Son of tendu leaves collector from Chhattisgarh jungles aces Indian forest services exams
RAIPUR: In a story that mirrors the quiet resilience of Chhattisgarh ’s forest hinterland, a young man who once spent his childhood collecting tendu leaves and mahua has made it to one of the country’s most prestigious civil services. Ajay Gupta , son of a tendu leaf collector from Sambalpuri village in Raigarh district, has secured an All India Rank of 91 in the Indian Forest Service (IFS), scripting a journey from forest floors to the frontline of conservation.
Ajay told TOI that he also cleared the civil services examination with 452 rank this year.
Raised in a modest forest-dependent household, Ajay grew up assisting his family in gathering minor forest produce, a livelihood that defines thousands of families across the state. Amid financial constraints, he remained academically consistent, scoring 92.66% in class 10 and 91.40% in class 12. His performance earned him admission to the National Institute of Technology, Raipur, where scholarships supported his education for three years.
Ajay recalls 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-rooted 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 said, noting that his exposure during a rural development work in Bastar further strengthened his resolve to join the forest service.
His journey reflects the layered struggle 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, Ajay would return to the forests to support his family, embodying a balance of necessity and ambition.
State-backed scholarship schemes played a crucial role in easing his path. Financial assistance through the minor forest produce federation and the post-matric scholarship scheme allowed him to focus on academics and prepare for competitive examinations without the burden of economic uncertainty.
Congratulating him, chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai said Ajay’s achievement represents 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.
Ajay told TOI that he also cleared the civil services examination with 452 rank this year.
Raised in a modest forest-dependent household, Ajay grew up assisting his family in gathering minor forest produce, a livelihood that defines thousands of families across the state. Amid financial constraints, he remained academically consistent, scoring 92.66% in class 10 and 91.40% in class 12. His performance earned him admission to the National Institute of Technology, Raipur, where scholarships supported his education for three years.
Ajay recalls 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-rooted 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 said, noting that his exposure during a rural development work in Bastar further strengthened his resolve to join the forest service.
His journey reflects the layered struggle 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, Ajay would return to the forests to support his family, embodying a balance of necessity and ambition.
State-backed scholarship schemes played a crucial role in easing his path. Financial assistance through the minor forest produce federation and the post-matric scholarship scheme allowed him to focus on academics and prepare for competitive examinations without the burden of economic uncertainty.
Congratulating him, chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai said Ajay’s achievement represents 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.
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