Rohtas: Surya Pratap Singh nurtured a dream of building a career in the Indian Air Force. He was even selected for a position in the IAF, however, he had to discontinue his service due to an injury he received during training. He did not lose hopes and embarked on his UPSC journey. In the year 2021, he achieved success in UPSC and secured a position as an IAS officer in the Bihar cadre. 

IAF dreams

Surya Pratap Singh grew up in Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh. He is the youngest of four siblings. Since childhood, he aspired to serve the nation by becoming an officer in the Armed Forces. He undertook the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam and was selected for the flying branch of the Indian Air Force. It was as if all his dreams were finally coming true, but destiny had different plans for him. While undergoing training in Hyderabad in 2017, he suffered an injury. He had to return home, putting an end to his dreams. 

Guiding students

The CDS exams are extremely competitive. It was challenging for Surya Pratap to stop pursuing his IAF dreams after the injury. However, he remained committed to achieving greatness in life. During this difficult period, he embarked on a new path, providing guidance to young students preparing for competitive exams. He established coaching and consultancy classes. His efforts led to the selection of around 100 students in the Armed Forces. Alongside this endeavour, he prepared for the UPSC exams himself.

Being an inspiration

Today, Surya Pratap Singh works as an IAS officer in the Bihar cadre. He serves as the SDM in Dehri, Rohtas. This area was affected by Naxalism, due to which there was a serious lack of basic necessities in the village. However, Surya Pratap Singh transformed the village with his efforts of guiding and teaching children. During holidays, he visits the government schools and engages with students in their local language. Once, a video went viral where he was seen listening to poems by children in a local school. This earned him widespread praise for his dedication and efforts. 

Where there is a will, there is a way

IAS Surya Pratap Singh shared inspiring stories on his LinkedIn account. He recounted how challenging it was when he assumed the role of Block Development Officer. Implementing e-office systems seemed like an impossible task. However, through determination and perseverance, he was able to overcome all the obstacles.