Hey, my name is KARTIK LAKHE, a guy from the heart of our country, Nagpur, Maharashtra (to be more specific, a typical Marathi guy), I belong to a completely civilian background and always had a dream to break this tradition and be the first officer in my entire family. I recently cracked the SSB interview in 3rd attempt from 33 ssb Bhopal (NDA 143) which was my last attempt too, After 2 consecutive conference out (33 Bhopal and 24 Bangalore), I realized there was something that was going wrong, I just figured out where I went wrong by self-evaluation and tried to eradicate those mistakes, all it takes is determination and consistent dedicated efforts to be successful (you all won’t believe, I have practised about 300 TAT stories!!).

I reported on 18th of AUGUST 2019 outside Bhopal jn. Platform no. 6, since I was a repeater of 33 ssb, so, it was nothing new for me, so I was expecting around 50 reported candidates but in actual it was 71!. The bus came and took all of us to the selection centre, sultania infantry lines, Bhopal, then the basic documents checkup started, and after which we were alloted our accommodations! The next day was the screening, since I was a “screened-in” candidate for TES-41 and was screened in, in 40 out of 390, so I was kind of free regarding screening, because in NDA entry screening is comparatively easy, so did the OIR well and had a great PPDT as I had practised it many times.

The calling out of screened in candidates started and 35 of us got screened in out of 71. It was a great feeling because of a step ahead towards the dream of that “+” sign!

From the next morning, the psych tests were to be conducted, I made new friends and had a great time with them, in the psych tests, I did all 12 TAT, all 60 WAT and 56 SRT, after which I was satisfied for my work!

After the psych tests, I came to know that my personal interview was on the same day after 2 hours, I was kinda stressed but yeah, then relaxed myself, went for the interview. My interview was taken by the deputy president of 33 ssb, he was a very nice person, the interview lasted for about 1.2 hrs and I had a great conversation with him, then the only thought in my mind was to do good in GTO because that is all I have in my hands right now!

I woke up early the next day and got ready for the GTO day 1. I took everyone from the centre to the GTO ground because I was a 33 Bhopal repeater and knew everything about it, so the GTO tasks went well, we were able to solve all 4 PGTs, and all 35 were divided into 4 subgroups and I was a part of 1st group. Again I was satisfied for my deeds in GTO day 1 and went back to centre and relaxed for a while, the next day was our GTO 2 with only 2 tasks left that were the IO and FGT, since I am a footballer, so I had good physical fitness and stamina, so I did 15 IOs without any problem.

We were free by 11.00 that day and we had planned to go outside and visit Bhopal and went outside because the next day I might be going back home! So enjoyed a lot that day with TGC entry seniors.

The next day was the conference! And it is really a scary thing for everyone (only repeaters will understand this).

So the closing address was conducted and after which the conference started, my chest number was 10, so my turn came, I went inside and was asked to sit down with some normal questions about the stay, performance, food and where did I visited in last 5 days, I answered them properly and after which I was asked to leave, the last thing I said was, “have a good day sir!” And left the conference hall, we had a lunch break after which the results were to be announced!

Because of tension, I didn’t eat anything and went for the final results, we all settled down in the hall, and the officer came to announce the final result, he started telling the chest number of successful candidates, my adrenaline level was at its top and just then he said “chest number 10” and from that particular moment, my life changed!!

I bet, once you will feel that moment, you can’t even imagine how it feels!

So that was my experience that literally changed my life forever!

Even I have faced worst scenarios in my past that you all can’t even imagine, all I’ll advise, just go on trying without any hesitation and see how things change!

Never ever depend on luck, it can make things worse, just dominate your hard work over luck, because of this, I never got screened out!

Just don’t think about the results, just go on doing well and enjoying each and every test in the SSB.

Once you clear this process, you will realize how perfect and beautiful the selection system is, even in the country of 1.29 billion people, it still works efficiently to give future officers. The Indian armed forces is still a department in India of which we all are proud of.

Everything will go right, be positive and go on!

At last,

” It’s not you, who chooses the uniform,

It’s the uniform that chooses you!! ” All the best to everyone

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3t8IfwgUfr/

Hello guys! This is Ratnesh Patel. As you all came here to know about my SSB experience so I’ll directly start without wasting any more time. My first SSB was in Bangalore, where I got screened out. The most probable reason for myself being screened out there was a lack of active participation in the group discussion part. I did speak few points but I didn’t show that much interest in other’s points, which clearly showed the lack of active participation. And as a result I got out! Being a Sainik school cadet and getting screened out really hurts a lot. After that, I prepared for my next written exam and got the call letter for my second SSB in Bhopal. I didn’t go for any coaching, I prepared on my own. I got the few sets of OIR and solved them on my own. I downloaded the SSB and prepared for the WAT, TAT and SRT there. I got the study materials from SSBCrack and practised them. I used to watch the GTO videos from YouTube and used to imagine the structures and solved them on my own.  For the interview part I just thought of being honest. I got the list of questions from the SSBCrack and made the best answers on my own. I made myself mentally fully prepared this time and went for the interview without any stress!

Myself Ratnesh Patel from Sainik School Rewa. I got recommended from 33 SSB Bhopal. I didn’t go for any coaching. I got the study materials from the SSBCRACK and practised them. I practised TAT, WAT and SRT a lot . In the SDT part I was honest and wrote what was the reality . In the interview I showed the honesty and was confident enough. The GTO part went well and I showed active participation there . All I’ll suggest to the defence aspirants is that they should try to be more communicative, stay connected to the world and they should try to grasp as much knowledge as they can about the defence. Thank you !

Now talking about my journey of 5 days there. During my screening day, I went to the hall without any tension and gave my OIR test freely. It’s a very simple test, all you need is to be calm and give the answers. I will suggest you attempt every question as there is no negative marking there and that’s what I did! During the PPDT test, I wrote the story on the first thought which came to my mind without thinking the story to be right or wrong! And during the discussion time, I showed the active participation there and got screened in this time. Now I made myself mentally prepared for the physiology test forgetting about any other tests. I just focused on the psychology part. And next day I wrote positive stories and attempted all words in WAT and did 49 SRT. In the self-description part I wrote the description which I prepared earlier. I will suggest you all to prepare it before your SSB. Now, this test was over and I was getting mentally prepared for my interview and GTO. On the first day of my GTO, I performed well. Again I showed the leadership skills and active participation in my group. In the group obstacle race, I showed all my Josh and helped every team member for crossing the obstacles. In individual obstacles too I showed the presence of mind by choosing the correct sequence to complete the obstacles. The group discussion part also went well as there was no heck in my group and it all went well with everybody’s cooperation. Now in the next day of my GTO I was having the command task which is the turning point for most of the candidates. Here you get the opportunity to prove your leadership. I got a difficult obstacle. But anyhow I completed it.  Not only completed but gave the proper commands to my teammates. And behaved as a leader. Now my GTO part was over and I was having interview on the 4^th day. I dressed well and went to the interview hall without any stress and with the cool mind . The questions were asked about my personal life ,about my friends, my teachers, my game, my hobby. The interviewer also asked me about the current events going across the world . He checked my knowledge about the defence by asking me questions about the same. I gave the answers honestly and the answers which I didn’t know, I simply preferred not to answer! Not my conference day came I was nervous as my results were going to be announced on that day!  I went to the conference hall. They asked me about my stay and food. And after that, they asked me to wait outside. Now when the results were announced I heard my chest no and was at the top floor the world after hearing that!

So guys this was my experience there in the SSB.  I’ll advice to you  that you should improve your communication skills, stay connected with the world and improve the knowledge about the defence. Guys keep practicing for the physiology part too so that you can attempt every problem there. 

Guys all the best for your SSB! Keep practicing. And if you want to know more or want to take any advice you all are welcome I’m dropping my Instagram id you all can contact me there !

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3pDFsUA2cl/

Hello, my name is Yatharth and I got recommended for IMA – 148^th course from SSC Bhopal on 9^th September 2019. I have been declared medically fit from SMB Bhopal and right now waiting for the merit list. I am unable to exactly recapitulate when did I conceive the dream of becoming an Army officer yet I believe it might have started with seeing someone in the uniform with stars on the shoulder. None can deny having gotten attracted to the uniform of an officer. I filled for UPSC CDS -1 exam in end of year 2018 and carried on my preparations according to the exam schedule. I prepared English from Arihant’s and Plinth to paramount, Maths from Arihant’s and Quantum CAT, G.S from books written by Authors like M. laxmikant and Mazid Hussain. Studying from UPSC CSE level books proved immensely helpful to me in cracking the exam. I would suggest aspirants to regularly read Oxford Dictionary and Norman Lewis along with English newspapers to improve their vocabulary as well. After declaration of results in April 2019, I found myself to have been qualified for IMA and OTA interviews.

I subsequently started collecting information about the SSB interview and types of tests I would have to go through during it. At that time websites like SSBCrack proved to be of benefit and provided me with all the theoretical information I needed about the interview processes. By that time I had a good idea about all the test and procedures. I kept on working on my English and reasoning skills as well.

Later on I came in contact with Colonel Ramesh Narayanan on account of our common interest in fountain pens, who displayed great confidence in my personality and motivated me towards the goal of becoming an officer. He guided me to be in contact of his good friend Colonel Ashokan Sir and such is luck that he turned out to be the director of Olive greens academy.

I talked to Col. Ashokan Sir without prior knowledge of the fact and yet he addressed me so humbly without any sign of irritation because of my endless questions. Col. Ashokan sir told me that he can see the horses among the donkeys and that he finds me to be a horse. I actually felt quite motivated hearing this. I thought If I am a horse already, why not become a lion by learning a few things from the academy and getting an edge over others in this valuable ‘fresher’ attempt.

Henceforth I joined O.G in the month of July and learnt many things there. I would specially thank Wing commander Ashim Kapoor sir who was our Psychologist at O.G.

I would not lie if I say I was his most disliked and yet super liked student at the academy. He helped me ameliorate many things in myself and taught me how I could introspect myself. He did not give me the fish, he taught me how to fish.

I got pleasure of being interviewed by Col. Gadhok sir. That interview prepared me well for the real one later on. Gto tasks those seemed hard at beginning, became my most superior skill at the actual SSB.

I made many friends there. My roommate Pradhyuman has gotten recommended for NDA entry this year from same SSB through which I have.

I left Olive greens in end of July. My SSB was scheduled on August 15^th, 2019. I reached the city of Bhopal on 14^th and spent the day in a hotel preparing some notes for my lecturette and group discussions. The weather was rainy and cold. It was raining cats and dogs on 15^th. I reached railway station and met some gentlemen there who were there for same purpose. The receiving bus came late by an hour and we talked until then. All of us sat in the bus and they drove a long way to SSB, I saw the upper lake and lower lake on my way to SSB. We were given 20 Board to report to.

Two things happened that day,

1. I, along with five others were given a return ticket because of non-presentation of degree.
2.  I caught viral fever and fell ill.

I consider it a very fortunate happening now. Had I not forgotten that document, I would be taking all 5 days SSB in great fever that followed.

I met a Sir there, he told me to come back and take SSB freshly. “I see a chance in you, and I don’t want you to lose that chance. Come back, you will get through.”

I came back to hotel where I fell utterly sick at night. Next noon I left for my home. Fever took almost 10 days to bid my body a goodbye.

During all this I went to university and collected the missing document.

My next SSB date came out to be 4^th September 2019.

I reached to reporting place at the last minute all thanks to rain and traffic that day. This time they drove the short way to SSB and we missed seeing the beautiful lakes again. In bus itself I made a few friends.

Documents check was swift this time and I was allotted chest no 1 as I was the first in line. I felt a different luck with that chest no 1. As I was destined to be the champion. My roommates were both good, Piyush ji and Harsh bhai.

We came to our rooms and filled our PIQ forms.

Next day was screening in and we woke up early. I did not take a bath that day. I was fun. I completed all questions from my OIR tests. They were pretty simple and many of them were already marked on the sheet.

PPDT was a simple image of friends’ meetup as far as I assumed. During tea break I collected my group and we discussed how we shall go in during our group discussion.

I was the first to narrate. Surprisingly, assessors did not hear to my story much and only after five six lines they called out ‘Next’, it hit me at first but I was fairly confident about my body language and narration. I did well in group discussion. We reached to a common story fairly quickly and I was given the responsibility to narrate the group story by everyone. However the assessors said that they have gotten the idea and it is not required.

The results came out. Harsh bhai did not make it to second round. Total 15 people were screened in. My batch had 8 gentlemen. Our phones were confiscated. I was again allotted my lucky chest no 1.

Fortunately Piyush ji was still there. We were allotted different line of rooms now. I made new friends and as it was a small group everyone was highly amicable. All the gentlemen were friendly and humble.

Second day we had to wake up without alarms. It was our psych test day and I was directed that it would be my interview day as well. I felt highly motivated that day.

It started with TAT. All the images were very simple and had high scope for imagination. I wrote all the stories positively and kept the story brief and highly relevant to the image displayed. It is very important to catch the background nuances in my opinion. And the most important suggestion is, “don’t create any problem if it is not in picture already and until it is displayed as main subject in the picture.” Look out, there are thousand ways for a picture to take place. I wrote a personal story in the blank image about my friend and I.

WAT were easy and I mostly wrote observations.

My suggestion would be, ‘Observations > information > suggestions > personal’.

I was not able to complete all the SRT, did 43 to be exact. Look at the SRT carefully, you will automatically understand what it wants to see in you. What quality it wants you to evince out.

I was called for interview after a short break of half an hour during which I revised all the information I had collected from I.T cell the night before.

Deputy President Sir of the Navy 33 board took my interview. It went on roughly for around 1 hour and 45 minutes but seemed like as if it was only five minutes long. He is a very humble and kind person to communicate with. Most of the questions were from my PIQ itself ranging up to Physics, genetics, evolution, history, travelers, geography, rivers of India and World. I was given to discuss long length about Greek Philosophy of stoicism and Indian Philosophy schools like carvaka and Mimansa. I believe the most important part of the interview is being comfortable with yourself. Comfortable with what you know and what you don’t and how much and how much not.

And, to express it as clearly as you can. I suggest forbidding gesticulations.

My interview went all well. I was happy with my performance and felt cheerful and elated towards the days to come.

We could not go out that day as it was raining very heavily but we certainly had some fun inside our room. I found my friend Rohil a very good person and in my personal view competent enough to get recommended.

Next day was GTO day. We started out with GPE which was a fairly simple exercise. I listed down the situations there were, divided the team into parts. Wrote down a workable plan and mentioned the distances, speeds and time during the actions. The discussion was fair and gentle. Again I was chosen as the narrator and this time I got to narrate the story.

There was a problem to which I had the solution but my group did not finalize on it. GTO asked me about it, I answered that sorry our group did not decide on the issue Sir.

GD was again very enjoyable because of all my friends. Everyone got to tell their points and it did never become any kind of fish market.

My lecturette was about Dropping water table in India and it went very well. I spoke for around 2:30 minutes but it was crisp and I ensured there was brevity in my lecture.

PGT followed the lecturette and all the obstacle ground that looked scary from far became the friendliest ground to work upon. All the team worked hands in hands to cross the obstacles. I was at the front with my dear rope and the plank to work with. Ballis were less used.

I suggest everyone to keep a sight on the white part. It gives the main idea. And to always measure the white to white distance if it is approachable by plank directly.

Calling out everyone as ‘Gentlemen’ may fetch you some extra marks but calling out people ‘bro, man’ will give them a decrement certainly.

HGT was almost similar to PGT and I could not find out any significant difference between both except for that we were more closely assessed during HGT than PGT.

Here GTO would test your equanimity and composure and group skills so maintain your calm and peace and keep your team motivated at all costs. Never ever lose your temper during any of the group tasks.

We were relieved after the HGT.

One last suggestion about GTO day one is to wear your white dress immaculately and get there only after shaving. Keep your nails clipped and shoes tight, lest you need to tie them mid task.

That day I went to Van vihar with my friends. Piyush ji, Sumit ji, Himkar ji, Prabhat ji and I had great fun during our long cycling session. The weather was great that day.

At night I collected our group and we planned about the snake race positions. I suggested my place to be 2^nd last as I was powerful enough to climb walls with help of one person and pull him by myself later.

Next day was GTO- 2 day. We started with the snake race. I volunteered to demonstrate figure 8 obstacle. Snake race started. Our war cry was ‘vande mataram’.

I would shout ‘vandeeeee’ and rest all would shout ‘matarammm’ on top of their lungs. Such a jovial display of teamwork, strength and brotherhood it was. We crossed each obstacle easily.

The important part here is to carry the snake and being with everyone. To wait for others if you are leading and to help others if you are powerful.

As a secret, the second last position is the most influential one. I knew it from my experience at Olive greens.

Next was Individual obstacles.

I started out with Tarzan Jump then tiger leap and double ditch. Barbed drum and commando walk, Burma Bridge and lastly a jump from an upslope.

My hobby of rope climbing made almost 60 percent of I.O very easy for me.

My suggestion here is to be totally fearless during all the tasks. You will do good at it.

Last was Command task.

Here I was called in last. I was called in 5 times by my friends. I did my duty well by helping my commander and giving him ideas whenever I was asked to.

I invited chest no 4 and 5 to help me after a brief interview by the GTO sir.

My task was rather different that everyone else’s. I was given a circular obstacle with a bomb in middle which was to be carried out of the boundary. One approach was made inaccessible and I was to go in from one of rest two approaches. At times we were denied to use our helping material because of breaking of rules. GTO sir kept stressing me out by various means but I did not give up. At the end we found two workable ideas and were returned to initial point.

Our tasks were all finished after this. GTO sir invited everyone to ask questions if any. I asked “What is bravery, where does it lie in?”

To which GTO sir answered humbly according to his own views.

We were debriefed and then we returned to our rooms. At night we watched the movie saaho in an open theatre. Bad movie but great fun with friends, cool breeze and rain.

Next day was final day the conference day. We were briefed by JCOs and later an officer. We were motivated about our future and lives. And some were warned not to come to SSB to the 20^th time.

Conference started. I was not made to wait much. It might have been around 4-5 minutes. I was the first one to be there. I had prepared myself to answer all the questions which I could not during my interview. But my conference turned out to be pretty simple.

I entered the room and wished everyone a good morning. After which I was gently told to take a seat. A voice came from the right 1’o clock position and then after I did not see anyone else in the room. I only focused on the interviewing sir. He asked me questions about my stay at SSB. What I observed here and what I told about SSB building to my family. Lastly suggestions were asked to which I gave one. I suggested that a small model of I.O should be installed in common ground as well so that candidates can practice on ropes before the actual I.O day. To which they said that they want us to practice at home before we come here. Everyone laughed including me and I was told to leave.

I bid everyone a good day and left out of the room.

I was happy with my performance.

We fell in after a short break and nervous discussions, in Manekshaw hall of 22 board. We sat on our seats and were given our phones back.

After a brief while a lady officer, Lt. Colonel Kamalpreet sagi mam came to announce our results.

She got on the podium and said, “Sorry everyone I have gotten no file or list and the batch seems to be a washout.”

Everyone skipped a beat. I skipped two maybe.

Then for relief she asked, “So anyone thinking they got recommended?”

I raised my hand, as few of my friends did.

She said, “Hmm… Many, but fastest finger first few han”

She took out a paper from back of her pocket and said she had gotten a few names there. Everyone crossed their fingers and had a breath of hope. I wished should my name come in these ‘few’ I would be the happiest. Her statement then quickly changed to, “oh, sorry, I think there is only one name here.”

Again the air got thick. I thought it was one of chest no 12 or 9 certainly. Maybe I, in the back of my head, maybe, maybe I.

She instructed that the called out chest no should come forward then to left and say loud his name and roll no.

Then she said in a loud voice, “CHEST NO 1”.

I could not believe it. I stood up. Came forward. Looked down towards my yellow shirt, crumbled trouser, shoes, chest no 1 and my blue tie coming out of it. I felt I could not contain whatever it was inside me in that moment. I started crying with joy and yet it never felt like joy or sadness specifically. It felt like for the first time I was alive. As If I was just born and I had full knowledge of my own existence. I could not say out my name in the first time. Later on I shouted it out like I shouted out war cry in GTO ground. And I am telling you, calling out your own name will never feel better than in the moment you get recommended.

Many things happened later on. I informed my family, my girlfriend and friends. Met my friends again and life continues.

I have been declared medically fit and waiting for the merit list as of now.

I would quote Marcus Aurelius here,

“The time is at hands when you shall forget all the things, and all the things shall forget you.”

You will know what I mean in the moment when you will call out you name and roll number. I hope you all do soon. 

Thank you.