IFS officer who rebutted Pakistan at UN in Geneva topped male candidates in UPSC 2016, AIR 2

Anmol Sher Singh Bedi, who gave a firm reply to Pakistan at the United Nations in Geneva, is in the news these days. He is an officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). His journey is being described as highly inspiring for young people who dream of clearing the UPSC examination and serving in the country's top posts.

Bedi is from Amritsar in Punjab. He took the 2016 UPSC Civil Services examination and secured All India Rank (AIR) 2 in his very first attempt. Notably, he was the topper among male candidates.

Despite such a rank, he did not opt for the IAS, the first choice of most young aspirants. He chose the Indian Foreign Service, whose purpose is to represent the country on the world stage.

His educational foundation has been strong. After completing school at Spring Dale School in Amritsar, he earned a BTech degree in computer science from the reputed BITS Pilani. He then cleared the civil services examination and took up international politics and diplomacy.

During IFS training, he was awarded the Ministry of External Affairs gold medal for his outstanding performance. The then External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, presented him the medal, and he was named best officer trainee.

Bedi is currently in Geneva, Switzerland, where he works as a senior adviser at India's Permanent Mission to the United Nations conference on disarmament. Recently, while presenting India's position at a meeting of the UN General Assembly, he gave a sharp reply to Pakistan.

In his speech, he said in plain words that nuclear weapons should not be used for blackmail or empty threats. He also said India will not bow to nuclear blackmail of any kind.

His journey from engineering studies to an influential diplomatic career in Geneva is being held up as a major example for today's young generation.