IITs are considered the pinnacle of technical education. Graduates are basically guaranteed a high paying job right after they obtain their degree. However, one youngster from Karnataka, managed the seemingly impossible: Securing a lucrative Rs 72 LPA job from Rolls Royce without an ‘elite’ degree! Taking to X, user Vikas Alwys shared the story of Rithuparna KS, a tech graduate from Karnataka, who once failed to crack NEET, but eventually bagged a lucrative job.In an interview with TNN, Rithuparna shared her journey. Rithuparna, a native of Koduru in the Thirthahalli region, started her schooling at St. Agnes School and consistently aspired to build a successful academic career. After finishing her Pre-University education, she was determined to enter the medical profession and worked toward securing admission to a government medical college. However, her performance in the NEET examination did not earn her the government-funded medical seat she had hoped for. As a result, her educational journey took an unexpected turn.During the 2022 CET counselling process, she obtained a government quota seat and joined Sahyadri College. Although the outcome initially left her disappointed because it differed from the path she had envisioned, she chose not to dwell on the setback. Instead, from the very beginning of her college life, she immersed herself in exploring new ideas, experimenting with innovative concepts, and searching for opportunities beyond the conventional classroom experience.— VikasAlwys (@VikasAlwys) What first appeared to be a detour gradually became a defining turning point in her life. Her curiosity and willingness to venture into unfamiliar areas led her to discover the world of robotics. Over time, a simple fascination with technology evolved into a serious pursuit, enabling her to channel her creativity, problem-solving abilities, and technical skills into meaningful projects. This unexpected shift from a long-held dream of medicine opened the door to a new passion, allowing her to make significant contributions in the field of robotics and innovation.One of Rithuparna’s earliest breakthroughs stemmed from her desire to solve practical challenges faced by farmers. Recognizing the physical effort and time required in arecanut cultivation, she collaborated with her teammates to design an automated robotic system capable of assisting with harvesting and pesticide spraying. The technology aimed to reduce manual labour while improving efficiency in agricultural operations.The project gained significant recognition when it was presented at the INEX competition in Goa. Competing against numerous innovative entries, the team’s invention earned both gold and silver honours, becoming an important achievement in Rithuparna’s growing journey as an innovator and technologist.Building on this accomplishment, she expanded her interests beyond agriculture and ventured into advanced research. She subsequently became part of a research group at NITK Surathkal, where she focused on the emerging field of robotic-assisted surgery.Rithuparna was initially turned down when she approached Rolls Royce for an internship. However, through persistence she managed to gain a project which she completed within a month. Taken aback by her determination, Rolls Royce assigned her more projects. For the next eight months, she appeared in several interviews and completed many projects aside from managing her studies. In December 2024, Rolls Royce offered her a position in their Jet Engine Manufacturing Division. In April 2025, the company upgraded her pay scale from Rs 39 lakh to Rs 72.3 LPA.