The taste of victory is all the sweeter because of the relentless struggle that preceded it. And this is true in the case of AV Ayyappan. Hailing from a small village in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, Ayyappan has emerged as a shining example of perseverance. After 14 failed attempts, he was finally recommended on his 15th attempt for the Indian Navy. His story is one of self-discovery, discipline, and unshakable determination.
Ayyappan, tell us a little about yourself and how your defence journey began.
Ayyappan: I’m from Cuddalore. My parents were schoolteachers and are now full-time farmers. While in college, I was part of the NCC, which really laid the foundation for my interest in the armed forces. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I helped organize the Swarnim Vijay Run, a marathon commemorating the 50th anniversary of India’s victory in the 1971 war. That event gave me a glimpse into military discipline, leadership, and motivation. After that, I was certain that I wanted to join the armed forces. I attempted the SSB interviews but faced multiple failures: 2 screen outs and then 12 conference outs. Finally, in my 15th attempt at Bhopal, I was recommended for the Indian Navy.
Q: Fourteen missed attempts is no small number. How did you stay motivated through it all?
Ayyappan: It wasn’t easy. Initially, I prepared with friends, we discussed strategies and tried to reflect them in our responses. But I realised I wasn’t showing my true self. I was imitating. After repeated failures, I sat down and created a flowchart of my achievements and experiences. That helped me understand myself better. Once I started projecting my authentic personality in the SSB, I saw results.
Q: What should engineering students keep in mind when applying for defence services?
Ayyappan: Engineering students can apply in their final year via the official portals — joinindianarmy, joinindiannavy, etc. Once shortlisted based on marks, they’re called for the SSB interview, which has two stages:
- Stage 1:
- OIR (Officers Intelligence Rating) test
- PPDT (Picture Perception and Discussion Test) – candidates view a picture, create a story, and then discuss it in a group.
Out of 200–300 candidates, only 20-30 are usually shortlisted to proceed.
- Stage 2:
- Psychological Tests
- GTO (Group Tasks) to assess leadership and teamwork
- Personal Interview
Sometimes no one is selected from a batch. Even among those who pass, some get medically unfit or merit out.
Q: You were once declared medically unfit. Can you talk about that?
Ayyappan: Yes, I was declared medically unfit for two reasons: bowlegs and overweight. I worked on my weight and got fit. For the bowlegs, after review, it was found to be muscle build-up from running, not an actual deformity. I appealed and was cleared.
Q: Did you ever feel like giving up?
Ayyappan: Honestly, no. I always believed I would be recommended. My NCC commanding officer and others had faith in me, and I held onto that. I gave myself a time frame – until I completed my ME. Even if I didn’t succeed then, I would have continued to try while taking up a job.
Q: What kind of support did you receive from your friends and family?
Ayyappan: My friends, mostly NCC cadets, knew how tough the process was. They watched me grow. I was weak in English earlier, but by the end, I could speak confidently and dress well. They appreciated that even though I wasn’t getting recommended, I was improving in life.
At home, my parents were extremely supportive. We had never seen even a jawan in uniform in our village, but they never discouraged me. After every failure, they stood by me.
Q: How did your association with Dream of Defence help you?
Ayyappan: Before joining Dream of Defence, I didn’t know what SSB was. The daily online sessions, the feedback from you and Col Swamy, were game changers. You pointed out my weaknesses in communication and soft skills – I worked on those areas, and it helped immensely.
Q: Tell us about Dream of Defence group.
Ayyappan: The Dream of Defence comprises Major Madhan Kumar, Lt Commander Thiagarajan, and Colonel Swamy – retired army officers who have been guiding the defence aspirants for about 5 years now. It was this group and the guidance of the core members – the veterans that helped quite a few of us participants achieve success – realise our dream of entering the armed forces.
Initially, we were a group of students who began preparing for the exams. Two of them have already become officers (Captain Thirukumaran and Lt Agnivesh) and now me – I am following their footsteps now to become an officer soon. We prepared for the exams together.
Today there are over 100 members in the group comprising of mentors and aspirants.
Q: How did Major Madhan’s guidance impact you?
Ayyappan: I began interacting with Major Madhan after we met while organizing a marathon (as mentioned earlier). I had near-zero idea about the defence related exams and no specific idea about the armed forces to be honest. He helped me with how to begin my preparations and how to go about it. He even helped me analyze my weaknesses – communication was my weak point and guided me to get over it by pointing me to resources and mentors. Every time we discussed my performance, he would analyse everything and tell me how to correct it. He also introduced me to Lt Cdr Thiagarajan, and he conducted many SSB sessions initially. Over time, Col Swamy started guiding us and he is guiding the aspirants now. He is a great mentor.
Q: You’ve been selected for the Navy. What is your branch and role?
Ayyappan: I’ve been selected for the Naval Armament Inspection Cadre (NAIC). The role involves quality assurance, safety inspection, and auditing of naval weapons. With the Navy’s focus on indigenization, NAIC also contributes to R&D and weapon warehouse management.
Q: Was the Navy your first choice?
Ayyappan: Actually, my dream was to join the Indian Army, especially the Special Forces. I was drawn to their combat role and leadership. But I’m honoured to serve the nation in the Navy too, and I will give it my all.
Q: You’re coaching others now, many of whom don’t know English or Hindi. What advice do you give them?
Ayyappan:
- Confidence is key – Never underestimate yourself.
- English is important, especially in a multilingual nation like India.
- Stay aware of your environment, yourself, and keep up with current affairs.
Q: How many hours should aspirants study per day for CDS exams?
Ayyappan: The CDS exam is as competitive as the UPSC prelims now. Aspirants should study for at least 4 hours a day, focusing on the syllabus and previous years’ question trends. Coaching isn’t mandatory, but guidance is crucial, past candidates and online resources help a lot.
Q: You’ve come a long way from being shy and hesitant in English. How did you overcome that?
Ayyappan: I practiced speaking to myself. I’d stand in front of the mirror and pretend to be a newsreader. I recorded myself, listened back, and improved slowly. I made grammar mistakes, but the confidence I built was more important than perfection.
Q: How important is physical fitness in SSB? How did you prepare?
Ayyappan: Physical fitness is essential. In the SSB, there are both individual and group obstacle tasks. I didn’t do any special training — just ran 3 km daily, did pushups, pull-ups, sit-ups — the basics. That was enough.
Q: How did your family react to the final recommendation?
Ayyappan: My parents and younger brother were overjoyed. For all of us, it was a long wait and an emotional moment.
Q: What’s your next goal?
Ayyappan: My next goal is to convert my Short Service Commission (SSC) to a Permanent Commission. I want to excel in my training and clear all requirements in the first attempt.
Ayyappan’s journey proves that with clarity, consistency, and courage, no dream is too far. From a village boy unsure of his English to a confident young officer headed to the Navy, his story continues to inspire defence aspirants across the country.
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