Major Abhinandan Singh’s journey from serving in the armed forces to embracing the role of a civil servant is truly remarkable, characterized by unwavering dedication, adaptability, and a profound sense of duty. His story serves as an inspiration to many, showcasing the transformative power of transitioning between two demanding yet noble careers.
A 30-year-old Army Major from Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir, has cracked the Civil Services Examination 2022 conducted by the UPSC, becoming the second Army officer in the past two years to have achieved this feat.
Major Abhinandan Singh of the Corps of Signals appeared for the civil services examination and interview while serving in the Army. A permanent commissioned officer who joined the Army in 2014, he has now resigned from the service to pursue a career in the civil services.
“I got 749 rank and expect to be assigned one of the revenue services. This was my second attempt at the examination as the first time I appeared just to get a feel of what it entailed,”. The young Army officer has followed in the footsteps of Lt Col Amol Awate of the Brigade of the Guards who cracked the Civil Services Examination 2021 achieving 678 rank and is now in the Indian Administrative Service in the Gujarat Cadre.
Lt Col Awate successfully cleared the examination after dedicating 20 years of service to the Army.
In the case of Major Abhinandan, he embarked on his journey in the Army after completing his engineering degree from a government engineering college in Jammu. Joining the Army through the technical graduates course, he received a commission in the esteemed Corps of Signals. His initial posting was in the 4 Corps Operating Signal Regiment in the North East.
While appearing for the civil services exam, Major Abhinandan found himself stationed in a Signals unit at a remote location in Rajasthan, affording him ample time to study. He expressed gratitude for the support extended by his senior officers, which eased the preparation and examination process significantly.
For the main examination, Major Abhinandan chose Psychology as his optional subject. His parents both pursued careers in education, with his father recently retiring from government service, while his mother continues to teach in a government school. He has two elder siblings, a brother, and a sister. The Major’s determination and family’s unwavering support have played crucial roles in his journey to achieve success in both his military career and the civil services examination.
When questioned about his decision to leave the Army for the civil services, Major Abhinandan expressed that joining the Army had always been his first choice. However, early in his career, he encountered a setback when he was downgraded to a lower medical category due to an injury sustained during the Young Officer’s course. Unfortunately, this injury persisted throughout his service, which would have limited his promotional prospects beyond a certain rank.
In response to whether there were other officers in the Army preparing for the civil services, Abhinandan acknowledged that there might be some short service commissioned officers pursuing this path, but he was not aware of many permanent commission officers attempting the examination. His unique journey from the Corps of Signals to the civil services reflects his determination to continue serving the nation in a different capacity, overcoming challenges that came his way with resilience and dedication.
The determined ‘Akhnoor boy‘ is not content to rest on his laurels; instead, he is determined to make another attempt at the civil services examination. His goal is to enhance his ranking and set his sights on achieving the prestigious position of an IAS officer. Undeterred by past accomplishments, Major Abhinandan aspires to continually strive for excellence and contribute further to the betterment of the nation through his pursuit of public service.
