7 Years of Struggle to CDS Success – Utkarsh Singh’s Inspiring Journey

“आज से ज़्यादा कभी ख़ुश नहीं हुआ ज़िन्दगी में।”

These were the words of Utkarsh Singh’s father when his son, after seven long years of steady effort, finally got recommended in the CDS examination.

Originating from a humble background in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Utkarsh Singh is today an example of how madness, commitment, and never surrendering can transform a common dream into an exemplary success story.

We are here to interpret the path of a young lad who chose to believe, lost several times, but stood up each and every time with more fire.

The Beginning: Dreams amidst Struggles

Utkarsh’s path didn’t start in a city coaching centre. It started in the streets of rural up, where aspirations are usually hampered by conditions. However, his dream to enter the Indian armed forces was driven by something strong –the tales of bravery, the pride of the uniform, and the ambition to improve his parent’s life.

Despite failing for several years in various attempts, he never gave up. His driving force? A deep, burning desire and an unwavering belief that “फौज में जाना है, बस जाना है.”

What Kept Him Going?

Utkarsh’s journey was marked by self-doubt, peer pressure, and emotional lows. What made the difference was his madness. As he says, “जीतने के लिए पागलपन चाहिए.” Even in the darkest hours, he kept a disciplined routine and strong mindset. His support system—friends, family, and mentors like Shishir Sir—believed in him even when results didn’t reflect his efforts.

He recalls, “किस्मत से लोग अच्छे मिले – परिवार हो, दोस्त हो या गुरु। सबने हमेशा भरोसा किया।” 

Strategy for CDS vs. NDA: Deep Dive

One of the most insightful parts of the interview was the clear distinction Utkarsh drew between the NDA and CDS exams:

• The NDA is comparatively easier, designed for younger aspirants. It checks basic academic skills and trainability.
• CDS demands maturity, deeper subject knowledge, and a structured approach.
• The English level is similar in both.
• Mathematics in CDS is more conceptual, whereas in AFCAT it’s simpler.
• General Studies in CDS is tough and needs consistent newspaper reading, analysis, and previous year question (PYQ) practice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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His advice?

Do a SWOT analysis before choosing your exam. Know your weak and strong subjects and plan accordingly.

Preparation Plan: A Focused Routine

Utkarsh’s preparation wasn’t about long study hours, but quality hours. His daily routine included:

• Dividing the day subject-wise.
• Solving PYQs regularly to assess exam-level preparation.
• Taking mock tests to build confidence and benchmark ranks.
• Studying limited but reliable sources.
• Focusing on GS and English regularly.
• Doing weekly self-assessments to identify learning gaps.

He shares, “The exam isn’t tough; just keep your sources limited and revise them repeatedly.”

The SSB Journey: Mind over Matter

For Utkarsh, cracking the SSB Interview was a matter of clarity, authenticity, and preparation. He talks about:

• Being confident in spoken English, though he clarifies it’s not compulsory. “Environment matters more,” he says.
• Creating strong PIQ-based answers during the IO round. He even prepared from books like Ranniti to answer GK-based questions confidently.
• Performing strongly in HGT & PGT tasks, staying a team player, and showcasing planning and team cohesion.

The game changer was the psychological tests.

With the guidance of Shishir Sir, he mastered TAT, WAT, SRT, and self-description by developing genuine, pragmatic, and value-based responses. He states, “Used to make good psychology stories, and Shishir Sir’s guidance benefited me a lot”.

Physical & Personality Development

Utkarsh emphasizes that being mentally and physically fit is essential:

• Regular physical workouts helped him stay active and confident.
• Extra-curricular activities kept his morale high and communication strong.
• He believes that defence aspirants must work on conveying their thoughts clearly, participating in debates, writing blogs, or simply expressing their views.
• His mantra: Be socially aware, emotionally stable, and physically fit.

Coaching Matters – But Choose Wisely

Having been from a village and moving to Lucknow for coaching was a big step. Utkarsh cautions aspirants to research for choosing an institute.

He continues- speak to seniors, read reviews, review the mentorship, and find out the teaching methodology. Coaching does work- is it the right one?

Final Words to 2025 Aspirants

To those preparing for CDS/AFCAT/NDA 2025, Utkarsh’s message is simple yet powerful:

Here’s the polished English version of the quotes:

• “Use mock tests to get a reality check.”
• “Aim to achieve your best possible rank.”
• “Create a new strategy every day.”
• “Don’t compare yourself with others—just focus on becoming better than you were yesterday.”

Above all, believe that failure is not the opposite of success; it is a part of it.

A Salute to Spirit

From seven years of setbacks to one last advice, Utkarsh’s tale is not merely about cracking CDS; it’s about grit, determination, belief in mentors like Shishir Sir, mental toughness, and the insanity to succeed. Today, when he marches with pride in the uniform, his family smiles with tears, his friends rejoice, and his mentors salute him –not only for his choice but for demonstrating what real Josh and Junoon are.

Watch the Success Story of Utkarsh’s