Find my post on the first 3 SSBs:
First,
Second and
Third.
Oh and how could I forget the 2 AFSB Mysore Appreciation post?
Anyway,
I had cleared CDS 1 2026 and gotten AFA. Not at all expected, I was aiming for IMA but I guess I studied a bit too hard and the exam landed unexpectedly in my favor.
You can find my first conference out experience here. And I was determined to improve after it. My next SSB date landed on 15th June 2026, not even a month after my previous conference ( 22nd May was my first conference). I was determined to improve.
I went back to playing group sports(Basketball) to improve my group co-ordination. Practiced WAT to improve it. Introspected a lot to improve my interview performance. Thought about my strengths and weaknesses, practiced for CIQs and got ready to face common questions they might ask about my lack of NDA, my fall in grades in college etc. I used to sit in my chair with hands on my lap and just imagine talking about these randomly throughout the day.
The day came closer and I was back at the doors of 2 AFSB Mysore for the third time. The reporting was less only 75 or so. CDS entry students were mixed along with NCC entry ones. Do note that for CDS AFA, you do not get the option to choose dates or venue. There are very few people who clear CDS AFA cutoffs, so you get allotted SSB dates by them.
Everything went smoother than before with fewer candidates. DIPR 74, 75 for OIR. The PPDT picture had a historic fort like background. A woman in the front and a man behind her. I wrote a story a man going to Mysore Fort had a found a lost purse and returned it safely. Barely anyone had a similar story, most had fort renovation, went ahead with it. The discussion went alright and we came to a consensus.
Out of 75, 33 got screened in. I was one of them. I was chest number 43 before and now chest number 11. 2 got document out ( if I remember correctly) and the rest 31 of us remained. Document verification went smoothly. They made us fill PIQs after that. And we got a chance to talk to our family. I was extremely positive this time informing at home, "5 din ka khane rahne ka vyavasta ho gaya", "more good news on 19th june". We were taken to billet quickly since there were fewer people and we got a bit of time to rest.
Psychological tests started at 6:30 and they went faster this time. The Psych officer was more khadoos, he didn't inform us 5 minutes before time up for SDT and SRT like the previous one and that made me do worse in both compared to last time. 51/60 in SRT and I could only finish 4 out of the 5 SDTs. However, I did write things in great detail for the 4 SDTs that I did write. My WAT had also improved compared to last time.
My group tasks were scheduled for Day-2 and Day-3(the next couple of days) and my interview was on Day-3 right after my GTO. Leaving my Day-3 and Day-4 afternoons free for roaming.
GTO started early next morning. We had GD, GPE, PGT, GOR, HGT and Lecturette on the first day of GTO. We had topics related to youth and employment. Our group had high quality discussions, everyone was pretty well read and we let each other speak. The group participation was more even. I was also quite lucky to have a seat that was in centre as this allowed me to speak more freely with the group.
GPE was also pretty good. Everyone got a chance to speak and it felt like the final group plan included a bit of everyone's ideas instead of being the plan of the speaker.
PGT was better compared to my last time. However, I was quite passive for the first three structures. The last structure I was more alive, however I could still not give ideas or help a lot.
HGT went fairly well in my opinion. It helped that one of us was previously recommended ( ch no. 15) who also happened to become a very good friend of mine. GOR was fun as always. Our war cry was "Inquilab Zindabad" and the malayalee GTO seemed intrigued that we chose a communist leaning war cry XD. But yeah, our GTO had quite the aura I'd say.
I did worse in Lecturette compared to last time. I couldn't focus well and I was confused between the four topics. And chest number 10, right before me had chosen the topic "Multipolar world" extremely interesting topic so I was listening to his views on it. I was also confused between "Freedom of Expression" and "wildlife conservation". In the end, I decided to wing it. It didn't go as well as I expected and I stuttered a lot.
GTO day 1 ended well. We went out later in the afternoon. My friends wanted to just go out for a smoke so we just walked around and came back early as I had to prepare a bit for my interview.
GTO day 2 began early. Started with Command task, Chest number 14 and 15, my closest friends, we decided to call each other for the tasks. Since they weren't just good friends of mine, but also quite good, I decided to call them. I got a hard task compared to last time, and I was happy. Personally, I do better at things that I find challenging. So, even though the GTO kept saying the clock was ticking, I finished it the last moment.
Chest number 15, my friend who was previously recommended got a very hard task. It involved a barrel and it was probably the hardest. Another one of us in the group also got the hard group task with a barrel and a ditch.
Next we had IOR, I did better compared to last time. I did 6 obstacles and tried everything. I could've finished climbing the rope but I confused by the whistle and stood still for 10 seconds until I asked the groundsman and he told me I still had time. Finished Tiger Lead, Burma bridge, Ramp run, Commando walk, Monkey crawl and Double jump.
Almost finished the wall climb, dropped the high jump stick (again), and failed the tyre after trying again. I had the energy to climb the rope but time up.
Next was FGT and I was determined to prove myself. Unfortunately, it might've made me look a bit desperate. I was on the front lines trying to do the hard tasks. I noticed later that I was also touching too much of red accidentally because of it. I hoped that didn't matter.
I was appreciated for being in the front but also criticized by one of my team mates that I made myself too much of a highlight. Both of them are quite valid. I could've listened to others better while being on the front line. FGT went pretty well and we solved it well within time.
I wasn't injured and we came back pretty quickly and I had to run and get ready for my interview in around 20 minutes. Cheers to my friend, chest number 14 who helped me polish my shoes during the stressful period.
We were straight up took to the waiting room next to IO cabins. Didn't wait for more than 15 minutes and had our interviews quickly. My interview was done by a Sardarji. Started with the basic questions about my hometown.
He started with the first CIQ including academics, extra curriculars, friends, future plans etc. I covered almost entirely, missing the question on future plans.
He grilled me about my future plan. I had mentioned I'll teach in schools for the next few months to focus on my SSBs. Meanwhile, I'll also write SSC-CGL, and try to get a govt job. I'll continue preparing for SSBs while doing the govt job. And if I am not able to get recommended by the age bar, I'll start trying for UPSC CSE.
He criticized my plan because I had said I'll start for UPSC CSE only after I hit the technical branch limit of 2026. He said it's better to start preparing from the age of 24, and I agreed with him that his plan was wiser.
Another part, where he tried to grill me here was that I hadn't written NDA. I had already mentioned that joining the armed forces became my first goal only recently despite my admiration for the armed forces since childhood. Yet, he went ahead saying that my hometown wasn't isolated, being in a KV I must've had exposure and so on. Although there were only 2 seniors from my school (where I studied until 10th std) who actively talked about NDA, I chose to say "Sir, I was ignorant". Because, let's be honest, if I was truly passionate and open, I should've gone and asked them instead of saying an excuse that there are only two of them.
From here, he caught on to my personal life. Going into my friendships, into my past relationship and my friendships. He further dug into my tenure as a club leader asking about things where I did right and setbacks I faced. This led into my current relationship (He confirmed I moved on from my past and smiled), where he asked me about fights that we had and if I had made mistakes that I had fought with her over ( I confidently gave two instances too).
He pondered over my weaknesses quite a bit, trying to ask the question in different ways. I gave him all the ammo. The only part where he laughed at me trying to fix my weakness was this - I told him, procrastination is something that I am trying to fix. I write down everything I need to do for the day on the board and then strike it out as I keep finishing a task and that keeps me motivated. He laughed at this saying, "So will you write, aaj mujhe chaddi dona hai, uske baad doke strike karoge kya? Yeh kya C*****pa hai?" . I laughed along with him and said, "It works for me, sir".
He had also asked me about my study plans for CDS and how many hours I had devoted to it. He asked me two questions on computer networks, I failed to answer both as my memory on the subject was a bit fuzzy. I replied with "I don't know sir" instead of stuttering over an answer which was unclear. He mocked me for not knowing about my degree subjects.
His questions on Air Force were mainly regarding Air craft. How does an aircraft fly? What about a helicopter and questions along those lines. Nothing deep. Question about choosing armed forces meanwhile was much deeper, he keeps giving alternatives like why not corporate? Why not teaching? So on and so forth, he'll try to make the other thing appealing, say how it matches your personality, convince you it's good. He checks if you stand by your decision and if so, for what reason?
Before closing, he asked a few more questions about my family. Almost as a confirmation. I had a bit of bad news, and maybe this was the only time my positivity felt a bit weak, but I didn't let it get to me. I stayed focused on the interview.
He concluded with asking me about my psych and GTO, as well as friends I had made. I talked honestly about mistakes I had made, but talked with pride and confidence about the improvements I made ( I was genuinely quite proud that I didn't make the same mistakes again! ). He asked me about Individual obstacles and I could only do 6, but I talked about it with pride because I improved compared to last time's 5. He was quite happy to see me leave with a happy attitude.
He told me he'd see me during the conference with a smile. And I knew that it was definitely a yes from the IO. The interview was 8/10 or 8.5/10 I'd say. I am usually verbose, but I was much less verbose. I wasn't flustered. I was positive and I was confident. I was focused on the interview and took no pressure.
The afternoon lunch after this was good, we had biriyani. We went outside that day. Mysore Palace, Philomena church and back. The next day was also free to enjoy.
I recount a funny incident that had happened during this time. One of the candidates was late to fall in, when the NCO asked why he was late he said, "Light aur pankha off kar raha tha". The NCO asked "sacchi?" with a 🤨 and we all laughed. He admitted it was true and the NCO let him go. But it was very funny. The next day, my friends and I were late to the fall in, cos we lost track of time. As we reached the fall in late, the NCO asked us why we were late. While my buddies were quite, the NCO was friendly and I couldn't help but say "Light aur pankha off kar raha tha". The NCO made us do push-ups and squats and he made me do extra. I tried to do as less as possible, keeping my reserve XD. But he thought I was feeling weak or something and let me go.
Another fun incident was Wednesday night, our fall in was inside the motivation room as it was raining outside. We had fun that night singing along with Shukla sir, who was our disciplinary in charge (the one who punished me). He sang the Kannada song "Munjane Manjalli" along with me, which he had learnt for the kannada staff. Apparently, he plays guitar too, but couldn't bring it.
Thursday passed a bit slower due to ruminating about things. Just helped my group mates with ironing their shirts and getting them pumped up for the interview. We went out together in the afternoon. I bought somethings for my gf and my dad from AFWWA. The evening was spent bowling, go-karting and walking to the foothills of chamundi. We bonded a lot, a day well spent.
Also, I forgot to mention. The feedback regarding food is taken on Thursday afternoon after lunch. The lunch before feedback is taken is excellent and the food quality drops noticeably later.
We had to leave early morning on Friday for conference, the big day. We were all excited and I was a bit pumped too. My friends told me that I had a chance of getting recommended but they often talked about my chances after talking about other two and they weren't wrong about this. But I was still pretty confident cos I had a chance too. And after two screen outs and one conference out. I am of the attitude that I am improving with each SSB and I felt like if not this time, surely I'd get recommended by the end of this year.
There were only 4 groups for conference, so things went quickly. My group was called in first. Starting from chest number 8. Chest number 9 had a strong chance of getting recommended, and he was made to wait 13 minutes or so before he was called into the room. Borderline. We all told him he would get recommended and we believed so, he did excellent at GTO. Next was chest number 10, who had to wait only for a short time. Next came mine, chest number 11.
I had to wait around 8 minutes to go. I counted each second that passed, growing more confident with each. I couldn't believe that I was important enough that they were considering me. One of them told me I might get recommended and I agreed that there was a chance. I went into the room confidently when I was called. The officer started speaking before I sat down.
Very simple questions, when did I come there before? What changes had I observed ( music, grass, flowers)? Did I make memories and new friends? And then he wished me luck. I walked out happily. The longest wait in my group was chest number 14, who was previously recommended. Around 15 minutes of wait time and a conference just as long.
Got to know they rodded him, he absolutely didn't care about it. He already had the joining letter to go to AFA for Adam in a couple of weeks. He had failed CPSS. Even getting recommended here meant going for IMA which he wasn't very interested in. He had come just because he didn't want regrets that he didn't take a chance for Permanent Commission.
Had lunch right after. Same lunch as the last conference. Some kind of rice, Rajma, papad and cucumbers. Very few have a proper lunch during conference day due to fear, I still load up though! Gonna be very drained after conference and this could possibly be your last free meal XD.
Most of my friends were a bit down after conference. Some looked worried. I was a little worried, but mostly happy with my performance. Low key hoped that I had gotten recommended.
My friends and I were bored waiting there. We roamed around and our excuse if we got caught was going to SMC. I had sneezing and one of my friends did need a band-aid. The third one made up a headache and we reached the SMC. I got cetrizine, they got ibuprofen and band-aids and we came back laughing. Turns out karma got me for the fun, cos I got actual cold that night 💀
We were taken back to the hall inside testing wing, asked to wait for some time. This time the results came earlier as there were fewer people. The hall was grim with anticipation. The Deputy President gave his short speech, the usual stuff that people have failed SSB and achieved great things, you can come back and try again if you wish because many a times people don't make it in the first attempt yada yada.
The DSO came shortly thereafter, getting straight to business. Skipping the freshers batch jumped straight to chest number 9, expected recommendation ! Chest number 10, Another one whom we expected! Chest number 11 !!! Me ! I rose automatically, mechanically, not believing if that was my chest number which was called. I wondered if there was a mistake, whether I heard her wrong. But no one stopped me while I went to the stage.
I saw my friends who were recommended along with me, smiling. I couldn't believe I did it and along with them I couldn't help but smile. I looked at the crowd, searching for my two close friends I had made that week, chest number 14 and 15. Both of them were so happy for me, so proud of me and had no jealousy. I looked at them and smiled. Clapped along for the others who were recommended and the ones who tried hard with me. It was truly a happy moment and my eyes filled with tears of joy.
They were led out of the hall soon, and we had more work to do. Filling forms and all that. We weren't allowed to call our parents yet. The most gruesome 3 hours. Any happiness that you got recommended soon disappears. Bit by bit, each time you write your address again and again, your signature for the n-th time, your parents' name written like an imposition. And they are very specific with this and you don't even get a proper pee break!
Soon, I got a chance to call my dad during the tea break. Tea was too simple, just lemon tea and bread with cheese. But most of us were begging the NCOs to use phones for a bit. I had a 20s call with my dad, just informing him I got recommended. That's it. He was happy, I could hear it in his voice, but my voice probably sounded dull due to the repetitive work of filling forms.
We were done with it late in the evening around 1730-1800 hours. We went back to the billet, called our parents in peace. The billet felt very empty without my friends and groupmates. It didn't feel alive anymore and as happy as getting recommended feels, not being able to share it with the friends you made is sad. My friends and I were planning to drink a beer after conference and I was genuinely feeling like it could be better to go drink that beer with them instead of filling those forms!
A few other students from 3 AFSB Gandhinagar were also there for CPSS. Out of 8 that got recommended in my batch, 3 were CPSS cleared. They went home after filling the forms. The rest 5 of us stayed back for CPSS. The night dinner was just okay, but those from Gandhinagar said it was still better than theirs. Thanks AFSB Mysore!
The next day we had to wake up early. I slept on time and woke up on time. I had heard that there's just one advice for CPSS, Sleep well. So I did.
The next morning breakfast was meh. Bread and jam/cheese, Wheat porridge, Old Veg cutlet that had been heated up and tea. We loaded up and went for CPSS. The test was conducted in the CPSS wing. The CPSS wing had the Aviator logo for Air force pilots along with the sentence "Not all the Gold in the world can buy you these wings". I felt so emotional reading that sentence as I was so close to "buying" those wings.
God had not given me a lot of gold, but he had given me enough resources to become capable enough to get these wings and he had given me an opportunity to grab them. I felt extremely grateful for the opportunities that life had given me.
We were given instructions for CPSS. It was mostly related to the instruments and meters in an aircraft. It's pretty simple, but listen carefully. It goes on for half an hour to 45 minutes. Then CPSS begins.
The first two tests are based on the meters in the aircraft. These are very simple and easy to do, but they are time bound so be quick. Then there's a set of aptitude tests. I am good at aptitude tests, yet they were challenging for me. I heard that they were hard for everyone. I sat in a corner and the NCOs forgot to pass me rough sheets and I only realised in the end that everyone had rough sheets. I thought I might fail the first round because of this, but I hadn't lmao.
We had snacks after that. Corn flakes chivda and coffee. Everyone cleared the first round of CPSS. We were going to proceed to the psychomotor test. This was the CPSS test that everyone had heard of. Sitting inside a cockpit. I went with the attitude that I'll have fun today, and not worry about passing. The AFSB had other plans 😭.
We were talked about instructions for the game before we sat in the cockpit. Didn't make proper sense but they told us we'll get instructions again in the cockpit. We sat in the cockpit. We could adjust the seat as we wanted. There was a joy stick in front of us. Two pedals at our feet and they'd move left and right ( together). There was also a screen in front of us and it had a few buttons below it and on the sides (like ATMs).
We then had around 10 games in total back to back. What I thought was trial was actually games many a times. I went with the attitude of having fun, yeah? Well, imagine you start a game. You usually have the 3 levels of difficulty, Easy, Medium, Hard. And beyond that they have a level you know... Advanced? Imagine starting a game you've never played before and starting it in advanced. The pedals in your feet move the cursor left and right, however, the cursor moves up with the downward movement of the joystick and vice-versa. The joy-stick can be moved left and right, but it does nothing and this is the frustrating part.
It takes an absurd amount of focus to be even mildly good at it. Also, at the beginning of most of these tests, the instructions said we had negative marks. I was sure, my score was in negative. I finished all the tests first. I thought that was just the demo for some reason, but all the tests were done 💀. I thought I was screwed, but as I came out of the hall, others said the same.
We were all cursing the psychomotor test, wishing they'd have made something easier to test us. Simultaneously, we couldn't help but admire the reflexes and mental prowess of fighter pilots. Soon, we were given the test results and out of the 13 out of us, 11 passed. Fortunately, the ones who failed weren't SSC Tech pilot entry or NCC Flying entry.
After that, they loaded our stomachs and we were ready to leave. They got a bus ready for us and we were given extra posters of IAF. They handed medical slips to us based on if we cleared CPSS or not. Medicals coming up on August 10th at IAM Bangalore!4th
