Amol Awathe, who served in Congo with the Indian Army, made history by passing the Civil Services examination at the age of 42 under the PwD 5 category. It's a notable achievement, but it raises some eyebrows considering the criteria for this category.

But here's the mystery: how did all of Sir's social media accounts suddenly vanish and deactivate after the Pooja Khedkar case? Curious timing, isn't it? The sudden disappearance of his social media accounts following this case makes one wonder about the authenticity of his claims. What exactly was he trying to hide?

Amol Awathe, a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the Indian Army who chose to pursue a career in civil services, is full of inspiration. The former Indian Army officer cracked the UPSC CSE 2021 exam with an All India Rank of 678 in his first attempt itself. The interesting part is that he gave a certificate for the PwD 5 category.

A Person with Disabilities (PWD) is defined as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. This includes people who are deaf, blind, have mobility issues, have mental health conditions, and other disabilities. The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, came into enforcement on February 7, 1996. This act provides for both preventive and promotional measures of rehabilitation such as education, employment, and vocational training, etc.

One can't help but wonder how someone with Muscular Dystrophy is found running, playing basketball, swimming, and engaging in activities that most people without disabilities do. It certainly brings the UPSC's document-checking process under scrutiny. Are the rules being bent for certain individuals, or is there a larger issue at play?

Amol Awathe's journey from the military to civil services is indeed remarkable. However, the way he utilized the PwD 5 category raises questions about the integrity of the system. While the 1995 Act aims to support individuals with genuine disabilities, cases like this make us question whether the system is being exploited.

Types of Disabilities The definitions of different categories of disabilities are mentioned below:

1. Blindness: It refers to permanent vision loss, which needs to be certified by an ophthalmologist. Additionally, people with limited field sight are also categorised under blindness.
2. Hearing Impairment: Any individual who has lost hearing ability due to loss of equal to or more than 60 dBs.
3. Locomotor Disability: Any person with a disorder in muscles, bones and joints which limits the motion of affected human parts is recognised as people with a locomotor disability.
4. Cerebral Palsy: It is a medical condition that is characterised by non-progressive disorders. Individuals suffering from this condition are unable to control their posture which results from brain injuries or spinal injuries.
5. Orthopaedically Handicapped People: These individuals are categorised under PWD.

Now, the Lt. Colonel, Awate, who served in the Indian Army for 20 years where he was part of the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) since 2008, and during his tenure with RR, he was also part of the counter-insurgency operations in J&K besides the Northeastern states. The Army Veteran, who joined the Civil Services at the age of 41, is a complete team player and believes in "The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team," according to India Today.

Ironically, he mentioned his disability to be MD, i.e., Muscular Dystrophy disability. Muscular Dystrophy (MD) is a group of neuromuscular genetic disorders that cause muscle weakness and overall loss of muscle mass. MD is a progressive condition, meaning that it gets worse with the passage of time and guess what, he is already almost 42 now. So, when will these signs of disabilities start to appear in him as for now he looks pretty fit, running, playing basketball, doing swimming, and doing all things which definitely a person with Muscular Dystrophy disability won't be able to do.

It's quite astonishing how Lt. Colonel Awate managed to maintain such an active lifestyle despite claiming to have a progressive condition like Muscular Dystrophy. This brings to light serious questions about the UPSC's verification process for disability certifications. If someone with a condition that typically leads to severe physical limitations can continue to lead such an active life, it casts doubt on the integrity of the certification and the fairness of the process.

The definitions of various disabilities clearly outline the severe limitations they impose on individuals. Blindness, hearing impairment, locomotor disability, cerebral palsy, and being orthopaedically handicapped are all conditions that significantly impact a person's daily activities and abilities. Muscular Dystrophy, being a progressive and debilitating condition, should theoretically prevent someone from engaging in strenuous physical activities like running, swimming, and playing basketball.

Lt. Colonel Awate's case, therefore, serves as a critical example of the potential loopholes in the system. The credibility of the UPSC and its commitment to fairness are at stake if such discrepancies continue to go unchecked.

When retired Army officer Lt Col Amol Awate received his appointment letter, he couldn't wait to proclaim his triumph on Twitter. He declared, "Finally, got this to reaffirm my belief that - 'Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.'" Alongside his tweet was the symbolic image of the appointment letter, a beacon of his "hard-earned" success.

The prestigious document was presented to him by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel and Training, a cornerstone in the vast bureaucracy of the Central Government that handles the nuts and bolts of recruitment, training, career development, and, ironically, retirement plans. As he transitioned from military boots to bureaucratic shoes, the ceremony marked a fresh chapter of desk-bound adventures.

Upon witnessing his tweet, curious netizens couldn't help but engage. One particularly astute observer quizzed, "Level pay 10. Is 20 years Military service not counted to give seniority for a few years in civil?" A question that underscored the seamless integration—or lack thereof—of military valor into civil pecking orders. Unperturbed, Mr. Awate responded with bureaucratic flair, "Will process my case once, I go to my parent cadre (Gujarat)," a classic push to the bureaucratic tomorrow.

Raised in Maharashtra, Mr. Awate was always driven by a burning desire to serve his country, a sentiment that evidently guided him from the rugged terrains of conflict zones to the smooth corridors of civil services. His two decades in the army were filled with valor and vital missions, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir, where he was a part of the counter-insurgency operations with the Rashtriya Rifles. In a moment of epiphany among the echoes of gunfire, he realized, "J&K needed more administrative work done by young bureaucrats,"—because, naturally, bureaucracy is the panacea all conflict zones need.

This epiphany propelled him towards the Civil Services, making his only shot at the UPSC CSE 2021 count. Choosing Geography as his optional subject might seem ironic, given his adept navigation through the bureaucratic landscape. His preparation was a meticulous blend of static studies and current affairs, underscored by an arduous review of countless question papers—because if there’s one thing more daunting than insurgency, it’s the UPSC syllabus.

Yet, what stands out in Mr. Awate's transition into civil services at the ripe age of 41 is the miraculous badge of being an MD (Muscular Dystrophy) disabled person. At an age where most would flaunt their fitness feats, our hero flaunts his disability certificate—a strategic move that spins the UPSC's disability criteria on its head. Running, swimming, basketball—activities that would make a physiotherapist swoon—are seemingly just warm-ups for this muscular dystrophy warrior.

Because, as per the rules, there are generous relaxations for Persons with Disabilities, those who fall under the PWD category enjoy certain privileges designed to smooth the path a bit. These include extended age limits—disabled candidates in the general category can age like fine wine, adding an extra decade to their eligibility, while SC/ST and OBC categories can tack on 15 and 13 years, respectively. For direct recruitment into the more accessible echelons of Group C and Group D positions, the relaxation stretches up to 5, 8, and 10 years depending on one's social backdrop.

Moreover, if the pool of qualified disabled candidates runs dry, those next in line—thanks to the 'no person left behind' policy—get a shot at the vacancies. In a move that’s surely a crowd-pleaser, disabled individuals are also spared the agony of parting with cash for examination and application fees, a courtesy extended by the SSC, PCS, UPSC, and other conducting bodies.

Rule 10 of the Fundamental Rules for PWD candidates in government roles ensures no stone is left unturned—or no disability overlooked. Candidates need to flash a government-stamped medical fitness certificate. But, if you’ve already matched the disability checkbox for a particular job profile, then a medical check-up by an authorized officer is just a formality.

So, indeed, thanks to these thoughtful relaxations, Mr. Awate enjoyed the boon of trimming a whole decade off his age, giving him that one last golden shot at the UPSC exam.

Playing the part of a genius who deftly juggled his demanding job and intense study sessions, Mr. Awate’s routine in Chennai involved rising at the ungodly hour of 3 a.m. to pore over his books before marching off to his day job. He claims to have written for 4-5 hours daily, a regimen that might make even the most diligent student balk.

“The covid lockdown was a blessing in disguise because with offices shut, I could single-mindedly focus on my studies,” Mr. Awate revealed to Indian Masterminds, appreciating the pandemic's unexpected silver lining. “My success boils down to masterful time management, a keen eye on current events, and maintaining an emotional and physical equilibrium that would impress even a seasoned yogi,” he quipped.

Unlike the greenhorns fresh out of college who shared the examination halls with him, Mr. Awate, an IMA grad of 2001 with two decades of military service, found switching back to student mode as tough as returning to base camp after a long patrol. But he managed, fueled by a rigorous regimen that kept both his mind and body in tip-top shape, eventually securing an impressive AIR-678 on his inaugural—and technically overdue—attempt.

His storied military career wasn't without its dramatic chapters. Mr. Awate recounts being injured during a critical operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo—now fully healed, he's all set to swap combat for bureaucracy. His resume also boasts stints in counter-insurgency in Assam and Meghalaya, and years of guarding the volatile Indo-Pak frontier in Rajasthan and Punjab. Reflecting on his colorful career, Mr. Awate confesses, “My life has been a thrilling ride, and I’ve loved every adrenaline-charged moment in the army,” ready now to exchange his rifle for regulatory battles as an IAS officer.

As he prepared for his stint as a civil servant, Amol Awate continues to gather accolades, not just in administrative circles but surprisingly on the polo field as well. Now when Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) decided to reintroduce Polo—a sport last played at the institution under the British administration—the echoes of hooves and mallets filled the air. The Polo tournament, which took place on April 8th, 2023, saw Mr. Awate actively participating in the game.

In the inaugural match, the LBSNAA team clinched the trophy after defeating IMA Dehradun, with Mr. Awate's horse galloping away with the tournament’s Best Polo Pony title. "Wow, what a miraculous recovery," one might comment, noting how his training with army horses undoubtedly came in handy in securing the victory.

As he continues to serve as an inspiration to many, his journey from a military man to an IAS officer showcases that indeed, everything is attainable with hard work, devotion, and a sense of purpose. But as the accolades accumulate, so do the questions from the public and UPSC aspirants about the more miraculous aspects of his career transition.

Now, with the general public and UPSC aspiring students intrigued, they want to ask about his viral video and his completely recovered health. "How you managed this?" they wonder, looking for insights into such a remarkable turnaround.

Interestingly, Amol Awate, a Lt. Colonel who often boasts about his posting in UN Congo and how he sustained an injury there, later qualified for the UPSC exam in 2021 at the age of 42 under the PwBD - 5 category. His prowess isn't just limited to the polo field but also extends to the basketball court, as evidenced by a viral video of him playing basketball.

When people raised questions about the authenticity of his disability given his athletic endeavors, his friend Omkar Shinde, IAS'22 batch, Gujarat cadre, quickly deleted the video. This act alone fanned the flames of curiosity and skepticism. So, Mr. Awate, since you are now a public figure and a beacon of civil administration, it falls upon you to step forward and address the concerns of those doubting the integrity of the UPSC selection process because of such incidents.

The burgeoning dialogue around these events not only highlights the exceptional life and capabilities of Mr. Awate but also casts a spotlight on the need for transparency and accountability in the processes that enable such dramatic life changes. As the public watches eagerly, it's clear that Mr. Awate’s next move might be as scrutinized as his previous achievements, possibly providing a new chapter in this saga of public service and personal triumph.