Prajwal Samrit: A Journey of Resilience and Honor

Prajwal Samrit's journey is a testament to resilience and determination. Born after his father's martyrdom in the Kargil War, he pursued his father's dream of serving in the Indian Army. Despite facing multiple setbacks, including eight failed attempts at the SSB, Prajwal's unwavering spirit led him to success on his ninth try. His story is not just about personal achievement but also about honoring a legacy of bravery and sacrifice. Read on to learn how he transformed challenges into triumphs and fulfilled his father's unfulfilled dreams.

By Ambika Singh Nov 11, 2026, 14:46 IST

The Inspiring Story of Prajwal Samrit

Inspiring Journey of Prajwal Samrit: Some relationships are felt deeply, even without physical presence. Prajwal Samrit from Maharashtra has never met his father, yet he has grown up hearing tales of his bravery and dedication to the nation. His father, Lance Naik Krishnaji Samrit, was martyred in the Kargil War of 1999, a time when Prajwal had not yet been born. The unfulfilled dreams of his father have become the driving force behind Prajwal's aspirations.

Father's Sacrifice in the Kargil War

Prajwal Samrit hails from the Pulgaon tehsil in the Wardha district of Maharashtra. His father, Lance Naik Krishnaji Samrit, sacrificed his life for the country during the Kargil War in 1999. Prajwal was not even born when his father was martyred. Although he never met him, he has been inspired by stories of his father's valor and dreams of serving in the military, which gradually became his life's mission.

Preparing for NDA After 12th Grade

To fulfill his father's dream, Prajwal took a year off after completing his 12th grade to prepare for the National Defence Academy (NDA). His first attempt at the SSB was unsuccessful; he cleared the initial selection but failed the medical examination. Despite this setback, he remained determined to become an officer in the armed forces and continued his education.

Declining IIM Offers Despite High Percentile

Keeping in mind the possibility of not being selected for the army, Prajwal focused on his studies. He enrolled in B.Sc. Electronics at Fergusson College in Pune. Alongside his studies, he prepared for the CAT exam, achieving an impressive 97.51 percentile. This accomplishment led to offers from IIM Indore and IIM Kozhikode.

Eight Failures, Success on the Ninth Attempt

Prajwal persistently pursued his dream of becoming an army officer. After failing his medical examination in his first attempt, he attended seven more SSB interviews but was unsuccessful each time, which began to shake his confidence. During this challenging period, his neighbor and teacher, Nitin Kothe, encouraged him to make one final attempt.

Realizing His Father's Unfulfilled Dream

Finally, on his ninth attempt, Prajwal successfully cleared the SSB and medical processes. He then joined the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun, where he completed rigorous training. In December 2024, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Indian Army. Seeing her son in the army uniform brought tears of joy to his mother, Savita Samrit.