National Cadet Corps with its motto of “unity and Discipline” is a popular organisation engaged in channelising the Youth Power of the country. In order to motivate more and more youth to select the disciplined life of uniformed personnel, the Ministry of Defence, Government of India has started a special yearly entry for all the NCC cadets who clear “C” certificate examination. Irrespective of the gender of the cadets, this entry is open to all. This entry gives a special advantage to the NCC cadets all over the country, as they do not have to appear for the written examination, like the NDA, CDSE, TES or AFCAT entry.
All the SSB aspirants who wish to join the Indian Armed Forces but cannot clear the written exam or are left out in the merit list due to less vacancies ( esp for the girl aspirants) in NDA entrance, may not loose hope and continue with their graduation/ post graduation along with their NCC training. Once they complete their NCC training and come out with flying colours in the C certificate examination, it is the right time to apply for the NCC entry at SSB.
So what is the SSB procedure for NCC entry?
It is the same as for all the other entries, but let’s have a quick look at 10 FAQs for NCC entry at SSB interview:
FAQ01: Do we need to complete graduation and NCC C certificate examination before applying for the NCC entry?
Answer: A cadet applying for NCC special Entry scheme, needs to be in possession of the C certificate and needs to complete graduation by the time the Pre-commissioning training commences at specific Officers’ Training Academies. In order to appear for SSB interview, the cadet needs to prove that s/he will be a graduate with the required grade by then. Hence, in case a cadet has the marksheet/passing certificate of first two years/ 04 semesters and is not in possession of marksheets/passing certificates of the last year/ semesters, s/he can still appear for SSB interview.
FAQ02:What if a cadet does not have the Passing certificates of all semesters of Graduation for appearing at SSB interview?
Answer: A cadet who is in possession of original C certificate in soft or hard copy and has mark sheets of first 04-05 semesters, and the date sheet/ hall ticket of the last semester examination appeared prior to going for the SSB interview will be allowed to appear for the SSB interview. If the cadet is recommended, s/he needs to produce the passing certificates of all the semesters before the commencement of training at the respective Officers training Academy. In short, One would be allowed to appear for SSB if one has valid proof of the fact that one will acquire the needed degree of education before going for pre-commissioning training. If one has appeared for the last semester and cleared the exam but has not received the mark sheet yet, one can state the fact at SSB centre and be allowed to appear for the interview selection process.
FAQ03: What if a cadet has not appeared for C certificate at the time of filling up of form for SSB interview?
Answer: The scanned/soft copy of C certificate is required to be enclosed with a cadet’s online application. Hence it is necessary to appear, pass and possess the C certificate while filling the application form for NCC entry.
FAQ04: What if the cadet has not appeared in any of the camps such as ATC, CATC, BLC or RD at the time of applying for the SSB interview?
Answer: It is understood that for passing the B and C certificate examinations, each NCC cadet needs to attend and participate adequately in the Annual Training Camps. Once a cadet has passed the C certificate, no other certificate or attendance in any specific camp will be essential. Although, attendance and participation in other camps will only enhance the impression the assessors will make about a cadet’s Leadership qualities.
FAQ05: Does participation in camps hold extra marks for NCC cadets in SSB interview?
Answer: No, there is no extra marks or weightage given to camps attended during the NCC training in an SSB interview. It is understood that the cadet must have completed the pre-requisites for passing C certificate in all respects, including the attendance and participation in Annual Training Camps. Any other additional camps, such As BLC, Vayusainik or CATC, YEP will be over and above.
FAQ06: Is it a must to participate in Pre-RD/RD, CATC or BL camps for qualifying for NCC entry in SSB interview?
Answer: NO. The only pre-requisite for appearing in the SSB interview for NCC entry is passing of C certificate examination with required grade.
FAQ07: Does selection in Youth Exchange Programme(YEP) guarantee a recommendation at SSB interview for NCC cadets?
Answer: Your personality and the intensity of the desirable behaviour traits, popularly known as OLQs (Officer like Qualities) is the only guarantee to get recommended at an SSB interview, for all entries including the NCC entry. Although the selection at YEP would definitely be seen as a mark of your effective intelligence and determinism. But, if even after being a YEP cadet, you are not able to come up with positive solutions in individual tasks and influence the other candidates to listen and follow you during the group tasks, you definitely need to introspect and come again with a more positive bend of mind.
FAQ08: Do the NCC cadets wear NCC uniform while appearing for Personal Interview at SSB Selection Center?
Answer: No, there is no need to wear the NCC uniform at the SSB selection Centre. The selection process at SSB is meant to be universal and impartial. At the same time it is also designed to bring out the best within each individual. Hence there is a comfortable appropriate dress code prescribed for each test keeping in mind the heterogenous socio-economic background of such entries at SSB. Similar to the process followed for other selection entries, each cadet will be given a Chest number and will abide to the dress code prescribed for each specific test.
FAQ09: Will there be any extra exam to test an NCC cadets at SSB interview?
Answer: As discussed earlier, the pattern of assessment remains the same for the NCC entry as any other entry. There will be independent assessments done by the psychologist, the Group task officer and the Interviewing Officer through varied individual and group performance tests. The cadets maybe asked about their experiences in NCC during their personal Interview, but there won’t be any separate test exclusive to NCC entry cadets.
FAQ10: Can a cadet of only Army wing apply for NCC entry at SSB interview?
Answer: No, a cadet with C certificate from any of the three wings: Army, Navy or Air Force can apply for the NCC entry at SSB interview
Hope this blog helps all of you who are SSB aspirants and NCC cadets and want to try your luck at the next NCC entry.
Know more about what questions to expect in Personal Interview at SSB for NCC entry in my next blog
