When it comes to defence services selection, clearing the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview is considered one of the toughest milestones. While many candidates spend years trying to secure a recommendation, Punjab’s young achiever, Sukhraj Singh Hira, has done something remarkable—he has cleared the SSB interview four times and recently secured All India Rank 2.
In a conversation with Tota Singh Dina, Sukhraj shared his inspiring journey, preparation strategies, lessons from military training academies, and practical advice for students dreaming of becoming officers in the Armed Forces.
A Dream That Started in School
Sukhraj Singh belongs to Ropar, Punjab. His early education was completed at Holy Family Convent School, after which he joined Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (AFPI), Mohali. Later, he completed his graduation from a college in Ropar.
His interest in joining the Armed Forces began at a young age. A school teacher once asked him what he wanted to become in life. His answer was simple—he wanted to serve in the military. That conversation introduced him to AFPI, a decision that would significantly shape his future.
The motivation became even stronger when his younger brother was selected for the NDA and started training with the Indian Navy.
How AFPI Changed His Personality
According to Sukhraj, AFPI played a crucial role in transforming him from an introverted student into a confident individual.
The academy provided:
- Regular interaction with senior military officers.
- Exposure to multiple sports and competitions.
- Leadership-building activities.
- Educational field visits.
- A disciplined lifestyle.
Most importantly, it helped him overcome shyness and improve his communication skills—qualities that later proved invaluable during the SSB interview process.
Understanding the SSB Selection Process
Sukhraj explained that candidates generally receive an SSB call after clearing examinations such as:
- NDA
- CDS (Combined Defence Services)
- AFCAT
- INET (for certain Naval entries)
The SSB process consists of two stages:
Stage 1: Screening
Candidates undergo:
- Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test
- Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT)
Only shortlisted candidates proceed to the next stage.
Stage 2: Comprehensive Assessment
Over the next four to five days, candidates face:
- Psychological Tests
- Group Testing Officer (GTO) Tasks
- Personal Interview
The process evaluates not just knowledge but overall personality, leadership qualities, decision-making ability, teamwork, and officer-like qualities.
Four SSB Recommendations and AIR 2
One of the most impressive aspects of Sukhraj’s journey is his consistency.
Out of six attempts, he secured four SSB recommendations.
His rankings over different selections were:
- AIR 72
- AIR 28
- AIR 4
- AIR 2
This remarkable progression demonstrates continuous learning and self-improvement.
The Secret Behind Repeated Success
When asked about his preparation strategy, Sukhraj emphasized a simple principle:
Trust Your Mentor Completely
He believes many candidates fail because they constantly switch guidance sources.
According to him:
- Choose a reliable mentor or coach.
- Follow their guidance consistently.
- Avoid unnecessary confusion from multiple opinions.
- Stay true to your personality.
One lesson repeatedly emphasized during his preparation was:
“Be true to yourself.”
Rather than trying to behave like an officer during interviews, candidates should present their genuine personality confidently and honestly.
The Importance of Reading
Sukhraj is an avid reader and credits books for significantly improving his performance in group discussions and interviews.
His primary interest lies in geography and geopolitics.
He particularly recommends books by Tim Marshall, whose writings explain global events through geographical and geopolitical perspectives.
Reading helped him:
- Build analytical thinking.
- Improve communication.
- Develop informed opinions.
- Participate confidently in discussions.
How to Prepare for the CDS Written Examination
For candidates preparing for CDS, Sukhraj recommends:
Study Previous Year Papers
He believes previous-year question papers reveal:
- Exam patterns
- Frequently asked topics
- Question styles
- Difficulty levels
Instead of collecting too many resources, candidates should focus on understanding the pattern and practicing consistently.
Plan Your Preparation
According to him, CDS becomes manageable when approached systematically.
A planned strategy includes:
- Studying previous papers thoroughly.
- Understanding the syllabus.
- Practicing regularly.
- Maintaining consistency.
Personality Matters More Than Marks
One of the strongest messages from the interview was that SSB is not merely an academic examination.
It is a personality assessment.
Sukhraj believes personality development comes from:
- Reading books.
- Staying updated with current affairs.
- Participating in activities.
- Maintaining healthy friendships.
- Exploring hobbies.
- Gaining real-life experiences.
He personally benefited from activities such as:
- Cycling
- Trekking
- Mountaineering courses
- Outdoor adventures
These experiences helped him develop confidence, adaptability, and leadership skills.
Why Students Fear SSB
Many candidates view SSB as an extremely difficult and mysterious process.
Sukhraj disagrees.
He believes fear usually comes from:
- Overthinking
- Misconceptions
- Poor guidance
- Listening to negative opinions
His advice is straightforward:
Follow instructions carefully, stay honest, and express yourself clearly.
According to him, the process becomes much simpler when candidates stop trying to impress and start being authentic.
A Lesson from His AIR 2 Interview
During one interview, Sukhraj was asked:
“If you are selected for the Air Force but also receive an opportunity in the Army, what would you choose?”
Instead of giving a diplomatic answer, he replied honestly that he would choose the Army.
Despite many candidates believing such an answer could hurt their chances, he later secured All India Rank 2.
The experience reinforced his belief that honesty and clarity matter more than rehearsed responses.
Building an Officer-Like Personality
For students aspiring to join the Armed Forces, Sukhraj recommends focusing on overall personality development rather than academics alone.
He advises students to:
- Develop multiple hobbies.
- Participate in physical activities.
- Read regularly.
- Stay informed about current affairs.
- Improve communication skills.
- Build meaningful life experiences.
Whether it is swimming, cycling, running, reading, or creative activities, every experience contributes to personality development.
Final Message for Defence Aspirants
Sukhraj Singh’s journey proves that success in SSB is not reserved for a select few. It is achieved through self-awareness, discipline, reading, practical experiences, and consistency.
His story demonstrates that candidates do not need to create a false personality to succeed. Instead, they should focus on becoming the best version of themselves.
From an introverted school student in Ropar to a four-time SSB-recommended candidate and All India Rank 2 achiever, Sukhraj’s journey is a powerful example of what determination, honesty, and continuous self-improvement can accomplish.
Check out the full interview here:
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