In a tale of quiet resilience from Chhattisgarh's forest hinterlands, a young man who once gathered tendu leaves and mahua as a child has secured a prestigious position in the Indian Forest Service (IFS). Ajay Gupta, hailing from Sambalpuri village in Raigarh district, achieved an All India Rank (AIR) of 91 in the IFS examination, marking a journey from forest floors to conservation leadership. He also cleared the civil services examination with a rank of 452 this year, as he told The Times of India.
Humble Beginnings and Academic Excellence
Raised in a modest household dependent on forest produce, Ajay grew up assisting his family in collecting minor forest items—a livelihood common to thousands of families in the state. Despite financial constraints, he excelled academically, scoring 92.66% in class 10 and 91.40% in class 12. His strong performance earned him admission to the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Raipur, where scholarships supported his education for three years.
Ajay recalled that his aspirations were once limited to his village. "It was only after entering NIT that I realised I could aim higher," he said, adding that his deep connection with forests shaped both his worldview and career choice. "The forest has given me everything—livelihood, identity, and now a purpose to give back," he noted. His exposure during rural development work in Bastar further strengthened his resolve to join the forest service.
Balancing Studies and Family Responsibilities
Ajay's journey reflects the layered struggles of rural India: parents with limited education but unwavering commitment to their children's future, and a childhood divided between studies and labour. During vacations, he would return to the forests to support his family, embodying a balance of necessity and ambition. State-backed scholarship schemes, including financial assistance from the Minor Forest Produce Federation and the post-matric scholarship scheme, played a crucial role in easing his path, allowing him to focus on academics and competitive exam preparation without economic uncertainty.
Recognition from State Leaders
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai congratulated Ajay, calling his achievement a representation of the "unwavering confidence of forest-dependent families." "It is a matter of pride that a youth who once collected tendu leaves will now be responsible for protecting the same forests," he said, adding that such success stories highlight the impact of inclusive welfare policies. Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap described the achievement as symbolic of thousands of aspirations rooted in remote forest regions.
