IIT Topper: 'I watched a movie before the exam!'

Prithvi Teja, the boy who topped the IIT-JEE this year reveals how he studied for the mother of all exams.

Andhra Pradesh has once again established its supremacy in cracking the prestigious IIT-Joint Entrance Examinations yet again.

Candidates from the state have bagged 40 of the top 100 ranks this year. Also the topmost rank in the general category has gone to the 17-year-old Prithvi Teja from the rural area of West Godavari district.
 
Unassuming Teja had expected to do well in the IIT-JEE and be among the top twenty rankers but had never dreamt that he was going to be the top ranker and will be flooded by greetings and laudatory messages and good wishes including from the state Chief Minister.
 
The boy attributed his success to the two mantras of "no tension" and "following your elders".
 
"If you want to be successful in any thing you do, don't take too much stress," he told us just before he was packing up to fly to Bangkok for the Physics Olympiad.

A product of Vishwabharati School in Gudivada and Chaitanya College, Vijaywada, Teja is the son of a jeweller Srinivas Rao.

He spoke to rediff.com's Mohammed Siddique about his preparations, his hobbies and what makes him so cool:
 
Did you expect such a fantastic result?
 
No I did not expect that I would bag the first rank but I was sure that I would be among the top 20 or 30.

When the result came I was stunned. In fact I was not tense on the result day and was enjoying myself as the key was released in advance and I was satisfied with my performance.

How did you get the idea of going for the IIT?

It all started with the IIT foundation coaching they had at my school and my preparations had begun there and then it continued at the college.
 
Was there any pressure on you from the teachers or the parents to do well?

No. In fact my parents (mother Rani and father Srinivas Rao) were there with me on the day of the examinations. They encouraged me a lot and told me that I will do well. From the beginning they wanted me to go to the IIT.
 
Were you tense during the examination?

Not at all! In fact I watched a Telugu movie a day before that. It was my way of keeping my mind relaxed.
 
Do you like watching movies?

Yes. Even during the college I used to go to the theatre once every two weeks.

I like Pavan Kalyan as a hero very much. He is an inspiration of sorts.
 
What next?

I have decided to take admission in IIT Bombay as this is the best in the country. That is what my teachers have told me. I want to electrical engineering because I like the subject.

What is your final goal in life?

My real goal is to join the Indian civil service and become an IAS officer because that is the most powerful and influential position. I feel that the easiest way to enter the civil services is through IIT.

Why do you want to be an IAS officer?

I want to serve the society. I hate corruption. I have promised to my self, I will be incorruptible and will fight against the corruption because this is the biggest problem and threat our country is facing.

What was your schedule of studies in the college?

I used to study everyday for ten hours and sleep 8 hours a day. I used to play badminton for one hour every day and also watched the cricket matches.
 
How do you feel about the all round adulation you are getting? The newspapers are full of your story? You also met the Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy

I am very, very happy and thankful to every body. It is really great. I was happy to meet the Chief Minister who told me to keep it up and continue the hard work.

What you would like to tell the junior students who might by looking at you as a role model?

Follow what elders tell you, I mean both the parents and teachers. They are our welll wishers. Do hard work but don't take too much tension or stress.

You must study with a perfect plan. Our plan was perfect.

The college completed the syllabus (Intermediate or Junior college two years course) in 14 months and for six months there was revision. The remaining time was spent in practicing the IIT-JEE model.