Prithvi From Bareilly to RazorpayX Engineer (2026)

For a B.Tech student in Bareilly, the dream of working at a cutting-edge fintech giant like Razorpay can feel impossibly distant. The path is crowded, the competition fierce, and the syllabus often feels disconnected from what companies actually build. Yet, Prithvi's journey from a tier-2 city campus to securing a RazorpayX engineering role for 2026 proves that with the right, focused strategy, the gap is absolutely bridgeable. His story isn't about genius; it's about smart resource management, building in public, and leveraging India's vast ecosystem of free, high-quality learning.

The Foundation: Core Skills Over College Curriculum

Prithvi realized early that to stand out for a product like RazorpayX, which deals with complex banking APIs and financial infrastructure, a strong grasp of fundamentals was non-negotiable. He went beyond his college lectures, which provided the basic syntax, to deeply understand how systems work.

• Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA): This was his primary battleground. He followed a structured plan using resources like Striver (takeUforward)'s SDE Sheet and Apna College's DSA playlist. Consistency was key—he solved problems daily on platforms like LeetCode and CodeChef, focusing on patterns rather than just quantity.
• System Design Basics: Knowing that fintech interviews at companies like Razorpay, Paytm, or Zerodha heavily weigh system design, he started early. He used Gaurav Sen's and CodeWithHarry's YouTube channels to grasp concepts like load balancing, databases, and microservices, long before his official coursework covered them.
• Core Computer Science: For subjects like Operating Systems and DBMS, which are crucial for backend roles, he supplemented his textbooks with crystal-clear explanations from Gate Smashers and Jenny's Lectures CS IT. These free YouTube channels made complex topics like concurrency and indexing far more intuitive.

Choosing the Right Tech Stack & Building Projects

A resume filled only with DSA problems doesn't tell a hiring manager you can build. Prithvi knew he needed a tangible tech stack and proof of work. He analyzed job descriptions for backend roles at Flipkart, Swiggy, and Razorpay to identify common demands.

He zeroed in on:

1. Backend Language: He chose Java, given its prevalence in large-scale, secure enterprise and fintech systems (think TCS, Infosys, HCL projects, and many banking solutions).
2. Frameworks: He mastered Spring Boot, the go-to framework for creating production-ready microservices in Java.
3. Databases: He became proficient in both SQL (PostgreSQL) for transactional data and explored NoSQL (MongoDB) for scalable needs.
4. Essential Tools: He learned Git for version control, Postman for API testing, and the basics of Docker for containerization.

His learning wasn't passive. He built and deployed 3-4 significant projects:

• A digital wallet simulation that handled virtual transactions, user balances, and transaction history.
• A split-wise clone with complex logic for dividing expenses among groups.
• His flagship project: a simplified banking API system that mimicked core functionalities like account creation, fund transfers, and statement generation. This project directly resonated with RazorpayX's domain.

Leveraging Free & Credible Learning Platforms

Prithvi’s budget was limited, but his access to world-class education wasn't. He strategically used free platforms to build an impressive knowledge portfolio.

• For Structured University Content: He enrolled in NPTEL and SWAYAM courses on Cloud Computing and Database Management, earning certificates that added academic weight to his resume.
• For Global Standard Curriculum: He applied for and received Coursera Financial Aid for courses like "Algorithms" from Princeton and "Java Programming" from Duke University. He also audited relevant courses on edX.
• For Practical Coding: He completed the entire backend certifications on freeCodeCamp, which provided a project-based curriculum that forced him to apply his learning.
• For Conceptual Gaps: Khan Academy was his go-to for brushing up on probability and statistics, which are important for certain fintech and data roles.

The Power of Networking & Public Building

Prithvi didn't code in isolation. He understood that visibility in the tech community could open doors that applications alone couldn't.

1. He documented his journey on LinkedIn. He posted about his project milestones, shared learnings from a difficult DSA problem, and wrote short articles explaining technical concepts. This built a public record of his growth.
2. He contributed to open-source. Starting with small bug fixes or documentation updates on GitHub projects related to fintech or Java, he gained collaborative experience that looked excellent on his resume.
3. He engaged with the community. He participated in discussions on Twitter (now X) with engineers from Freshworks, Razorpay, and Accenture, asking insightful questions and sharing his work. This led to virtual coffee chats and invaluable advice.
4. He didn't shy away from hackathons. Participating in online hackathons on platforms like Devfolio gave him experience in rapid prototyping and teamwork.

Cracking the Interview Process

When the opportunity for Razorpay's internship (leading to a pre-placement offer for 2026) arrived, Prithvi was ready. His preparation was methodical:

1. Resume Crafting: His resume was a single-page, action-oriented document. It highlighted projects with tech stacks, quantifiable outcomes (e.g., "Improved API response time by X%"), and links to live demos and GitHub repositories. DSA ratings (LeetCode, CodeChef) were prominently displayed.
2. DSA & Problem-Solving Round: This was about pattern recognition and clean code. He practiced explaining his thought process aloud, a critical skill often overlooked.
3. System Design Round: For his role, he was asked to design a system similar to a payment gateway. He used a structured approach: clarifying requirements, estimating scale, discussing API design, data models, and choosing appropriate databases and caching strategies. His prior learning from YouTube and blogs paid off here.
4. Technical Deep-Dive & HR Round: Here, his in-depth project knowledge was tested. He could explain every design decision, trade-off, and challenge he faced while building his banking API project. For HR questions, he connected his journey—his self-learning from Bareilly, his projects, his community involvement—to a genuine passion for solving fintech problems.

His final offer was for a ₹24 LPA CTC package, a life-changing figure that validated his strategy of leveraging free resources to build a world-class skill set.

Next Steps

Prithvi's blueprint is replicable. It starts with mastering the fundamentals and never stops at just college theory. Your journey can begin today.

• Build your DSA foundation: Follow a structured roadmap from our curated list of best free DSA courses and resources.
• Choose your stack and build: Get inspired and find project ideas by exploring free full-stack development courses.
• Prepare for the big leagues: Dive deep into system design and interview preparation with guides and courses listed in our career preparation section.

The resources are all around you. The next success story could be yours.