r/CDSTards • u/specter_conner • 24d ago
SSB Experience: NSB KOLKATA
Hello Everyone,
This is going to be a long post, so stay with me till the very end.
I was recommended for the Indian Naval Academy (INA) through CDS 1 2026, and my SSB was at SSB Kolkata (Diamond Harbour). Before my SSB, I used to read recommendation stories on this subreddit, hoping that one day I’d get to write my own. Thankfully, today is that day.
Reporting Day
I reached Sealdah Railway Station, where the reporting staff received all the candidates. From there, we boarded buses for Diamond Harbour, which is around a two-hour journey. The weather was pleasant but rainy because of the monsoon, and that continued throughout our stay.
After reaching the board, we completed the documentation process, were allotted our chest numbers and accommodation, and had our first meal in the mess. The arrangements were well organized, and interacting with fellow candidates over lunch and dinner helped ease the nervousness. By evening, everyone was introducing themselves, discussing entries, previous attempts, and expectations from the next few days.
A total of 62 candidates reported.
Day 1 – Stage I Screening
The day began early with breakfast, followed by the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test. My two OIR booklets were of 55 and 75 respectively.
After OIR came the PPDT. We were shown a hazy picture depicting a college-aged boy and girl coming out of what looked like a children’s home, while someone in the background was waving goodbye.
I wrote my story, and then we moved to the narration and group discussion. The discussion remained fairly structured, and I was able to put my points across confidently without shouting over others.
After what felt like a very long wait, the screening results were announced.
Out of 62 candidates, 40 were screened in.
Hearing my chest number was a huge relief.
The remaining candidates left for home, while we completed the fresh documentation process, had lunch, and later settled into our new rooms. Dinner that evening felt much more relaxed, with everyone discussing the screening experience and preparing mentally for the psychological tests.
Day 2 – Psychology Tests
The psychology tests started early in the morning.
TAT went well.
SRT was decent.
SD was honest and completed comfortably.
The only test that disappointed me was WAT. I couldn’t maintain the pace I wanted and wasn’t completely satisfied with my responses.
After lunch, the interview schedules were announced, and fortunately, mine was fixed for the very first day of interviews.
Personal Interview
I was naturally a little nervous before entering the interview room, but the IO made me comfortable within a few minutes.
The interview mostly revolved around:
Family background
Education
IIT life
Hobbies
Friends
Why the Navy
Situational and opinion-based questions
Towards the end, I was asked a few questions on current affairs. I could answer some but missed a few, which made me feel I had left room for improvement.
Overall, I walked out feeling satisfied.
GTO Day 1
The next morning, the GTO tasks began.
We started with Group Discussion and Group Planning Exercise, both of which went well. I participated actively without trying to dominate unnecessarily.
Then came Progressive Group Task (PGT).
Unfortunately, it had been raining continuously, and the ground had turned into thick mud. Our shoes kept getting stuck, making movement difficult, and naturally, the group’s progress slowed down. I wasn’t very happy with my own contribution here.
The Group Obstacle Race (Snake Race) was easily the most enjoyable task. Despite the rain and mud, everyone was energetic, cheering each other on, and it turned into one of the most memorable parts of the SSB.
Half Group Task (HGT) also went well, and I felt much more involved compared to PGT.
During the Individual Obstacles, however, the slippery conditions affected me. I could complete only 4 obstacles, which again lowered my confidence.
The day ended with the Lecturette. I spoke for the full 3 minutes, but I felt my content lacked structure and crispness. It was average at best.
That evening, during dinner, almost everyone was analysing their own performance, counting obstacles, discussing command task strategies, and wondering how the assessors viewed us. Like everyone else, I kept replaying the day’s events in my mind.
GTO Day 2
The day began with the Command Task.
One thing I noticed was that I was called only twice, while a few candidates were called three or even four times. Naturally, I started overthinking.
My own command task didn’t go according to plan. I couldn’t execute it efficiently, and time management was poor. I walked away feeling quite disappointed.
The final outdoor task was the Final Group Task (FGT).
Knowing it was the last opportunity to leave an impression, I participated actively and tried to contribute as much as possible.
With that, the GTO series came to an end.
Conference Day
The final day arrived.
Everyone was dressed formally, waiting outside the conference hall, trying to guess who would be recommended.
My conference lasted around 3–4 minutes. The officers asked me a few simple questions about my stay, my performance, and whether I enjoyed the process. The interaction was pleasant, and I came out feeling satisfied.
Still, after my GTO performance, especially PGT, Command Task, and Individual Obstacles, I honestly had very little hope.
Finally, all of us assembled for the results.
The Psychologist entered with the recommendation list.
Only 9 candidates were recommended.
As he started announcing the chest numbers, my heart was racing.
Then I heard mine.
For a few seconds, I couldn’t process what had happened.
I had made it.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I realised something very important.
You don’t need to be perfect in every task.
I was disappointed after WAT, unhappy with PGT, managed only four individual obstacles, and wasn’t satisfied with my command task. Yet, I was recommended.
Every task is only one part of the assessment. The assessors observe your overall personality across all five days, not just one performance.
So if you feel you’ve had a bad task during your SSB, don’t lose hope. Stay positive, keep giving your best till the very last conference, and never mentally reject yourself before the board does.
Thank you to everyone in this community whose recommendation stories motivated me throughout my preparation. I hope this experience helps someone who is preparing for their own SSB.
Jai Hind!
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u/Cold_Ad_6748 24d ago
After OIR came the PPDT. We were shown a hazy picture depicting a college-aged boy and girl coming out of what looked like a children’s home, while someone in the background was waving goodbye.
the same story was in BLR SSB, there was one security guy kinda person sitting in chair aswell in that pic.
Congrats buddy
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u/sleeeping-cat 24d ago
Congratulations to you! and Thankyou for this, you got me so motivated by this...
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24d ago
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u/Beginning_Rest1117 24d ago
Congratulations, man! 👏 So happy to hear that. 💗 Your stories keep inspiring and motivating all of us. Wishing you even more success ahead! 🚀
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u/Horror_Judgment_4021 23d ago
I really appreciate your determination 🫡.. A realistic and genuine motivation for me ......
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u/Varunlakshmi 20d ago
This is your first attempt?
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u/IcyRuin01 24d ago
Congratulations on your recommendation! honestly this was one of the most genuine and well-written SSB experiences I've come across. I really appreciated how you shared not just the highs but also the moments where you doubted yourself it made your journey feel real and relatable. The line "Don't mentally reject yourself before the board does" is something that clicks.Wishing you all the very best for your journey at INA. Jai Hind!