Army coaching helps Arunachal students crack Sainik exam, breaking barriers of geography and access. Thirty-eight students from some of the most remote villages in Arunachal Pradesh have successfully cleared the prestigious Sainik School entrance exam—thanks to a free coaching program launched by the Indian Army.
The initiative, part of the Indian Army’s civic action program in the forward areas of Arunachal, aimed to uplift local students through structured academic guidance. Many of these students hail from border villages with limited access to quality education, electricity, or the internet.
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Sainik School: A Gateway to National Service
Sainik Schools are elite residential institutions that prepare students for a career in the armed forces. The entrance exam is highly competitive, testing aptitude in mathematics, reasoning, and language.
Historically, students from urban or well-resourced regions had an advantage. But now, with focused support, rural students are catching up. The fact that Army coaching helps Arunachal students crack Sainik exam in significant numbers signals a major shift in access and opportunity.
Army’s Educational Outreach: “Operation Sadbhavana”
The coaching initiative is part of Operation Sadbhavana, the Indian Army’s long-standing mission to win hearts and minds in border states. Launched in late 2023, the program offered free residential coaching camps for selected students from economically weaker sections across Tawang, West Kameng, and Anjaw districts.
The curriculum was specially designed by Army education officers in consultation with retired teachers and civil educators. It included mock exams, daily classes, doubt-clearing sessions, and mentorship.
Additionally, the Army provided uniforms, study material, nutritious meals, and even emotional counselling—creating a full-support ecosystem.
Voices from the Ground
For students like 12-year-old Nima Tashi from Tawang, the experience was life-changing. “We didn’t have a tuition teacher in our village. The Army gave us books, guidance, and hope,” said Nima, who now dreams of joining the National Defence Academy.
His father, a local farmer, added, “The Army didn’t just train the children; they lifted our entire village’s spirit.”
Many students from the program had never traveled outside their villages. The exposure to discipline, structure, and goal-setting instilled a new level of confidence. The fact that Army coaching helps Arunachal students crack Sainik exam has inspired others in their communities to aim higher.
Transformational Impact Beyond Numbers
Though 38 might seem like a small number nationally, it holds monumental significance for Arunachal Pradesh, where terrain and connectivity often limit educational reach. These successful students are now seen as role models within their communities.
Lt. Col. Arvind Thakur, who supervised the initiative, remarked, “Each success story is a ripple effect. When one child succeeds, ten others dare to dream.”
He emphasized that the goal was not just exam success but to instill a long-term belief in education, discipline, and service to the nation.
Support from Civil Society and Local Leaders
The program also drew support from local district administrations and village panchayats. In some cases, retired teachers volunteered to assist the Army in tutoring. NGOs provided additional supplies like notebooks and backpacks.
Local leaders expressed gratitude for the Army’s inclusive approach. “This is nation-building at the grassroots,” said a senior education officer from Tawang.
Many called for the initiative to become a permanent feature and to be extended to include NEET and JEE coaching for science-stream students in remote areas.
A Model Worth Replicating
The success of the initiative has drawn attention from education policymakers and defence observers. If Army coaching helps Arunachal students crack Sainik exam, similar efforts could be launched in other remote states like Nagaland, Mizoram, and Ladakh.
Furthermore, this program exemplifies how the armed forces can contribute to education as part of broader nation-building. It also strengthens the bond between military personnel and border communities.
The Indian Army has expressed its intent to expand the program. Future plans include digital learning kits, mobile classrooms, and training of local teachers to sustain long-term gains.
The inspiring success of 38 Arunachal students in the Sainik School entrance exam is a shining example of what structured support can achieve, even in the most remote corners of the country. The fact that Army coaching helps Arunachal students crack Sainik exam proves that with the right intervention, talent and determination can overcome the toughest barriers.
This is more than just an exam result. It’s a story of partnership—between the Indian Army and the people it protects—not just in defence, but in dreams, futures, and a shared vision for a stronger India.
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