Being a defence aspirant and a diehard fan of SSBCRACK, I am feeling immensely happy sharing my success story here. For the past few years I have read and felt inspired from the success stories of various other successful aspirants.

So now a bit about myself, I am Chaitanya Singh Bagoria and I come from Gurugram and have done my graduation (Bsc.Biotech) in 2017. I appeared for CDS (2)2016 last October and cleared it for OTA. Now the real challenge, the eternally feared SSB. My SSB was scheduled in Allahabad on 19^th May. Now I’d heard a lot about Allahabad being the REJECTION CENTER and naturally was, a bit anxious about what would happen.

I started working on establishing a daily routine to make myself organized as soon as I got my SSB dates. This included getting up at 0500hrs, going for a jog and some bodyweight exercises, followed by meditation and then my daily chores. I had always had a problem when it came to time management and punctuality. So, I consciously started making efforts to be better at it. Now being a fresher, I had no idea about what tests were part of the SSB, so I bought the book “Let’s CRACK SSB INTERVIEW” and it helped me a lot with understanding the SSB in its entirety and especially the psych tests. 

Even after I went through the book twice, I felt something was missing and upon recommendation by various other aspirants, I went ahead and purchased Cdr.Natarajan’s video course on SSB. This helped me in two ways:

1. I could watch the videos according to my own schedule as there was no hassle of fixed timings.
2. Despite watching the recorded videos, I felt totally involved because of the wonderful way Sir had explained everything.

Now coming over to my SSB:

19^th May (D-Day)

I reported at the MCO at Allahabad railway station at around 1300hrs. There were around 20 candidates already waiting there and I engaged in small talk to get to know about them. At around 1400hrs we were asked to put our luggage in a truck and get into the bus. I got into the truck and helped everyone load their luggage up and by the time I was out, I was drenched in sweat; although I felt happy after helping everyone.

After about 15 minutes , we reached SELECTION CENTER EAST. Post a bit of rest, we were asked to get our documents verified and were then issued chest numbers and a board – 18 SSB. I was initially given chest number 5 but there was some problem in my documents. After resolving the issue, I was given chest number 35. We were then given a welcome address by one of the GTOs of our board and his address filled me up with “josh “and instant energy. There were 37 of us and then we went to our Candidates’ Lines. We had dinner and then talked on until 0200hrs.

20^th May (D+1)

We had our OIR and PP&DT on 20^th may and were asked to report at 0600hrs. One of the officers came and briefed us about the test and wished us all good luck. The OIR was quite easy and in both the booklets, I did 47-48. After a short break we were shown a picture and asked to write a story. The picture showed a girl sitting on a chair with her back towards us, facing a cabinet like structure. I perceived it as a piano and wrote a story about an 18 year old girl who aspired to be world class pianist and despite many hardships, made it through.

We were divided into 2 groups of 18-19 people and were further divided into 4 sub groups of roughly 10 each. As soon as we were done narrating our stories, I initiated the GD. We quickly agreed to a common story and the GTO the asked everyone to go to the conference hall and wait for results. After about 1 hour, the results were announced and 24 of us were screened and given new chest numbers. My new chest number was 7 and my dad said it’s a lucky number, so I was happy. Unlike the previous night, I slept early as our GTO had told us that a well slept mind was the key to doing well in psych.

21^st May (D+2)

Our psych test started at 0800hrs and mine went fine. I had done all 13 in TAT, 60 in WAT and 45 in SRT. I think I could have done better in my SRT had I been a little faster. My SDT was good and after a tea break, we were asked to wait for further instructions. After about an hour we were informed that the first 10 candidates will be having their interview on the same day. This brought mixed feelings of excitement and anxiousness to me. The average that the interview went on for most of us, was around 25-30 minutes. So, after waiting for 3 hours, my chest number flashed on the LED screen and I went to the washroom, looked at myself in the mirror and flashed a smile and said “you’re the man”.

My interview began with a question about why gurgaon was renamed as gurugram and the historical significance. After that, my IO asked about my education, family, friends, interests and hobbies and future prospects. Then he asked me the question I was expecting, why Short Service Commission?  I said, “Sir I want to serve a permanent commission but want to go through OTA as my dad went through the same academy and it would be like continuing the legacy”. 

Then I was asked if my sister chose a suitor for herself and was adamant on marrying him, but my parents opposed them what would I do. I said I would support my sister and convince my parents because, two people who have thought of taking such a huge step must be having good compatibility and hence had higher chances of successful marriage. Whereas someone whom my parents would select for my sister, may or may not have a good compatibility with her, hence leaving the success of the marriage to fate.

Then the IO asked me about 2 Indian and 2 international current affairs and I listed GST, M777 howitzer and French Prez elections, North Korea.

He then wished me well for the rest of the tests and then I took his leave.

22^nd May(D+3)

The GTO day began with a bit of jogging with my group to get ourselves warmed up and our first task was GPE(group planning exercise). GPE was an interesting task and while writing my solutions down, I made 2 lists; first under which I mentioned the situations in decreasing priority level and second, under which I mentioned available resources. The common way out was quickly agreed upon by our group members without any shouting etc.

After the GPE, we were briefed about PGT(progressive group task) and asked to start whenever ready. It was a bit challenging and I gave 2-3 ideas and here also, more or less it was peaceful.

We were then given a break of 10 minutes to get ready for snake race. The snake race was my favorite part, we had chosen “har har mahadev” as our battle cry, and our group won the race without any injuries to anyone. The GTO then gave us a final pep talk and wished us luck for the next day.

23^rd May(D+4)

It had rained the previous night so; the weather was really wonderful with a cool breeze blowing. We reported at the testing grounds in a fresh mood and warmed up muscles. The first task of the day was Individual obstacle and the GTO instructed us to shout the name of our favorite actress on the commando walk. Being a regular exercise person, I was very confident about this. I did all 10 and repeated 4 obstacles within the stipulated time and this lifted my spirits even more.

This was followed by our Command Task, and out of 8 people in my group; 3 called me as subordinate. When my turn came, I was briefed by the GTO and he also talked a bit about my life, hobbies etc. As soon as I completed my first task, the GTO asked me to move onto another set and then another. We completed all of them successfully and thanked my subordinates.

The FGT( full group task) was a simple task and we got done with it in less than 5 minutes with almost everyone actively participating in it.

24^th May(D+5)

The conference day started with a closing address by one of the testing officers. Thereafter, we were asked to wait for our chest number to flash on the screen and then go into the conference hall. As soon as my chest number flashed, I went in with a smile on my face and wished the president. Before I could have had a look at the 12+ officers seated in the room , my IO asked me about how well I had done in all 3 assessment techniques. I told him that my best was my GTO and not so good was my Psych. He then asked me to tell 5 uses of a drinking glass. I listed the following:

1. It could be used to drink water
2. It could be used to plant a sapling
3. It could be used to amplify volume of mobile phone by placing the phone in it.
4. It could be used as a DJ light, by putting in it colored glass beads and a light bulb.
5. It could be used as a pen stand.

He then asked for suggestions to the board , to which I said that the board is giving us the best possible facilities. At the end he asked me if the hundreds of mosquitoes in our barracks bothered me, I said “the mosquitoes add to the charm, sir”.

He then wished me luck and afterwards we went to a hall to wait for results. After about half an hour, the results were declared and 2 of us got recommended. I felt elated but also was feeling sad because some new friends would now be leaving.

With god’s grace my medicals are also over and I have been declared fit. Looking forward to joining the academy in October.

 

To all those who are going to face their SSB or any other challenge in life, I want to quote my idol, Guru Gobind Singh ji-

                                               “NISCHAY KAR APNI JEET KARO”

Hi friends, this is Prasanth Kumar Pamu proud son of a soldier ex-Petty Officer of Indian Navy. Friends my 8 years of journey with 23 loved failures and 1 big success story will help you to earn stars on your shoulder.

I would like to thank my almighty god and 3 important people in my life other than my friends or family. I would like to thank to all my friends who helped me in all possible ways in my selection.

I would like to thank my mom for all the things which she kept in front of me. Even I sometimes I told my life won’t be that easy in forces will you be fine mom! Then my mother said I am first a wife of a soldier then a mother you don’t worry about me I know how I lead my life alone with 2 sons when your father went on sailing. These words which always and every time motivates me by saying “YES I HAVE IT IN ME”.

I belong to a middle class family who hail from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. I started my journey of SSB in the year 2008 got 2 conf out and with a few screen outs. But I always strived hard to earn the stars. I think that never give up attitude which I kept on my mind helped me to achieve my AIM to wear the uniform is getting fulfilled.

I still remember the day when I got screen out from Allahabad and don’t have reservation to travel to my native, but I travelled in a train without reservation along with 2 more candidates whom I met at Allahabad, since we don’t have reservation to travel paid the fine to TT and travelled in sleeper class but the train was completely filled no space to move from one place to another, so we decided to sit near bathroom and I and one more guy sat on the waste water coming out from toilets but we didn’t got upset because we need to travel almost 40 hours. Somehow we managed and reached our destinations.

Here one thing I understood is I failed in SSB but the life which taught me a lesson in this 40 hours is that patience which I never had and yes this is quality which an officer needed started working on this quality sorry my beautiful and loved quality. Friends like this you may have experienced so many journeys where life has taught you so many lessons bring out all of them and start analyzing no one can stop you to earn stars on your shoulders and respect in your parent’s eyes.

I got recommended for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Assistant Commandant for GD branch. Here is my SSB experience.

Unlike SSB ICG has its own way of selection which will have 3 main phases

1. Preliminary Selection Board (PSB)
2. Final Selection Board (FSB)
3. Medical Examination

In PSB you will have OIR exam and PPDT both are elimination rounds if you clear both you will be called for FSB which is conducted in NOIDA, UP. PSB is conducted in 4 different places Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Noida you can opt any one among them. I did well in my OIR and cleared OIR and thereafter candidates who cleared OIR test undergone PDDT test same as what we see in SSB.

Tip: try to utilize 30 seconds to bring no of characters, background and best theme out of it which shows your real image.

After PPDT results announced and I cleared my PSB and was all set to ready for my FSB.

FSB will last for 5 days where you will have

1. Psychology Tests
2. GTO Tests (Only Indoor Tests)
3. Personal Interview
4. Conference

Total 80 candidates called for FSB out of which only 69 reported and the last number it’s me.

Psychology Tests:

Thematic Appreciation Test (TAT): I wrote all pictures related to my personality.

Tip: don’t prepare anything in prior. Friends see the picture understand what happened/happening/will happen in your life which suites that picture.

Word Association Test (WAT):  I wrote sentences on all words.

Tip: You don’t have much time to think and react so friends after seeing the word understand which personality of yours suites that word and put it in the appropriate sequence mentioned in the answer sheet.

Situation Reaction Test (SRT): I did 45 SRT’s only but my advice to you all is that try to complete all.

Tip: use telegraphic language or use separators to finish your sentences.

Self Description Test (SD): In this write down all your strengths weaknesses without fail.

Tip: ask your parents, teachers, friends, and ask yourself then you will get so many strong and weak points.

Friends in psychology test most important thing is how you behave and how you react to things which are surrounded to you. Just start focusing rather than complaining.

GTO: As I told you in GTO of ICG there will be no outdoor tests. Only Indoor tests

1. 2 group discussions
2. Group planning exercise (GPE)
3. Lecturette

After my psychology test, our group called for GTO test on the same day and it went well.

Tip 1: Friends in GTO please co-ordinate with your group and discuss anything which you feel correct with your group and main thing in GD don’t make it a debate or one to one conversation.

Tip 2: In GPE put logical points to sort out situations given to you. Don’t leave any situation unattended. Everything which you do in SSB is interlinked with defence, since they were looking for a smart officer who will lead their men and country with pride and honour. Always help your team mates when they get struck, don’t be in haste especially in group task.

Tip 3: In Lecturette speak on the topic in which you are confident. Always try to speak on prons and cons. Use your speaking skills speak slowly clearly with confident.

Interview: Interviews are conducted on any one of the following days Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4 by Board President/Deputy President/Technical Officer.

My interview held for hardly 10-15 minutes. My interview was on the Day 4 and mine is the last interview conducted by Deputy President.

Friends I don’t want to mess your mind by telling all my interview questions, But yes few repeated interview questions which every candidate get, I will tell you all those important questions.

IO: Prasanth, you were earning a good amount of salary in IT, why do you want to join the Indian Coast Guard?

Friends here IO is looking your motivational levels and the intention behind your mind to join the forces. Be clear with your ideas and have logical in that when you speak on this. I will give you my answer as an example, don’t copy it since IO will easily catch you, so rather think and answer IO with your Effective intelligence and Logical Reasoning.

Me: Sir, I am a son of a Indian Navy personal. I have seen the life style of Armed Forces from my childhood which always fascinates towards uniform. Sir, I so many people come to my dad takes suggestions or advice, One day I asked him why so many people approaching what is the reason behind it, then he said people are coming to me and asking suggestions because they respect the uniform which I wore and the rank which I am holding and service which I did gives me that respect and honour so people seeking my suggestions, The words inspires me a lot and motivated me such a way that makes me to strive hard for that Respect, Pride and Honour to join defence forces.

• SSB Interview eBook Pack
• Thematic Apperception Test – TAT
• Lecturette Topics Part-1 eBook [100 Topics]
• Word Association Test – WAT
• Situation Reaction Test – SRT
• Officers Intelligence Test – OIR

IO: Do you have girl friend?

Me: With a smile No Sir.

Friends don’t get confused in these type of questions. if you have tell IO there is no point if you have you will rejected or if you don’t have you will be getting selected. Be true to yourself.

IO: Tell me about your job profile?

Me: I leave the answer to you (Tell your role, skill set, projects, domain, platform, team size, how you motivate etc etc. Tell the related information about your job profile)

So finally my interview went well with huge smile on my face and it’s because I was confident and know all my strong points and weak points which helped me at the time of interview.

Conference Day/ Judgement Day:

It was going on sequence from chest no 1 to 69. As my chest no is 69, I was chilling out remembering all my previous conference attempts and enjoying as it is my last attempt. I and 68 (Naveen from Tamil Nadu who is one of my close friend from past 2 and half years) were waiting for our turns Naveen got selected for Indian Army TGC-125 and is waiting for merit list to join Indian Military Academy.

Chest No 68 went inside, then I realized oh my god this is my last attempt and I was waiting for almost 8-10 minutes outside before entering the conference room, then I said to myself that this time it’s you and entered inside the conference room and wished the president and my IO asked me to sit. Questions which were triggered me at the time of conference.

Deputy President: Prasanth what was going on your mind sitting outside?

Me: Sir, I was confident, so there nothing which is going on my mind.

DP: Prasanth any inputs you got from your friends who were coming and leaving out the conference room?

Me: Sir, I have been to this process many times, there is no such thing which I need to ask my friends and also it was said clearly no one will interact with the person who moves out of the conference room. So I am adhering the instructions given by the instructor.

DP: Any inputs you gave to your friends?

Me: I didn’t gave any inputs related to SSB, But yes so many of my friends asked me how you manage your leaves, work and prepare for SSB. I said to them if you have aim in your life then there is a word ZEAL will make you to strive hard to earn it and also explained them how I finish my work in prior and how my absence help my team with my inputs which we discuss internally. I explained these things to all friends who were asking me.

DP with a smile handed over the next question to President of the board.

Board President: Prasanth, you are 26+ don’t you think you can cope with candidates who are juniors to you in age.

Me: With smile and confidence, Sir! For me age is just a factor. I am handling 6-7 people in my team and there were freshers who use their brains and solve the critical issues and I learn from them. Sir, if it is useful for my organization and my growth I will definitely adhere them whether he his junior or senior.

President with a smile said to DP I am done and DP with smile said Prasanth any suggestions? I said No, Sir. Best of Luck Prasanth, Me: Thank you very much Sir.

After 20 minutes results announced

12 got recommended

From chest, no 1 to 49 —— 11 got recommended.

From chest no 50 to 69 —- only 1 got recommended and that’s me Chest No 69.

YES, I MADE IT, I MADE IT in my last attempt. I called my parents took their blessings and felt a proud moment in their words.

ALL THE BEST

JAI HIND