For thousands of aspirants, Aurangzeb Khan from Dildarnagar in Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur district has become a name worth knowing. A research scholar, Aurangzeb has cleared the NET exam in two separate and difficult subjects, International Affairs and Political Science, showing that steady effort and sheer determination can carry a student to any milestone. His achievement has brought recognition not just to his district but to the whole of Uttar Pradesh.
The Jamia Years And A First Breakthrough
The foundation of Aurangzeb's journey was laid in Delhi. He earned his master's degree in West Asia Middle Eastern Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia, and it was here that his interest in international affairs deepened. Remarkably, he qualified the NET exam for the first time while he was still pursuing that master's degree. Later, during his PhD, he cleared NET again, this time in Political Science, proving his competence a second time.
His Study Method And Trusted Books
Speaking about how he prepared, Aurangzeb says that for International Relations (IR) the book that mattered most to him was The Globalization of World Politics by John Baylis and Steve Smith, which he treats as the ‘bible’ of the subject. According to him, memorising a book is not enough on its own; a firm grip on world history and current international events is the real key to success.
An Exam That Is A Psychological Battle
Aurangzeb is clear that NET, or any major competitive exam, is not merely a test of bookish knowledge but a kind of psychological warfare. He himself has been sitting for the exam continuously since 2024, and his advice to students is to maintain consistency, never give up and keep trying, because that is the only way forward.
He regards preparation for the first paper, which covers teaching and research aptitude, as extremely important. In his view, a deep study of Indian politics, history and the work of Indian Diplomats is what secures success.
Compete With Yourself, Not With Others
Aurangzeb reminds students that preparing for NET and JRF is not a short sprint but a marathon. His suggestion is to focus on improving oneself every day rather than comparing with others. If failure comes, it should be accepted as part of the preparation itself. In his words, keep studying without a break, because success usually goes to the person who refuses to walk off the field.
