Hello Defence aspirants,
My name is Arun Kumar, and I’m from Mahendragarh, Haryana. With my father serving in the Indian Army, I was inspired from an early age to join the defence forces. After finishing 5th grade, I joined Rashtriya Military School (RMS) Bangalore, where my determination to serve the nation only grew stronger.
While in 12th, I appeared for the NDA exam, cleared it, but unfortunately got screened out at the SSB. Despite a few more unsuccessful SSB attempts, I stayed focused and decided to complete my graduation, aiming for the CDS entry. During the lockdown, I took advantage of my time at home, preparing for CDS with the help of books and YouTube, free from the pressure of regular classes.
After clearing my CDS exam, I sought guidance for SSB preparation. A friend recommended Georgians Defence Academy, and I decided to join them a month before my SSB to benefit from their coaching while still leaving time for self-study. At Georgians Defence Academy, I learned and improved a lot. The faculty, especially Sir, provided individual attention and focused on the psychology behind writing stories, correcting us as needed. Morning lectures helped boost my public speaking, knowledge, and confidence. Daily group discussions and PPDT practice gave a realistic SSB experience.
For GTO tasks, we practiced with obstacles on the ground, helping us understand and become comfortable with the challenges. For interviews, we had individual sessions followed by immediate feedback from Sir and fellow students. Special emphasis was placed on filling PIQ forms and writing effective self-descriptions.
Feeling more confident after my training, I faced the SSB at Bangalore. I performed well in the OIR tests. Although I couldn’t complete my PPDT story, I gave my best in narration and group discussion. I was screened in. In psychological tests, I applied what I’d learned—writing genuine responses that reflected my personality rather than making up stories. Right after psychology, I was called for the interview, which included current affairs, logical reasoning, and PIQ-based questions. I couldn’t answer some current affairs questions but did well overall.
Though I felt a bit down after the interview, I chose to focus on enjoying the GTO tasks and completed all of them. When results were announced, I was thrilled to find I’d been recommended! My family was overjoyed. I cleared my medicals and was relieved after my conference.
This journey wasn’t easy—there were many obstacles, and I wouldn’t have made it without the unwavering support of my family, friends, and teachers. Their encouragement and the hard work we all put in finally paid off. I’m incredibly happy and excited to join the Indian Army and serve my country with dedication and pride.
Thank you and Jai Hind!