“When a girl protects the country , she doesn’t  needs any protector !”. Hello Everyone! This is Sagarika Singh hailing from Prayagraj  , presently working as Azure Cloud Engineer and got recently recommended from 4 AFSB Varanasi , making the attempt even more special as it was my LAST attempt amidst the global pandemic! When the word LAST strikes, you naturally view the whole event with a different angle and the subsequent emotions aren’t the same, trust me!

My biggest lesson from my last attempt is to train your mind to take every attempt as last one not only to give your best and avoid any small chance of carelessness but also to enjoy the process as whole .Till date you would have read numerous stories about recommendation through SSBCrack, but in mine I will not focus only upon what I did, but also what I DID NOT.

Rather than starting from day of screening, I would like to take you all even one step behind, which is entrance examination . It’s normal human tendency to just pass the exam, that’s not correct approach I believe, rather give efforts to TOP it. Sounds weird since we find it simpler to accept the excuse that topping examination takes a lot of sweat and dedication.  Honesty , It does, but what comes easy never stays.  Remember that! If you will score good in written , it will enhance your chances to get merit in , since merit out is most common phenomena of SSB. Even if you will give your heart and soul to recommendation, but poor written score will always keep the clock of doubt in your mind going over merit in.

Now coming to screening, it’s very simple rule. As you are supposed to stand out of crowd that had reported, take every single things very seriously , every means every. OIR, PPDT story, Narration to count few. Ask a simple question to your self, you are part of crowd till then, nobody knows you, none of the assessors, the only point for you to hit is to make your presence feel by giving superb narration of your story, then  involving into constructive group discussion and making good score out of OIR. I would rate narration and GD more from my experience since the one minute allotted to you is actually the golden impact time to hit the chord right and you need not to be a great orator for that, not at all! But expressive :- YES! What you would say should have right pitch, impact and your subtle interest in your own content and story . How could you convince others  to trust your imagination, if you yourself can’t ?

 For psyche , I gave few instructions to myself.

1.Please do not always assume that a specific gender is victim. Struggle stories aren’t gender specific, boys and girls suffer equally and raise equally . It’s required out of you to treat all on fair ground  as an officer. Keep your horizon wide since your protagonist in story speaks volumes about you only.

2.It’s true that pain matures you, but that doesn’t mean every picture will have PROBLEM and solution, life is about enjoyment as well, so keep that thing in mind and try giving stories that celebrate life  too. After all , we all are human beings and feeling content is what we want.

3.For WAT, it’s not necessary that the word should come in sentence . They want to know where your mind goes when you see that word.

4.For SDT, my dreams and aspirations were  very practical , I didn’t write that I want to go to space holding an electrical engineering degree!

Coming to GTO, see always try to analyse beforehand what the process wants out of you? When you will get answer to this question, your  performance will get streamlined. I had a conversation with one of gentleman , he said that he is  seeing out gym for GTO! Really ? How come your GTO Task  has anything to do with  your gym regime? Your gym would give enough strength to your biceps to hold plank well, but where to place it needs training of your mind not arms! So, try to understand the need and feed it. GTO checks you as team player, solution provider, analytical thinker and logical person . And the PGT/Command task  specifically wherein a lot of people complain falling sort of ideas , they are as basic as see-saw, not letting plank go down , adjusting every space and gap and here you go ! I never accepted that I don’t  have any  idea left, I kept on changing angles, tied /untied rope but made sure materials are being utilised and completed  PGT, HGT, FGT  with group and then command task on basis of self decisions ! It’s plain simple science of angles, force , fulcrum etc .For Lecturette ,my basics were very clear :- Resonate with your audience, make eye contact with your teammates, speak as if you are talking to them and speak clear and tend to complete your sentences before jumping to next.

To cover Interview, as like all , I also had my story. Here, my suggestion is interview yourself, go for self talk, ask/answer facts about you . You need to have answers for every question that makes you different from rest and YES, Everyone is unique, so don’t  say your case is normal, it is NOT. For me, I always have attended Air Force SSBs. So my PIQ raised eyebrow there only and above that I was already merit out .IO and GTO asked the same question I was expecting  why only IAF? My answer was “since I am Navy brat and grand daughter to Army personnel, knew in and out of both of it . I wanted to go for unexplored territory”.   If you have convincing answer – fair enough but don’t say I like the uniform of IAF most, we honour the service more than anything. Another speciality of my case was single child under single parenting. Life pulls you down sometimes, but that what makes you strong too. Accept your truth whole heartedly , wear it as pride. When interviewer asked why you want to go for forces, I told him why actually ? “ Being single child I was always under my mom’s radar for security, she constantly kept an eye for protection, scared but when a girl protects the country , she doesn’t  needs any protector! I want to be one of those girls!” .

Out of 4 SSBs, two recommendations, 2 conferenced out managing it with job, mother and other professional and personal responsibilities opened  a great deal of questions for me. But all through I kept very calm and composed mindset ! Who does gets this golden chance to be interviewed by such fine gentlemen? Imagine you are point of discussion for an hour or so in the busy life where  no one is free enough to give a single minute! So, enjoy the process, feel relaxed , Keep smart posture, take interest , Do not lie! You are respected more for accepting your non awareness rather than giving false answers. This point is especially for GK related questions. Do not give near about answers and if you do, tell that your aren’t sure.

So here we came to end of my story! Hope those reading will pen down their own someday!

Carpe diem!

“If your mind can conceive it, you can believe it…. You can definitely achieve it.” Hello aspirants, I am Islam from Hisar, Haryana. I got recommendation from 3AFSB Gandhinagar in my very first attempt for Flying Branch. It all started with a joining letter for ‘Y’ Group of IAF and 3 re-appears in graduation previous semester of undergraduate in year 2018 when I decided to live a life without any regret and try my best to fulfill my dream to join flying branch of IAF. I always believed in the fact that “If your mind can conceive it, you can believe it…. You can definitely achieve it.” I relinquished the joining opportunity to go for AFCAT, cleared it in first attempt but was not able to appear for AFSB as I had re appear in graduation. I again appeared for it but this time my score were 2 marks less than the cutoff marks. Then came my third and last attempt for AFCAT through which I got my chance to appear for my very first SSB.

I had my reporting on 11Nov,2019 at Sector 11,Pathikashram Bus Stand (Gandhinagar) at 0630hrs. All of us reported on time. After briefing of what needs to be taken care of, they took us to the 3AFSB, Gandhinagar.

There was a Warrant Officer who gave us the briefing and also checked the necessary documents. 200 candidates reported at the center. After allotting the chest numbers according to the AFCAT Number(Mine was 09), we were taken for breakfast. Sandwiches  and eggs were provided there. I preferred having light breakfast because I wanted to enjoy the lunch and dinner there.  After having breakfast, we were taken to the main testing hall. Seating capacity was good there and OIR test was conducted. I attempted all the questions. The key here is just listen to the Instructions and act accordingly. OIR was simple and I performed well in both. Then it was the turn for PPDT. Image was not hazy but clear to perceive. There was a girl in a beautiful dress and I made a story on Performance in Youth Festival which I attended recently.

After PPDT we were taken to Ground Testing hall where our narration and GD took place. Key here is to  just rehearse your Story within the time span between your story writing and narration. If you’re not able to complete your story you can complete it in narration and make sure narration is crisp and clear and take part in GD with 3-4 valid points. I was confident of screening in. DSO(Duty Selection Officer) came up with the chest numbers of screened in candidates  and when I heard chest number 09. It was the happiest moment of that morning. Now I was allotted with chest number 03 and my heart was whispering that I want to hear same chest number from the DSO on the conference day. We were taken for lunch, allotted rooms. My room name was Kiran(Trainee Aircraft). 06 out of 13 were screened in from my batch. We were now in a group of 08 in a room which is the same group for Ground Tasks. Everyone was provided with cell phones and everybody was busy in calling at home to convey the message that they will be at this place only for next 5 days. I did the same but soon cut the call and was thinking about my SD and Blank TAT story which I have to write at Pysch Test in the evening. As we had limited time with cell phone I searched the template of SD on Google Baba and framed my SD on a notepad. I was sure of what I have to make for blank slide at TAT. After having snacks and evening coffee. We were taken to the same testing hall at 1915 hrs. Within 5 minutes our testing started. I did well in TAT, completed all the stories with first thought and emphasized more on quality than quantity. Key here is to focus on action part.

No need of giving reward to anyone. I utilized my time to complete other stories when completed a story before time. After TAT with a brief introduction of WAT , our WAT started. I did 55/60. Key here is to practice it before and write your observations related to your knowledge and experiences. In SRT, I did 28/60. YES 28. I had written long replies to situations. I realized that I could have done better if I shortened my replies. In SD , I did as planned in the evening but did one update in the section where we have to write ”What kind of person you want to be?” I wrote “I want to be a person with few words”. Key here is being spontaneous in nature. Almost in every task. After Psych a thought came to my mind that this 28 SRT could have been the cause of my rejection. I was not much satisfied with the number of my SRT attempts. Before going to bed I just backed myself that if I give my best in GT and Interview, I can fancy my chances. My GT was next day. We had two GDs and a GPE. GDs went good. My participation was adequate with valid points. In GPE, during the narration of GTO, I missed the narration part for about 30 secs thinking about my performance in GD and that thing backfired as I was not able to frame a good planning.

Somehow I managed to write all the problems and dividing equal number of persons in buddy pairs for the same but I participated in GD with logical points. Again a task was not upto the mark i.e. GPE. Then in PGT I gave ideas, implemented the same. I was the one who used to cross any bridge made as I was the lighter of them all. In HGT everything went smooth. I was called as sub ordinate by 3 commanders in command task. I had my command task in the last. Before start of Command task, GTO asked me about my profession, why I want to join IAF, which aircrafts I would love to fly  and why?  Why I have not chosen a Company after Graduation and why I’m doing PG? At last he asked whom I want to call as sub ordinates and why? My command task was interesting as he tricked me 3-4 times by saying your bully is broken, now rope is not there, now bully and fatta is not there. I solved all of them and I was really happy with my performance in CT. Now it was turn for FGT and it went smoothly. I participated, put forward my ideas and it was done for the day.

Now, It was time for the interview and as all freshers I was busy mugging up all the current affairs and knowledge regarding my hobbies and interests and giving the mock interviews to the fellow candidates. That night was long, really long.  Next day, it was again a long period of waiting in the waiting lounge and heartbeats start kicking up as I moved forward to Interviewer’s room. Sir welcomed me with a warm gesture and a big smile. After comforting questions, it was turn for rapid fire and time elapsed soon. He asked me everything regarding my studies, self awareness, family,friends, daily routine but didn’t ask what I had prepared for i.e. regarding hobbies and interests.

He asked me to tell about some national and international current affairs and I was like “Option bhi milta hai yaha”. The best thing here is to be honest and smart while maintaining your decorum. He asked me why I was not able to clear NDA? Why I was not able to clear CDS? What my friends think my weakness is? Why I was not able to appear in AFSB after clearing my first AFCAT attempt? And answer of all these questions was Mathematics and Re-appear in Mathematics. Interview ended up on a light note as he asked me which places I am planning to visit here and how I am enjoying here. I was really satisfied and happy after the interview.

Next day, I was free but now it was the time for overthinking. I kept on remembering how differently I could have answered some particular questions and things which I was not able to put forward as I planned which is quite natural I guess. We went on to visit Akshardham, Adalaj Stepwell and Indora Nature Park. An eventful day came to an end.

Now it was turn for “Dooms Day”. I was busy in remembering the questions I left half answered in Interview and SRT’s which could have been thrown up as I did only 28 SRTs. After planning the best possible answer of every expected question when I moved into the conference room and there was a buffet of officers. One of the neighboring officers to the president of the board asked me just two questions. “Why you want to join Indian Air Force?” to which I replied “It was my childhood dream, NCC Airwing motivated me further. I want to be a fighter Pilot in Indian Air Force.” and “If you didn’t make it this time in defence forces what is your backup option?” to which I replied “I am looking at teaching sector and for the same I am doing my masters of computer application.” and after complementary questions I was asked to leave the hall. A series of questions went through my mind “SRTs backfired? GPE backfired? They are impressed? Recommended? Or Better luck next time?” holding this series we went to the testing hall after lunch where DSO was supposed to announce the results.

Again it was a wait for eternity. DSO Arrived in the hall with the results and after giving the formal speech, he finally announced “So the first chest number is 02, (and I was like GAME OVER as consecutive chest numbers are only supposed to be called up in NDA entries only) BUT then came the dream call, CHEST NUMBER 03. One of the best moments so far. Every hustle, grind, failures, hardwork made sense in that moment. Total 06 Candidates got recommended from our batch.

At last I cordially want to thank my commanding officers from NCC specially Grp Capt MS Virdi and Grp Capt Rajesh Sharma sir for always being there to guide and help. Big thanks to my family, my friends specially Sumit Sharma and each and every one who has been part of this journey. Jai Hind.

Sat Shri Akal guys, I , JASHANDEEP SINGH got my name in AFCAT july course in ADM branch PERMANENT COMMISSION. My AFCAT score was 154 and I was recommended from 1 AFSB Dehradun on 15^th Nov. I am writing this blog to share my SSB experience. First of all, I appreciate SSBCRACK for giving me this platform and continuously motivating aspirants for joining defence forces.

Beginning with my story , I have given 4 attempts so far which include 3 screen out and 1 recommendation. But those screen outs evolved me and I learnt a lot from them. I gave AFCAT 2 2019 in September and I cleared it and got my ssb date on 11 nov. 218 candidates reported and 69 got screened in.

SCREENING

I would suggest the candidates to equally focus on screening as it’s the 1^st step towards your further evaluation. I would suggest to prepare your OIR really well as it is very important and coming to PPDT observe the picture very carefully. Don’t rush to write after seeing the picture, see it thoroughly , form an theme in the mind and then execute it on the paper. In group Discussion narration plays an important role be calm and narrate with confidence. Don’t force your ideas on the group instead put up your points and also listen what others are saying.  The main thing in screening is your thought which comes through your story, your confidence which reflect through your narration and how well you can perform in group which is seen in discussion.

PSYCHOLOGY

Coming to Psychology, I was very calm and composed at that time, giving one advice never come under pressure in psych tests as it will hamper your thinking ability . In my TAT I was able to write all my stories and read them twice, I observed picture carefully, formed theme in  my mind and wrote really quickly . Write stories which are realistic, which you can relate. In WAT I was able to complete all 60 and in SRT I did 49.  In WAT, what matters most is how good your knowledge is, the more you read you more easier the WAT becomes. Coming to SRT, read the situation very carefully and write your responses crisp and short but add your action which is important. Prepare your SD beforehand , sit with your parents talk to them ask them what they think of you , this way you will be able to know more about yourself. In SD write what you truly are not what you aspire to become.

GTO

Coming to GTO and my favourite part of SSB, as I was fresher never had GTO experience before, it was new to me but it was so so smooth that I didnt find any difficulty in doing any tasks. My group members were all very cooperating and were really good . In  GD try to give your points with some examples which can back your view ,this way you will be able to convince the group. In GPE listen to GTO when he explains the task, and read the task very carefully, keep in mind the time of things when they are happening and prioritize your solutions according to time of happening of events. The best part of GTO the fatta, balli tasks, enjoy them, give your ideas but let others also implement theirs, you have to work like a team , so help others when they dont have ideas,  this way they will listen you when you put yours thought. Command task and lecturette are very important, in CT execute the solution by taking the help of your subordinates, in lecturette speak with confidence and have eye contact, try to speak the topics in front of mirror, it will help you for sure.

INTERVIEW

The most important part of SSB is your personal interview, my interview went really smooth, IO was very polite and supportive. Be sure that you know everything about yourself, your friends and family because this is the main part around which our interview will revolve, be ready for counter questioning as IO will question you on your very answer until he find satisfactory answer. I was very much grilled by IO about my friends, but I gave true answers and it takes me through. Ohh here comes the main thing “ be your true self” this is what IO wants to see.

CONFERENCE

Last but not the least “THE CONFERENCE”, the hall  where your fate will be locked. Before my conference, it waited for 5-10 minutes outside the conference hall and then I was called in, the moment I entered I saw 13-15 officers in uniform all looking at me, I greeted them and I was asked to sit. I sat and smiled at once, then I was asked about my motivation to join forces, to which I gave true answer, that it was my mother’s dreams which I would like to pursue and make her proud. And that was it. I was asked to leave.

At last , the time came and results were to be announced, and the 1^st chest no. which was called was chest no. 5 which was me. I was extremely happy .

I would like to thank all my friends, family who always believed in me and would advice to all candidates who aspire to join forces that follow your dream and work hard to achieve it, untiring efforts and life experiences are the key to success. Thank you All!

If not you, then who, If not now, then when. Hello friends. I’m Ayushi Pradhan. I’m from Meerut, UP. I got recommended in my 5th attempt from 1 AFSB, Dehradun on 3 Jan  2020. And I got merit in for Aug 2020 course at Airforce Academy. Today, I’ll be sharing my defence journey which consists of lots of ups and downs.

I started preparing for AFCAT and CDS exams in my final year of B.tech. Meanwhile, I got my call up letter for Indian Navy at 33 SSB, Bhopal on 1 Dec 2018. I was very excited for my first SSB. I started collecting all information about the 5 days process through friends and internet. During my preparation, I observed a lot of change in my personality like I was becoming more confident in public speaking and dwelling into a routine for the first time in my life. I prepared a separate diary to write my observations after self introspection. Also, I was following up current affairs daily from newspaper and internet. I purchased SSBCrack booklet for OIR and practiced from it. I didn’t practice writing psychology and maybe that’s why I was conference out but I was not demotivated because it was worth a experience.

After a few days CDS 2 2018 results came and I was so happy that I cleared it in first attempt in my final year only. I selected my SSB date on 1 June 2019 at 34 SSB Allahabad. I had heard a lot about Allahabad being the rejection board.  So I was quite nervous also that what if I get screened out. Also since I was a repeater now, I had many doubts in my mind. Again, I got conference out in my second attempt. I was upset but then I was looking forward to AFCAT result.

Meanwhile I got a campus placement at Bharti Airtel and joined the company on 17 June 2019 at Gurgaon. After a few days AFCAT 1 2019  result came and I cleared it. I selected my SSB date on 1 July 2019 at  3 AFSB Gandhinagar. This time I was screened out. It came to me as a major set back. I came back to my job and started my preparation. I gave exams of Territorial Army , CDS 1 2019, and BSF but couldn’t clear any. This was the point in my life when I felt very much under confident and depressed. My father suggested me to give other exams as well. Half heartily, I appeared for several exams like IBPS PO, EPFO, etc but couldn’t crack even a single written.

The sole reason was I wasn’t able to manage studies along with the job. I was highly disappointed to see my performance getting poorer because I have always been one of the toppers in my school and college. So, I had high expectations from myself.

Then I gathered my thoughts and started to make a balanced routine again. I cleared INET which was held for the first time. Then I went to 33 SSB, Bhopal on 4 Dec, 2019. To my shock, I got screened out once again. This time I felt completely broke. It took me a lot to gather myself earlier and again here I was. After these two continuous screen outs, my morale was sinking down. I had absolutely no idea what am I going to do next because it was already an year since I appeared for my first SSB.

Then AFCAT 2 2019 results were out. I selected my SSB date as 30 Dec 2019 at 1 AFSB, Dehradun. I had selected the dates but to be honest I had no heart to go for it. Because after two continuous screen outs, I was afraid to face  one more. But my father who has always been there with me in all of my SSBs, he pushed me to go for it. He believed that I’ll surely make it this time. So I applied 15 days  leaves at office and came back home for preparation. This time I made a lot of changes in writing psychology. I practiced TAT, WAT, SRT daily. And I felt the progress I was making. Things were getting more clear to me. I worked on my weak areas, practiced speaking in front of mirror, read news daily, wrote down my personal observations and maintained a physical exercise routine.

On 29 Dec, I packed my stuff and reached Dehradun  along with my father and stayed at a guest room near the SSB centre. I got up early in the morning and got ready for screening. Around 300  girls reported in morning at 1 AFSB, Dehradun. After documentation, we were divided in the groups of 15 each. I was very much nervous inside. So, I was motivating myself that I’ll forget everything and give my best.

My OIR went excellent. In PPDT, there was a village scene in which a group of people were standing by road side. I made a story around bringing in the concept of e-rikshaw in the village so that students could go to their schools and colleges  without waiting for local buses which get delayed often. I recited my story clearly and confidently and maintained eye contact with everyone in the group. Group discussion was a big fish market but other candidates appreciated my story and chose it to take as a common theme. I got a chance to speak 3 times in which I tried to touch the points which no one had mentioned. I was satisfied with my performance. Then in the afternoon results were announced. The moment I heard  my chest number, I was so elated. I went up running and joined the group of screened in candidates. I was given chest number 68. Total 80 girls got screened in. We were then divided into groups of 10 each.  Then we went to our respective rooms. Our room was ‘Chetak’. We all introduced ourselves and  settled. After a little rest, we got ready for the psychology test that was to be held in the evening.

Most of the TAT pictures were female oriented. I wrote all good TAT stories based on my own experiences. I was able to complete all 60 WAT, 60 SRT and Self Description on time. I was quite happy with my psych performance as this was the first time when I was able to complete the entire test on time. Also, I reflected all dimensions of my personality in my psych. The next day was free for us so we went out to visit Dehradun. We went to Paltan Bazar, Buddhist Monastery and explored the markets. This visit had united our group so well and we all became good friends. We brought  cake, chocolates and many snacks to celebrate New years Eve. It was the best group of girls I had met and I was so thankful for it.

Our interviews were scheduled on third day. My interview went for 50 min in which interviewer grilled me a lot. I was able to answer all personal questions confidently. But when it came to Gk part, I wasn’t able to answer most of his questions. To which he grilled me a lot and maintained a pressure throughout. I was not setting back because of this grilling but I was simply denying the questions which I didn’t know. Since I was eligible for technical branch, he asked me many typical technical questions which I simply denied to know. He even said that, “why have you come for SSB when you know nothing, go back”. After I came back to room, I analysed my interview with my group. And came to the conclusion that he was putting pressure to test me.

The next day was GTO 1st day which started with GD. Whenever I got the chance to speak, I put my opinion clearly stating facts as explanation. I was able to solve Group Planning Exercise on time and discussion was again a fish market. In Group Obstacle Race, I along with my group maintained high josh and helped each other. In PGT, I was going with the flow and helping my group. But I couldn’t get a chance to execute my ideas as everyone was hustling. So  I grabbed the opportunity in HGT and presented the idea. GTO asked me to execute the same in various other ways. At the end of day, I was satisfied with my performance. In nights we used to chatter and discuss almost everything from world and around. It was fun to be a part of this group.

Next day we had our GTO 2nd day followed by the conference. My lecturette topic was – CPEC(China Pakistan Economic Corridor). I spoke confidently about it and explained the inter relationship between countries along with China’s aggressive policies. I have been very much into literary events in my school and college, so, this served as a benefit to me. In Individual Obstacles, I could complete 7 out of 8 in the time frame given. In Command Task, I was called thrice by my group mates. GTO asked me about my previous attempts before CT. My command task was quite difficult one. So I took time in understanding it and then commanding subordinates. GTO raised the difficulty level by removing the material twice. And I was able to complete it somehow.

Now the final milestone was left- Conference. I was asked a personal question in my conference and other formal questions about stay and food. Around 4PM, we were ready to listen to results. One by one chest numbers were being called. When I heard my chest number, I wanted to shout loud but I maintained my calm and went ahead. It was a beautiful moment. From our group I and my friend Chetna got recommended. We both were so happy and congratulated each other.

It was not  the preparation of just 15 days which helped me to achieve recommendation but the entire journey of 5 attempts which improved me gradually. Now after getting into the merit, I can say it with proof that efforts pay off. If I can make it, you can also. Just don’t give up on your dreams. Even if failures throw you back, come back stronger. Jai Hind.