UGC NET June 2024 Topper Deepak Saini Scores 99.34 Percentile, Shares Success Story and Tips for Aspirants

Deepak’s success journey, marked by rigorous preparation and unwavering support from his family, is truly inspiring. Here’s his interview, offering insights into his UGC NET strategies, challenges, and advice for aspiring UGC NET Exam candidates.

Deepak Saini, who scored an impressive 99.34 percentile in the UGC NET June 2024 exam, stands out among the top achievers in a competitive field of over 6.84 lakh candidates. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for the University Grants Commission (UGC), the UGC NET determines the eligibility of candidates for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professorships, and Ph.D. programs across India. This year, the exam was held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from August 21 to September 5, covering 83 subjects in 21 shifts across 280 cities. Deepak’s success journey, marked by rigorous preparation and unwavering support from his family, is truly inspiring. Here’s his interview, offering insights into his strategies, challenges, and advice for aspiring candidates.

Q. Please tell us something about your family and educational background.

Deepak: I am from Khetri in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. My father works as a logistics transporter, and my mother is a homemaker. I completed my senior secondary education in my hometown and pursued my graduation degree from Rajasthan University, Jaipur. Currently, I'm in the final year of my Master's degree.

Q. How many attempts have you taken for UGC NET?

Deepak: I cleared UGC NET in my first attempt in June 2024, qualifying for both NET and JRF.

Q. Tell us about your score in UGC NET 2024. What was your reaction when you saw the result?

Deepak: I scored 187.43, which is a 99.34 percentile. When I saw "QUALIFIED FOR JRF AND ASSISTANT PROFESSOR ONLY" on my scorecard, I was overjoyed and literally started jumping with excitement.

Q. Who encouraged you the most in this journey?

Deepak: My mother was my biggest support. She believed in me wholeheartedly and kept me motivated through any challenges I faced. I also received guidance and support from the faculty at Adda247, who helped me stay focused and tackle the exam’s difficulties.

Q. What was your routine during UGC NET exam preparation?

Deepak: My routine was intense. I dedicated about 14 hours daily, balancing both UPSC and UGC-NET preparation. I’d start at 8 a.m. and study until noon, then attend classes from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Afterward, I’d resume my self-study, using Adda247’s UGC-NET resources, practicing previous papers, and honing my time management skills.

Q. What are your future plans? Which career path are you aiming for?

Deepak: Clearing UGC NET is just one step in my journey. My ultimate goal is to achieve a top position through UPSC, and I’m currently undergoing coaching for that. With UGC NET now accomplished, I am fully focused on UPSC.

Q. When did you start preparing for UGC NET?

Deepak: I began preparing in October 2023 and took my first attempt in June 2024.

Q. Which colleges or universities are you targeting?

Deepak: I haven’t decided yet as I’m still weighing my options. Simultaneously, I plan to dedicate the next 2-3 years to UPSC preparation.

Q. Were there any challenges you faced during your preparation journey?

Deepak: Managing time was a big challenge. I also felt disheartened when people expressed doubts about my efforts, but my family’s belief in me helped me stay strong and confident.

Q. What was your main subject?

Deepak: My main subject was History.

Q. What, according to you, were the easiest and toughest sections?

Deepak: Modern History was challenging because it required in-depth factual knowledge. In Paper 1, the "People and Development" section was broad, which made it difficult.

Q. How did you tackle your strong and weak areas?

Deepak: I used Adda247’s classes to strengthen my weak areas, especially History, where their expert guidance simplified complex concepts. For my strong areas, like Ancient and Medieval History, Maths, and Reasoning, I revised my class notes, summarized them in my own words, and created concept flashcards for effective study.

Q. Did you take any mock tests? How did they help improve your performance?

Deepak: Yes, I completed over 30 mock tests to assess my strengths and weaknesses. Mock tests are essential for tracking progress throughout the preparation journey.

Q. What was your strategy to score such high marks in UGC NET?

Deepak: My approach was to work smartly as well as diligently. I set realistic goals, broke down my preparation into manageable steps, and focused on reinforcing key concepts. Taking 30+ mock tests allowed me to monitor my progress and refine my strategy.

Q. Please share some tips for students preparing to appear in UGC NET.

Deepak: My advice is to believe in yourself and stay focused. Analyze previous years’ questions, develop a personalized study plan, and remain consistent. Dedication and self-motivation are essential.

Q. Did you take any coaching for the exam? If not, how did you manage your self-study?

Deepak: I took coaching from Adda247, which helped me build a solid foundation. For self-study, I spent 3-4 hours daily reviewing notes and organizing key concepts into flashcards. I also set aside Sundays for mock tests and analysis.

Q. How did you prepare for the UGC NET exam? Could you share your strategy?

Deepak: My strategy was to focus on my weak areas, take regular mock tests, and work smart. I concentrated on understanding concepts rather than memorization and allocated time for consistent revision and practice.

Q. Can you recommend some good books for the UGC NET exam?

Deepak: For History, I recommend Ancient India by RS Sharma, Medieval India by Satish Chandra, Modern India by Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum), KVS Madan for Paper 1, and HGP Publications' Year-wise History Book for thorough preparation.

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