Bengaluru Engineer fails NEET, cracks Rolls-Royce — “Youngest” woman bags ₹72.3 LPA job after internship

Bengaluru-based techie, Rithuparna KS, has defied expectations by securing a Rs 72.3 lakh per annum job at the prestigious UK-based company Rolls-Royce's Jet Engine Manufacturing Division, after failing to qualify for NEET and shifting her focus to engineering.

In her sixth semester at Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management in Mangaluru, Rithuparna completed a rigorous eight-month internship with Rolls-Royce, which resulted in a pre-placement offer in December 2024 and a pay hike in April 2025.

"I am a dedicated enthusiast pursuing robotics and automation engineering. I enjoy learning new things, developing ideas and provide solutions to the relevant problems," Rithuparna KS wrote on her LinkedIn profile.

According to a Deccan Herald report, Rithuparna KS has become the youngest woman employed by the company.

Who is Rithuparna KS?

Bengaluru-based Rithuparna failed to qualify for NEET and, on her father’s advice, chose to pursue engineering instead.

Now a final-year Robotics and Automation student at Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management (SCEM), the engineer got the lucrative opportunity after completing a month-long internship with Rolls-Royce.

“I received my offer letter in December 2024 after finishing my internship, and I am the youngest woman working at the organisation,” she told Deccan Herald.

“My dad advised me to earn an engineering degree and look for a government job. While studying Robotics and Automation at SCEM in Adyar, I connected with my seniors and became fascinated by their projects,” Rithuparna shared.

As a student, the Bengaluru techie developed a detachable robot with a friend for arecanut pesticide spraying and harvesting. The project won silver and gold medals at an international conference in Goa, competing against teams from Singapore, Japan, China, and Russia.

Rithuparna was also selected as one of the top 15 students from Dakshina Kannada for the DC Fellowship Programme.

“My academic achievements, projects, and the rigorous interview process helped me secure an internship with Rolls-Royce,” she said.

She kept the internship a secret from her family until she received the job offer. Her initial package of ₹39.58 lakh per annum was later raised to ₹72.2 lakh.

Rithuparna said, “Youngsters have big ambitions but often put in only 50% of the effort when they should be giving 200% to succeed. Determination, dedication, and gratitude for what you do are crucial. One must always value their family and never forget their roots — even when moving abroad to work.”

Also read: ‘Next generation not very keen on running it’: VIP's Dilip Piramal on selling 32% stake in ₹6,800 Cr company (startuppedia.in)