SSB Aspirant The Talent Bridge

I want to join the Indian Air Force, but when asked why during my SSB I could not justify it! How can I possibly find out why I want to join Air Force?

Let's go over as to why is this question asked by the SSB and then the answer will come as a natural flow.

They say “dreams are not that we see with our closed eyes but those that donot let us sleep”

In natural course a child may have seen people in uniform and gets motivated to pursue it and unlike most of the children he takes it a step forward and joins NCC because NCC let's you wear some kind of soldierly uniform fastest. Then he appears for NDA exam(irrespective of the outcome), participate in various games and co curricular activities and subsequently he appears for SSB. Now this candidate can genuinely say he has passion for the forces.

If this chain is broken we need to have a reason to make the SSB believe that you are not looking for a government job but a career in the defence forces.

By far your reasons to join defence forces need to hinge on uniform and adventurous outbound activities. If you give me any other reason then I can sell you some other job. Say you want to join because it is a government job then you can join Indian railways or postal department etc.

We need people who genuinely can't live without being in defence forces because their chances of putting in their best are more than the ones looking for to get a job.

Col Pradeep Walia

DefenceAspirantAcademy-The Talent Bridge Jalandhar

9739915868

I got 85 ℅ marks in 12 commerce. Can I aply for direct SSB interview?
No, this entry that you are talking about for direct interview is open to candidates with subjects Physics, Chemistry and Maths in plus 2 and normally percentage of more than 84 gets you a direct interview.

Can a candidate back out after being recommended in SSB or AFSB? Can he do the same after being on the merit list? Does the candidate have to submit any declaration for that?

It happens all the time. That is the reason merit list is made. One who backs out is the gain for a person who is next on the merit list :) Nothing is required if you donot show up it is end of the game.

But those candidates who withdraw like that for no valid reason make it very difficult for themselves to get selected again as the board finds the candidate confused with hazy thought process.

So take such a decision after due thought.

Col Pradeep Walia

Defence Aspirant Academy-The Talent Bridge Jalandhar

9739915868

I have attended SSB 8 times and still confused where am I missing. Can you help me with my preparation?

Are you aware that 90 percent candidates that are recommended in SSB are border line cases!

Before I give an answer to this question I must give a disclaimer that I do guide candidates to clear SSB interview in our academy. Having said this out of ten candidates that we guide one out of ten come to give us their name that they took guidence from us as he would have cleared on his own too. Two out of ten come to give us the fee because even after coaching they may not pass. Balance seven out of ten fall in border line category and they are the ones to benefit the most. Remember you not only have to clear the SSB but also to make it in merit list. So it's not only clearing but clearing with more marks that will help.

There is a group of people who would say SSB is a personality assessment test so why take coaching. Do all of us have the ideal personality, I think no. If there are some drawbacks and some one can point those out to me and I can make an attempt to correct that then why should I not make use of this opportunity.

Question is where should we take guidance from or where should we not take guidance from.

I will give a few symptoms/indications which will help you avoid the institutes that may not do justice to you with SSB in mind. So let's find Wrong Numbers as elaborated by Amir Khan in movie PK.-

-All the academies which make a batch of more than ten candidates is a wrong number.

-Those who make a mention of three letter word OLQ verbally or in writing is a wrong number.

-Those who give you written list of words with sentences is a wrong number.

-Those who make a group of candidates sit and give you a common story in PPDT and TAT so called ideal story is a wrong number.

-Those who do not conduct a full 30–40 minute personal interview and do not give you individual feed back is a wrong number.

-Those who make you do GTO tasks on lap top/projector is a wrong number.

Having said this let's see what is the main issue. Each candidate has certain strong points and some weak areas. His strong points should be left untouched to maintain his natural flavour and one need to work on the weak areas to remove/improve them. And it's not a rocket science to get through SSB. What needs to be done to get through or the way to go which is time consuming and need to be followed:

-All candidates need to be treated individually and separately to identify their strong points which should not be tempered with and weak areas which need to be addressed.

-Individual interview for each candidate to find out the above.

-No common points to all the candidates.

-Individual checking of psych test and individual feedback.

-GTO tasks done on ground to identify individual weak areas and process to rectify it.

And let me state like we take advise and help of professionals for cracking engineering, medical or civil services exams we certainly can do that for SSB. We at SSB don't take a negative view of this. Only thing is don't tell lies and don't put up a facade. Be natural and success will be yours.

Happy Selection!

Col Pradeep Walia

Defence Aspirant Academy- The Talent Bridge Jalandhar

9739915868

14.9k views · ·

My hobby is making music and writing songs. Will SSB accept it?

Yes, that's a wonderful talent. You must write that and also be prepared for some questions related to these like your first composition, favorite song, favorite singer or composer and why.

What is the general mood of songs that you compile, does it show happy and cheerful temperament or sad and frustrated.

Do mention it with pride and passion :)

Col Pradeep Walia

DefenceAspirantAcademy-The Talent Bridge Jalandhar

9739915868

I have attended SSB 8 times and still confused where am I missing. Can you help me with my preparation?

Are you aware that 90 percent candidates that are recommended in SSB are border line cases!

Before I give an answer to this question I must give a disclaimer that I do guide candidates to clear SSB interview in our academy. Having said this out of ten candidates that we guide one out of ten come to give us their name that they took guidence from us as he would have cleared on his own too. Two out of ten come to give us the fee because even after coaching they may not pass. Balance seven out of ten fall in border line category and they are the ones to benefit the most. Remember you not only have to clear the SSB but also to make it in merit list. So it's not only clearing but clearing with more marks that will help.

There is a group of people who would say SSB is a personality assessment test so why take coaching. Do all of us have the ideal personality, I think no. If there are some drawbacks and some one can point those out to me and I can make an attempt to correct that then why should I not make use of this opportunity.

Question is where should we take guidance from or where should we not take guidance from.

I will give a few symptoms/indications which will help you avoid the institutes that may not do justice to you with SSB in mind. So let's find Wrong Numbers as elaborated by Amir Khan in movie PK.-

-All the academies which make a batch of more than ten candidates is a wrong number.

-Those who make a mention of three letter word OLQ verbally or in writing is a wrong number.

-Those who give you written list of words with sentences is a wrong number.

-Those who make a group of candidates sit and give you a common story in PPDT and TAT so called ideal story is a wrong number.

-Those who do not conduct a full 30–40 minute personal interview and do not give you individual feed back is a wrong number.

-Those who make you do GTO tasks on lap top/projector is a wrong number.

Having said this let's see what is the main issue. Each candidate has certain strong points and some weak areas. His strong points should be left untouched to maintain his natural flavour and one need to work on the weak areas to remove/improve them. And it's not a rocket science to get through SSB. What needs to be done to get through or the way to go which is time consuming and need to be followed:

-All candidates need to be treated individually and separately to identify their strong points which should not be tempered with and weak areas which need to be addressed.

-Individual interview for each candidate to find out the above.

-No common points to all the candidates.

-Individual checking of psych test and individual feedback.

-GTO tasks done on ground to identify individual weak areas and process to rectify it.

And let me state like we take advise and help of professionals for cracking engineering, medical or civil services exams we certainly can do that for SSB. We at SSB don't take a negative view of this. Only thing is don't tell lies and don't put up a facade. Be natural and success will be yours.

Happy Selection!

Col Pradeep Walia

Defence Aspirant Academy- The Talent Bridge Jalandhar

9739915868

At SSB centres, it is often discussed among candidates that for NCC and SSC tech entries, the OIR test is not checked due to large reporting. Is it true?

No this is not true. At SSB we are recruiting a potential officer who has to lead men and be responsible for their life and death.

Yes, for NCC entry and also for SSC numbers reporting are more. There is a challenge. I am explaining from my experience of being in the selection centre for three years. When the numbers increase the help is taken from the other boards. But this never happens that short cut is taken and assessment fudged.

Actual challenge is not checking of OIR test result actual challenge is to put all the candidates through group discussion which is time consuming and each candidate need to be assessed by all the three assessors present for it:)

Officers selection is a serious business and and it is dealt with seriousness it deserves at the SSB.

Defence Aspirant Academy-The Talent Bridge Jalandhar

Col Pradeep Walia

9739915868

Will I be counted in repeaters in the NDA 143 SSB if I cleared my exam last time? I was called for SSB, but didn't attend it.
No, you will not be considered as repeater but a fresher. The column in PIQ (Personal Information Questionnaire) is how many times have you appeared for the SSB which in your case will be nil :)

Col Pradeep Walia
DefenceAspirantAcademy-The Talent Bridge Jalandhar
9739915868

Can permanent commissioned army officers nowadays get free housing facilities after their retirement?

It was neither available earlier nor is available now.

After retirement one can request to retain the accommodation for a period of three months to facilitate officers shifting from the station.
Col Pradeep Walia
DefenceAspirantAcademy-The Talent Bridge Jalandhar
9739915868

What's a soldier's worst fear?
Till the battle starts he is worried as to who will take care of his family if he gets killed after the first bullet is fired this fear automatically goes away and he wants to kill the enemy and prove his mettle while protecting his fellow beings.

Let me narrate an incident.

I was a company commander as a Major in year 2000. We were at a place called Drugmula (Kupwara). From there we use to go for laying ambushes at night. There was a Nala going down the hill it was dry we had the general information that terrorists use this as their hide out. So we had out ambushes at various heights. A total of four ambushes. I was commander of all the ambush parties and part of the ambush at the top. Normally we use to carry two hand gr***des one on either side of the pouch. That day I thought of carrying one gr***de less and in it's place carry some additional batteries for the hand held radio set.

No movement was observed the entire night. All night appeared to have been wasted, normally we vacate the ambush a little before first light(day break) so that no one knows where the ambush was laid. In the process of leaving the ambush site I noticed some smoke between our ambush and the second ambush below us. We informed all the ambush parties and started moving towards the smoke. The distance was not much but one can not take the risk of rushing to the site. We were moving coutiously in a tactical manner. The jungle leaves were dry and making a lot of noise. Once we reached there we found a site where approx 5–6 persons would have stayed, one chapathi was on the tawa ( Indian hot plate) and was burning other eatables like daal, dry fruits were also there. Entire place had an overhead cover of blankets so that their visibility is reduced. Terrorists had abandoned the location. We started chasing them and they started firing at us. These are the times in a flash you have all your family, near and dear ones flash infront of your eyes and at times you feel worried for them as what will happen to them should you get killed.

Soon they had been blocked by the ambush below and we had closed on to the terrorists, the distance must be approx 10 meters between us. We had some bushes stopping us from clear view. I fired at the terrorist who was firing from behind a tree. He fired a burst at me. One bullet went through the batteries that I was carrying had there been a gr***de that day it would have burst. One bullet grazed left of my stomach and left, one went through the jacket right flap. I still have the jacket with three bullet holes. I was lucky that not a single bullet hurt me. One of my men got one bullet on his forehead. Luckily he was wearing a iron patka that saved him.

Having got this volley of bullets I realised it will be difficult to move up under fire. So I left two boys to keep the terrorists engaged. Myself with my buddy we went for a flank and took cover behind a big boulder. As I got up from behind the boulder, two meters from me on the other side was one terrorist who also had got up. My reflexes proved better than that of the terrorist in firing the bullet and he was shot and fell down. That day we killed five terrorists.All of them Afghanis.

Once you fire a bullet then the fear vanishes and bravado takes place. During hot pursuit one is worried about the safety of the entire team. Because killing of five terrorist won't give any satisfaction if one loses a soldier in achieving it. As commanders the endeavour is to bring back all the soldiers alive. Getting any of them killed is the worst thing one can think of. Because you tend to carry the guilt of this for rest of your life.

Col Pradeep Walia

DefenceAspirantAcademy-The Talent Bridge

9739915868

Should I take up any coaching for SSB since I had been conferenced out in my first two attempts? Won't it affect my natural personality?

Don't you think there is something in your natural personality not liked by SSB. And you can't even make out what it is else you would have corrected it and got recommended.

Don't worry nothing will happen, don't go to wrong numbers as I mentioned in one of my write-ups. Take help of a professional and achieve your dreams. You tried twice now correct what's wrong and try again :)

All the best!

Col Pradeep Walia

Defence Aspirant Academy-The Talent Bridge Jalandhar

9739915868

How do officers overcome perception they have on a candidate during the SSB (because each one of us has a different perception on everyone) to find real ability in a candidate or does perception matter in the selection?

Where do you get all these questions from :)

Okay let me try and answer as to how do we get over this personal perceptions as far as SSB selection is concerned.

Firstly the officers selected to be assessors are those who were recommended by all the three assessors at the SSB when they appeared as candidates for it.

Secondly the training carried out for Army, Navy and Air Force assessors is by the common training institute called Defence Institute for Psychological Research for three months in their lab. It is one of the organs of DRDO ( Defence Research and Development Organisation).

After this training the selected lot(those found suitable) are sent for On the Job training under experienced assessors and once the trainee officer is found fit he is recommended to be posted as an assessor.

Every two years all the assessors participate in an exercise called Standardization exercise at one of the selection centres. Say for the IO one candidate is being interviewed by an IO. In the same room all other assessors sit behind the IO (20–25 of them). Based on the questions asked by the IO all the rest also carry out their assessment of the candidate. For the result purpose decision of the IO conducting the interview only matters. After the candidate leaves the assessment by each IO is discussed any variations especially are taken note of. And an endeavour is made to bring the assessment at par with least variations. Similar exercise is done with Psychologists and GTOs. Some amount of variation is bound to be there despite all the efforts because of human interface :)

Also to further minimise it there are three independent assessors assessing the candidate at SSB ie IO, GTO and Psych. If one of the assessor is at variance then to an extent it gets neutralised there.

By far the system is very fare and one of the best in the world.

Col Pradeep Walia

DefenceAspirantAcademy-The Talent Bridge Jalandhar

9739915868