When Prakhar arrived at OGC Dehradun Defence Academy with just 60 days in hand and a pocket full of dreams, there was no noise, no demands, just quiet determination. A student of Sainik School, Mainpuri, he stepped into the academy during his summer vacations with one clear goal: to crack the NDA written examination and take his first decisive step toward a life in uniform.
Sixty Days. Zero Excuses.
Sixty days isn’t a luxury. It’s a test. Of discipline. Of focus. Of grit.
The plan was tight: long classroom hours, a full syllabus to cover, concise handwritten notes, topic-wise previous year questions, and crystal-clear logical solutions. There was no space for confusion or hesitation. Only consistency.
And Prakhar showed up every day. He trusted the process. He didn’t chase shortcuts. When the vacations ended, he returned to school and sat for NDA II 2025.The result? He cleared the written exam.
But the real story, the one that defines him, was what happened next.
A Battle No One Could See
Behind the achievement was a quieter battle. Prakhar had long carried self-doubt. His biggest question was not how to crack SSB but whether he could crack it at all, especially in the first attempt.
There was a memory that haunted him.
Back in Class 9, during a school assembly, he was asked to recite the Preamble to the Constitution. He stepped up to the mic, faced the audience, and began:
“We, the people…”
And then… silence. He froze.
That moment, of hesitation, of being unable to express, stayed with him.
It followed him like a shadow.
Entering SSBOG: The Shift Begins
When he returned to the academy for SSB training at SSBOG (SSB Training wing of OGC Dehradun Defence Academy), Prakhar already knew the format, the test structure, the theory. But once sessions began, especially under the guidance of Shashi Shekhar Sir, something shifted.
As Prakhar himself shared:
“I had procedural knowledge, but when I started attending sessions, especially with Shashi Sir, I began finding things easier the way they were taught. That’s when I started building self-confidence that yes, this can be done in the first attempt.”
One of the biggest turning points was story narration with instant evaluation. Listening to others. Receiving real-time feedback. Understanding what worked and what didn’t. The same approach extended to WAT and SRT, where detailed feedback helped him identify his strengths and pinpoint areas of improvement without judgment.
The GTO Ground: From Blank to Lead
Prakhar remembers his first moment on the GTO ground clearly.
“When I was first taken to the GTO ground, I completely blanked out. I couldn’t implement a single idea.”
But he didn’t stop there.
“When I went for the second round, I could implement ideas and even lead the group. That personally helped me a lot.”
It wasn’t a leap. It was a climb, step by step, with effort and reflection.
Confidence Is Earned, Not Gifted
During Stage-1 preparation, especially PPDT, he struggled to contribute initially. But repeated guided practice, led with care by Shekhar Sir, helped him slowly find his voice.
“Gradually my performance improved, and by the end I was confident that I would definitely get screened in.”
Even the personal interview, often a source of anxiety for many, felt different for Prakhar.
“My actual interview was very, very lively, all thanks to Shashi Sir and SSBOG.”
It wasn’t just about mock interviews. It was about building familiarity. Replacing fear with flow.
Preparation That Actually Works
Looking back at the NDA written exam, Prakhar pointed out something striking. Upon returning for SSB, he shared excitedly that almost 70% of the questions across subjects had come directly from the academy’s handwritten notes.
The notes weren’t bulky. They were crisp, targeted, and exam-ready. And because of that, he could complete the syllabus in two months and revise it thoroughly without panic.
Stress reduced. Confidence increased.
From “We, the people…” to Leading a Team
Prakhar’s story isn’t about being naturally talented. It’s about building belief, step by step, session by session.
From the boy who once froze at a microphone to the aspirant who led teams on the GTO ground, spoke confidently in interviews, and cracked the SSB, his journey proves one truth:
Excellence isn’t innate. It is earned.
Through practice. Through feedback. Through a decision to keep improving, no matter how small the step.
Final Word
Prakhar didn’t just clear an exam.
He redefined himself.
And for us at Dehradun Defence Academy and SSBOG, his journey is a reminder that behind every confident answer, every group task, every recommendation, lies a story of quiet effort and quiet courage.
To Prakhar, we are proud of you.
From “We, the people…”
To “Yes, I can.”
You didn’t just prepare for SSB.
You prepared for life.
Read more Success Stories:
Recommended from 14 SSB Allahabad: Pragnesh Verma’s Story of Transformation
Silently Strong. Steadily Chosen. Suyash Gets Recommended (3 AFSB)
Santhwana’s Way: The Quiet Strength of Right Attitude
Saurav’s Story: From the Boxing Ring to SSB Recommendation – A Journey of Grit, Grace, and Growth
Tadaji’s Journey: From Humble Beginnings to OTA with Dehradun Defence Academy
Adarsh’s Journey: From Challenges to Becoming a Flying Officer with Dehradun Defence Academy
