Major Abhinandan Singh was 30 years old when he transitioned from a Major in the army to a distinguished civil servant, an inspiring journey filled with perseverance, adaptability, and a strong sense of duty.
Major Abhinandan’s story of overcoming numerous hurdles to achieve his dream of clearing the prestigious Civil Services Examination in 2022 is a testament to his tenacity.
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Coming from a lineage of professors and doctors in Akhnoor, Jammu, Major Abhinandan Singh was a fervent patriot from a young age. As a student, he had a strong determination to join the armed forces and serve his nation.
Major Abhinandan Singh SSB Interview
This dream began to materialize when he was chosen for the 19th Service Selection Board (SSB) in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) during his college years. His selection led him to the Indian Military Academy in 2014, where he undertook intensive training.
Major Abhinandan Singh Life in Army
Armed with a degree in Electronics and Communication, Major Abhinandan Singh joined the Corps of Signals. His first assignment was at Tezpur, Assam, near the Indo-China border. He later served in Amritsar. However, his career took an unexpected turn during a mandatory training course.
A severe ankle injury during the training and lack of immediate medical attention led to a permanent limp. Yet, he refused to let the injury shape his future, and made a bold decision to alter his career direction.
Major Abhinandan Singh UPSC Journey
Fuelled by a determination to clear the Civil Services examination, Major Abhinandan Singh began preparations in 2019 and took the exam for the first time in 2021. Despite not clearing the Prelims on his first attempt, Major Abhinandan was not discouraged, but rather motivated to strive harder.
Major Abhinandan Singh then embarked on an intensive preparation regimen, studying from scratch. He meticulously prepared notes from resources recommended by previous UPSC toppers and stayed updated with current affairs. In 2022, his diligence paid off, and he secured an All India Rank of 749 in the UPSC CSE 2022.
Even with this notable achievement, Major Abhinandan is not content. He plans to retake the civil services examination with the goal of improving his ranking and fulfilling his ultimate ambition of becoming an Indian Administrative Services (IAS) Officer.