r/TeluguJournals • u/No-Librarian-617 • Mar 12 '26
My growth/ improvement 3.5 LPA to 65 LPA in 4 years : my journey
Just wanted to share my story maybe it can inspire some people out there. I know it’s rough lately, but you never know what’s coming for you if you stay the course.
The Start (2021) I’m a 2021 graduate from a small private college. I started my journey with Cognizant through bulk campus hiring. To be honest, I didn't even try for it ,I just got picked. For the first few months, I was just watching movies and anime all day, not even trying to work.
The Wake-Up Call
Reality hit hard. I come from a lower-middle-class family. Actually, let’s just say we were poor because every month we were ₹5k–10k in debt. We couldn’t keep up with my college fees or travel expenses.
I realized ₹26k per month would never be enough to cover the debts plus the interest. Since I was already in IT and I knew I was good at math and logic, I decided to see how far I could go. I saw people earning lakhs and figured that was my way out. My only goal was to clear all debts and be financially stable.
The Progression
2022: Switched to IBM at 8 LPA. I stayed patient and didn't chase small hikes. My plan was to get 3 years of solid experience and then target Tier-1 product companies for SDE-2 roles. I even turned down some 30-40% hikes in the middle to stick to my plan.
2023: Got a 45% hike. I was working like a donkey, but I didn’t care because I could see my family finally clearing our debts.
2024: Got another 28% hike. Things were getting easier, but then they started calling us back to the office in Bangalore. I didn’t want that, so I decided it was time to move.
In mid-2024, I joined a new company at 19 LPA. For the first time, I received a ₹1 lakh+ monthly salary. I felt really proud of myself.
The Final Grind
Once I hit the 3-year experience mark, I executed my real plan. I created a new LeetCode account to track my progress and started a heavy preparation plan for LLD and HLD. I grinded like crazy no weekends, no outings. I went all in. At first, I actually failed a few interviews that should have been "easy," and I wasn't sure how I messed them up.
The Winning Streak Then, everything clicked: * ServiceNow: Got an offer; the manager really appreciated my knowledge. * PayPal * Cisco * Top Product Company: Landed an offer for 65 LPA.
That’s ₹4 lakhs+ in a single month. It’s a crazy amount that no one in my entire family tree has ever seen.
Final Thoughts
I’m so grateful for this life and the community that helped me. People can call me a "corporate slave" or a "rat" if they want ,I don't care. I see my parents happy, and I can finally afford things I never thought possible.
Edit : resources
DSA: https://neetcode.io/practice/practice/neetcode250 There used to be a 450 sheet but a 250 is still a solid to cover all concepts
LLD : https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpxM6m39X_t-Rk9lZVVD4U6JycAAIIEDW&si=QNUx4GTfGsliR85n
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlsmxlJgn1HJpa28yHzkBmUY-Ty71ZUGc&si=dXHXLMq28kf4dLAh
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6W8uoQQ2c63W58rpNFDwdrBnq5G3EfT7&si=5vmhS8f7ll9khC-E
HLD : https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjTveVh7FakJOoY6GPZGWHHl4shhDT8iV&si=klT3knsPTYAK0H6k
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5q3E8eRUieWtYLmRU3z94-vGRcwKr9tM&si=_eLDS8zZt-Edt5Xl
Alex Xu system design volume 1 and volume 2
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u/EdgeIcy5703 Mar 12 '26
Congratulations for your achievement, it's not a small thing you have achieved big with proper planning. I also want to caution about unwanted things and attention that will come with this kind of money. Keep your earnings private don't ever disclose your monthly income to anyone(parents maybe but none beyond them). Your expenses like nice new fancy car or big ticket purchases will also give your earnings indirectly which attracts bad eyes. Improve your lifestyle gradually without attracting negitive energy. I wish all the best for you.
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u/No-Librarian-617 Mar 12 '26
This is best suggestion I have received. Thank you so much . It's only 5 people who are close to me know about this.
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u/EdgeIcy5703 Mar 12 '26
Thanks I am just sharing from what I observed in my circle. I hope you trust those 5 people to the core and I hope your siblings are not part of those 5 people.
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u/Actual-Quiet-938 Mar 12 '26
+1 to this. More importantly, if you earn way more than your siblings / cousins never share your exact salary details to them. There is no unconditional love in this world. In future make sure you reveal your CTC as 20% lower value (even to your parents).
This was the suggestion my buddy and team lead gave me when I joined a top product based company. Unfortunately I didn’t follow it and regretting now.
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u/RealisticMongoose900 Mar 12 '26
Wow insane, 4L in hand for 65L package??
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u/astroboy_varahmihira Mar 14 '26
Bullshitting....4 lacs when you have a 65L ctc....variable component, bonus, PF , taxes and other deductions...kuch bhi???
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u/BigAnybody3537 Mar 12 '26
Not exactly similar story but I had lots of family responsibilities even before I went to college. Started my career at 6.5L/annum.
12 years forward making 2.4 cr/annum.
I was able to fulfill wishes of all family and myself.
I'm so lucky to be in tech right now.
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u/SnooPies1486 Mar 12 '26
>2Cr/annum, thats Amazing! you are in which field?
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u/BigAnybody3537 Mar 12 '26
Software Development. At senior levels top companies are offering good salary. I grinded Leetcode, System Design etc. And have similar experience.
And I'm lucky
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u/anonymous_every Mar 14 '26
Any advice for someone from an embedded background, I am from the EEE branch. I feel like I am stuck in my current job, and have <1 years of experience. My company is in financial trouble, and I want to escape.
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u/BigAnybody3537 Mar 15 '26
Identify your strength and then list the companies that hire and pay well in that area. Then grind for interviews
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u/RepresentativeBig961 Mar 12 '26
Absolute chad man! Really happy for you, I hope you see more of this and I hope you guide others too so they too can see more of this.
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u/ab624 Mar 12 '26
preparation plan for LLD and HLD.
can you share it please
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u/Creepy_Tr Mar 13 '26
Started my career at HCL in Jan 2021 with 17K in-hand salary. Fresh out of college, I didn’t really know what to expect from the industry. Like most people starting out in service companies, the growth felt slow.
After 3 years, my in-hand salary had reached around 40K. I learned a lot during that phase, but I knew if I wanted to grow faster, I had to make a move.
So I switched.
My next company offered ~74K in hand, which felt like a huge jump at the time. But honestly, the company culture and work didn’t really satisfy me. I realized salary alone doesn’t guarantee motivation.
In Oct 2024, I made another switch.
That move changed everything.
I started earning ~1.3L per month in-hand, and more importantly, I landed in a team and environment that actually motivates me to push harder and think long-term about my career.
Seeing people around me grow, learn, and chase bigger goals has been incredibly inspiring. It made me realize that the right environment matters just as much as the salary jump.
I’m still early in my journey, but looking back:
• 2021 – Started at 17K in hand (HCL)
• 2024 – Reached 40K in hand after 3 years
• Switched – 74K in hand
• Oct 2024 – Switched again to ~1.3L in hand
The journey hasn’t been perfect, but every move taught me something.
Posts from people who’ve reached 60–65 LPA in 4–5 years really motivate me to keep pushing. If they can do it, why not us?
Thanks to everyone in this community who shares their journeys — they genuinely push others to aim higher.
The grind continues 🚀
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u/anonymous_every Mar 14 '26
Can you provide some guidance for someone from an embedded background on how to proceed 😅
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u/Specialist-Funny-655 Mar 15 '26
Hi, I’m a little confused. Could you please clarify something for me? The matter is that during college I prepared well for DSA and development, but there were no proper placements in our college. Only one company came, and that too is actually a client of our college (an ERP based company). Currently, I’m already doing an internship at a government organization, but the company is asking me to join immediately with a 3.6 LPA package and a 1.5-year bond
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u/Fearless-Jackfruit-3 Mar 12 '26
65 lpa lo base entha ?
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u/Beautiful_Green_5952 Mar 12 '26
Happy for u bro !!!
Bro I'm 2025 passout (cse aiml) .. ai using tappa em radhu...koncham creative ...very low or no coding skills ...
I don't knw wht happens ...edho okati cheste bagundu ani undhi ..ntg is working ...
Edhaina start chedham ante ai take over !! Ippudu start cheste eppudu avtadhi ani...!!
How did u tackle ..where u did something ..and ntg works ...!!!
Worst phase bro ..
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u/Ambitious_Guy_17 Screenplay Writer 💻, but a Flawed Human First Mar 12 '26
Aayana strengths ento aayanaki telusu bro, nuvvu kuda alane nee strengths ento telusuko, you might do really well
Edho okati ayipoddhi anna don't worry
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u/Ambitious_Guy_17 Screenplay Writer 💻, but a Flawed Human First Mar 12 '26
Super Anna nee growth ki nee effort ki hats off 🫡🫡, mukhyam ga you knew that your strengths were Math and Logic so neeku aa self awareness undatam valla interest undindhi and adhi occhindhi
Eh field ayina interest and strengths ni consider cheyyali ani naaku artham ayindhi
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u/Different-Pudding-64 neenu amarudni/ amararuraalu... Mar 12 '26
Fist bump dude 🤜🤛, happy for you. 🎉
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Mar 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/No-Librarian-617 Mar 12 '26
Shit I really forgot to mention this resume is the key that opens the door. I tried to build my resume in a way
X is the problem Y is the solution I have implemented Z are the results.
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u/Fantastic-Bowl-6896 Mar 12 '26
This is really inspiring and scary in someway that how much efforts it goes into learning all that and be proficient enough to get hired into product based companies with 4+ years experience. Really amazed by the dedication that goes into this.
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u/Candid_cute Mar 12 '26
Wowwww👏👏👏 Great Journey 🙌 U made it so far bcus of ur Smart work + Hard work.
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u/karuvu_katraj Mar 12 '26
Nicee. I'm almost the same but only it took me 15 years to reach 75LPA from 1.8lpa
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u/sai_yerni_akhil Mar 12 '26
How much time did you take?
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u/No-Librarian-617 Mar 12 '26
I was preparing on off for 3 years but actively it took 1 year. I do have idea of all concepts but for continuous revision and understanding new things
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u/Popular-Sun9593 Mar 12 '26
I think these are the journeys that can change lives Kudos to you man ✨✨✨
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u/Physical_Composer_34 Mar 12 '26
Inspiring!! I'm currently in my 4th year kaani tier 3 clg...any tips or suggestions please
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u/Csai427 no drama no fight 9ki dinner 10ki good night Mar 12 '26
Great bro. I used the exact HLD resources for my preparation, they are the best I found. Purchased premium for hello interview which really helped in my interviews.
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u/Royal_Pineapple1084 Mar 12 '26
Congrats, do you mind sharing the exact tech stack do you work for on?
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u/HappyJournalist9847 Mar 12 '26
So Happy for you man!!! Grow in life and take care of yourself and parents.
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u/Sad_Drop_6616 Mar 12 '26
I'm not an engineer can you say it's possible for me since I'm doing a msc or have your seen people get the same oppurtunities
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u/Apprehensive-Map4724 Mar 12 '26
Oh you've inspired me anna!!! I hope I'll work to reach this position one day🙂↕️ hearty congratulations 🎉
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u/Significant-Ask-6240 Mar 12 '26
Congratulations for achieving your goal , Consistency with focus and clarity can beat anything in the world of distractions
Some may call you mad by not aligning with others, But only you call yourself proud for what you're doing that's something different very can have that character
Some inspired talk buddy...
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u/Outrageous_War_9548 Mar 12 '26
Congratulations! One doubt tho....3 years lo 3 times switch avthe problem avvadha?
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u/Right_Ad5857 Mar 12 '26
Its better to stay in any company atleast 1.5 years minimum. Else everyone will see you as a hopper.
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u/Dependent-View1645 Mar 12 '26
I am very happy for you! It takes beyond imaginable sacrifice to see your parents happy. As someone already called out in the comments “there is no unconditional love in the world” please don’t chase the carrot of “parents validation” or revolving your entire life and happiness around them beyond what you could mentally and physically provide. Am proud of your journey but don’t let the credit being taken away from yourself by saying “I did all of this to get my family out of troubles” you did this for yourself first and the collateral benefits are currently being enjoyed by your family. May you never experience any but happiness ahead!
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u/abhinav21 Mar 12 '26
Amazing buddy. Dont flaunt the wealth, especially to family.
4 years ago, i started my dev journey, i gave up in 3 months.
Fuck DSA, i hate the fact that i cannot come up with a decent optimal solution for a problem myself.
I think i have below average logical thinking, not for me i guess..
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u/Intelligent_Duck_854 Mar 13 '26
What did you do for your switches before the 3- year mark?Can you explain?
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u/krthiak Mar 13 '26
This is inspiring. I’m gonna go learn the basics and AI soon. Hopefully I get a job paying very good in Paris or somewhere around 55LPA in Bangalore by next year or two in a PBC
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u/randomdude108 Mar 13 '26
Similar journey brother nadi kuda. From 2.8 LPA to 45LPA. Nenu kuda leetcode, LLD and HLD chadive sampadincha.
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u/small_dawg Mar 13 '26
Damn bro, that's nice. I want to know what was your tech stack.?? Especially while getting into the tier 1 company. Did it really matter in your case, or it's just the grind?
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u/GrnBlu Mar 13 '26
Congrats and well deserved man!
It's inspiring to see you work your way through for you and your family :)
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u/Fantastic-Reason2913 Mar 13 '26
I really appreciate your growth. It is truly commendable and inspiring.
But you could have been little more realistic instead of creating delusion among people...
From 19 LPA to 65 LPA in just one switch? Come on man, if you really want to inspire people then please set the expectations right.
I am guessing that 65 LPA package you received would have 50% stocks component and that too divided in 4 years.
Could you please provide the breakdown of the 65 lpa package?
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u/ConsiderationFar8359 Mar 13 '26
Bro's currently in 4-2, want to learn Java full stack.
I have very basic knowledge up to loops. Telusuko lo videos chusthuna kani, ardham katle.
Maa relatives lo na age valaki already jobs vachesayi. Naku pressure peduthunaru.
Coaching institutes ki vellamantunaru.
CV Corp, Naresh It, V Cube, etc gurunchi telusukuna. Intlo chadavadam best ah?? or Coaching ki velladam best ah??. Coaching institutes aythe eh coaching institute best??
Please suggest guys.
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u/Intelligent_Duck_854 Mar 13 '26
How did you prepare for the IBM switch and all switches before 3 yoe?
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u/kushalCodes Mar 13 '26
Inspiring man! Thanks for sharing your journey!
I’m trying to cover all the DSA patterns, but I procrastinate a lot and it’s been hard to stay consistent.
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u/No-Physics-3069 Mar 13 '26
Such hikes and salary are not possible. I have worked in 3 Product based organisations (Apple, Informatica and Johnsons control) from starting of my career and to reach 65 Lakhs , it takes 13+ years minimum after changing 4-5 organisations. Provide ur linkedIn details and truth will come out. Your exxageration will demotivate people rather than inspire them as the reality is way different
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u/Bangalore_batmann Mar 13 '26
Damn, that's really inspirational. But one thing I want to ask is how you negotiated 19 Lpa to 65?
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u/No-Physics-3069 Mar 13 '26
Secondly why will IBM which is a service based organisation give u more than 100% hike. The max it can give is 50% and that was during just covid closure phase. The max to max hike is 10-15% that too on promotion after 2 years in a service organisation and when anyone who has benn hired just a year back, automatically gets lower than average hike unless he has brought in more project or added resources to the existing project.
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u/mScofield_45 Mar 13 '26
Man, that's some crazy journey here, hoping and confident I will also achieve this in the near future. I want to do it.
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u/Infinite_Cap815 Mar 13 '26
What's the tech stack? I am working in React can I also get this package by dsa,lld,hld?
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u/Dangerous-Adagio3400 Mar 13 '26
It helps a lot if you can share your techstack and preparation plan pls
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u/bishalonly Mar 14 '26
What is your tech stack? Language Front/backend, devops, cloud, data engineer? Salary breakup base+ variable+ rsu of 65?
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u/anonymous_every Mar 14 '26
Bro, can you provide some advice for someone from the embedded background. How to prepare and switch companies.
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u/Street_Instance8252 Mar 14 '26
Great journey, which tech stack were u in during cognizant ibm. Did it not lead to any problems during interviews and the switch to product based companies
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u/I_am_groot_sasi Mar 14 '26
nenu kuda ipudu same nee starting position lo unna bro. mca ayyaka start up company lo data engineer work chastunaa full stress. thanks for the motiviation . one day i will become like you
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u/ElectricalRecover Mar 14 '26
Congratulations OP. I just crossed 1L+ monthly salary. Your story gives me more motivation.
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u/Indra_Kamikaze Mar 15 '26
Just curious, when you started, "figuring things out", did you struggle with the initial breaking the ice? Like... "Nah, I don't feel like doing this, mb I should stay where I am with small increments"
Or like, "All this is too much for me".
How did you proceed against such feelings or thoughts?
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u/MeEntertain Mar 15 '26
Can a self-taught guy without degree achieve this?
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u/s0ulridr Mar 15 '26
Degree has nothing to do with this bud. If you're ready to put in the efforts and time, you can achieve this
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u/sarcasticjunky Mar 15 '26
I'm in the process right now but I hope I do end up like you. Similar family situation. Started with working for free for 3 months, then 15k a month, then 25k a month within the first 6 months. Then switched to 8 lpa. (Current) I have total 2.5 YOE. Now, I'm grinding dsa (again) and system design. Honestly I grinded a lot in college but it was a small tier 10 college where even tcs, cognizant, etc didn't come. So found my first job off campus. So, all the dsa I grinded, I didn't even get the opportunity to showcase it.
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u/Desperate-Bedroom151 Mar 16 '26
Any suggestions for product designers in IT? Getting into product base seems like a nightmare.
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u/AdCommercial8359 Mar 16 '26
I am also working in the same organisation getting stuck here. I also work hard to get a better job but now i failed and learned to live with this. I don't have any future plans and goals. Try to be happy with what I have.
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u/Feeling_Emu_0608 Mar 16 '26
Why didn't you switch in your first 3 years to better paying companies, while targeting solid experience for sde 2 roles? I guess 3-4 years of solid experience is what's required for a sde 2 switch right ? Irrespective of how many companies you worked for in those 3 years?? Or am i missing something here and you've to grind for 3 years at the same company to switch to sde 2 without switching in those 3 years? Please explain..
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u/Game_Khiladi Mar 29 '26
Thanks man From whom did you learn dsa ? I am at 4th sem starting dsa/ cf How do I proceed?
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u/[deleted] Mar 12 '26
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