True success rarely follows a straight line. For Lieutenant Hardeep Gill, the path to wearing the Indian Army uniform was a gruelling nine-year marathon marked by eight rejections and a heartbreaking cancellation. His journey, emerging from humble beginnings in Jind, Haryana, is a powerful testament to unwavering perseverance in the face of repeated setbacks.
A Foundation Forged in Adversity
Hardeep Gill was just two years old when he lost his father in an accident. His mother, Santosh, shouldered the responsibility of the family alone. She worked as a cook for the mid-day meal scheme and managed a small piece of land to make ends meet. This environment of scarcity but immense discipline instilled in Gill a deep sense of responsibility and resilience from a very young age.
Despite the financial constraints, one dream burned brightly within him: to serve in the Indian defence forces. He completed his schooling in his village and pursued a BA degree through IGNOU, all while dedicating himself to preparation for defence examinations.
The Agnipath Setback and Relentless SSB Attempts
Around four years ago, Gill's efforts seemed to bear fruit when he was selected as an Airmen in the Indian Air Force. The family celebrated this hard-earned opportunity. However, in a cruel twist of fate, the introduction of the Agnipath recruitment scheme led to the cancellation of earlier selections, including his. The door to the IAF slammed shut before he could even step through.
Instead of giving up, Gill recalibrated his goal. He decided to aim for a commissioned officer's post. Thus began a long and taxing cycle of attempts at the Services Selection Board (SSB). He faced rejection, not once or twice, but eight consecutive times. Each attempt demanded significant preparation, paperwork, and travel, only to end in disappointment. Yet, he returned each time, his resolve hardened by every failure.
The Ninth Attempt: A Dream Realised at IMA
On his ninth attempt, the relentless effort finally paid off. Hardeep Gill cleared the SSB and secured an impressive 54th rank in the All India Merit List of the Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination. In 2024, he joined the prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, where he underwent the rigorous training regimen designed to mould future officers.
After successfully completing his training, Gill was commissioned as an officer and posted to the 14th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry, a unit renowned for its discipline and valour. This posting marked the formal beginning of his service, transitioning him from a decade of preparation to a life of leadership and responsibility.
Reflecting on his arduous journey, Gill acknowledges the pivotal role of his family, especially his mother, in sustaining his determination. He does not shy away from admitting how difficult the repeated failures were, particularly after the IAF opportunity vanished. For him, each setback ultimately became a lesson in resilience, proving that patience and consistency can eventually triumph over luck and instant gratification. His story offers profound inspiration to countless defence aspirants across India who face similar hurdles on their own paths to service.
