From Rejection to Rolls-Royce: 20-Year-Old Karnataka Student’s Unexpected Rise Inspires a Generation

When 20-year-old Anirudh S. from Karnataka first failed the NEET medical entrance exam, his world seemed to collapse. Like countless Indian students raised with the weight of academic expectations, Anirudh had poured his teenage years into biology books, test series, and coaching classes — all for a shot at becoming a doctor. But when the results came in, he found himself on the outside looking in.

For many, that would have been the end of the story — a story of disappointment, of adjusting dreams downward. But for Anirudh, it was just the beginning.

Fast forward two years, and Anirudh isn’t wearing a white coat in a hospital. He’s preparing to start a high-paying role at Rolls-Royce — the global engineering giant — with a staggering annual package of ₹72 lakh. And no, he didn’t crack another exam to get there. He redefined success on his own terms.

The Pivot That Changed Everything

After failing NEET, Anirudh experienced a brief period of self-doubt and confusion. “I didn’t know what to do next. I felt like a failure, not just to myself but to my parents,” he said in a recent conversation. “But that phase taught me to look beyond what I thought was the only path.”

With encouragement from a family friend who worked in the tech sector, Anirudh explored coding. Initially intimidated, he took free courses online and began experimenting with Python and data structures. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a deep passion.

He enrolled at RV University in Bengaluru, choosing Computer Science with a minor in Artificial Intelligence. Within months, he was devouring everything from deep learning to ethical hacking, often working late into the night on projects far beyond his curriculum.

Cracking the Rolls-Royce Opportunity

During his third year, Anirudh interned with a local AI startup, where he led a project on predictive maintenance using machine learning. His work caught the attention of mentors, one of whom encouraged him to apply to Rolls-Royce’s global innovation program for young engineers.

“I didn’t think I stood a chance,” Anirudh admitted. “I was up against students from Ivy League schools and premier Indian institutes. But I put together my projects, wrote a very honest cover letter, and submitted everything with zero expectations.”

To his surprise, not only did he clear the interviews, but his interviewers were blown away by his practical knowledge, curiosity, and problem-solving mindset. The offer? A ₹72 lakh package, international relocation included.

Lessons Beyond Marks

Anirudh’s story is resonating far and wide — not because of the salary, but because it challenges the belief that academic failure is final.

“I used to believe that if you didn’t become a doctor or an engineer from a Tier-1 college, you were done. But now I realize — success is not about clearing an exam, it’s about being curious, being consistent, and being willing to try again in a new direction.”

He credits his journey to the shift in mindset: from studying to prove himself to studying to understand. And he hopes other students hear that message loud and clear.

A Wake-Up Call for Parents and Educators

Anirudh’s parents admit they initially struggled with his decision to step away from medicine. “We were scared,” said his mother. “We didn’t understand this new path. But now we see how capable and happy he is — and that’s what truly matters.”

Educators and counselors are also pointing to Anirudh’s journey as a reminder that the Indian education system needs to broaden its definition of success.

“Failure in one stream doesn’t mean failure in life,” says one counselor. “In fact, it can be the very thing that unlocks a student’s true potential — if they’re given space, support, and access to alternatives.”

Moving Forward, With Pride

As Anirudh prepares to move abroad and begin the next chapter of his life, he says he isn’t driven by the paycheck. “Honestly, it’s not about the money. It’s about doing work that excites me, solving real-world problems, and proving to myself that I’m capable of more than I imagined.”

He now mentors juniors at his university, encouraging them to explore and embrace tech beyond textbooks. He’s also planning to start a YouTube channel sharing his story, hoping it helps even one student feel less alone after a failure.

The Bigger Picture

In a country where career dreams are often crushed by entrance exam cutoffs, Anirudh’s story is a breath of fresh air. It is proof that resilience, reinvention, and real-world skills can pave a path even when Plan A fails.

Maybe it’s time we redefined what success looks like — not as a number on a rank list, but as the courage to take a different road, and the determination to keep walking it.

Because sometimes, failure isn’t the end. It’s the redirection that leads you straight to your dream — even if it comes dressed in an engineer’s badge at Rolls-Royce.