For Abhishek Parmar, wearing a uniform was never just a career choice. It was a family tradition, a childhood aspiration and, above all, a promise to his father.
His grandfather served in the Army and even fought in the Second World War. His father, Ashok Kumar, spent 22 years in the Army. Now, Abhishek has become the third generation of his family to enter the uniformed services.
But his journey to get there was far from easy.
He failed the NDA written examination twice. His first attempts at the UPSC Civil Services Examination did not clear Prelims. He reached the interview stage of the CAPF examination more than once but could not make the final list.In between, he also secured a government job after an examination in 2023 and joined in 2024.
Yet, something was still missing.
He wanted the uniform.
In the UPSC CAPF 2025 examination, Abhishek secured All India Rank 248, taking another important step towards the dream he had pursued for years. And even now, he has not given up on the larger goal of becoming an IPS officer.
A CHILDHOOD SURROUNDED BY THE UNIFORM
Abhishek comes from Bhiwani, Haryana, though he was born in Pathankot, Punjab. His childhood was shaped by his father’s Army postings. Before Class 8, he studied at different places, including Jammu and Kashmir and Vadodara, and attended Kendriya Vidyalayas. After that, he continued his schooling in Bhiwani at Halwasiya Vidya Vihar.
The influence of the armed forces was strong at home. His grandfather had served in the Army during the Second World War. His father, Ashok Kumar, served for 22 years before retiring. His uncles also served in the armed forces, with family members having served in the Army and Navy.For Abhishek, therefore, the idea of joining the uniformed services was not unfamiliar.It was something he had grown up seeing.
“My father’s dream has always been that I should join the uniformed forces. My basic motivation has always been towards the uniform,” Abhishek says.
WHEN NDA DID NOT WORK OUT
After Class 12, Abhishek initially looked towards the NDA. He appeared for the examination twice.But both attempts ended without clearing the written examination. He had even travelled to Delhi for coaching for the NDA. However, he realised that mathematics was not his strongest subject.
That failure forced him to rethink his path. He had studied science in Classes 11 and 12, but his strengths were in the humanities. So, instead of continuing on the same path, he made a significant decision. He chose to study Political Science Honours at Delhi University and began preparing for the Civil Services Examination. The dream of the uniform remained. Only the route had changed.
THREE YEARS OF SETBACKS
Abhishek’s initial Civil Services journey was difficult. He appeared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2020, but could not clear Prelims. The following year brought another disappointment. He also appeared for the CDS examination but could not clear the written stage.For three years, he kept trying different examinations without seeing the final result he wanted.
Then things slowly began to change. In 2022, he cleared the written examination of CDS and appeared for the SSB interview in Bhopal. That same year, he also cleared the written examination of CAPF and reached the interview stage. But the final list remained out of reach. In 2023, he cleared the Civil Services Prelims and appeared for Mains, but could not clear Mains.
He again cleared CAPF and reached the interview stage. Once again, he missed the final selection. For someone preparing year after year, such a cycle can be exhausting. But Abhishek did not allow one examination to define his journey.
A JOB, BUT THE DREAM REMAINED
By the end of 2023, another opportunity came his way. He was selected for a position with the Government of India and joined in 2024. The work gave him valuable professional experience, but his original dream remained unchanged. He wanted to serve in uniform.
His current government role also gave him exposure to a different side of public service. Yet he continued preparing for competitive examinations.This time, he focused again on CAPF. His motivation was not simply about getting a government job. He wanted to enter a Group A uniformed service and take on a role that offered field exposure and operational responsibilities.
THE TURNING POINT: AIR 248
His persistence finally produced the result he had been waiting for. In the UPSC CAPF 2025 examination, Abhishek secured AIR 248.After multiple unsuccessful attempts, reaching the final list was a major personal milestone.
His preferred services include CISF, BSF and CRPF, among others. For him, CAPF represents more than another examination success. It is the fulfilment of a promise that began with his family. But Abhishek is not stopping here. He still has attempts left in the Civil Services Examination and intends to pursue the IPS dream.
THE SISTER WHO KEPT HIM GOING
Behind Abhishek’s journey is another important story — that of his family support. His elder sister, who serves in the Intelligence Bureau, played a particularly important role in his preparation. Before her marriage, Abhishek lived with her during her postings. He prepared largely through self-study and did not take regular coaching after his initial NDA preparation.
His sister became his guide and source of encouragement. During the difficult phases, when one examination after another did not work out, she continued to tell him that he could make it. That support helped him stay focused. Abhishek also credits his family for standing by him throughout the years of uncertainty.
THIRD GENERATION, SAME CALLING
Abhishek’s story is therefore not simply about AIR 248. It is about persistence.
A young man who failed NDA twice did not abandon his dream. A candidate who struggled with Civil Services did not stop preparing. Someone who reached CAPF interviews but missed the final list came back again. And when a government job came his way, he accepted the opportunity but continued chasing the uniform.
Now, as the third generation of his family to serve in uniform, Abhishek carries forward a legacy that began with his grandfather’s Army service during World War II and continued through his father’s 22 years in the Army.
His journey shows that sometimes the path to a dream is not straight.It may pass through failures, alternative careers and repeated attempts. But if the destination remains clear, every setback can become another step towards it.
