Patna/ Madhubani : Maa Bharti Defence Academy recently opened in the Ranti or Rathi Chowk area of Madhubani district in Bihar. It was established by former Air Force jawan Ashish Jha (Ashish Ji). Local media such as the YouTube channel Mithila Mirror and Facebook videos have covered its launch. Ashish Jha joined the Indian Air Force in 2006 and served for more than 20 years in Air Defence. He became an instructor at a young age and took part in operations such as Operation Sindoor. After retiring at the end of March 2026, he started this academy almost immediately.
The academy’s aim is to prepare young people from Madhubani and the surrounding Mithila region for recruitment into the Army, Navy, Air Force and paramilitary forces. It offers coaching for various entries after Class 10 and 12, including Army, Air Force (science and non-science streams), Navy (MR and SSR), SSC GD and others. Training covers written exams, group discussions, interviews, physical tests and SSB. There are three classrooms and one examination hall that can accommodate about 120 students at a time. Hostel facilities are being developed, and enquiries have already come from Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, Benipatti and Muzaffarpur. Monthly fees range from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000, but students scoring above 80 per cent receive a 50 per cent scholarship and those scoring above 90 per cent get a 100 per cent scholarship. The motto is “Dream It & Drill It.”
This academy stands apart from most other defence institutes in the country because the majority of well-known centres are located in big cities such as Delhi, Kota, Pune or Patna. Those places are expensive and distant for rural youth. This is described as the first academy of its kind in Madhubani. It offers personal guidance that understands the local language and culture. Ashish Jha’s real operational experience and knowledge of the border region (near the Nepal-Bhutan frontier) help instil patriotism and a warrior mindset in students, rather than treating defence service as just another job. Instead of purely commercial coaching, the academy emphasises discipline, conduct, dressing and genuine passion. Veteran Air Force officers have also sent good wishes in local coverage.
The academy is giving talented youth of Mithila a golden opportunity to join the defence services close to home and is raising awareness about national security in the region.