep aspirations, even as his path took unexpected turns. Raised with discipline and dedication at Army Public School, Nittin harbored a childhood dream of joining the armed forces. He earnestly pursued this goal, making seven sincere attempts at the SSB interviews. When that path didn’t unfold as planned, he proved that true aspirations don’t end; instead, they evolve, often becoming the start of something even more remarkable.
The next chapter began during Nittin’s first year of his B.Tech (Honors) degree at the Government Engineering College in Ajmer. A directive from the Ministry of Education mandating 20 additional credits beyond the core curriculum for B.Tech Honors led him to discover NPTEL. At the time, he had no idea that this learning platform would profoundly shape his academic and professional journey.
What followed was nothing short of remarkable. Nittin immersed himself in online learning, completing 37 NPTEL courses (including courses on Sustainable Transportation System, Plastic Waste Management, Health Research Fundamentals, Wild Life Ecology, Housing Policy & Planning, etc) and another 10+ from a different platform, adding up to more than 50 in total, which was beyond the required credits. His dedication earned him several prestigious badges from NPTEL: Enthusiastic, Disciplined Star, Believer, Motivated Learner, and Champion – each a reflection of his sustained effort and commitment.
NPTEL has had a profound and extensive impact on Nittin. He attributes his successful transition into the corporate world, including his selection as a Senior Planning Engineer at Larsen & Toubro (L&T) where he worked for 1.5 years, to the skills he gained from the platform. Even with grueling 12-hour shifts, he acknowledges that NPTEL “definitely helped me in my corporate journey.”
He believes these self-paced courses significantly contribute to one’s “personality” by fostering discipline and self-motivation, offering an “added advantage” in competitive environments by enhancing soft skills and overall demeanor.
He adds that while technical NPTEL courses focus on specific subjects, their assignments and projects often demand analytical thinking, problem-solving, and critical evaluation. This, in turn, boosts an individual’s capacity to approach challenges logically and creatively.
He also shares how he witnessed NPTEL changing people’s lives, extending its influence far beyond his own journey. A close friend, for instance, was able to enter a PSU, NPCIL, by strengthening his technical foundation through the platform. For Nittin, NPTEL is unequivocally “an excellent platform where you can enhance your knowledge and overall skills.”
Nittin’s journey is not defined by academics and work alone. He describes himself as a “dynamic person,” shaped by his army-school background and active involvement in the National Cadet Corps (NCC), where he earned the esteemed “C certificate”. Currently, Nittin is charting a new horizon by preparing for the civil services, having taken the bold step of leaving his corporate job simply because he “didn’t find satisfaction there.” In doing so, he chose growth over comfort, embracing a philosophy of continuous self-evolution. He also recently completed an MSc in Geography through distance learning from IGNOU, which he considers a potential backup for the future.
To Nittin, life is a constant learning journey. “Every day you learn something. You fail, you rise – that’s the whole journey,” he says. He is a firm believer in taking “calculated risks” and in the idea that “struggle is the most interesting part of the journey.” He warns against stagnation, likening life to a flowing river – always in motion, always evolving.
Nittin Bhagat’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, adaptability, and the transformative power of ardent learning, with NPTEL serving as a key pillar in his pursuit of excellence.
– Written by Satyam Shukla