Entry: CDS 1 2026 (OTA)
Selection Board: 31 SSB
Total SSB Attempts: 2
Key takeaway: Consistent preparation, strong fundamentals, and the willingness to practise unfamiliar tasks can make a significant difference in your SSB journey.
A Childhood Dream That Turned Into a Goal
For some aspirants, joining the Armed Forces is a decision they make after graduation. For others, the dream begins much earlier.
For Ayush Tomar, the motivation to join the Armed Forces started during his childhood. Seeing the Army and its personnel around him helped shape his interest in military life. As he learnt more about becoming an officer, that early motivation gradually turned into a concrete goal.
His journey began with NDA preparation. He continued working towards his dream through his school years, but his final NDA attempt ended in a screen-out.
That setback did not bring his preparation to an end. Instead, Ayush continued his journey towards becoming an officer and appeared for SSB through CDS.
His persistence eventually paid off when he was recommended for CDS 1-2026 (OTA) at 31 SSB in his second SSB attempt.
Building His Foundation Through Consistent Preparation
One of the defining aspects of Ayush’s journey was that his preparation had started well before his first SSB attempt.
He explained that he had been preparing for SSB since Class 12. By the time he appeared for his second attempt, he had already spent considerable time working on the fundamentals and practising regularly.
For him, preparation was not something that began only when the SSB call letter arrived. It was an ongoing process.
This is an important lesson for aspirants who start preparing only a few days before reporting to the selection board. While last-minute preparation can help you familiarise yourself with the process, building a strong foundation takes time and consistent effort.
Ayush did not attribute his recommendation to making a dramatic change between his first and second attempts. Instead, he felt that his continued preparation had helped him develop familiarity with the process.
The lesson: Do not wait for your next SSB date to start preparing. Make preparation a regular habit.
How R2R Helped Him Strengthen His Preparation
Ayush’s association with Road to Recommendation (R2R) began with an online batch. During this phase, he received guidance from his mentor, Neha Ma’am, who helped him clarify concepts and strengthen his fundamentals.
This initial guidance was particularly useful in helping him understand the SSB process more clearly.
Later, after a gap in his preparation, Ayush spoke with the R2R team and decided to attend offline classes.
During the offline phase, he received opportunities to practise various tasks, including TAT and other Psychology-related exercises, as well as GTO activities. He also benefited from the practice environment and the support of other aspirants.
For Ayush, these practical sessions were an important part of his preparation. They allowed him to move beyond simply understanding the process theoretically and become more familiar with what he would encounter at the selection board.
His experience highlights two complementary aspects of SSB preparation:
- Understanding the fundamentals: Learning what the different tests involve and developing a clear understanding of the process.
- Practising in a realistic environment: Applying that understanding through exercises, feedback, and repeated practice.
The combination helped Ayush approach his second attempt with greater familiarity and confidence.
Facing the GTO Challenge: Learning to Do What He Had Never Practised Before
One of the challenges Ayush mentioned was GTO , particularly tasks such as the PGT and other outdoor group activities.
He had not previously had much opportunity to practise these tasks in person. Naturally, this raised questions about how he would perform when faced with them during the actual SSB.
How would he approach an unfamiliar obstacle? What would happen when he had to participate in a group task without having experienced it before?
These are concerns many first-time aspirants share.
Reading about GTO tasks or watching videos can help you understand their basic structure, but actually participating in them is a different experience.
Ayush explained that videos, online explanations, and practical guidance helped him understand the tasks better. His preparation gradually made the unfamiliar seem more manageable.
His experience offers a useful lesson: do not let unfamiliarity with a task convince you that you cannot perform it.
If you have never participated in GTO activities, start by understanding the basic rules and objectives. Practise where possible, learn from feedback, and focus on approaching the task logically rather than becoming overwhelmed by the fact that it is new.
You do not need to have experienced every task beforehand to approach it thoughtfully. Preparation should help you understand the task and respond to the situation in front of you.
What Was Different About His Second Attempt?
When asked what he did differently in his second SSB attempt, Ayush did not point to a single major change.
He explained that he had already been preparing for SSB since Class 12 and had continued practising regularly. Because of this, he felt familiar with the process rather than treating the second attempt as an entirely new experience.
This is an important distinction.
Sometimes, aspirants assume that after an unsuccessful attempt, they must completely change their preparation strategy. However, the right approach depends on what they have learnt from their previous experience and where their actual gaps lie.
In Ayush’s case, consistent preparation and familiarity with the tests were central to his approach.
His journey does not suggest that every aspirant should follow exactly the same strategy. Instead, it reinforces the importance of understanding your own preparation needs.
If your fundamentals are weak, strengthen them. If you lack practical exposure, seek opportunities to practise. If you understand the process but struggle to apply yourself during the tests, work on that aspect.
The objective is not to change everything for the sake of change. It is to keep learning and improving.
From NDA Screen-Out to CDS Recommendation
Ayush’s journey included an NDA screen-out before he eventually earned his recommendation through CDS.
This is a reminder that an unsuccessful attempt at one stage of the journey does not have to be the end of your ambition to join the Armed Forces.
The route may change, the preparation may evolve, and the challenges may differ, but the larger goal can remain the same.
Ayush continued working towards his childhood dream and ultimately received his recommendation for CDS 1-2026 (OTA) at 31 SSB.
His story is particularly relatable for aspirants who have experienced an unsuccessful attempt and are trying to find the motivation to prepare again.
A setback can be disappointing, but it does not erase the preparation you have already done or prevent you from learning more.
What matters is how you use the time and opportunities that follow.
What SSB Aspirants Can Learn From Ayush Tomar’s Journey
Ayush’s experience offers several practical lessons for candidates preparing for their own SSB attempts.
1. Start preparing early.
Ayush began preparing for SSB during Class 12. Regular preparation gave him time to develop familiarity with the tests rather than relying entirely on last-minute revision.
2. Strengthen your fundamentals first.
Before concentrating on advanced strategies, make sure you understand the purpose and basic structure of the different SSB tests.
3. Do not rely only on theory.
Videos and online explanations can help, but practical exposure is valuable, especially for GTO tasks that you have never attempted before.
4. Identify what makes you uncomfortable.
Ayush specifically mentioned his concerns about unfamiliar outdoor tasks. Recognising this challenge allowed him to focus on understanding and practising those activities.
5. Do not change your entire strategy unnecessarily.
After an unsuccessful attempt, reflect on your preparation. Retain what is working and address the areas that need improvement instead of assuming that everything must change.
6. Treat your preparation as a continuous process.
Your progress is not limited to the days immediately before reporting. Every opportunity to learn, practise, and improve can contribute to your readiness.
Final Thoughts: Consistency Can Take You Closer to Your Goal
Ayush Tomar’s recommendation in his second SSB attempt is the culmination of a journey that began with a childhood dream, continued through NDA preparation, and eventually led him to CDS 1-2026 (OTA).
His experience highlights the value of starting early, strengthening fundamentals, practising consistently, and seeking guidance when faced with unfamiliar aspects of the SSB process.
Not every aspirant will have the same journey, and there is no guaranteed formula for recommendation. However, Ayush’s story reminds us that preparation is not simply about learning what happens during SSB. It is also about becoming familiar with the process, understanding the tasks, and developing the confidence to face situations you may not have encountered before.
If you are preparing for your first SSB or getting ready for another attempt, focus on building a strong foundation and making steady progress. Do not let one unsuccessful outcome convince you that your journey is over.
Your next attempt is another opportunity to put your preparation into practice.
Road to Recommendation (R2R) supports SSB aspirants through structured preparation, mentorship, and opportunities to practise different aspects of the selection process. Learn the fundamentals, work on your gaps, and approach your SSB journey with greater clarity and confidence.
