Rank-1🪖NDA Failure Changed Him😥 | 4 Recommended - 3 Services + ICG

Summary

The video is an interview with Aman Kumar, who describes how an early failure and repeated SSB setbacks prompted him to change his habits and build a stronger profile over several years. He discusses preparation for written exams and SSB, and shares lessons from interviews, psychological tests, GTO tasks, merit selection, and medical screening.

Personal journey and preparation

• Aman says that before college he spent much of his time playing PUBG and was not seen by his family as especially focused. An early failure—when classmates succeeded and he did not—became a turning point.
• Over four years of college, he deliberately built his confidence and communication skills through NCC, clubs, events, sports, organizing activities, and academics. He says his parents’ view of him changed as they saw this development.
• He frames his progress as a long-term effort, not a short burst of SSB coaching. His advice is to develop through regular participation and responsibility, and to learn by observing people who are already active and capable.
• He later took a job after being placed in college. While working, he prioritized preparation for upcoming entries and used free time—including weekends—to study rather than party. He chose to focus on SSB and exams he considered more compatible with his available time, rather than trying to prepare for everything at once.

Written-exam preparation

• Aman recommends mock tests as a way to measure readiness, not just completing the syllabus. In his experience, repeated mocks exposed gaps and helped him improve his score and familiarity with different exam formats.
• He describes preparing intensively for a couple of months after an unsuccessful attempt: setting daily targets, making notes, and revising them later.
• His general approach was to build a foundation once, then revise notes and keep up with current affairs. For some exams, he relied more on practice tests and pattern familiarity than on studying every topic in depth.
• He cautions that a demanding exam such as CDS may require more study time than AFCAT or Coast Guard exams, especially when balancing preparation with a job. These are his personal observations, not universal guarantees.

Screening test: lessons from setbacks

Aman says he was conference-out in his first two attempts and screened out in three subsequent attempts. He identifies several mistakes he learned from:

• In group discussion, contribute without dominating. At first he struggled to get a word in; later he overcorrected and spoke too much. He learned to make a clear contribution, listen to others, and avoid crowding them out.
• Listen to the assessor’s instructions. He recounts a discussion where candidates kept talking over the assessor’s request for one person to speak at a time. He stresses that failing to listen can undermine the group.
• Prepare for the OIR and narration. He recommends aiming for a strong OIR performance, delivering the picture narration confidently and concisely, and keeping it within roughly a minute.
• Be clear and composed in the discussion. Make a useful point, allow others room, and avoid speaking merely to appear active.
• Stay engaged with the group during waiting periods. He suggests productive, natural discussion rather than isolating oneself or obsessing over what to write.

Psychological tests

• TAT stories: Aman uses a consistent structure:
  1. Briefly introduce the main character, including relevant age or background.
  2. State what is happening in the picture.
  3. Describe specific, realistic actions that address the situation.
  4. End with a clear outcome.
• He recommends drawing on real experience. For example, if writing about organizing an event, include plausible steps such as meeting the team, planning, arranging approvals, coordinating people, and reviewing the result.
• For unfamiliar scenes—such as people climbing a mountain—he says it helps to think through practical details and actions. He suggests learning about such activities through real experience or research, rather than writing vague or implausible stories.
• WAT (word association): He tries to write short responses, often only a few words, so he can finish within the time limit. He advises not to react automatically to negative words: a knife, for example, can be used for an ordinary task, while a situation involving crime can prompt a constructive response such as prevention or seeking help.
• SRT (situation reaction test): His approach is to decide on a practical response quickly and avoid getting stuck imagining obstacles. He recommends taking initiative and using available help and resources, rather than overcomplicating the scenario.
• Self-description: He says it should be realistic and grounded in examples. He describes including specific observations from his parents, friends, and teachers, as well as genuine strengths and areas to improve. He warns against making the self-description sound identical or artificially polished across attempts.

Personal interview

• Aman says preparation for the personal-information questionnaire (CIQ) helped him answer clearly, but candidates should not sound as though they have memorized a script. Interviewers may change question order to see whether answers are genuine.
• When faced with pressure or a difficult hypothetical, he advises staying calm, listening carefully, answering in sequence, and taking a moment to think if needed. He describes a prolonged hypothetical exchange about a relationship as an example of how an interviewer may test a candidate’s reasoning under pressure.
• He recommends knowing one’s own experiences well—activities, sports, responsibilities, achievements, and decisions—so answers can be supported with specific examples.
• He also describes preparing a neat, organized interview file and presenting certificates and other material clearly.
• For current affairs and knowledge questions, he says regular reading and watching explanatory material helped him discuss topics such as international affairs and Indian indigenization.
• He notes that technical expectations may vary by service and entry. In his view, candidates should know relevant basics for the branch they are applying to, particularly for technical or Navy entries, and should acknowledge honestly when they do not know an answer rather than bluff.

GTO tasks and group behavior

• Aman emphasizes cooperation and group awareness, especially in group tasks such as PGT. He says candidates should share ideas and support one another instead of competing only for visibility.
• If someone is stuck or has not contributed, he suggests making room for another person to try. He describes exchanging positions in a PGT so he could contribute an idea, while still cooperating with the group.
• He warns against choosing a subordinate for the command task without considering whether that person will cooperate. He recounts an instance where a candidate’s behavior suggested poor group spirit.
• His broader point is that assessors observe how candidates work with others, not only whether they can produce an idea. Candidates should listen, coordinate, and help the group progress.

Merit and medical considerations

• Aman argues that being recommended is not the same as making the final merit list. He believes candidates need consistent performance across psychology, interview, and GTO rather than relying on one strong area.
• He says competition and preparation levels have increased, including at screening, but stresses that the process remains achievable with sustained preparation.
• He urges candidates to maintain fitness through regular exercise and to take medical standards seriously. He personally recommends checking health concerns in advance and mentions blood tests and spinal issues as examples.
• He also makes claims about changes in medical screening and the possible use of linked medical records. These are presented as his understanding and advice in the interview, not independently verified information; candidates should consult official recruitment and medical guidance.

Overall message

Aman’s central lesson is that personal development is cumulative. After early setbacks, he built skills through college activities, NCC, work, study, and repeated SSB attempts. He encourages candidates to learn from failure, practise consistently, stay composed, use real examples, and show cooperation and authenticity rather than trying to perform a manufactured personality. He also speaks appreciatively of his parents’ sacrifices and support.

Speakers and sources featured

• Aman Kumar — interview guest and candidate sharing his preparation experiences.
• Female interviewer/host — asks questions about Aman’s journey and SSB experiences; her name is not stated in the subtitles.
• People Aman refers to: his parents, his friends Sarthak and Gaganjot Singh, a college faculty adviser, and Colonel O. P. Sharma. They are mentioned in his examples but do not speak in the supplied subtitles.
• Aman also refers generally to interviewers, assessors, and GTO staff, as well as newspapers and YouTube videos as sources he used for current-affairs or activity-related learning.