Worked 8-hour shifts at Intel, then studied after work: How this IIT Delhi engineer cracked ISRO recruitment with AIR 7 for Scientist 'A'

Hemant Kumar Bhukar’s journey from working as a semiconductor engineer at Intel to becoming an ISRO scientist is all about hard work, discipline and taking a chance on his dream. After spending nearly three years at Intel, the IIT Delhi graduate prepared for the ISRO recruitment process alongside his full-time job and eventually secured All India Rank 7 for Scientist ‘A’.

According to a TOI report, which cited an interview shared on social media, Bhukar’s story shows that you can chase a new career goal without throwing away all the experience you’ve gained along the way.

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Who is Hemant Kumar Bhukar?

Hemant Kumar Bhukar comes from Gothra Bhukran village in Rajasthan's Sikar district. He went on to study at IIT Delhi, where he completed his BTech before pursuing an MTech in Semiconductors.

His academic background in semiconductor technology eventually helped him land a role at Intel, one of the world's leading semiconductor companies.

At Intel, Bhukar worked as a design engineer, specialising in semiconductor chip design. The position offered the kind of professional stability and technical exposure that many engineering graduates seek. But his long-term ambitions lay elsewhere.

Why did Hemant Bhukar leave Intel for ISRO?

After spending almost three years in the semiconductor industry, Bhukar decided to pursue his ambition of working as a scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Moving from a global technology company to a highly competitive government scientific organisation meant stepping away from a relatively comfortable corporate career.

Rather than treating his experience at Intel as wasted time, however, Bhukar used his background in chip design and semiconductors as a foundation for his next challenge.

His eventual selection for the post of Scientist 'A', with an AIR 7 ranking, marked the culmination of that effort.

How Hemant prepared for ISRO while working at Intel

One of the most interesting things about Bhukar’s story is that he prepared for the selection process while continuing to work full-time.

He continued working at Intel, where his job involved demanding seven- to eight-hour shifts, and studied around his professional commitments.

His preparation therefore had to fit into the margins of his working life. Early mornings, evenings and weekends became opportunities to study.

There was no ideal preparation schedule or extended period away from work. Instead, he relied on consistency and made use of whatever time was available.

His technical education and professional experience also meant that he already had a strong foundation in the subjects relevant to his career goal.

IIT Delhi to Intel to ISRO

Bhukar’s career journey is pretty interesting, from studying at IIT Delhi to designing semiconductor chips at Intel and eventually making his way into India’s space programme.

His MTech specialisation in semiconductors gave him a strong technical base, while his time at Intel provided practical industry experience.

Instead of starting his professional journey again from zero, he built on what he had already learnt.

That approach proved important while preparing for one of the most competitive recruitment processes for aspiring scientists.

Hemant Bhukar's message on success

A central message from Bhukar's journey is that there are no shortcuts to achieving a difficult goal.

His story emphasises the importance of staying patient, maintaining discipline and continuing to work towards a clear objective even when progress may appear slow.

For working professionals considering competitive examinations or a career change, his experience also offers another lesson: preparation does not always require putting an existing career completely on hold.

ISRO AIR 7 brings pride to Rajasthan village

Bhukar's achievement was also a proud moment for his family and his village in Rajasthan.

According to the TOI report, his father, Shishpal Bhukar, works as an Additional Chief Engineer with the Public Works Department in Bikaner, while his mother, Sushila, is a homemaker.

His success has since become a source of inspiration for students from smaller towns and rural backgrounds who aspire to study at premier institutions or build careers in science and technology.


Inputs from TOI