What’s different this time? 24 seats are reserved for women; a quiet but historic step in India’s armed forces recruitment. Most applicants focus on the 600-mark GAT or the 300-mark Math paper; but few realise how brutal the negative marking is: lose ⅓rd of each question’s marks if you guess wrong. That’s why strategy > speed. And here’s the real kicker; clearing the written exam is just the start. The SSB interview is where 90% of candidates fall. Psychological tests, group tasks, medicals; it’s not just IQ, it’s EQ, guts and grit. Pro tip: Don’t wait for the admit card. Start your SSB prep now. Many who clear the written test crash here because they didn’t train for it. This isn’t just another exam. It’s a pipeline to becoming an officer in India’s armed forces; and with 394 seats total, competition is fierce. But if you’re focused, disciplined, and smart; it’s totally doable. Check the UPSC website daily. Dates change. Notifications slip. And your dream won’t wait.