In an inspiring example of resilience and institutional support, the Army Institute of Technology (AIT), Pune, has helped former National Defence Academy (NDA) cadet Akireddy Sai Vedansh continue his journey towards serving the nation after a serious neck injury forced him to leave military training.
Vedansh, who joined the NDA in 2024 to pursue a BTech in Applied Electronics and Communication with the dream of becoming an Indian Air Force pilot, suffered a severe cervical vertebra fracture during routine training in March last year. Although the injury did not require surgery, he was declared medically unfit for the physical demands of military training and was subsequently discharged from the Academy.
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, AIT Pune admitted Vedansh directly into the second year of its BTech programme under the “over and above” seats provision, following approvals from the relevant Army authorities and in accordance with AICTE guidelines for genuine cases.
Now on the road to recovery after completing a year at AIT, Vedansh remains determined to wear the uniform once again. He plans to appear for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination after graduation in the hope of securing a direct entry into the Armed Forces.
Major General Uday Shankar Sengupta (Retd.), Director of AIT Pune, described the initiative as a first for the institute and said the institution takes pride in supporting deserving students beyond academics. Despite prolonged hospitalisation and rehabilitation, Vedansh successfully completed his academic requirements and has continued to excel in his studies.
The initiative reflects the Armed Forces’ commitment to supporting their own and ensuring that setbacks do not become barriers to a life of service.
