Felt obligated to join Army as it took care of dad: NDA topper

Army cadet Ankit Chaudhary, who received the President's gold medal at the 147th NDA course, chose to join the Army over pursuing his IIT dream after his father's battle with liver cancer. He was motivated by his father's excellent medical care through the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS).

PUNE: "I feel a deep obligation to serve in the Army because it cared for my ailing father, who passed away from liver cancer three years ago after retiring from the force," said Army cadet Ankit Chaudhary, the President's Gold Medalist of the 147th course at the National Defence Academy (NDA).

Ankit, who had cleared the JEE Main exam, faced a crucial decision when the JEE Advanced examination coincided with the Service Selection Board (SSB) interview for the NDA. Ultimately, he chose to join the NDA.

"I had prepared only for the JEE entrance exam and took the NDA test casually with my friends. When the JEE Advanced and SSB interviews were scheduled on the same day, it became a career-defining moment. I listened to my inner voice and sacrificed my IIT dream. The Army's support for my father through the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) inspired me to join the academy and serve the nation," Ankit told The Times of India.

Ankit's father, Sultansing, served in the 11 Rajputana Rifles infantry battalion for 17 years. "I saw how the Army stood by him and provided excellent care. Today, I believe I’ve made my father proud. He would have been happy with my decision," Ankit said.

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