ArdorComm Media Bureau
April 24, 2026
Can you share your journey from the defense sector to becoming an academician? How are you enjoying it?
I got a very unique opportunity while I was in the defense. I was asked to start one IISER, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Berhampur. There were some issues where the Ministry of Education thought that some senior officer from the army can help establish this institute. So I went on deputation for 2 years and I raised that institute.
I always keep telling my people that I left IISER in 2 years, but IISER never left my head. So once I was looking at my second innings, education was a natural choice.
While I was in defense, of course, it is the most prestigious work you can do for the country. But I believe that every profession, every domain is important for the country to grow. There I was doing a specific job, but here I am dealing with the next generation of society, the next generation of the country, and people who are going to work in different domains.
There will be somebody in defense, somebody in corporate, people in industry, education, and all other fields. So here I am able to contribute to all those domains. So possibly this is a much bigger, much more important job, and I am thoroughly enjoying it.
Do students get inspired to join defense or bureaucracy like UPSC after interacting with you?
I regularly interact with my students. Other than normal courses, every week I have a session with them. But my aim is never to motivate them to join the forces. I always say that you must pursue your aptitude.
The basic issues which I have learned in the forces, I try to help them imbibe. The aspect of discipline, the importance of sincerity—whatever job you are doing, you must make sure it is ethical, it contains values, and whether it is going to benefit society and the country.
If I am able to instill those qualities, I think wherever they go, in whichever field they work, they will do wonders. They will help society and the country.
Regarding UPSC, this issue is very close to my heart. People going for UPSC, whether at the central or state level, are the destiny makers of this country. There is no doubt about it. Whether you are doing IAS or public service at the state level, it is a very important job.
But normally, people go for the job because they become ultimate leaders, they have power, and they enjoy perks and privileges. Whereas I try to tell them that it is service to society.
I also feel that people should not waste what they are learning. I have seen students doing engineering or medical and then preparing for UPSC with sociology or political science. So firstly, they have wasted government resources.
So here I have started a program in Public Administration. While they are doing their undergraduate degree, they are also taught how to prepare for the examination.
Two advantages are there. Firstly, there is no double effort. Whatever subject you are learning here will be used for the competitive examination. Secondly, there is no duplication of effort.
People will be able to take up the job at an early age. Normally, in UPSC, people join around 30 years of age, but my aim is that they should be less than 25. So they do well for themselves, and the country also benefits.
Are there any key skilling initiatives under your leadership at the institute?
This has always been very close to my heart because I come from the Indian Army. There, they say that you have to be skilled at your job.
In any field, whether education or sports, there is always a winner and a runner-up. But in the profession of arms, there is only one—you either win or you lose. So skill is very important.
If you have to fire a weapon or operate a radar, you have to be an expert because there is no second chance. In Operation Sindoor, if we did not get casualties, it was because our people were experts.
Thousands of drones were fired from across the border, but our people did not allow them to enter. Otherwise, given our population density, even one hit could have caused massive casualties. So the weapon is good, but the man behind the weapon is even better. That is the importance of skill.
When I came here, I started a skill development program in collaboration with the Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council under the Ministry of Skill Development. The training provided led to 100% recruitment.
After a few months, I took feedback from the company, and the company head said that in his three decades of service, these were the smartest recruits he had ever seen.
He also said that usually new joiners take 3 to 6 months to learn, but our recruits were delivering from day one. They were employable immediately. That is a big achievement.
We also run several industry-oriented programs where professionals from industry come and take classes. They are not regular faculty, but they bring real-world experience.
What are your key takeaways from today’s forum?
I must thank you for this. The best thing about such events is that all stakeholders come under one roof. That is the biggest advantage.
We understand each other’s needs—whether it is educationists, industry, or media. We also get to know best practices being followed and can adopt them for everyone’s benefit.
So bringing all stakeholders together and sharing best practices are the two best outcomes of such events.