From an Engineering Classroom to the Indian Navy: How a Parul University Student Became a Naval Officer After Three SSB Recommendations

Most engineering students who reach their final year are preparing for placements. But Rishabh Tripathi stepped away from campus placements completely, and the decision worked for him. He joined the Indian Navy as an officer, entering the Executive Branch as a Permanent Commission officer in July 2026.

His journey began from an unconventional starting point: a B.Tech Computer Science student from a civilian family in Delhi, with a father working in IT and no military background.

What makes his story worth reading is not luck, but a specific and repeatable set of decisions, along with one rare achievement: three consecutive recommendations from the Services Selection Board, the stage where most defence aspirants are filtered out.

I was confused like everyone else.
– Rishabh Tripathi, on his first year

Rishabh arrived at Parul University without a fixed career plan, and rather than treating that as a limitation, he used it as an opportunity to explore. He ensured that academics did not consume all his time and invested his energy in cultural festivals, theatre, hackathons, inter-university competitions, and various campus events.

Reflecting on his journey at Parul University, he expresses gratitude for the exposure, communication skills, and confidence he gained. Meeting students from across India and the world pushed him beyond his comfort zone.

By actively participating in competitions and events, he built the skills that later proved valuable during the defence selection process.

Joining the National Cadet Corps was not part of a plan either. He came across it almost by chance, hearing other students discuss a training camp, and having already attempted the NDA examination without success, he decided to try. The early days were hard. He arrived at university at 87 kilograms, struggled through a demanding physical selection, and nearly did not make the Naval Wing at all. Over three years, the training changed him: he came down to around 70 kilograms, but more importantly built the discipline and endurance that the rest of his journey would require. Understanding how the NCC becomes a route into the armed forces   explains why this was his turning point.

As his NCC involvement deepened, Rishabh set his sights on the Republic Day Camp, one of the highest honours in the corps. Preparing for it required months of intensive training alongside his academics.

The effort paid off: he was selected as Gujarat’s Best Cadet, finished among the top performers nationally, and received the Governor’s Gold Medal.

For him, the camp was less about competition and more about validation, proof that he could compete alongside the country’s best cadets and realistically pursue a career in uniform.

Two international experiences widened his horizon. He was chosen to represent India at the Youth Exchange Programme in Vietnam in 2024, his first trip abroad and first time representing the country, visiting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, meeting young leaders and officials, and touring military academies. Later, he secured a semester exchange in Russia, living independently, adapting to a new culture, and managing life across a language barrier. Both experiences, supported by the University’s international engagement, strengthened rather than diluted his resolve to serve.

Preparing for defence selection demanded full focus, and Rishabh made a hard call: he withdrew from campus placements to concentrate entirely on the CDS and AFCAT examinations and the SSB interviews, a decision he initially made without even telling his family. The result was extraordinary. He earned a recommendation for the Indian Air Force Flying Branch, then for the Indian Navy’s General Service Executive Branch, then a third for the Indian Air Force Technical Branch. Three consecutive recommendations from a board that recommends only a small fraction of candidates is the achievement that defines his journey. For anyone chasing the same outcome how the SSB interview actually works and how to clear it, is the essential companion to this story.

Holding offers from both the Navy and the Air Force meant one more decision. Having spent three years as a Naval Wing NCC cadet, Rishabh already knew naval culture from the inside. He was drawn by its blend of leadership, adventure, and international exposure, the prospect of specialised roles later, including aviation and marine commandos, and the long-term stability of a Permanent Commission. After talking it through with his mentor, Commander Sanjay Sharma of the Armed Forces Motivational Cell, he chose the Navy. The full picture of how to join the indian navy as an officer shows why the Executive Branch route he took is one of the most sought-after.

Your background should never define your future.
– Rishabh Tripathi

Rishabh is clear that this was not a solo effort. He credits Commander Sanjay Sharma and Lt. Commander Gaurav from Parul University’s Armed Forces Motivational Cell, who guided students through schedules, examinations, documentation, and interview preparation.

He also credits the group of friends he built in his first year, who trained together, shared resources, and supported each other through failed attempts, several of whom are now officers themselves.

His advice to students comes directly from his own journey: continue believing in possibilities even when they appear beyond reach, because with the right mentors, friends, and environment, the courage and the path forward often follow.

Inspired already? Begin your NCC journey with Parul University’s Armed Forces Motivational Cell!