Ajay From Lucknow Cracks Razorpay: Journey

When Ajay, a final-year B.Tech student from a Lucknow college, opened his offer letter from Razorpay, he knew the late nights debugging code and the countless hours on freeCodeCamp had paid off. His journey from a tier-2 city campus to a coveted product-based company is a blueprint for thousands of Indian students navigating a crowded, competitive tech landscape. It proves that with the right strategy and free resources, geography is no longer a barrier to a top tech career.

The Mindset Shift: From Campus Placements to Self-Driven Goals

Ajay’s journey began with a critical realization during his third year. The on-campus placement drive, dominated by service giants like TCS, Infosys, and Wipro, offered stability but often capped growth and learning in the initial years. He saw peers aiming for these mass recruiters, but he dreamt of the faster pace, impactful work, and higher compensation of product-based companies like Flipkart, Swiggy, and Zomato.

This required a complete shift from a passive, curriculum-dependent approach to an active, self-taught one. The college syllabus provided a foundation, but cracking companies like Razorpay demanded deeper, practical knowledge in Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA), system design, and modern tech stacks. He started treating his preparation like a project, with clear milestones, deadlines, and a focus on building a portfolio, not just passing exams.

Building the Core Tech Foundation with Free Resources

Ajay knew that DSA was the non-negotiable gatekeeper for technical interviews. Instead of expensive bootcamps, he leveraged India’s rich ecosystem of free, high-quality educational content.

• Structured Learning Paths: He followed the famous DSA sheet by Striver (takeUforward), a step-by-step roadmap covering all topics from arrays to advanced graphs. For conceptual clarity, he turned to trusted YouTube channels like Gate Smashers for core computer science subjects and Jenny's Lectures for in-depth explanations.
• Platform Practice: Consistent problem-solving on platforms like LeetCode and GeeksforGeeks was key. He started with easy problems and gradually moved to medium and hard, focusing on understanding patterns rather than memorizing solutions.
• Supplemental Theory: For accredited course structure, he audited free courses on NPTEL and SWAYAM, government initiatives offering full-semester lectures from IITs and IISc professors.

Crafting a Standout Project Portfolio

A strong resume for product-based companies needs more than a high CGPA. Ajay built 2-3 "hero" projects that demonstrated applied skills.

1. Identify a Real Problem: He built a full-stack expense-split application, inspired by the complexity of managing shared finances with his hostel mates.
2. Use In-Demand Tech: He chose the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js)—a highly sought-after combination in startups and product companies.
3. Deploy and Document: He deployed the live project using free tiers on Vercel and Render, and meticulously documented the code on GitHub with a clear README explaining the problem, solution, and tech stack.

This project became a talking point in interviews, showcasing his ability to ideate, execute, and deliver a working product—a skill far beyond textbook knowledge.

Mastering the Interview Process

Technical rounds at companies like Razorpay, Freshworks, or Zomato are rigorous. Ajay’s preparation was methodical.

• Coding Rounds: He practiced explaining his thought process aloud while solving problems, a crucial skill for live coding interviews. He revisited core CS fundamentals like OOPs, DBMS, and OS from Apna College and CodeWithHarry YouTube channels.
• System Design Round: For his level (SDE-1), he focused on designing scalable versions of his own projects. He learned basic principles like load balancers, caching, and database indexing from low-level design videos.
• Behavioral & HR Rounds: He prepared STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories around his projects, teamwork during hackathons, and how he overcame technical challenges. Researching the company’s products, culture, and recent news was mandatory.

Navigating the Application & Referral Maze

Knowing where to apply is half the battle. Ajay didn’t just wait for a company to visit his campus.

• Leverage LinkedIn: He optimized his LinkedIn profile with keywords, his projects, and skills. He connected with alumni working at target companies and engaged genuinely with their content.
• Seek Referrals: After building a genuine connection, he politely asked for referrals, always sharing his resume and GitHub profile to make it easy for the referrer.
• Apply Strategically: He targeted openings on company career pages, AngelList for startups, and used platforms like Instahyre. He tailored his resume for each application, highlighting relevant projects.

The Financial & Career Impact

The effort translated into tangible rewards. While average campus placements at service-based firms might range from ₹3.5 LPA to ₹7 LPA, offers from product-based companies like Razorpay, Paytm, or Zomato for SDE-1 roles typically start between ₹12 LPA to ₹20 LPA (CTC), with significant growth trajectories. More than the salary, the opportunity to work on scalable products, learn from senior engineers, and have a direct impact on millions of users accelerates career growth exponentially.

Next Steps

Ajay’s story isn’t about genius; it’s about a systematic plan executed with discipline using resources available to everyone. Your journey can start today.

• Map your learning path: Browse free, structured courses on DSA, full-stack development, and interview preparation from platforms like Coursera (with Financial Aid) and edX.
• Start building: Pick a problem you face and plan a project. Use guides from freeCodeCamp and Khan Academy to fill knowledge gaps.
• Connect with a community: Join coding groups on Discord or follow Indian tech creators to stay motivated and informed about opportunities.