The Delhi Boy Who Turned Rejection into SSB Success- Meet Abhishek Dhiman

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“ Rejection is not the end of your journey, it can be the beginning of your success if you choose to rise one more time.”

Early Life and Career Choices

Abhishek, a Delhi native, completed his schooling in the capital before pursuing B.Tech (Mechanical Engineering with Automotive Specialisation) from Delhi Technological University (DTU). Initially, his focus was on clearing IIT JEE, but coming from an Air Force family background and surrounded by friends from defense circles, the idea of serving in the armed forces always stayed with him.

While in college, he secured a high-paying placement and, having already achieved academic milestones like clearing IIT JEE, he developed a casual attitude towards CDS and other defense exams. He appeared for them without serious preparation and faced multiple rejections, including screen-outs in technical entries.

Realisation and the Turning Point

After two years in the corporate world, Abhishek realised this wasn’t the life he wanted. Memories of his previous SSB attempts resurfaced, and he knew defense was where his true passion lay. Moving back to Delhi from Bangalore, he decided to give it one last serious push.

His journey wasn’t easy—four consecutive conference-outs followed by a screen-out in November 2024 shook his confidence. With only his final AFCAT attempt and a few others remaining, he needed a breakthrough.

Discovering R2R Mentorship

Scrolling through Instagram, Abhishek stumbled upon R2R and was intrigued by their approach. Visiting their website, he learned about the faculty and discovered that Anshika, an R2R mentor, was from his own college and had been recommended twice for NDA.

Having worked in the EdTech industry himself, Abhishek was impressed by the concept of one-on-one mentorship, personalised guidance, and a structured breakdown of Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs). He resonated deeply with the idea that “you already have the OLQs—you just need to bring them out.”

The Preparation Phase

At R2R, Abhishek followed the guidance religiously—self-introspection, regular mock tests, and applying feedback without excuses. While his GTO and psychology rounds were strong, the interview had always been his weak link.

With mentor Shashank sir’s advice, he began gathering impactful real-life examples from his work experience, college life, trekking adventures, and other personal experiences. The mock interviews at R2R prepared him to articulate his thoughts confidently and authentically.

The Breakthrough

Armed with clarity, preparation, and a mindset shift, Abhishek went into his next SSB interview with honesty. This time, instead of justifying his past failures, he owned them.

He openly admitted: “Sir, I had a casual attitude earlier. I was earning well and didn’t focus much. But I realised my mistakes, worked on myself, and took my attempts seriously.”

This honesty, combined with preparation, finally led to his recommendation.

Abhishek’s Message to Aspirant

“Do as much self-introspection as you can and be completely honest with yourself. Excuses will hold you back—accept your shortcomings and work on them.”

Closing Thoughts

Abhishek’s journey shows that clearing the SSB interview isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about mindset, self-awareness, and the right mentorship. For aspirants looking to unlock their full potential, personalised guidance like that at R2R can make all the difference.

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