Sahil Joshi’s Success Story - Cracked NDA 155 in First Attempt After 12th

“If you’re confident in yourself, you’ll show your best.” – Sahil Joshi

Thousands of aspirants dream every year of entering the National Defence Academy (NDA) directly after their 12th board exams. Out of these, a handful accomplish this in their first attempt, and one such centurion is Sahil Joshi from Haldwani, who not only got through the SSB Interview for NDA but also cleared the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test in his first attempt.

With Centurion’s Baithak Talk Show, Sahil imparted his motivating experience from school to SSB with self-confidence, hard work, and valuable lessons for every NDA candidate.

Early Dream: Inspired by Family, Driven by Passion

Sahil’s journey was initiated in class 9th when he witnessed his sister clearing the NDA exam. The twinkle in his parents’ eyes ignited a spark in his heart, and he, too, wanted to make his parents proud by bagging the olive green uniform.

“Seeing my sister’s success inspired me deeply. I wanted that same proud moment for my parents. That’s when my journey toward NDA began,” Sahil recalls.

With this goal set early, he balanced his school studies with NDA preparation. Even during his 12th boards, he followed a disciplined routine, studying academics during the day and dedicating half an hour each night to introspection and NDA revision.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Centurion Defence Academy (@centuriondefenceacademy)

Balancing Boards and NDA Preparation

Handling the dual challenge of board exams and NDA preparation wasn’t easy. But Sahil’s focus never wavered.

“I used my 11th and 12th maths syllabi to strengthen NDA Maths. For GAT, I studied for half an hour daily, and after my boards ended, I solved previous year papers to sharpen my speed and accuracy.”

His methodical approach paid off. Sahil cleared the NDA written exam on his first attempt, setting the stage for the biggest challenge ahead: the SSB Interview.

The Turning Point: Joining Centurion Defence Academy

Before attending Centurion Defence Academy in Dehradun, Sahil had a limited understanding of OLQs (Officer-Like Qualities) and what the SSB truly evaluated. But under the expert mentorship of Centurion’s panel, everything became clear.

“At Centurion, I learned what the SSB really looks for: your confidence, expression, and natural self. The mentors, like Basu Sir and Sabbarwal Sir, guided me personally. They helped me identify my strengths and areas for improvement.”

Sahil also highlighted the Strategy Book as a game-changer in his preparation.

“It has over 1000 OIR questions, TAT, WAT, and SRT exercises with examples. I practised every evening and compared my answers with the book. That’s how I improved.”

Learning Through Experience: GTO, Interview & Psych Tests

During his SSB training at Centurion, Sahil experienced the real essence of teamwork, leadership, and presence of mind.

Initially, he struggled in GTO tasks, but with practice, guidance, and introspection, he improved rapidly.

“I remember on the first day, I couldn’t come up with any ideas during the tasks. But my instructor motivated me to think quickly and express confidently. The next day, I gave new ideas and even helped my team progress.”

In the interview, most questions revolved around his family, education, and personality areas that Centurion’s mentors had already prepared him for. “Since I had practised CIQs and mock interviews with Basu Sir, nothing felt unexpected,” he shares.

Conquering CPSS – The Once-in-a-Lifetime Test

For many Air Force aspirants, CPSS (Computerised Pilot Selection System) is a once-in-a-lifetime test and a major pressure point. But Sahil cleared it smoothly.

“Yes, there was pressure initially,” he admits. “But the test was mainly about hand-eye coordination and reflexes. They had us sit in the cockpit simulators and perform 10 games. Once I focused on coordination, everything went well.”

His calm attitude and analytical mindset helped him succeed where many falter.

Confidence, Friendliness & Expression – The Three Pillars of Success

When asked what qualities helped him the most during SSB, Sahil didn’t hesitate:

Confidence: “Confidence shows everywhere in your smile, body language, and words. Assessors notice that instantly.”
Friendly Nature: “I built a great bond with my group. Even people from other groups started joining us by the end. That teamwork spirit helped a lot.”
Power of Expression: “Centurion taught me that expression is key. You may have great ideas, but if you can’t express them, they don’t count.”

Breaking Myths & Building Awareness

Sahil also spoke about how Centurion’s awareness classes changed his perspective.

“I loved Sabarwal Sir’s classes; he teaches current affairs like stories. For example, he explained the Iran-Israel conflict through history and storytelling. That made me curious and helped me retain everything.”

He believes that without offline practice, one cannot truly grasp the SSB experience:

“You can watch YouTube videos or online sessions, but unless you practice in a group, you won’t develop leadership and communication. At Centurion, real-time practice made all the difference.”

The Centurion Way: Upgrading, Not Changing Personality

Many candidates fear coaching will make them fake or robotic. But Sahil’s experience was different.

“Centurion doesn’t change your personality; it upgrades it. They show you different ways to improve and let you choose what suits you best. No one forces you; they guide you to become the best version of yourself.”

Looking Ahead – A Flying Officer in the Making

With his eyes now set on completing NDA training and joining the Air Force Academy (AFA) as a Flying Officer, Sahil’s journey is just beginning.

“In the next five years, I see myself as a Flying Officer. Along with serving the nation, I also want to contribute to society, maybe start social work from Haldwani and expand it further.”

Message for Future Aspirants

To all young NDA aspirants, Sahil has one message:

“Believe in yourself. Confidence is everything. Learn, improve, and express your real self. Never stop introspecting, small daily efforts make a huge difference.”

Centurion Defence Academy – Turning Dreams into Reality

Sahil Joshi’s journey from a 12th-grade student to an NDA-recommended candidate shows what determination, discipline, and the right mentorship can achieve.

If you too dream of joining NDA in your first attempt, enrol in Centurion Defence Academy’s Junior Defence Academy (Written + SSB) Course. Get regular classes, doubt-clearing sessions, study materials, guidance from elite SSB panel members, and free SSB training at India’s largest GTO ground.

Join Centurion today, where dreams turn into recommendations.

Call 9795977776 for more details.