Securing All India Rank (AIR) 1 in SBI PO 2024 is a dream come true for Niranjan Jain and an inspiration for every future banking aspirant. His journey is a true example of dedication, consistency, and smart preparation. In this blog, we’ll take you through Niranjan Jain’s preparation strategy, study approach, mindset, and his valuable advice for candidates preparing for SBI PO, IBPS PO, and other banking exams.
Success Story of Niranjan Jain
Niranjan Jain’s success in SBI PO 2024 is a perfect example of determination, clarity, and disciplined preparation. Coming from Assam with a commerce background, Niranjan initially pursued civil services but later shifted focus to the banking sector. Even while working full-time and battling serious health issues, he stayed committed to his goal. His ability to manage time effectively, choose the right mentors, and stay away from distractions played a key role in achieving AIR 1.
Niranjan believes that with consistency, smart mock analysis, and a focused mindset, success in competitive exams is not only possible but achievable. His story is a strong motivation for all aspirants who are willing to put in the effort and stay on the right path.
Interview with SBI PO 2024 Topper Niranjan Jain, AIR 1
Q1. Tell us something about yourself.
A: My name is Niranjan Jain. I’m from Assam. After graduation, I prepared for civil services and reached the interview stage of state PCS. Later, when that didn’t work out, I started working and discovered the banking sector. Recently, I qualified SBI PO.
Q2. What is your academic background and when did you decide to try banking exams?
A: I have a commerce background. While working, I was also pursuing an MBA. In 2022, I decided to give banking exams a try. I started in 2022, paused, and then restarted my preparation in July 2023.
Q3. Whom did you tell first when you got to know you were AIR 1, and what was everyone’s reaction?
A: Initially, I wanted to tell my parents, but they were busy my father was caught up with his business work. So, I informed my teachers first. When I finally shared the news with my parents, my father was happy but composed. He simply said, ‘Well done, now go for even better.’
Q4. You were already working as an RBI Assistant, so what motivated you to go for SBI PO?
A: From a growth perspective, SBI offers better opportunities. I’ve seen hustle in my family’s background and don’t feel pressure easily. I wanted public interaction and field experience, which RBI doesn’t offer much. SBI aligned better with my goals.
Q5. When did you start SBI PO preparation and how did you manage limited time?
A: I started seriously in December. I had been thinking since October, but it was a big decision. Once I decided, I planned based on the March exam date. I was optimistic and reached out to mentors like Sanjay sir and Shubham sir to guide my strategy.
Q6. What were your initial priorities in such a short preparation time?
A: I analyzed the changes in the SBI PO syllabus. Since English weightage was more in prelims and less in mains, and English was my strength, I didn’t focus too much there. I practiced mock tests instead. For Quant and Reasoning, I worked on basics and daily practice. Once 50–60% of the syllabus was done, I started mock tests.
Q7. How was your experience with Oliveboard? How did it help in preparation?
A: I used Oliveboard mock tests extensively. Sanjay sir and Shubham sir’s classes were also helpful. They provide unique approaches, and that helped me a lot. Choosing faculties who teach differently gives an edge.
Q8. Can a student crack SBI PO just by watching YouTube, or is a paid course necessary?
A: It depends on the student’s level. If someone needs basics, a paid course is better as it saves time and offers structure. For advanced students, YouTube can work. But paid courses keep you focused and aligned with exam needs.
Q9. Which specific Oliveboard plan did you use and how was your experience with it?
A: I took the Oliveboard Super Elite Plan, mainly for Reasoning and mocks. I had been following Sanjay sir for a while. All faculties are serious, focused on studies no unnecessary motivation quotes or time-wasting.
Q10. How did you tackle Reasoning as a subject, considering it’s tricky but scoring?
A: Reasoning is interesting. Though we don’t study it academically, it’s very scoring with proper basics. Students often rush basics watch a lecture once and move on. I watched lectures 2–3 times, made notes, and practiced every variation. Puzzles are key note every new keyword and its meaning for quick understanding in exams.
Q11. How did you approach Critical Reasoning, which many students avoid?
A: Critical Reasoning was my focus in mains because English was my strength. I love it’s logical and scoring. Understand keywords like assumption, inference, etc. If you get the logic, questions are easy. This year, more CR questions were asked (9+), so avoiding it is risky. I learned it in depth from Oliveboard.
Q12. How many mock tests did you take for prelims and mains? Is mock analysis necessary or is giving mock tests enough?
A: I gave mocks only after 50–60% syllabus was done. Giving mocks from day one is wrong. Analysis is the key without it, you learn nothing. Identify strengths, weaknesses, and work on mistakes to improve.
Q13. How should mock tests be analyzed for maximum benefit?
A: Accuracy matters. I focused on 90–95% accuracy. If I made mistakes, I noted down what went wrong time, approach, misreading and revised those specific questions later. I didn’t give 60–70 mocks like others, but analyzed each one thoroughly.
Q14. What’s your view on the actual level of competition when 20 lakh forms are filled for SBI Clerk?
A: Real competition is only 10–20% of applicants. Many apply due to herd mentality without knowing syllabus or pattern. Serious aspirants are few, but even they make mistakes. So effective competition is around 1–2 lakh.
Q15. What common mistakes do beginners make that delay their selection despite 6–12 months being sufficient for clerk/PO exams?
A: Beginners get distracted easily. They follow teachers or platforms based on views or subscribers without checking content quality. They focus more on social media and less on studying. By the time they realize their mistake, 2–3 years are already gone.
Q16. How should a student decide the right path and faculty for preparation on platforms like YouTube?
A: Don’t chase views or likes. I followed underrated faculty who taught exam-relevant content. That helped me the most.
Q17. Tell us about your approach to Quant.
A: Students often focus only on simplification/approximation and ignore Arithmetic and DI, which are essential for both prelims and mains. Very few platforms cover these well. Students also struggle to find the right teacher.
Q18. How did you select your Quant faculty?
A: I kept my preparation low-profile. I saw a clip of a student selected in IBPS PO exam who was taught by Shubham Sir. I asked someone for a review, tried a few classes, liked his methods, and started from scratch with him.
Q19. Even after clearing SBI PO and RBI Assistant, why did you start with a foundation batch?
A: Every teacher teaches differently. To understand their approach deeply, you need to start from scratch and follow everything systematically.
Q20. What do you think about courses with 250–350 classes vs. those with only 100 classes?
A: I didn’t have time for 300 classes. Focus on quality, not quantity. Even 100 classes are enough if the teacher is good and concept-focused. Practice is the key.
Q21. Do only basics work in mains or do ratio methods/percentage tricks help too?
A: Mostly, mains is based on basics. But in some questions, tricks like allegation, weighted average, or ratio help only if you have practiced enough to know when to apply them.
Q22. Can we clear exams through only Speed Maths or 5–10 selected topics?
A: In my SBI PO mains, there were only 3 questions from quadratic equations rest was all Arithmetic, DI, and Data Sufficiency. Selective study can be dangerous. Complete syllabus coverage is necessary because you can’t predict the examiner’s focus.
Q23. Is the approach for Clerk exams different? Can Speed Maths and selected Arithmetic topics work there?
A: Even in Clerk, simplification weightage is decreasing. Examiner now wants you to focus more on Arithmetic and DI. For example, SBI Clerk had many caselets. So focus on Arithmetic and DI even for Clerk.
Q24. What is the “Ameer Method” you referred to?
A: “Ameer Method” is Shubham Sir’s teaching style logic and concept-based, not shortcut-based. It saves 10–15 seconds per question and is useful in both prelims and mains.
Q25. Can you guide students about Reasoning? Do tricks/shortcuts work in mains?
A: Tricks don’t work in mains. For syllogism, “Venn diagram” is the safest and most accurate method. Puzzles need multiple possibilities not just one. That’s what I follow.
Q26. What is the “2+1 possibility” that students often mention?
A: Many say puzzles can be solved with one possibility, but that never worked for me. I always use multiple (2–3) possibilities. It gives clarity and confidence.
Q27. What was the most challenging part of your banking preparation? How did you overcome it?
A: Time management was the biggest challenge since I was a working professional. I also had major health issues, even suffered nervous breakdowns. But I stayed resolute. Family support helped, and I never gave up.
Q28. You were about to skip the SBI PO exam due to health. What motivated you to still appear?
A: I was hospitalized in Chennai with severe breathing issues and unconscious for 3 days. Doctors advised long-term bed rest, and family didn’t want me to take the exam. I returned to Guwahati 4 days before the exam, revised old mocks, wrote one descriptive test, and went with the promise to return if anything went wrong.
Q29. What was your mindset during the exam?
A: I didn’t overthink. I was satisfied that I was attempting the SBI PO exam, and I would see what happens. I didn’t take any pressure, not even the timer. I just went with the flow. When I saw the number of attempts on the screen, I couldn’t believe I had attempted that many questions better than last time, even with ill health. I realized the power of a positive and resolute mindset.
Q29. What do you think about the importance of self-motivation versus external motivation?
A: Motivation like this will last 3–4 days. If you need this kind of boost repeatedly, you’re on the wrong track. You need to be self-motivated. You can’t depend on hearing motivational lines every day. You should be clear about your track and stay focused.
Q30. Do students make mistakes by constantly switching batches and leaving them incomplete?
A: Yes. Many students don’t complete batches. We see batch strength drop from 100% to 20% by the end. Then close to the exam, the same students panic and ask how to crack the exam in 15–20 days.
Q31. Is there any magic trick or shortcut to crack an exam in 10–15 days?
A: No. Coming from a UPSC background, I had a no-nonsense attitude. Initially, I struggled with irrelevant content on YouTube and the online environment. It took 2 months to adjust. But when I found the right faculties, I found relevance and clarity. As a working professional, my motivation was the fact that I had to work from 9 AM. For me, motivation is discipline and focus. I don’t believe in external motivation.
Q32. What is your one piece of advice for future SBI PO and other banking aspirants?
A: Be consistent and serious from Day 1. Maintain a no-nonsense attitude. Keep a low profile until you’re selected. Stay away from irrelevant people and distractions. Surround yourself with positive and serious individuals. Choose mentors who are blunt but honest. Their tough guidance will help during selection.
Q33. What was the main reason behind achieving AIR 1?
A: Credit goes to my teachers first. After my mains, a faculty member called and said, “I’ve rarely seen such attempts.” My father overheard and said, “If you’re selected, give credit to your teachers, not us.” So, my teachers’ knowledge and guidance helped immensely. My parents never pressured me. I stayed grounded.
Q34. Should aspirants prepare for prelims first or both prelims and mains together?
A: Prepare both prelims and mains together from Day 1. Whatever topic you study, also cover its mains-level depth. That way, after prelims, you’ll only need to revise and give mocks. It helps avoid last-minute panic.
Q35. You scored 50 out of 50 in SBI PO. That’s very rare. How was your interview experience?
A: My interview was interesting and lengthy. Since I cleared the exam last year but didn’t join, I expected that to be questioned. I was nervous, but my mentors helped me prepare. Surprisingly, they didn’t ask about that. Instead, it began unconventionally with questions like the meaning and origin of my name. I realized the panel was testing my composure.
Q35. What kind of factual and unusual questions were asked in your interview?
A: They asked things like the rhino population in Assam and about the Kamakhya temple who established it. These were linked to my district. During the hobby section, they asked me to sing songs in any language except Hindi and English since I play tabla. I sang in four languages Rajasthani, Bengali, Odia, and Assamese.
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