Moodubidire: Students aspiring to join the armed forces must cultivate leadership, logical thinking, communication skills and a positive attitude to succeed in the rigorous selection process for the National Defense Academy (NDA), Colonel Somu Maharajan of the Indian Army said at an interaction with students of Alva’s Pre-University College in Moodubidire on Tuesday.
Addressing aspirants, Col. Maharajan explained the multi-stage Services Selection Board (SSB) process, stressing that candidates are evaluated not merely on academic knowledge but also on their personality, decision-making ability, emotional stability and leadership potential.
He said the SSB selection system assesses a candidate’s thought process, communication skills and ability to execute tasks under pressure through psychological tests, group discussions, planning exercises, obstacle tasks and personal interviews. “The armed forces look for officer-like qualities that naturally emerge during these assessments rather than rehearsed answers,” he observed.
Emphasizing the importance of a positive mindset, he advised students to approach every challenge with confidence and practical reasoning. “Whenever you face a problem, analyze its background, identify practical solutions and make balanced decisions. Logical thinking and optimism are key qualities of a military leader,” he said.
He also encouraged students to improve their general awareness, body language, communication skills and physical fitness while preparing for the NDA examination and the SSB interview. Consistency between one’s thoughts, words and actions, he noted, is an essential attribute expected of future officers.
The session provided students with a detailed understanding of the NDA selection process, including psychological assessments, group tasks, interviews and pilot aptitude tests for Air Force aspirants. The interaction concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, where students sought guidance on preparation strategies and career opportunities in the armed forces.