ONE STEP CLOSER: Cracked SSB interview in the first attempt for NDA-146. “Of all the people who aspire to serve the nation, very few are rewarded with the opportunity and if you are one of them then it’s a matter of pride.” said one of the officers who guided me for ssb, this kept my motivation high all the time during the preparation.

Hello everyone. I am KULDEEP DAGAR  and I got recommended for the NDA-146 course from 34 SSB Allahabad on 24th February 2021. From my childhood itself I wanted to become an ARMY officer and also my army background made my mind crystal clear for it. So my journey started from 8th standard itself, I used to read a lot of books related to the armed forces. With the preparation of NDA, I prepared for JEE exam simultaneously as my father suggested to have a backup in any case.

My written exam went pretty well as I had an advantage in physics and chemistry in GAT and in mathematics as well because of my preparation for JEE. Then I started preparing for the SSB interview. For stage 1, I practised many OIR tests from the book ‘LET’S CRACK SSB INTERVIEW‘ by SSBCRACK and also practised PPDT on a regular basis. I used to attempt the PP&DT test by setting a time frame and then used to compare it with the one given in the book and make the required amendments. After writing I also used to do its narration in front of a mirror to gain confidence while speaking.

This also enhanced my communication skills. For stage 2, I attempted time-bound psychological tests on alternate days, analysed them, worked upon thinking perspectives and speed. I looked through a yearbook of 2020 for the current affairs part which helped me in the interview as well as GD and lecturette. I used to select random topics and spoke lecturette on them for 3 minutes at least. Until then I got my call letter for SSB Interview at Allahabad and I chose the date of 20 to 24th February 2021.

I was accompanied by one of my friend from the school itself and we reported at the Cariappa Dwar at 0545 hrs. We went in, kept our baggage in the shed and had to report to Manoj Pandey hall with our documents. After document verifications, we were ready for our OIR Test. 

STAGE 1: We were given two OIR one after another, of which the first one was easy but the second was a bit lengthy and I missed 2 questions in it. For PP&DT we were shown a picture in which there was a boy standing outside a building with a book in his hand and a girl aside from him. I had an idea already of this type of story from my earlier practice and I wrote a story on preparation for UPSC exams and the protagonist of the story attempts many dummy tests before the actual one and analyses his mistakes and works upon them. I finished writing the story well on time and my narration was going pretty well and the GTO said “Next”, our group was of all freshers, we discussed different perceptions and concluded to a common story which was narrated by one of our mates. After the completion of the discussions, we were waiting for the results of the screening. I was confident about my performance which made me calm and composed during the wait for results. And after some time, results were announced and I was the second candidate to get screened in hence got the same chest number “2” as of day 1.

STAGE 2: We had to report in the same hall at 0800 hrs on day 2. I was well prepared for the physiological tests and I also felt them as my strength out of all three. In TAT most of the pictures we got were similar to the ones I practised and I was able to frame decent stories in all of them and completed all my stories before time. The structure was clear in my mind for framing the stories so I did not lack in ideas or time. In SRT out of 60 I attempted 48 in a row without leaving any in between and in WAT I attempted all the 60 words (the time given to turn the page helped me in completing the leftover words).

I performed quite well in them. I was already informed about the interview on the same day so I was all set for it. As I was chest number 2 so I was the second one to be interviewed, after some time ‘2’ flashed on the screen that gave me some mixed feelings of excitement, nervousness and eagerness to know what would happen inside. I was asked about myself which included education, extracurricular activities, sports and achievements. The IO also asked about my family and friends, also the things which they as well as I want to improve in myself. Then he also examined my knowledge on current affairs by putting a rapid-fire on topics like US elections, Covid-19, Vaccines, ITBP etc. My interview lasted for around 50 minutes and it was decent. On Day 3 and Day 4, We went through our Ground tasks, which included two GDs and I expressed my views on both of them constantly.

I also supported the arguments given by my fellow mates. Similarly, I worked with the group on the rest of the Ground tasks as well as completed them right on time. Then there was the conference day, I was called in after some time, I went in, greeted them with a smile, and then the president said ” You seem so cheerful” and I thanked him with a big smile. He asked for any suggestions for improvement in the interview procedure to which I answered “No sir” and that’s all, My conference was over.

I was eagerly waiting for the result, the Officer showed up with a file and he asked us to tell how many recommendations we expected, most of us said around 11 and then he said ” Well that’s a huge number” and started announcing the results by calling out the chest numbers of recommended candidates. I felt like I was repeatedly calling “chest number 2, chest number 2, chest number 2” inside me and just then the officer called “chest number 2” for real. I was fantabulously delighted. All my hard work had paid off.

My father once said, “If u can take it, You can make it”. I could feel it happening at that very moment.

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“Starve yourself to an extent that if success comes to your plate it must not break free”

I took that line away too seriously and got myself recommended in the very first go. Ladies and gentlemen my name is Chetan Vats, a simple boy of the motherland, recommended from 1 AFSB Dehradun on 26th February 2021 to join NDA 146 course.

My love for the nation started back in June 2020 when I filled the form for UPSC NDA (ll) 2020 exam, like every other love story there was a major obstacle in mine too i.e. I was a fat chap weighing over 95 kgs. Apparently, to join the academy I had to grind 40 kgs of body weight along with written and SSB.

In the month of September, I appeared for the written exam which consists of two parts MATHS(I) and GAT(II). Aspirants, I’ll suggest everyone practice PYQs which’ll familiarise you with the pattern exam holds.

The results were out, as expected 0861335, there it was in the written results list.

By now bodyweight 78kgs and still deflating.

“You will become, what you think”, I always imagined those blue stripes (later stars) on my shoulders which kept me moving. By end of December 66kgs and still deflating.

Here it is the D-day, 22nd February 2021, 1AFSB Dehradun 0600hrs, around 200 motivated chaps with a dream to fly high reported there.

We were served the breakfast and hence screening started, we were given 2 sets of OIR, 50 questions each and soon after we’re taken to a large hall where we were shown a picture and every single chap jotted down the best they can, followed by narration and a healthy discuss thereafter, the screening was done.

And here I was screened in along with 59 others, alloted chest no. 37, which will be clinging to me for next 5 days.

I was fortunate enough to have my psychology test as well as interview on the very first day of testing.

Psychology:

Psychology test consists of four batteries i.e. TAT, WAT, SRT and SD on the basis of which psychologist marks you.

Aspirants, I’ll suggest to practice psychology as much as you could so that you’ll end up giving beautiful and workable ideas to the psychologist. I used to practice it from SSBCrack books and they regularly uploaded the videos on their YouTube for motivation.

Interview:

My interview was scheduled in the afternoon just after the psychology test, it was a healthy discussion between me  and a senior officer, who asked me several questions about my FAMILY, FRIENDS, TEACHERS, SPORTS, HOBBIES/INTERESTS and SELF, he also asked a few questions about current happening of my own choice. My interview lasted around an hour and I was motivated by the interviewer to do best in GT. Aspirants, I’ll suggest you to be honest with the officer

For next two days I was completely free and spend the time with some newly made friends, from them some will be my coursemates soon.

Ground Tasks:

In this we were tested how logically we can give answers to the simple hurdles made to find out natural leaders on the ground, our GT officer was a man of humour and always motivated us. There were tasks like Group discussion, Group planning exercise, Progressive group task, Half group task, Lecturette, Command task, Individual obstacle, and Final group task to test the candidates.

Aspirants, I’ll suggest keep giving workable ideas and always corporate with your teammates.

Here it came 26th February, the conference day. I saw a weird fear in each aspirant’s eye, constant prayers and discussions regarding their performance can be heard from each corner of the waiting area.

Soon I was called in, a huge panel of the officers was sitting there, conference lasts around 40-50 seconds and I was sent out for the result,

I was waiting when an officer came holding a small piece of paper on which the names of some fortunate ones was inscribed.

He started announcing the chest numbers and moment came when he called,” chest no.37″ we were instructed to call our names and DOBs upon recommendation, with my chest puffed out two inches, I did so with excitement,

Met my teammates and hugged them for being there with me all these days.

Soon our documentation was done and we were allotted medical boards, due to some medical condition I couldn’t join airforce and was allotted MH Bhopal for medical testing.

On 10th march, I reported there, by time weight was 62kgs and still deflating.

Given TR for 5 kg overweight, soon cleared it in just two weeks.

Thanked my mother for her blessings and prayers, there it was in the medical register, “CHETAN VATS CHEST NO. 37 D-NDA/499 FIT FOR ARMY”

What a romance it was to shed some skin and soul, just to scream it out loud,” YES I HAVE IT IN ME”

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“Those who couldn’t make it in this attempt they can introspect themselves come next time”. These lines were terrifying. Now I will call the Chest No of the recommended candidates they will stand up call of the name and UPSC roll number. Chest no 24, 14 , 5, 18, 13, 2. Chest Number 5 that’s what my ear eagerly wanted to listen and I listened to it. It was the day I make it I got my first Recommendation from 18 SSB Allahabad on 22nd February 2021 for NDA 146th Course.

Hello Everyone, my name is Javed Akhtar and I am a 12th appearing candidate I am studying at APS Meerut. The journey started from class 11th when I and my friend Aakash Sangwaan started preparing for NDA. The craze grew up in our friend circle also. Belonging from an Army background and always seen lifestyle I was very much fascinated by Olive Green. It was the first hard time because of COVID 19 I couldn’t take offline coaching but I prepared with my friend I prepared well cleared my written in my very first attempt of NDA 2 2020 (NDA 146th Course). “Irrade Mazbut ho to Sab Kuch possible hain”.After the declaration of the written result started the preparation of SSB. Many officers also help me and show me the correct path. Extreme thanks to them also. Finally, I got my Selection Center and it was Allahabad. Since I was a fresher I was having many myths like “rejection centre milgya, screen ratio kam hain, etc”. But I prepared my preparation well. I and Akash used to prepare we used to have GPE, Interaction in English and I also join many telegram groups where I used to participate in PPDT discussions to boost up my confidence. I focus a lot on TAT and WAT made a separate copy for that and used to write 4 TAT and 30 WAT every day. Till the time I went for SSB, many ideas were already there in my mind. I started practising for the OIR from SSBCrack Book (OIR AND PPDT) and I find that it was really worthy and helpful for me. Literally, the same questions were there in my OIR Set. I also did preparation for my Lecturette I used to choose a topic that has come in the lecturette of candidates I picked it up from the previously recommended candidates who share their experience in SSBCrack and used to speak for 3 minutes in front of the mirror. After that, I also used to record my voice and listen to it later and do amendments.

Finally, the stage was set and my SSB was scheduled between 18th to 22nd Feb 2021. I landed up with my friend at Allahabad on 17th Feb. At that point in time my mind very much relaxed because of a lot of preparation I have done And my heart was saying one word of my Sir Comd Rakesh Pandey:-“Think Positive, Talk Positive, Perform Positive.

I reported to Cariappa Dwar at 0530hrs. It was chilly weather. I went there and met some of my friends. Then we were taken to Reporting Shed and then to Vikram Batra Hall.

Day 1:-OIR:- Our OIR Test started and for the 1st we get 32 minutes. For the 2nd we got 30 minutes. I was able to complete all and the total questions were 100(50 in each). I was confident and was happy. OIR by SSBcrack helped me. PPDT:- Then we were shown a picture it was three persons were sitting on a circular table in which two were male one female and the female was looking sad. I must say that the picture was not hazy and it was crystal clear. It could be my luck also that I have prepared the same picture before. I completed my story in just 2 minutes.GD:- We were then divided into groups. In my group, there were 10 members. I remember one of my saying from My senior Tarun Saini that in the action part just speak what is going in the picture and I followed the same. I narrated my story in one minute I was very much confident and looking at every group member while narrating. But still, I was interrupted in between and the officer said “OK Next”. After that, I participated in the discussion well when and we come to a common conclusion that it was something of motivating the Girl in the picture. No common group story was narrated.

After that, I went to the Shed and I was confident that I will be able to get screened in and my group members also very confident about me. After the result I was screened in I called my parents and then the phone was switched off and taken away.

Day 2:-We were required to report at 0900hrs at Manoj Pandey Hall. TAT:- Pictures were shown to us there were a total of 11 pictures and one blank picture I have already prepared the blank picture and hold all the 12 pictures well on time.WAT:- I did all WATs and I think the most important is that managing the time. So my advice is always to prepare well for WATs. SRT:- I completed 52 SRTs out of 60. SD:- I have prepared it already so I just wrote it in the given time frame. And all of this Day 2 concluded.
Day 2 (Interview):-So after the hectic process of Psychology I went for the Interview. There we all waiting in a room and it was a really fun and talking experience with each other that bonded us. Onboard chess number 5 digit came.INTERVIEW:-I think my interview went for the last 30 minutes. In the interview, I was asked questions regarding my Friends, Family and Army. Sir also ask me about General Awareness in which he asks me about FATF, farmers protest, tensions with China and other. Then Sir asked me about Mathematic questions speed and distance and scientific questions like what is Atmospheric refraction and the Twinkling of stars. I was the whole interview was honest and which I don’t know I simply said: “Sorry Sir I don’t know”. My interview gets over at around 1530hrs.

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Day 3:- Now it was the time for the GTO tasks. When I first show my GTO Sir He was similar to one of my officer from my fathers unit. So somewhere I was very much relax. GD:-1st Topic:-Why China is ahead of India? a) Good Governance) The attitude of People) Technology Advancement we started our discussion and I spoke at a constant interval on all three points and also gave chances to speak to others and listen to them also well.2nd Topic:-Why youths start getting Unhealthy and obese? a) Due to mobile phones) Education pressure) Future ThoughtsAgain I did follow up the same and speak constantly on a regular interval. PGT/HGT/FGT:- It started we were taken to ground and when the GTO Sir says “OK Start” I picked up the rope and I was started giving ideas. The ideas were coming into my mind like a bullet. I gave up my ideas but never imposed on them and also listen to them. Like this, we were able to complete all the PGT. GROUP RACE:- It started I make sure that we followed all the rules and healthy members wherever needed. I also started shouting the War Cry many times “Bharat Mata ki Jai” to boost up everyone’s confidence and Josh in our group. But we didn’t win the race and were last. LECTURETTE:-My Topics were SAARC, Indo Pak Relationships, Dowry and I took the topic Dowry and spoke up for 3 minutes it was a topic well known and I could give many points out of it. 

Day 4:-Again we report 0900hrs at GTO ground.INDIVIDUAL OBSTACLES:-We were briefed and shown All The 10 obstacles. I saw them and make out my way how I will do them in which sequence. I completed 9 in 3 minutes. COMMAND TASK:-I was then called for a command task the GTO Sir interacted with me for few minutes and ask me some questions regarding where I am coming from, about family, me, and how do I think about my performance. After that, I called my subordinates and my command task started. It was a tough one. But in the doing of task Phtta Broke and GTO Sir told “Gentlemen you break my Phatta” I said sorry but there was no reply. I got another one in continued but I got stuck and then sir help me to get out. Finally before reaching to finish line sir ask me “Gentleman how much distance do you think it is” I Said “Sir I think it’s less than 4 feet” then he told “How you are so sure about that” I replied “Sir I learnt in NCC” He told “You have learnt wrong you must go back and learn it again” after that he told “Ok Go”My command task went a long. “Aur Dil hain ki maanta nhi Myths se laga ki Bas Ban gyi Baat”.

I returned to the candidate’s line and all things done. Now I was just relaxing and playing volleyball and basketball.

Day 5:- CONFERENCE:-We were told to pack up all our material everything and report to the shed with them. We were also given phones in the morning and everyone switched it on and talk to their family members but I didn’t. I just wanted to do it after the conference result either I will give them “Good News” or that “my joining has been delayed for 6 months more”. Most of you will understand it. Then we were taken to Chanakya Hall and then we were briefed about the conference and it started.I went inside there were officers sitting around the table. I was looking at them and their stars and they were glittering in my eyes. After that he ask me that what you are thinking outside. I answered I was thinking about the results. then he asked me about my experience and what will I do if I didn’t make it. Then asked for any suggestions. I said “No sir”. After that he told OK you can go.I went outside waited for the result it and finally I made it. My friend who is come with me to Allahabad he also made it. 

We both were happy and it then went for the documentation for the Medicals. On 3rd March 2021 I was declared medically unfit in DNS. But in My Appeal after operation on 1st April 2021 I was declared “FIT FOR ARMY”.

The journey was long with many ups and downs but testing the victory is worth it. Finally, I would like to thank SSBCrack for this platform to share my experience with all of you. May God bless you all with your Victories and Triumph.

Jai Hind

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