In recent years joining the defence forces has emerged as a very promising career amongst the youth. In fact, it has become the favorite choice of many. The Gen-Next is going gaga over this career option and is leaving no stone unturned to become a part of the elite society of Fauj.
Earlier while it was not so famous amongst the youth and was seen as a career option full of discipline and strictness, now everybody is drooling over and they are happy and excited to get the ragda, discipline, fronts rolls, maharaja, and what not!
Let us see what has made Fauj a hit choice for our Gen-Next:
The Adventure seekers: The youth today are adventure seekers, they are thrilled to imagine a life full of traveling, meeting new people, and visiting parts of the world that people only dream of. So now when the option of a certain life has taken a backseat, we are thrilled to get a life where bags are always packed for a get-set go to places which you may never know! Fauj definitely offers an adventurous life full of uncertainties sometimes. The adventure sports you get to play in Fauj are something that civilians can only dream about.
For us difficulty is the new cool: There was a dialogue of this sort in some Hindi movie that tragedy is the new cool, but for our yo-yo Generation difficulty is the new cool. Fauj offers difficulty in a unique way, right from the training you get habitual to difficulties and crisis handling. Each step in the Fauji attire demands you to sort out different problems and unleash the horses of your brain in order to sort out difficulties.
Khatron ke Khiladi: Right from the camps in training, to sitting on the borders, flying jet planes, to operating a submarine, there is danger everywhere. But the new Generation thinks that dealing with danger is fun altogether and the mainstream career options are well too mainstream! (No offense please).
The patriots that we are: Love for the motherland is a strong force that has driven people towards the forces and compelled them to join the forces. The patriot within us has risen and we love India, our motherland more than anything. Hindustani naam humara hai, sabse pyara desh humara hai.
The online Generation: We are the online generation. With the rise in social media and the internet revolution, we find ourselves more connected to the forces. From the tri-services, to our PMO, everything is available on the internet now, which helps our new generation to connect in a better way with them. There are dedicated pages and websites which fill our youth with motivation to join Fauj.
The bullet lovers: The new gen-next is the bullet lover. For bikes may come and bikes may go but Enfield will have a place of its own. Often we connect fauj with the bullet. Of course, you can buy it as a civilian also, but the ‘Indian Army’ written on the number plate says it all. Right?
Uniform: This is a major attraction, who doesn’t love the uniform? Who doesn’t love the crisp combats, the olive greens, the sparkling white shine? We all do.
Fitness freaks: Of course as a civilian also you are not stopped from keeping up your fitness level, yet the task is a bit tough. In Fauj your day begins with PT and ends with games. You get a chance to play and work at the same time. Now, who will want to miss this chance?
Job Security: Ironically a job that offers you a life full of adventure, also offers you job security which is first class. No institution can offer you job security better than the Indian Government.
Every moment is full of life: In Fauj you never see a dull moment, there is activity going on all the time. The life you live being a Fauji is what others can only dream of.
Maiden flight of the Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator was carried out successfully by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from the Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga, Karnataka on July 01, 2022.
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is designed & developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment, Bengaluru, a premier research laboratory under DRDO. Airframe, undercarriage & entire flight control & avionics systems used for aircraft were developed indigenously
Operating in a fully autonomous mode, the aircraft exhibited a perfect flight, including take-off, way point navigation and a smooth touchdown. This flight marks a major milestone in terms of proving critical technologies towards the development of future unmanned aircraft and is significant step towards self-reliance in such strategic defence technologies.
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is designed & developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru, a premier research laboratory of DRDO. It is powered by a small turbofan engine. The airframe, undercarriage and entire flight control and avionics systems used for the aircraft were developed indigenously.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO and said it is a major achievement towards autonomous aircraft and will pave the way for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in terms of critical military systems.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy appreciated the efforts of the teams associated in the design, development and testing of the system.
To crack the SSB interview, You can join our SSB interview live classes batch and we recommend you to Enroll SSB INTERVIEW ONLINE COURSE. Trusted by thousands of defence aspirants.
An Assam Rifles team evacuated a six-day-old infant and the mother from an inundated area in flood-affected Silchar, Cachar district on June 26.
In Silchar town, which is submerged for over a week, efforts are on to provide relief to those areas where the administration is yet to reach by air to drop packets with food, drinking water and other essential items by Indian Air Force helicopters. Several areas in Cachar are still waterlogged.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited and reviewed Silchar twice within two days on Sunday and reviewed the relief and rescue operations in the town.
Silchar has been severely affected as water gushed in, following a breach in the dyke at Betkundi, allegedly by miscreants, and Sarma alleged that the flood in the town is “man made”. The state government has transported 3575 food packets to Silchar from Guwahati and Jorhat.
Meanwhile, Assam’s flood situation is showing signs of improvement with the water level of most rivers maintaining a receding trend while over 22 lakh remain affected across the state, officials said on Monday.
Around midnight of 29/ 30 June, a massive landslide struck the company location of 107 Territorial Army of Indian Army deployed near Tupul Railway Station in Noney district, Manipur for protection of the under-construction railway line from Jiribam to Imphal.
Full-scale rescue operations are in progress by columns of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles. The available engineer plant equipment on site has been pressed into the rescue efforts.
As of 0530hr 13 individuals had been rescued. The injured individuals are being treated at Noney Army Medical unit. Evacuation of the critical injured personnel is in progress. The flow of Ijai river has been affected due to the landslide.
Rescue operations are being hampered by fresh landslides and bad weather, however, a concerted effort is underway to rescue the missing individuals. The Army helicopters are on standby waiting for the weather to clear.
On 26 June at approx 1400 hours, during an op patrol in the forward areas of the remote Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, Naib Subedar Amrendra Kumar of Red Shield Division, slipped and accidentally. Naib Subedar Amrendra Kumar of Red Shield Division slipped and accidentally fell into a fast-flowing mountain stream.
An immediate search operation was launched by search parties in the area along the stream.
A large number of search parties have since been launched and the scope of search has been expanded to include the downstream flow of the mountain stream.
The assistance of local villagers and civil administration is also being taken and they have been incorporated in the efforts to locate the JCO.
The extensive search operation has continued non-stop, even as extremely rugged terrain, inclement weather, and incessant rains have made progress very slow. Notwithstanding, the adverse climatic conditions, all-out efforts are being made by deploying all available resources to locate the missing JCO.
I am Aman Bhandari. Son of Mr. Darshan Singh and Preeti Bhandari. I belong to the village of Bainjwari, Tehri Garhwal. I did my schooling at DPS RAIPUR.
It was very difficult for me on 8th Oct 2021 to get rid of the truth to get conference out. I was not very emotional or crying but telling my father on call that I got conference out made me cry. I remembered that day very well. On the night of 3rd Oct 2021, I had an intuition of not getting recommended.
After 5 months I had to work hard, not over TATWATSRT SD but to improve my personality, because I was knowing that I don’t have it in me and I have to improve it.
I went to college and did B. Tech, NCC, and Debate society. I made myself busy, searched for opportunities, and learned things from others. And on 24th March 2022, I was recommended by 11SSB Allahabad.
And same as earlier I had an Intuition on 23rd March of getting recommended. It’s the journey that was wonderful and amazing. Getting deep into the journey I learned that working on ourselves was the most efficient way to make it through it and I was clear to be my own architect. I read books and learned things from my seniors, buddies, parents, friends everyone.
Slowly and slowly I was able to be a man I was fond of. And as all can see on 24th March 2022 I made the statement true that leaders are not born they are made.
TAT skills are very important in SSB, it’s the main part of the psychological tests and also PPDT requires perfect skills in writing a story. Earlier we discussed “How to write a story in TAT“, now this post is regarding the common mistakes done by candidates while attempting TAT.
Conditions Responsible to Make a Story Undesirable and Psychologically Weak
Let’s look into a story, which would put light on the common stories made by the aspirants at the SSB’s.
Mahesh hailed from a remote area. He was a hard working and sincere student,who always thought about the development of his village. Mahesh completed his studies and became an engineer. Mahesh got posted to his district. He saw that his village lacked the basic infrastructure and because of the funds, the village could hardly progress. Mahesh along with villagers approached the administration and requested the roads and bridges on the river. Soon, the Govt. sanctioned a bridge and a road to the village. Mahesh being the engineer was made the engineer of the construction work. Road and bridge was constructed, which brought prosperity to the village. Village became a modern village.
Line-wise Interpretation of the Above Story by the Psychologist
Mahesh hailed from a remote village area – The first requirement of the TAT is the Hero identification and not the introduction. Here, the Hero identification is not complete. Another point here is,you should name the village, district, state etc.
He was a hardworking and sincere student – Please note that, no unwanted details, impression management is required and even no adjectives like hard-working, sincere, national-champion, honest, brave etc. These qualities should be revealed through your action and through your problem solving behaviour.
He always thought about the development of his village – Was there no one in the village to think about the development except him? For this, the Hero in the background should not necessarily be from an engineering background; rather he should be have been introduced as a social worker.
Mahesh completed his studies and became an engineer– Which studies did Mahesh complete, whether B. Tech in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical etc and from where? Further, there was no one to see the progress of his village except him and that too, when he became an engineer. And before becoming an engineer, did he not see whether the village was lacking progress because of fund?
Mahesh got posted to his Dist. He saw that his village lacked the basic infrastructure and because of the funds, the village could hardly progress – Again, Mahesh means the Hero is doing according to his wish by getting him posted to his own Dist and witnessing that the village lacked the basic infrastructure and due to the shortage of the funds, the village could not progress. So, what he is doing is writing the story as he wants. This kind of story is evaluated as Self-Generated Response. This means, you generate a response as per your wish and as per your convenience. See Mr. Mahesh is doing whatever he wants and the story is running according to his wish, hence termed as Wishful-Thinking.
Mahesh along with his villagers approached the administration and requested the roads and bridges on the river. Soon, the Govt. sanctioned a bridge and a road to the village – Here, it means that getting the funds sanctioned was pre- determined, that the fund has to be sanctioned without hurdle or problem. Nothing comes ever so easy in life. Mahesh being the engineer, was made the engineer of the construction work – Again, here the story is being designed to suit the Hero and as he wants to perform.
Road and bridge was constructed, which brought prosperity to the village. Village became a modern village – Again, here the story reveals a small effort and big achievement, which is not possible in practical life.
The Practical Interpretation of the Story with Context to Subjective Interpretation and Psychological Interpretation
The above interpretation by the Psyche officer was a subjective one. Now, we will see the psychological and actual interpretation which can make and break the story and may not allow the story to become psychologically desired one:
Please see, in the above story the person has not perceived the situation and seen of the situation properly and has not used/applied his imagination to observe that, what this particular situation demands:
There is no similarity between the situation and the point of start. Now, the situation of the scene is that a person being alone is going ahead while facing the cyclone and heavy rain, that too in the night.
The aspirant has not forced his intellectual imagination to imagine that, what this particular situation demands and what the aspirant has perceived or has written in the story – is it logical? What the Aspirant has Perceived and Written?
The aspirant has perceived that a remote village has not progresses and no one has thought ever to do so except him, whereas the demand of the situation is something else.
What he is expected to perceive to make his story imaginative and acceptable? The aspirant has perceived a Long-term goal, where as the demand of the situation is to perceive Short-term goal. The requirement of the Armed Forces is ‘Leader of Crisis-Problem Solver’ and not a ‘Manager-Crisis Preventer’.
Post your story in the comment box below, on the above picture
“The more you get hit, the harder you fight, stronger you become”
Hey everyone. My name is Ashutosh Pandey. I had cleared my AFCAT 2/2021 in August. I got recommended from 1AFSB Dehradun for Flying Branch. I cleared my medicals and secured AIR 1 in the flying branch and AIR 4 order of merit i e., Overall. This was my 6th Attempt and this is my journey.
So, with this experience, I went for my 6th SSB. I chose the 1st batch because I knew that I have worked on myself and all I need is to keep going and everything will eventually get counted, all the efforts, all the setbacks, all the big or small things that take a good part of our attention and contribute to creating self-doubt. With that in mind, I went to Dehradun for the last attempt of 2021, having already planned the eventualities, that I would start giving all the uniform forces exam from 2022 and upskill myself simultaneously to have a better private job.
The One fundamental Philosophy I believed in this time was: It is the game of showcasing what I already am (Like the lyrics from Lakshay song: “Tujhe Ab ye dikhana hai”). So, with the different mediums given to us (Subconscious, Conscious & group)
“If I show them OLQ, they will have no choice but to recommend me.”
Note: Whatever I am sharing is just my experience. I can only share what has worked for me. I believe it is for everyone to create their own way, find what will and what will not work for them and in the process discover themselves. I am not suggesting anyone any tips, dos and don’ts through this, I am just sharing what I observed that worked this time.
Day 1: SCREENING
Approximately 180+ Candidates reported, which is quite less by the standard of AFCAT SSBs. 12 of them got documented out (Therefore, make sure you read and take preventive measures accordingly). I was allotted chest no 98.
First, we had our OIR, which went great. The key here is to do the basics right. You will not want them to doubt you on common sense and basic intelligence, right? It is the test of general aptitude and for a person who has cleared AFCAT and coming to get recommended, it shouldn’t be something that would bother him/her.
Whether you want to practice for it or not is totally individual decision. Giving a mock test (& previous SSB experience) can help you make that decision.
Then we had our PPDT. The picture was as expected hazy and water was visible. So, most of the candidate’s stories revolved around water. I wrote a short story with clarity of goal from the start and completed it timely. While we were preparing to go to narration, I revised the key actions I took, and how I interpreted the scene in the picture. Then came narration, and I, without wasting much time on the other details, confined them to 10 seconds and jump to my story. I maintained the usual communication etiquettes and Narration went well. I listened to everyone’s story and observed where the overall group is standing in terms of a common story.
After that, GD started and I spent the 1st few minutes listening to where it is heading. Then I offered some suggestions as to where we can take the story from here. In between, I offered inputs, not just from mine but from all the stories I listened to. Here, the key is: Stick to the Goal. The goal is to make a common group story. Make sure whatever you do, you contribute in that direction. Either you can directly offer inputs, or you can be an enabler as well, depending upon the situation. The group was further divided and eventually, we came to a common story.
After some refreshments, we had our results and I was screened in. The first thing I said to myself after that was: This is it. I am getting recommended this time.
New Chest numbers were allotted and I was given Chest no 44. We went to Arjan Singh Hall for document Verification. After that, we went to our rooms and were asked to report back at 6 for 1st phase of Main Testing, i.e., The Psych Test.
Overall, it was my best psychology test in all SSBs. I managed to do as I have imagined myself, giving my best in every subset of the series of actions. Practising therefore is definitely important. While you practice at home, you are not mugging up any response, you are practising how to display your subconscious self clearly, as you want it to be. Remember that practice is incomplete without assessment. So, after every series of tests you give, make sure you analyse, see for any repetitive behaviour patterns and introspect about it.
I completed all the TATs and made short and practical stories with clarity of interpretation from the start. TAT, I believe is very important because it offers the most amount of control. You have 4 minutes to let your imagination run free and create all the avenues as you like. It is the perfect opportunity to create a story where you can display your OLQs.
I completed all WATs, and I was absolutely honest in my responses. For a word of which I didn’t know the meaning, I wrote exactly that. For a word that I have heard, but can’t make sense of it, I wrote what I understand from it. The key is: Listen to the instruction. They tell you to just write whatever that is coming to your mind in a meaningful way so that it can be interpreted to understand your psyche.
I wrote 48 SRTs, with breve and ‘to the point’ response, solving everything that I have been offered in the situation, always maintaining a sense of practicality. Remember you are not reacting, but responding as per the situation. It offers numerous avenues where you can show your OLQs.
Self-Description was good. I worked for it by simply asking the people involved to share their opinion about me, then understanding and making an image of myself in different roles for different people. Then while writing, I didn’t just tell them what kind of a person I am from their point of view, I showed them by mentioning examples where I could and being honest to my true self. Observing yourself and having a clarity of it is therefore vital. Once you do that, the response starts flowing.
We were notified a day before about our Interview slots. What came as a surprise was, my interview was scheduled 1st. It was a 50-minute interview and I was not fully satisfied with how I gave my conscious responses. The questions ranged from
my personal life i.e., Education till that point, the decisions I took in my professional career (Entrance Exams and all), Family & my relationship with family members, friends and teachers, my lifestyle, daily schedule, hobbies & interests, favourite stuff, personal awareness about my failures, the reasons and what are the steps I took to prepare differently
to some factually based questions like General Awareness in national, international & Local matters, Defence related, Gallantry Awards in Armed Forces etc.
to some throw-up questions (generally in the start) like what I had for breakfast, and what did I generally eat, what do you fear the most?
Expect cross-questions from every response you give. It is very crucial and makes up more than half of the interview. That’s because The Interviewer has no way to know whether what you are telling is true or not. He has no lie detector but only experience. He will use it to check is there a gap between what you are saying and what you are showing. So, he is looking if what you are telling has some weight in it or not. An empty response is generally shakeable, and therefore say what is you genuinely believe in so that when countered, you can show it as well.
As mentioned by many before me, PIQ is what offers them an insight into you. Now it is to your conscious self to display who you are and if you carry a consistent personality (that has the OLQs and is showing them), clearing a personal interview is smooth then.
It is very important to be your interviewer. Constant confrontation with oneself help you become confident in your vulnerabilities and the more you do that, the more you get clarity. The interview is probably the most controllable aspect of your SSB. You have 100% control over where you want to drive that. So, practising to know yourself better and refining your responses will help you capitalize on that.
Also, get rid of the timer we put in our minds, that we need to give a response as quickly as possible. Yes, a quick response gets attention but a true response is what you are there to give and if you take some time for organising your thoughts, it is completely fine.
My interview was over by 9 a.m. for the next two days, we have the time since our GTO was scheduled for day 4.
DAY 2&3
There are two things I reminded myself of every day whenever I had the time. I have come here for expressing myself & enjoying myself. In the process of doing the former, we end up forgetting how important it is to do the latter. We had a great time these two days. Starting from discussions in the room, we started getting to know each other more (The benefits of not having any gadgets). Afternoon time was indoor games so Pool, TT, chess and the conversations with people between them.
The best time was after 4 when we go out to play volleyball & badminton. It was a treat before the monkeys come back to conquer their territory 😛
The day started with us reporting to the ground. The different groups were first taken indoors for GDs & GPE.
– GD: It went well. The first topic was related to China. The second one was from Education. I was always the kind of person who is filled with many points to give. But what happened differently this time was, that I refrained, occasionally, when I was required. I was participating but was never deflecting from the aim of carrying out a good discussion. This gave me the time to listen more and that helped in aligning my thoughts and presenting them in a better way. The goal is not to convince anyone but to present why you believe what you believe in logically and rationally.
– GPE: GPE was very good. I offered good solutions and while discussing I gave logical reasons for them. Recognition of problems is crucial. But what’s more crucial is the recognition of the map. A good solution for GPE is always in the details of Map. While you have the time to observe, have a rough estimate of the distance between important landmarks, look for the resources you can use, and divide the group accordingly. I batched more than one problem together (One big group solve two-three problems by subdivision)
While writing the solution, make sure to add distance and TIME estimation. Time is crucial. To make a practical story, consider everything that takes time, like planning the whole operation. Also, make sure to not be hyper-realistic in details, and keep it real.
– PGT– The first outdoor task. We managed to finish three tasks and were on 4th when it was called off. I was mostly behind, giving my ideas and sometimes going in front to implement them / implements others’ idea better.
Here, I kept a few things checked before any task. One of them was to listen to the instructions carefully. The other was to observe the structure closely myself to see details. Remember they are not obstacles but the structure (This mindset makes the most crucial difference between looking for a problem and a solution). Another thing to remember here is to not forget the basics. Sometimes we overestimate the distance and scratch our heads for no reason. Sometimes a simple bridge is sufficient and we are stuck in the principles of Cantilever. Sometimes a normal cantilever is possible by just observing the structure. So, make sure to don’t go with the “One shoe fit all” approach and see every situation as it should be, fresh.
– HGT: The group was half divided and we were given the task. I anchored my group, gave reason when asked for and end up completing the task timely. All the observations of PGT are applicable here too.
– GOR: For some reason, most probably rain, GOR was not conducted. It was unfortunate because for me it is the most enthusiastic task of them all.
– Command Task/CT: I was called 2nd. The GTO had a small conversation with me about my personal life. He asked about some things he observed and I responded accordingly.
Then a structure was given. I called the subordinates and immediately went for it. I was making things clear to them before execution, about what I wanted to achieve with every action and I believe it is quintessential to have that clarity. The structure was amended multiple times but I was able to find better ways every time. It went exceptionally well and I was very satisfied.
– Lecturette– I was a follower of general issues of importance from the start so it was very smooth. My topic was supply chain and I was able to speak for 3 minutes confidently by giving practical observation examples to make them understand better, using geopolitical satire to show I know the facts. Here, remembers the organisation of thought is very important. A good lecture is where the process of delivery is continuous and the content is relatable. Practising at home in front of a wall with the same time constraint has helped me a lot.
Two remaining tasks, Individual obstacle and Full Group Task were conducted early morning.
IO: I am a fitness-conscious person so completing the tasks was never a problem for me. I was able to perform 8 tasks.
FGT: We were regrouped for the final task and I offered my suggestions from behind. It was easy and we were done quickly with our GTO.
CONFERENCE
We reported back to our rooms, packed our belonging and reported to the Waiting room. Before my turn, they took 20 seconds to discuss. After entering the room, they asked me about my motivation to join The Indian Air Force, about my stay and any feedback. I responded and the whole conference was over in just 40 seconds.
I kept my hopes low because the Conference was bringing memories for me where I was asked the same thing and I was conference out.
We reported back to Arjan Singh Hall. After the usual talk and address, the results were announced & I was half asleep (Thanks to the good October weather and sunlight I got outside)
5 chest numbers were announced from 35 freshers and I was thinking this might not be the moment. Just then, Chest number 44 was announced. I was the only repeater from the repeater’s batch who got recommended. It took 15 seconds for me to believe what I heard, I was watching candidates around me who were clapping and telling me “IT IS ME.” It was instructed to say out loud our name and DOB.
“Ashutosh Pandey. 12 October 2000.”
It was enough to bring the long-awaited tears from my eyes. We were given the cap as a token of recommendation and the experience is so surreal that I have goosebumps while writing this.
DAY 6 — PABT/CPSS
We reported after breakfast for the test. The only weird thought in my mind was, that it is once in a lifetime test, FOR REAL. I focused on the moment, and all of us 5 were able to clear it. Flying was a dream I always had but never really acknowledged.
Every morning in the SSB process, I told myself this.
OWN THE MOMENT.
EXPECT NOTHING.
ACCEPT EVERYTHING.
Just do the right thing as per the situation demands, and keep doing it.
“The Impediment to action advances action, what stands in the way becomes the way”
I cleared my medicals in January 2022 and got AIR 1 in flying and AIR 4 order of merit i e., Overall. I am awaiting the opportunity to earn the blue uniform.
That was the story of a man coming from a family background of farmers to becoming a first-generation military officer. I gave interviews for Army, Navy and Air Force. But eventually, IT’S THE UNIFORM THAT CHOOSES YOU.
Hello everyone, I am Sonal Raj, from New Delhi and I have cleared my AFSB in my fourth attempt and have secured All India Rank 71 (Men) in the order of merit for AFCAT July 22 Couse. In total, I have appeared in a total of three AFCAT Exams and one NDA exam and cleared all the written exams.
As far as AFSB is concerned, I was conference out in my previous 3 attempts from AFSB Mysore and AFSB Gandhinagar. In my previous attempts, I believe I was lagging behind in my psychological aspect and would tend to write a very detailed solution in My SRTs. This would waste a lot of time and hence I was not able to complete my SRTs in time.
After my failed attempt at NDA in 2014, I appeared for JEE Main and cleared it to get admission in engineering. At the time of branch selection, I choose Electronics and Communication Engineering, so that my engineering stream options are also open for the Indian Air Force. Coming from an IAF background, I was a clear about the requirements of the various streams of the Indian Air Force.
In my final year in 2018, I started appearing for the AFCAT exam and cleared it twice continuously. In both these attempts, I was conference out and decided to take a break from SSBs to ascertain the reason of my continuous failures.
In the meanwhile, I cleared GATE and joined a PSU to continue a life and decided to attempt the chances left for AFSBs. Then the dreaded Corona virus arrived in 2020, and due to constant panic and a state of confusion I could not appear for AFCAT in the next two chances.
Eventually I again gathered some motivation and confidence, and appeared in AFCAT 2/2021. I was very stressed in this attempt as it was my last attempt and I wanted to give my 200% efforts to make sure I don’t repeat my previous mistakes.
Fortunately, I cleared the written exam and selected AFSB Mysore for my SSB. I never took a formal coaching for my SSB as I believed that it is a personality test and you can’t be coached. But I used the internet to read about the procedures, correct techniques and tips to perform better in the AFSB. Several YouTube videos and SSBCrack blogs later, I went for the final AFSB attempt on 18 October 2021.
In the morning, I was confident of the screening test as I was able to clear it in every attempt. My PPDT was very good and my story was selected as the common group story without much discussion and hence I was sure of making it to the Stage 2 of AFSB. After stage 1 completion, results were announced and I was screen in.
In the afternoon, we were taken for the psychological test. My goal was to complete the SRTs and WATs properly as I was not able to complete them in my previous attempts. I wrote to the point reactions and sentences and fortunately, I was able to complete my entire set of SRTs and WATs.
Next day was my Group task and we were divided in a group of 13 people. In the group planning exercise, I was able to prioritize and assess the situation reasonably well and hence again, I was able to convince the group about my solution and hence I was selected as the presenter. In the group exercises, I tried to be calm and innovative to my maximum limit.
Also, I supported the workable ideas where I couldn’t get one myself. In my command task, I was called in the end. I felt my task was bit tricky and I was thinking for a long time. Suddenly the GTO started reminding me that only 5 minutes are left. I panicked but to my benefit I came across a good workable idea and was confident again. My command task end on a good note.
On the next day, my interview was scheduled for 11 Am and I was asked to wait outside the office. Suddenly an airmen came and asked me to accompany him. During that walk, I was told that the commandant will take my interview.
I was bit nervous but was able to hold on to my nerves. In the waiting area, I went through top news of the day from the newspaper and went inside the cabin with a smiling face. My interview was primarily on my job, Defence background and my hobbies. My interview lasted for about 50 minutes and I was satisfied with my performance.
Then the dreaded waiting period began. We had a free day but since it was covid, we weren’t allowed to book out. I had good discussions with my roommates and tried to remain positive about the result.
On the results day, we were called in for the conference and were asked to wait in the waiting room. Everyone was called one by one, and my sequence was 17. After Chest number 16 went outside, I was made to wait for around 15 minutes outside the conference room.
Those 15 minutes seemed 15 hours long. Finally, I was called in and the commandant asked me about the food. The conference was over in a jiffy.
After the conference, we were served lunch and asked to wait for the results. After around half an hour, a senior wing commander came with a piece of paper. I was having goosebumps. The Wg Cdr announced two chest number, #1 and #17.
I couldn’t believe I made it through in my last attempt. It was a very emotional moment for me and a very proud moment as well.
I met all my friends, bid them goodbye and completed the paperwork. As I already passed the PABT during my NDA, I was free to leave with my medical date.
My medicals were scheduled on 5 January 2022 at AFCME, Delhi. After a thorough checkup, I was declared fit and finally waited for the merit list.
On 28 May 2022, order of merit was released and I was AIR 71 (Boys). It was at that moment, the entire journey from my first attempt to the last attempt crossed in front of my eyes and I was filled with tears of joy and excitement. My parents, family and friends were very happy and proud of me. This made the celebrations even more joyful.
During all these attempts I have realized that where there’s a will, there is always a way. We should dream big and strive hard to achieve it.
Finally, the Most Awaited IAF Final Merit List is out. The Indian Air Force has published the Final Merit list of Air Force Academy for the course commencing from July 2022.
List of Selected Candidates to join AFA for training for various courses commencing on 11th July 2022 is placed in Annexure ‘A’. To meet vacancies in various branches, the 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 formats of various forms is available for download at the Air Force career website.
Non-Possession of Qualifying Degree. For eligible candidates whose exams are over but who do not submit the requisite certificates by 04 July 2022, 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 04 July 2022 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.71280/- (Rupees Seventy one thousand two hundred and eighty 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.
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Date and Time of Reporting at AFA is given in Call Letters. Candidates who are in possession of ‘signed Joining Instructions’ are to report at Reception Cell located on Platform No.10 of Secunderabad Railway Station / Airport between 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM between 09-10 Jul 22 and should be in possession of negative RT PCR report for test conducted within 72 hours prior to reporting. Late Reporting by candidates will NOT (R) NOT be accepted under any circumstances.
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