Ex-President Kalam missed becoming an IAF pilot by one rank
Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam had studied aerospace engineering, aspiring to be an Indian Air Force pilot. He, however, missed the opportunity after securing ninth position when there were only eight slots. The Bharat Ratna-recipient, who later became a defence scientist, played a key role in Pokhran-II nuclear tests and led the development of India's first Satellite Launch Vehicle.