{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Former ISRO Personnel Twarakavi Chengal Prasad Secures All India Rank 3 in Engineering Entrance Exam at 78",
  "summary": "Retired from ISRO civil construction wing, 78-year-old Twarakavi Chengal Prasad studied 12 hours daily to secure the third rank nationwide in the Telangana Engineering Common Entrance Test.",
  "content": "Proving that age is no barrier when the desire to learn remains resolute, 78-year-old Twarakavi Chengal Prasad has achieved a remarkable feat by securing the third rank across India in the Telangana Engineering Common Entrance Test. A veteran from the formative decades of the Indian Space Research Organisation, Prasad chose the rigours of competitive academic preparation over a quiet retirement, surprising educators and young aspirants alike across the country.\n\nA Pioneering Career Rooted in Space Infrastructure\nPrasad began his professional journey after completing a diploma in civil engineering, joining the space agency at the young age of 21. Counted among the founding workforce of the organisation, his 35-year tenure saw the physical foundations of Indian space exploration take shape. During critical launch campaigns at Sriharikota, he routinely worked demanding shifts, directly contributing to the structural design and construction of the country's earliest launch pads, research observatories, and specialised technical installations.\n\nCollaborating with Renowned Scientific Visionaries\nThroughout his extensive tenure in the civil construction wing, Prasad had the rare opportunity to collaborate closely with the architects of India's space program. His assignments placed him alongside founder Vikram Sarabhai, former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, and space scientist Satish Dhawan. Even after taking voluntary retirement from the space organisation, his drive to stay professionally and intellectually active never subsided.\n\nManaging Construction Projects Through the Pandemic\nFollowing his departure from government service, Prasad brought his engineering expertise to the private sector. He took charge of prominent infrastructure undertakings across Delhi, Nepal, and Hyderabad, maintaining an active professional workload until the Covid 19 pandemic. Alongside tracking advancements in modern technology, he also immersed himself in the systematic study of ancient Vedic literature. Residing in the Nacharam locality of Hyderabad, the father of three continues to inspire his family, with his granddaughter Dr. Ananya highlighting his lifelong dedication as an everyday example for younger generations.\n\nTwelve Hours of Daily Study Led to Top Rank\nThe Telangana Engineering Common Entrance Test serves as a lateral entry pathway for diploma holders and graduates with a BSc in mathematics who wish to pursue a BE or BTech degree directly in the second year. Because the entrance guidelines do not enforce any upper age ceiling, Prasad leveraged the opportunity to apply under the working professionals quota. He launched an intensive preparation drive two months before the examination, dedicating more than 12 hours every day to syllabus revision. That intense discipline delivered exceptional results, culminating in an All India third rank and demonstrating the power of unyielding commitment.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis achievement highlights that age is no hurdle when seeking technical advancement or formal degree upgrades.\n\n• Academic Motivation: The result demonstrates to diploma holders and working professionals that higher technical qualifications remain within reach at any career phase. Anyone with foundational qualifications can pursue formal degree courses.\n• Flexible Entrance Guidelines: Absence of an upper age limit allows lifelong learners to re-enter formal engineering education through structured routes. Eligible candidates can secure direct lateral entry into the second year of degree programs.\n• Disciplined Preparation: Rigorous study routines and focused revision can overcome long academic gaps and yield top competitive ranks. It offers an inspiring example of focus for students facing academic stress.\n• Regional Academic Interest: In Hyderabad, the milestone is generating active conversation around lifelong education across engineering institutions. Colleges in the region may see growing interest from older working professionals seeking formal degree enrollment.\n\nWhy this happened\nPrasad chose to appear for the entrance test to formally upgrade his engineering qualifications into a degree. His technical foundation and the entrance test guidelines made the pursuit possible.\n\n• Academic Advancement: Having entered the professional sphere with a diploma in civil engineering, he maintained a long-standing desire to earn a formal degree. After decades of field work, he acted on the goal of securing second-year degree admission.\n• Permissive Age Guidelines: The Telangana Engineering Common Entrance Test does not prescribe an upper age ceiling for applicants. This regulatory flexibility allowed him to formally register under the working professionals category.\n• Rigorous Preparation Strategy: He committed to a daily schedule of over 12 hours of focused study during the final two months preceding the test. This concentrated effort bridged the academic gap and secured his top-three rank.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Who is Twarakavi Chengal Prasad?\nHe is a 78-year-old retired employee of ISRO's civil construction wing who recently secured a top rank in an engineering entrance test.\n\n2. Which examination did he secure third rank in?\nHe secured the third rank across India in the Telangana Engineering Common Entrance Test (TG ECET).\n\n3. How many hours did he study daily during preparation?\nHe dedicated more than 12 hours every day to studying in the two months leading up to the examination.\n\n4. How long did he serve at ISRO?\nHe worked for 35 years within the civil construction wing and is counted among the organisation's founding personnel.\n\n5. Which prominent scientists did he work alongside?\nHe worked with Vikram Sarabhai, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, and Satish Dhawan during his tenure at the space agency.\n\n6. What is the primary purpose of the TG ECET exam?\nThe entrance test offers lateral entry into the second year of BE or BTech programs for diploma holders and mathematics graduates.\n\nInspiration & Lessons\nPrasad's journey exemplifies how unwavering determination and personal discipline can overcome any perceived barriers.\n\n• Learning Knows No Age Limits: Securing a national rank at 78 demonstrates that personal development does not conclude at retirement. New academic or professional pursuits can begin at any stage in life.\n• The Power of Disciplined Routine: Studying over 12 hours daily during the two months leading up to the exam highlights sheer commitment. Real achievement is forged through continuous focus rather than passive intention.\n• Lifelong Intellectual Curiosity: Despite 35 years of high-level engineering experience, he remained humble enough to sit for a student entrance examination. True growth comes from remaining a lifelong student regardless of past accomplishments.\n• Inspiring Future Generations: His pursuit provides a living standard of dedication for his children and grandchildren. Leading through personal action offers the most impactful lesson to young minds.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/success-stories/isaro-ke-purva-karmi-twarakavi-chengal-prasad-ne-78-sala-ki-umra-men-racha-itihasa-injiniyaringa-pravesha-pariksha-men-hasila-ki-t-42146",
  "category": "Success Stories",
  "publishedAt": "2026-10-03",
  "tags": [
    "Twarakavi Chengal Prasad",
    "ISRO",
    "Engineering Entrance Exam",
    "TG ECET",
    "Hyderabad",
    "Success Story"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}