NDA Aspirant Saksham's Success Story- From a Farmer’s Son in Ballia to NDA 155 Recommended Candidate

If dreams are ambitious, even the slightest of starts can take one to extraordinary places. This is the story of Saksham Singh, a straightforward guy from Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, who comes from a farming background, but one day wanted to wear olive green. His journey from a rural background to success in the NDA written examination and ultimately SSB recommendation is a testimony to commitment, belief, and hard work.

From Rural Roots to a Resolute Dream

Saksham was born in a small village with limited possibilities and minimum expectations. As a child, his father, a farmer himself, demonstrated to him what hard work would bear. According to Saksham, “My parents never had too much, yet they always gave me their love, blessings, and faith, and that faith became my strength.”

With many other defence aspirants from small towns, he was also confronted by issues such as a shortage of resources, no experience and having to face a language barrier. However, none of these disillusioned him from persevering to enter the Indian Armed Forces. This was not a profession for him; it was a calling.

Fighting Typhoid, Yet Clearing NDA

Saksham’s journey wasn’t smooth. Before his NDA 154 attempt, he was struck by typhoid just days before the exam. His preparation halted completely. “I couldn’t study, revise, or even open my notebook properly,” he recalls. Yet, despite his health struggles, he managed to clear the Mathematics cutoff, which gave him immense confidence for the next attempt.

By the time NDA 155 came around, Saksham was ready. He had learned the most powerful lesson: you don’t wait for perfect conditions to give your best; you create them.

Centurion Defence Academy – The Turning Point

Saksham’s success story took shape when he joined Centurion Defence Academy. From the very first day, he felt that this was the right place to refine his potential. “When I entered Centurion, I didn’t know how to sit, how to speak, or how to express myself properly,” he admits. But soon, things changed.

He gives immense credit to his mentors:

Madheshiya Sir for simplifying tough Mathematics concepts and helping him go beyond just clearing the cutoff.
Shukla Sir and Naveen Sir for building his foundation in GAT and English.
And his SSB mentors, who transformed his confidence and communication skills.

What impressed him most was the personalised guidance at Centurion. Teachers not only focused on academics but also on character development and mindset-building qualities that later helped Saksham shine in SSB.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Centurion Defence Academy (@centuriondefenceacademy)

“Trust the Process, Involved in the Process, and Enjoy the Process”

When asked about his mantra for success, Saksham recalls something he told Aditya Sir during an online session:

“Sir, it’s not just about trusting the process. You have to be involved in the process and most importantly, enjoy it.”

This line beautifully captures his journey. Saksham didn’t just prepare for NDA; he lived the preparation every single day in the classroom, hostel, and SSB grounds. His hostel life at Centurion was full of learning and laughter. He fondly recalls, “We were like a family of 18 students sharing everything, even answering each other’s phone calls”

Though there were scoldings, punishments, and endless practice sessions, Saksham says, “Those moments built my discipline, patience, and adaptability, all of which helped me immensely during SSB.”

Saksham’s Preparation Mantra: Concept + Consistency + Analysis

Saksham believes that strategy matters as much as hard work. He shared three golden tips for NDA aspirants:

1. Don’t Be Overconfident in Any Subject

He admits that in his first attempt, he was overconfident about Mathematics, assuming Algebra alone would fetch him 40 marks. “UPSC never makes a single section easy,” he warns. His advice: cover the entire syllabus at least once, from Calculus to Trigonometry, so you can attempt questions from any topic.

2. Analyse, Don’t Just Study

He analysed the last five years of papers to understand patterns. “There are always 35–40 easy questions in Maths. You just need to find your questions and solve them calmly.” He emphasises not letting ego interfere during exams: “Don’t fight the paper. Find the questions that are yours.”

3. Balance Between Written and SSB Preparation

Saksham reminds aspirants that English isn’t a subject; it’s a language. Start by understanding it, then build vocabulary naturally through reading and listening. More than that, he says, focus on confidence and clarity: “Power of expression doesn’t mean speaking fluent English, it means expressing your thoughts clearly, even if in Hindi.”

Lessons from the SSB Journey

At SSB, Saksham’s adaptability and grounded nature became his biggest strengths. He didn’t fake an accent or personality. “I spoke Hindi, even Bhojpuri when needed,” he laughs. “Because there’s no language barrier in expressing your ideas. You just need clarity and conviction.”

He firmly believes that authenticity wins at SSB. “Stay in your zone,” he advises. “Develop your own strategy. Everyone’s strength is different for some, it’s history; for others, geography. Use your strengths instead of copying others.”

For Group Discussions (GD) and Lectures, Saksham suggests starting from small, relatable topics like the education system or women’s empowerment before jumping to geopolitics. “You can’t start with India-China relations on day one,” he says with a smile.

Transformation Beyond the Classroom

From being a shy, rural boy to a confident communicator, Saksham’s transformation is proof of what consistent effort and the right guidance can achieve. “Earlier, I was trolled for my accent and body language,” he admits. “But Centurion polished me completely. Now, I’m proud of my roots, my voice, and my journey.”

He often shares that his biggest motivation is seeing the pride in his parents’ eyes. “That’s the moment you realise all your struggles were worth it.”

Message to Defence Aspirants

Saksham’s story is a reminder that your background never defines your future. He says:

“Don’t chase shortcuts or selective study. Learn to enjoy hard work. Once you start liking the process, results will follow automatically.”

He also encourages aspirants to take mock tests seriously: “Mocks don’t just test your knowledge; they test your confidence. If you score well in mocks, it boosts your morale, and that confidence shows up in your real exam.”

Centurion Defence Academy – Shaping the Next Generation of Officers

As Saksham wraps up his remarkable journey, he acknowledges Centurion Defence Academy for significantly contributing to his future. With exceptional instructors, a 21-day SSB course and a 14-day SSB course, the biggest GTO ground, one-on-one feedback sessions, and frequent mock exams, the Centurion Defence Academy is continuously creating aspirants like Saksham into responsible, confident future officers.

Thus, if you have contemplated wearing the Olive Green uniform in the army, allow Saksham’s journey to motivate you and start your journey with Centurion Defence Academy, a community where devotion and direction turn dreams into destiny.

Final Words

Saksham Mishra has graduated from Ballia’s agricultural land to the NDA selection list, and not only is this a great experience, but also a message.

The message is: No dream is too big, no origin too small, and no battlefield too tough when the intent is good.

Centurion Defence Academy is proud of Saksham and all the aspirants who work just as hard for the nation.

Jai Hind.