Meet man, who lost his eyesight in childhood, cracked JEE, then UPSC exam to become IAS officer, secured AIR...

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a tough nut to crack. It is considered one of the toughest competitive exams in India. To pass this competitive exam, a person studies religiously for several hours. Thousands of candidates seek to take the exam to become IAS, IFS, IRS, and IPS every year. Only a few of them succeeded in the most competitive exam, which consists of three parts: preliminary exam, main exam, and interview. However, despite all these set challenges, the exam even became more tough for Ankurjeet Singh, who lost his eyesight in childhood.

At a young age, while most children were discovering the world around them, Ankurjeet Singh faced a daunting challenge as his eyesight began to fade. Eventually, he lost his vision, but his determination remained unwavering.

Ankurjeet Singh, hailing from Yamunanagar, Haryana, showed exceptional academic talent from an early age. However, his life took a turn when he began to lose his vision gradually during childhood. By the time he reached school, reading the blackboard became increasingly challenging, ultimately leading to complete blindness. Despite this setback, Ankurjeet's desire for knowledge remained strong. With the support of his family, espicially his mother, who would read his lessons aloud, he secured in his education through sheer determination.

As a student, Ankurjeet consistently went above and beyond. While his peers enjoyed summer vacations, he dedicated his time to completing his school textbooks with his mother's assistance, ensuring he could grasp class lectures by listening attentively.

Preparing for one of the toughest exams in the world without sight required tremendous adaptation. In the early stages, he used magnifiers to read enlarged texts. But as his vision deteriorated, he turned to technology—relying on voice-over software and audiobooks for studying. His disciplined approach, which included limiting his study materials to a few reliable sources and revisiting them repeatedly, helped him stay focused.

Ankurjeet attempted the UPSC exam three times before finally clearing it in 2017 with an impressive AIR 414. Throughout this time, his strong support system, especially from his parents, played a crucial role. They ensured that he had the emotional backing and resources to cope with his condition, allowing him to concentrate fully on his goal.

Not only this, in 12th class, with encouragement from a teacher, Ankurjeet Singh took a bold step by applying to IIT. Despite his visual impairment, he successfully cleared the entrance exam and took a seat at IIT Roorkee. Interestingly, Ankurjeet also had an interest in joining the Army. After completing Class XII, he also applied for NDA exams. During an interview with The Tribune, he said, “My paternal uncle was in the Army and got killed while serving the nation. I always had respect for the Army. But my father convinced me that even if I clear the written examination, it would be a challenge to clear the medical test.”

Recently, Ankurjeet Singh was appointed as the Additional Commissioner of the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation. His dedication did not go unnoticed, as the Punjab Government has now transferred him to the esteemed position of Chief Administrator of the Jalandhar Development Authority. Through his extraordinary journey, Ankurjeet continues to inspire many, showcasing that the loss of sight cannot hinder a vision fueled by determination.