In the quaint town of Dharamshala nestled amidst the Himalayas, a remarkable event transpired as Rajat Kumar, a 22-year-old denizen of Kangra district and a distinguished graduate of the Bachelor of Arts program, clinched the pinnacle of achievement by securing the highest All India Rank (AIR) in the rigorous Combined Defense Services (CDS-II) 2023 examination conducted by the esteemed Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
The revelation of the examination outcomes on a recent Monday heralded a momentous occasion for Kumar and his kin. Hailing from the bucolic confines of Gorda village in Shahpur, Kumar’s acceptance into the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA) located in Dehradun is a testament to his scholastic acumen. His intellectual mettle had been previously showcased when he garnered a stellar 82% on his BA examination the preceding year, emerging as the valedictorian of Government College Shahpur.
Kumar’s lineage traces back to a modest household, with his father, Pradeep Kumar, diligently serving as a Gramin Dak Sevak at the Bhanala post office, while his mother fulfills the role of a diligent homemaker. The jubilation reverberating through the Kumar abode echoes the pride and joy felt by his parents upon learning of their son’s triumph. A throng of well-wishers has congregated at Rajat’s domicile, eager to extend their felicitations.
It merits mention that Kumar’s feat marks a watershed moment for Himachal Pradesh, signifying the culmination of a considerable hiatus since the last candidate ascended to such heights. Prior to Kumar’s stellar achievement, Divik Kandpal from Nahan had etched his name in history by clinching the top spot in the CDS examination several years prior. By emulating this feat, Kumar has etched his name alongside the annals of glory, bringing laurels to his native land. When probed regarding his prospective affiliation with one of the three branches of the armed forces, Kumar humbly avowed that he remains undecided.
For the uninitiated, the CDS examination stands as a bastion of national significance, orchestrated by the discerning UPSC to sift through the cream of the crop for induction into revered institutions such as the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), and Air Force Academy (AFA).