Hey, friends. I am Ankit Mamgain recommended Indian army through TGC 122 in my 3rd attempt from 11 SSB Allahabad. I was always fascinated by olive green uniform with stars on your shoulders and always wanted to join the army. My SSB journey started in Feb 2015 for UES Indian Navy at 33 SSB Bhopal as a fresher with little knowledge about the process and I got conference out. I had no idea about the process and everything was new to me.  During my final semester I applied for SSC tech 45 but due to lack of preparation of GD I got screened out. Though I did prepare for GK and about Indian army but I forgot about the basic activity that is how to speak well. Friends, do prepare for GDs as it is very important. Especially if you are repeater, it is very important. Talk to your friends and family in daily life try to take a discussion happening as the group discussion. Don’t shout though. Just think and talk and move the flow of discussion to your side. It helped me a lot guys. Also I took some minor coaching from Col. R.K Gupta Sir from Ambala Cantt and it helped me a lot understanding the facts of all process of SSB. Though it was not a kind of formal coaching.

Then finally I applied for TGC-122 and got a call for SSB on 5^th November. After my last ssb I started working for a startup as a Marketing Manager and eventually I started enjoying my work. Just one day before the date of reporting I was talking to my friend and I told him I am in no mood of attending the interview. He kicked my ass for that and told me to go for it even if you are back on day 1. I thought lets try again.

I reached Allahabad on 4^th Nov morning. Slept whole day and reported on Platform 1 of Allahabad Railway station. Around 300 candidates reported for TGC 122 and 300 for SSC Tech 46. Made some good friends on my way to SSB centre. After reaching SSB centre and document verification the test started. Verbal and non-Verbal test went well. After the test a PPDT started. A hazy picture of a man sitting in an office with a man showing some papers to him was shown to us. After the PPDT, group of 20 students were made and the GD started. My narration was bang on and in discussion I spoke only once but clearly and with proper modulation of my voice. I was not expecting my name but the result came and my chest number was announced. 165 it was. It felt good but I knew the main battle has just started. Fill you PIQ properly guys. It matters  a lot. Avoid cutting and overwriting.

Next day was for Psychology Tests. I did well in TAT, WAT, SRT by writing positive stories and sentences and using common sense while answering SRT. Guys all SRT’s can be done using common sense nothing else. Attempted 50 SRT’s and completed all Words on time. Wrote honest SD.

Next day was GTO. The basic thing that matters in all task of GTO is cooperation. During GD’s stick to one lead that is given by GTO. During PGT’s just cooperate. Speak loudly and try to implement ideas. If you have no idea, help in implementing other idea given by your group. Shift position if you think someone has good idea. It will strengthen your position in group. Same thing goes for HGT. During Group obstacle race, shout the war cry as loud and often as you can. If GTO says someone has broken a rule, go back and do it even if you have not done it. Help the weak members of the group and always have a winning smile on your face. Then was individual obstacle task. I completed 10 obstacles  and gave my best and GTO saw that. Next was the day 2 of GTO and the interview was scheduled. The day started with command task.  When I was called GTO had a friendly discussion and asked my who is best in your group. I said I stand at no 1 position as I have given 100%. I was called thrice and during my chance the task was of moderate difficulty but I got completely flipped when I saw my task. One stupid mistake I did was after trying for few minutes I asked my sub ordinates whether they have any idea or not. GTO scolded me and asked me to do it myself and don’t give in easily. The command task took 25 mins but eventually I was able to complete it. During the task GTO was shouting at me for taking so much time and many times said 2 3 mins left, 30 sec left but I didn’t give in. I was disappointed after the task as I could’ve done better. Still, I did well in Final group task with full enthusiasm as it was in my PGT.

My interview went for 15 20 mins. I was interviewed by Dep. President of 11 SSB. It was all a friendly discussion. I gave confident reply to every question and answered politely that Sir, I don’t know but ill surely find out about it. Basically the interview went on around my life events.

Then the final day arrived. The D-day. I was not sure whether I’ll be selected or not but was happy with my performance this time as I gave my 100%. It took around 10 15 mins before my chest number was displayed and then I realized maybe I have a chance. When I went in they asked me about my experience. Next question was in 10 lines tell me what you’ve learnt this time. The 10^th point I Said was Sir, I came to know how to get recommended as I’ll be getting recommended this time for sure. Asked me questions which Dep. President asked me during an interview.  Then he said why army. You have done B.tech then you are working in marketing and then Army. After my conference I went to have a quick bite with my friends and as soon as I came back we were called for the result announcement. The officer came and started with the chest number. My chest number was announced after two candidates and it took a moment to realize it was my chest no. Chest no 30 it was. 5 candidates were recommended out of which 3 candidates were previously recommended candidates and 2 including me were repeaters.

The best feeling of my life and that too unexpected. I want to thank my parents, Col. R.K Gupta and my friends for motivating me and telling me that I had it in me. Special shout out to SSBCrack for their efforts and the awesome book “let’s crack ssb interview” they published. I bought that just 2 weeks before my SSB and it helped me a lot. Medicals will start from 16^th of this month and fingers crossed all will be well.

Thanks for reading my experience.