YTA Success Stories Episode 01: Cadet Mayank Unde

YTA Success Stories Episode 01: Cadet Mayank Unde

YTA Success Stories – Episode 01: Cadet Mayank Unde

Turning Nerves into Confidence

SSB Recommended – Indian Navy | NDA 156 Course (July 2026)

Cadet Mayank Unde’s journey to the Services Selection Board recommendation is a story of discipline, quiet determination and steady self-belief.

Hailing from Chinchwad in the Northern outskirts of Pune, Mayank comes from an academic family. Both his parents are engineers. His mother serves as a professor at COEP, Pune, while his father works in the automobile industry. Despite having no defence background in the family, the idea of joining the Armed Forces had always fascinated him.

The first spark came from an elder cousin who mentioned Yashotej Academy. Curious to learn more, Mayank searched for the academy online and soon realised that it offered exactly the environment he was looking for.

Though his home was within commuting distance, Mayank chose to become a hosteller at YTA. He believed that staying inside the academy would allow him to immerse himself fully in the disciplined study environment.

Tall and athletic, Mayank had always been inclined towards sports. In school he was a swimming medalist, captain of the throwball team and had commanded the school parade on several occasions. Leadership roles had come naturally to him, and the uniform always attracted him.

Being a single child with both parents working, he had learnt independence early in life. Yet, moving into a hostel for the first time brought its own nervousness.

Interestingly, his third day at the academy coincided with his birthday. His parents visited during the day to wish him. That evening, however, was the academy’s collective physical training session for all cadets — an extremely demanding routine. Despite the exhausting schedule, his batch mates found time at midnight to celebrate his birthday with a cake before resuming their physical activities.

That moment built a bond of camaraderie that stayed with him throughout his stay at the academy.

Mayank was fortunate to be allotted excellent roommates. In their first year at YTA, the group had the opportunity to visit the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai and board the stealth frigate INS Tarkash. The visit left a deep impression on Mayank and strengthened his decision to join the Indian Navy.

Among the six friends, each possessed a different academic strength — one excelled in Mathematics, another in English and another in General Ability. They decided to combine their strengths and push one another to improve.

The group designed a disciplined study plan. Daily targets were listed, progress was monitored and boxes were ticked off each day to ensure accountability. If someone lagged behind, the others motivated him to catch up. Many evenings stretched into late-night study sessions.

Like every aspirant, Mayank too experienced occasional setbacks. Poor weekly test results sometimes dented his confidence. But in such moments he reminded himself of the sacrifices his parents had made in raising him. That thought alone pushed him to return to his books with renewed determination.

Despite the academic pressure, Mayank remained actively involved in extracurricular activities. He had basic knowledge of the harmonium and got the opportunity to perform during Avishkar, YTA’s mega cultural event.

By nature he was somewhat introverted and hesitant to speak on stage. During one of the Commandant’s weekly morning assemblies, he was caught unprepared for a lecturette. The experience was embarrassing, but it proved to be a turning point. Determined never to repeat the mistake, he began preparing diligently for public speaking opportunities. Within a week, the Commandant himself appreciated his improved confidence.

After clearing the NDA written examination, Mayank shifted his focus to the SSB preparation. He began closely following geopolitical developments, reading The Indian Express daily and improving his awareness of current affairs. The two-week SSB capsule conducted by the visiting assessor team at YTA helped him identify and work on his weaknesses.

When he reported to the Visakhapatnam SSB, he had the advantage of having two fellow YTA cadets with him. The screening day went smoothly. The group discussion allowed him to express his views clearly and confidently.

The following day was extremely demanding. The psychological tests in the morning were followed by the Group Testing Officer tasks in the afternoon and the personal interview in the evening. By the end of the day he was physically and mentally exhausted, but he maintained composure throughout.

An interesting moment during the interview was when both the Interviewing Officer and the GTO mentioned that they were familiar with YTA. They questioned him extensively about the academy’s activities and training environment. Fortunately, Mayank had personally participated in all those activities and answered honestly and confidently.

His sincerity and authenticity left a strong impression.

The recommendation that followed was a proud moment not only for him but also for his family and mentors.

Mayank believes that the foundation of his success lies in the values instilled by his parents and the guidance of the faculty at Yashotej Academy.

His journey reminds every aspirant that success is rarely sudden. It is built through discipline, teamwork, self-reflection and the courage to improve after every setback.