Param Vir Chakra awardee, Subedar Major Yogender Singh Yadav, on his superannuation on Saturday received a traditional send-off from the Army. He was presented with garlands and bouquets.
“Indian Army bids farewell to the Hero of Tiger Hill, Sub Maj (Hony Capt) Yogender Singh Yadav, Param Vir Chakra on his superannuation with a traditional send-off. Nation will always be grateful for his gallant services,” Army Training Command, Indian Army tweeted on Saturday.
On the 75th Independence Day of the country, President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the rank of Honorary Captain upon Yadav. “On the occasion of the 75th Independence Day, Subedar Major (Honorary Lieutenant) Yogendra Singh Yadav, Param Vir Chakra, was conferred the rank of Honorary Captain by the President of India,” read a statement released by the Ministry of Defence.
Jai Hind future warriors, as in a month or so from now (Jan 2022), SSB Interviews will start for the NDA-148 entry, so we have come up with some genuine tips to help the candidates in their preparation for it.
1. For screening test on Day-1, start solving intelligence tests questions from various books available. Write stories following all instructions like writing character details and action in the required time frame, then narrate in front of mirror to build your confidence and work on any weakness you find.
2. For psych tests, there is only thing practice, and keep on introspecting your responses not just from yourself but also from any SSB buddy you know. Initially the responses may not be up to the mark, but with consistent practice things will eventually work out for you. Try to relate the responses to your life experiences.
3. Amongst the CIQs frequent questions are asked in personal interviews, so prepare them. People will say SSB is a personality test and you can’t prepare for it. But there’s a reason SSB coaching industry is blooming. So focus on questions related to your PIQ, prepare for every section and keep on cross questioning your responses, to bring out all the responses. This is the best form of self-introspection as PIQ pretty much covers everything.
4. Other than that Also you should be aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and how are you able to utilise your strengths or how are you working to remove your weaknesses. Remember there are no specific best responses in personal interview, only the true responses (your own life experiences) are the best responses. Also have knowledge about the force you want to join, like if you want to join the Navy, then which arm do you aspire for, let’s say you said Submarine Arm, then why so, latest submarines, comparison with our neighbours, what role will you play in the submarines, evolution of Indian Submarines etc. Also latest defence deals, exercises, etc should be somethings you should know about.
5. First and foremost, thing would be to focus on your fitness. Although no one is asking you to be Bear Grylls or someone with six packs, but in tasks like GOR (Group Obstacle Race) and IO (Individual Obstacles, you will need a lot of stamina as it may so happen that immediately after the IO/GOR, lecturette/any other task will be conducted and if you are someone with less stamina you will be exhausted physically and that may take a toll on your performance. Also keeping yourself in shape helps you boost your confidence and project a positive vibe about yourself to the assessors.
6. For this you can start gyming or if you have a ground nearby start going for runs. Also if you are able to give team sports, it would be of best help to you, as nothing builds more personality than them, they bring out every aspect of you be it physical or mental toughness.
7. Improving communication skills would be of great help to you, and when I say this I don’t mean become a English speaking nerd, even if your English is just kaam-chalau that is you can explain your views properly with Hinglish it would do. Even the assessors stress on speaking the language (Hindi/English) you are comfortable with. So how to have that kaam-chalau English:
Read newspapers or if you find them boring, start reading novels of your preferable genre.
Make SSB prep buddies and converse with each other in English. Give your best, because initially it may feel weird and hard, but with time your fluency will improve.
If you have time, stressing on time, watch some English series/documentary, as it will help you improve your pronunciation and clarity of voice. Again follow this tip only if you have sufficient time, otherwise watch English news.
Don’t make those difficult words diary, dictionaries were made for a reason, no one wants you to be walking thesaurus in the SSB, rather focus on more speech and speech, be it with friends, family or in front of mirror
Earlier I talked about newspapers, so if you are reading one, try to or follow some online resource, speak in front of mirror for three minutes not more not less on important topics / issues you read about. Never speak randomly, rather plan it under various parts like Definition, Advantages, Disadvantages, Solutions(focussing on this part), etc and record your lecturette using phone/ any other device. Now notice your body language, voice modulation(if you sounded too monotonous), expressions, and keep on improving.
SSB Interview Best Online Classes Schedule [January Batch]
DAYS
CLASSES
1
SSB Interview Online Course Introduction
2
Introduction Of OIR and Practice Session I
3
OIR Practice Session II
4
Introduction of PPDT and Practice Session I
5
PPDT Practice Session II
6
Complete Screening Test Practice (OIR & PPDT)
7
Overview Of Psych Test
8
Introduction of TAT And Practice Session I
9
Introduction of WAT And Practice Session I
10
Introduction of SRT And Practice Session I
11
Introduction of SDT And Practice Session I
12
Complete Psych Test Practice (TAT, WAT, SRT & SDT)
13
Introduction of PIQ Form And Guidance
14
Introduction of Personal Interview And Discussion
15
Individual Personal Interview Sessions
16
Introduction of GTO And Tips
17 A
Introduction of GD And Practice Session I
17 B
GD Practice Session II
18
Introduction of GPE And Practice Session I
19
GPE Practice Session II
20
Introduction of Lecturette And Practice Session I
21
Complete Overview Of SSB Interview Process & Feedback
Conclusion
Other than these tips, start spending more time with your family as more than anything they have seen you grow from start and would be the best source of motivation and guide.
For more tips and strategies regarding defence exams and SSB Interview, stay tuned.
Apoorv Gajanan, the man who has achieved All India Rank-1 in UPSC CDS 1 2021 for all three services i.e. for IMA (Indian Military Academy), AFA (Air Force Academy), and INA (Indian Naval Academy). Not only CDS 1 2021, but he has also secured AIR-28 in AFCAT 1 2021. In this interview with SSBCrack, Apoorv Gajanan has shared his story of achieving success and has a message for all defence aspirants.
Q1. Congratulations Apoorv for achieving AIR-1 in CDS 1 2021 for IMA, AFA, and INA. How does it feel?
Apoorv : First of all, a big thanks to team SSBCrack for reaching out to me. Thank you so much. It feels unreal. I did not expect this at all. It has been a very pleasant yet unexpected surprise to me.
Q2. Tell us something about yourself, your education, and your family background?
Apoorv: I hail from Maharashtra. I have done my schooling from 3 different places as my father was always on the move. He is a senior police officer in Maharashtra police services. My mother is a full time homemaker and I have a younger sister who studies architechture.
Q3. What motivated you to join the Armed forces?
Apoorv: My father was and is my motivation for joining the uniformed forces. Seeing him give his everything for the welfare of people has been a driving force for me.
Q4. Out of Army, Air Force, and Navy, what is your first choice and why?
Apoorv: Out of the three, Air force is my first priority. It began long back when I was a kid and saw the IAF planes at an air show where I first had the thought of becoming a pilot.
Q5. You have secured AIR-1 in UPSC CDS 1 2021 for IMA, AFA, and INA. You are also AIR-28 in AFCAT 1 2021. How was your journey so far to achieve this?
Apoorv: The journey has been quite challenging. I was not able to avail any conventional classes due to lockdown. I had to fight on two fronts, not just academically but also against mother nature herself. I was 103 kg last December, i.e. December 2020. I had to take time out for my physical routine along with my studies in order to become physically fit for the exam. Took me 5 months to lose the first 15 kgs and then after my first recommendation for AFCAT 1 2021 I had lost around 13 kgs within a month for the medicals. Losing that weight helped me perform better for the CDSE SSB interview.
Q6. Tell us something about written exam preparation. According to you what is the best way to prepare for the CDS written exam?
Apoorv: I began my preparation with the standard operating procedure – Syllabus, Previous year question papers, analysis of the papers and then planning out the next steps. I believe the key to the CDSE exam, like any other exam, lies in the PYQs. If a person gives enough time to the PYQs, understands the requirement of the exam, starts recognising the pattern of questions, it becomes a bit easier to tackle the exam and helps you avoid excessive and unnecessary efforts. The best way to begin once you have analysed the papers is to start with the NCERT books. I was from science background so I started with books from 6th std for social sciences to build a base for the advanced concepts and information. For maths, I solved the NCERT books and attempted some mock tests. For english I referred to wren and martin book and used the internet for the consolidated information on idioms and phrases. All this is apart from solving the PYQs. I cannot stress enough on the importance of PYQs.
Q7. How many questions did you attempt in CDS 1 2021 exam in each paper?
Apoorv: In Maths, I attempted 83 questions, 110 in English and 60 in GK.
Q8. Any memorable moment during the SSB interview which you will never forget?
Apoorv: Yes, the day of the conference. Being from a civilian background, my first aim was actually just to be in the presence of such charismatic officers for however long it lasted. I was excited to be in the same room as the elite Air Force officials for the first time. As I entered the room, to my surprise, the person interacting with me was the president of the board. I remember the energy in the room was so high, I could almost feel an electric buzz. I could not comprehend that I had just been given the opportunity to interact with such amazing and yet humble humans. When he started asking me questions, half of my mind would answer the question and the other half kept wondering if all this is even real! And to get recommended after that interaction only added to the happiness.
Q9. Apart from OLQs what else do you think one should have to clear the SSB interview?
Apoorv: I believe honesty is one of the most important characteristics that will help you clear the SSB interview. Not just with the interviewer but with your own self. Being honest with yourself will help you identify your weaknesses and work on them. To accept that you have flaws is the first step towards improving yourself.
Q10. What is success according to you?
Apoorv: Bringing happiness and joy to my parents and making them proud. If you have made your parents proud, you are successful. They are the ones that have seen you at your best and your worst. So to be able to do something for them and not just for ourselves is very important.
Q11. According to you what kind of mindset is required to get success in defence exams and SSB interviews?
Apoorv: I think a very open mindset is required for these exams. Open in the sense that you have to be very accepting and open to criticism since you’re in it for developing yourself and being better than you were yesterday. Also, learning from the mistakes of others is crucial. You shouldn’t have to make the same mistakes as the people who have attempted the exam before you.
Q12. According to you, what are some habits a defence aspirant must have to get success?
Apoorv: I believe once must be consistent in their efforts. Discipline is an implied quality. But even more so, one must be ambitious. Because, discipline takes over when motivation ends, and, ambition takes over when discipline ends. Whatever the circumstances, one must find a way to get over the problem and not crib about the hardships. Everyone faces problems. But history is created by those who rise above them.
Q13. If not armed forces, what profession would you choose and why?
Apoorv: If not defence forces, I would have tried for Indian police services through UPSC CSE. Reason is very simple – uniformed services.
Q14. What is your message for the defence aspirants?
Apoorv: Dear aspirants, I will tell you what my parents, my mentors and my friends told me. You have immense potential in you, all it’s going to take is that one extra push when you feel that you are tired and you can’t get up. Be consistent, be brave in your efforts. This is one of the most esteemed services one can opt for in their life, so you’ll have to put in your efforts accordingly. I can only say that if I was able to do it, you can too. Always believe in yourself and your abilities. Play your strong suit. Work on your weaknesses. Don’t be afraid to take on the academic challenge. If you have made up your mind, nothing can stop you.
Q15. Thank you for talking to SSBCrack.
Apoorv: I’ll take this opportunity to thank SSB Crack for being such a helpful platform for all aspirants and doing such a wonderful job. I shall definitely be in touch for all the queries that come for me through you.
UPSC has published the NDA 2 2022 notification on 18th May 2022, male and female defence aspirants can fill the NDA online application till 7th June 2022. NDA 2 2022 written exam will be conducted on 4th September 2022. Let’s check out the number of seats reserved for female candidates who will join the National Defence Academy 150th Course. As previously, only 19 seats are reserved for female candidates for the National Defence Academy 150th Course.
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has published NDA 2 2022 exam notification for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the NDA for the 150th Course, and for the 112th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) commencing from 2nd July, 2023.
NDA 1 2022 notification is published by UPSC. Male and Female candidates who are looking forward to joining the National Defence Academy after 12th can apply for the NDA 1 2022 examination. In this article, we will discuss the number of seats reserved for the girls’ candidates for the NDA 1 2022 course. An Examination will be conducted by the Union Public Service Commission on 10th April 2022 for admission to the Army, Navy, and Air Force wings of the NDA for the 149th Course, and for the 111th Indian Naval Academy Course (INAC) commencing from 2nd January 2023.
You can see that total of 19 seats are reserved for female candidates in NDA 2 2022 150th course. For the army wing, 10 seats are reserved for female candidates. For the Navy wing, 03 seats are reserved for female candidates, and for the Air force wing 6 seats are reserved for female candidates.
How many girls can join the National Defence Academy NDA?
As per the latest notification, only 19 seats are reserved for the girls’ candidates for the NDA 150th course. Candidates will get the joining letter based on the order in the merit list.
Will NDA Female vacancies increase?
Female candidate vacancies for NDA might increase in the future. The vacancies will be mentioned in upcoming NDA notifications.
The approximate number of vacancies to be filled on the results of this examination will be as under:
National Defence Academy
Army
208 (including 10 for female candidates)
Navy
42 (including 03 for female candidates)
Air Force
(i) Flying – 92 (including 02 for female candidates) (ii) Ground Duties (Tech) – 18 (including 02 for female candidates) (iii) Ground Duties (Non Tech) – 10 (including 02 for female candidates)
Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme)
30 (for male candidates only)
Total
400
For NDA 1 2022, out of 400 seats, 19 seats are reserved for female candidates. Out of 208 seats in Army, 10 seats are reserved for female candidates. Out of 42 Indian Navy seats, 03 seats are reserved for female candidates. Out of 120 seats in Air Force, 06 seats are reserved for female candidates. No seats are reserved in Naval Academy (10+2 Cadet Entry Scheme). Hope now you have got a clear idea about the vacancies for girls in NDA 1 2022 course. Around 1-2 Lakhs girls will be applying for the NDA 1 2022 and will fight for 19 seats. If you are a serious defence aspirant, do not forget to check our NDA 2022 Online Course.
In a brief reply “What is the SSB Interview process” we can say SSB interview or service selection board interview is a recruitment process under which a candidate’s skills are tested intellectually, physically, psychologically, and through group activities. There are mainly two ways a candidate can get qualify for an SSB interview: First, he/she has cleared the written exam based on a particular type of entry; Second, a candidate can be selected on the merit list prepared on the basis of candidates academic records. Below discus are the types of entries to get recruited in the Indian Armed Force as a commissioned officer.
List of Selected Candidates to join AFA for training for various courses commencing in Jan 22 is placed at Annexure ‘A’. To meet vacancies in various branches, allotment has been made taking into consideration Eligibility, Order of Merit, Medical Fitness and choices given by the candidates.
Please note that the selection is subject to Medical Fitness as given by the competent Armed Forces Medical Authorities and on Submission of Requisite Documents as proof of having achieved the minimum educational qualifications for the course, besides other qualifications.
Call Letters would be dispatched by Speed Post to the address / Scanned copy through Mail to E-mail ID available on record. Instruction Booklet with format of various forms is available for download at the Air Force career website.
Non-Possession of Qualifying Degree. For eligible candidates who had not submitted the requisite certificates by 10 Jan 22, the following procedure will be applicable for issue of Call Letters:
Eligible candidates in the Selection List, who do not produce the requisite proof of acquiring the qualifying degree by 10 Jan 22 but are confident of doing so, may seek entry on ‘Bond Basis’. Call Letters (Bond Basis) is being dispatched to the address available on record.
Such candidates would be provisionally inducted for training on submission of an additional Bond and a demand draft Rs.52509/- (Rupees fifty two thousand five hundred and nine only) in favour of Commandant, Air Force Academy, payable at Secunderabad. Specimen copy of the Bond is available on the Instruction Booklet on website.
The Additional Bond and Demand Draft are NOT (R) NOT to be sent to Air HQ. They are to be carried along by the candidate and handed over at the time of reporting at AFA
UPSC has published the list of candidates who got recommended in NDA 1 2021 SSB interviews. The list consists of marks scored by all the recommended candidates in SSB interview and NDA written exam. In this article, you can find the marks of NDA toppers from NDA I 2021.
In a remarkable first at Andaman & Nicobar Command, two Dornier aircrew posted at INS Utkrosh, Lt Cdr Ajit Singh Rana & Lt Cdr Parul Pratap, became the first couple of Indian Navy to achieve an instructional qualification at the same time. Both graduated as QFI & QNI respectively
In a remarkable first at ANC, two Dornier aircrew posted at INS Utkrosh, Lt Cdr Ajit Singh Rana & Lt Cdr Parul Pratap, became the first couple of IN to achieve instructional qualification at the same time. Both graduated as QFI & QNI respectively pic.twitter.com/HPTPDtf6HP
The unfortunate loss of Wg CdrHarshitSinha, of 51 SQN (SWORD ARMS) in a MiG-21 Bison aircraft crash, on 24 December 2021 in the Western Sector. Remember the valiant service of the Indian Brave Air Warrior and his sacrifice in the line of duty.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has offered condolences on Wing Commander Harshit Sinha’s death in the MiG-21 crash in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer. IAF tweeted. “IAF conveys the sad demise of Wing Commander Harshit Sinha in the flying accident this evening and stands firmly with the family of the braveheart.”
A MiG-21 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed today evening near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Till last reports came in, a search was on for the pilot.
Updateby India Today: “The incident took place in Sudasiri village near the Indo-Pak border in Jaisalmer. According to sources, the pilot died in the accident. His body has been recovered. The administration has reached the spot. The investigation is underway. More details are awaited.”
UPSC has published the merit list of CDS 1 2021 for IMA, AFA and INA. OTA Merit list will be published later. Names of 154 candidates are mentioned in this merit list. 85 for Indian Military Academy, 58 for Indian Naval Academy and 11 for Indian Air Force Academy.
The following are the lists, in order of merit of 154 (85 +58 +11) candidates who have qualified on the basis of the results of the Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2021 conducted by the Union Public Service Commission in February, 2021 and SSB interviews held by the Services Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence for admission to the 152th Course of Indian Military Academy, Dehradun; Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala and Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (Pre-Flying) Training Course i.e. No. 211 F (P) Course.
The number of vacancies, as intimated by the Government is 100 for Indian Military Academy [including 13 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ certificates (Army Wing) holders], 26 for Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala Executive(General Service)/hydro [including 06 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate holders (Naval Wing)] and 32 for Air Force Academy, Hyderabad(03 vacancies are reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate(Air Wing) holders through NCC Spl. Entry.
The Commission had recommended 2679, 1136 and 637 as qualified in the written test for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy, respectively. The number of candidates finally qualified are those after SSB test conducted by Army Head Quarters.
The results of Medical examination have not been taken into account in preparing these lists.
These results will also be available on the UPSC website at http://www.upsc.gov.in. However, marks of the candidates will be available on the website after declaration of final result of Officers’ Training Academy (OTA) for Combined Defence Services Examination (I), 2021.
