Psychology test is conducted under stage II testing at SSB. This is the first test out of three and very crucial, as the name suggest, this test is to check your psychology as required for an armed force officer. It is a group of tests like TAT, WAT, SRT and Self description. Below are few important tips for the psychology tests which will help you to score more marks in psychology tests at ssb.
Do’s of Psychology Tests At SSB
Must listen & adhere to the instructions properly.
Must clarify all your doubts before the commencement of each test.
Must be as imaginative and spontaneous as possible.
Must give your first reactions to the stimulus shown to you, don’t think twice as there is no right or no wrong answer to the situations and everyone is likely to respond in his own unique ways.
Write your responses clearly in simple language.
While writing responses, your ideas must revolve around the situations or stimulus given to you.
Be realistic and logical in your responses.
Be attentive and alert and keep a track of time.
Carry blue / black pen only, which is fully functional.
Listen to the instructions carefully and clarify your doubts before the test starts.
During entry and exit in the testing hall, follow a queue.
In case of any problem in visibility of picture and words inform the psychologist on duty after the demo picture / word is shown.
Sleep early at night to remain fresh for the next days testing Get up early and freshen up well for the tasks.
Adhere to the time schedule of testing.
Write your name, batch No and chest No correctly where there required.
Handle the testing material properly without marking anything in the test booklet.
Maintain silence while listening to the instructions.
Confine your answers to the space provided for each test as there is no extra sheet provided along with the 16-page dossier.
Dont’s Psychology Tests At SSB
Do not use coached / tutored ideas while responding to psychological test battery.
Do not be unduly anxious. Keep yourself calm and relaxed.
Do not hesitate on seeing the actual problem shown to you.
Do not blindly follow guidelines given by any coaching academy for practicing psychological test battery as it creates a mental block which in turn may restrict your spontaneity and creative imagination. While taking coaching is not bad, you must be wise enough to discard what is not desirable to maintain your originality in thoughts.
Do not be late in reporting to the testing hall.
Do not go to candidates lines during a break.
Don’t make a noise or talk among yourself.
Don’t be shy in clarifying your doubt regarding the test instructions.
Don’t use extra sheet or paper for writing the response.
Don’t mark anything with pen / pencil in the test booklet.
Do not bring your mobile phone during the psychological testing.
Do not copy the answers of other candidates.
Do not keep any reference material in the testing hall.
Do not ask any doubt from other candidates. Ask directly to the officer, who is conducting the test.
Do not disturb other candidates during the testing process.
Do not go far away from the testing hall during the short break in between two tests.
Hi, to all defence aspirants myself Senior Under Officer Sudhir Yadav of 63 up Bn. NCC and resident of Amethi. I did my schooling from Christ The King School Jagdishpur & Aditya Birla Public School Jagdishpur and graduation from Lucknow University. I am here to share my experience of how I got recommended again from 18 SSB Allahabad. Previously I was recommended for NDA 128 but got merit out and being a commerce student in class 12th I had to wait for 3 long years for my next attempt which was CDSE 2 2014 after clearing my written I was focused toward only one thing that was to get recommended again, when I got the call for SSB for OTA I got bit tensed to since I was allotted with selection centre east i.e. Allahabad since many of aspirants have declared it as rejection board rather than selection board.
When I went to Allahabad I found that in our batch we had 3 previously recommended candidate they were Sudhir Yadav (it was me), Ankur Baloda (who has mentioned his success story earlier on ssbcrack), Sandeep Kumar and here comes the biggest coincidence all of us from NDA 128 batch and were recommended from Bhopal. Even when I got screen in and I was allotted with chest no. 23 the same chest no. allotted 3 years back so more or less time was repeating itself.
DAY 1 : SCREENING
I will directly come on PPDT. After getting seated comfortably, I did bit of meditation to make myself blank and more concentrated. I heard all the instruction given by officer and many of us also clarified their doubts.
The picture of shown to us was of a man and two women on his both side. I perceived man as a doctor since he was wearing a stethoscope; I mentioned one lady as wife of doctor and the other lady as sarpanch of village.
My story was about eradication of misconception in minds of budding girls and removed by cooperation of medical team, wife and sarpanch. at the time of storytelling I kept my story crunch and precise and was
able to sum up in 45-50 seconds without any disturbance from the panel during discussion we were distributed among group of 12 candidates, as the discussion started i kept calm, and after the first candidate who was completely deviated from topic I decided to make points which was common to all like background{rural in most of case}, profession of character{most of stories had doctor} sex and age of character …it was like immediately everyone agreed to me and I got the chance to make more impact but I kept myself calm and after two three comments from other I made one more point that approach of doctor was of social upliftment or social service to the society to my amusement some candidates declared that they agree to chest no. 33{it was me} and 31(it was Ankur Baloda) I made few more point and even agreed to few good stories and then we were asked to stop and later result was declared.
DAY 2 : PSCYCHOLOGY TEST
Day 2 of ssb and all set for the psychology test I prepared myself mentally and even did bit of meditation in hall to remain calm composed.
TAT: TAT was the very first test we came across, I ensured of making good and crisp stories in stipulated time so that I should not leave any story incomplete. I was able to complete every story on time and
framed stories with ideas which came in my mind at very first.
WAT: I was able to do all the words of WAT and didn’t missed any of them and I ensured to not to use any preaching word and also made few sentences on DRDO and ISRO.
SRT: I was able to do 54 SRTS and tried to do by remaining in apathy mode rather sympathy mode and didn’t gave any idea which were superhero type. I gave crisp and realistic answers.
SDT: In SDT I gave what were views of my pal, family, and teachers about me and also gave my weakness honestly but mentioned only that weakness which can be overcome. So this was day one of the SSB and yes it was bit tiresome but yes it was the real test of mental strength.
DAY 3 : GTO 1
The day one of GTO started with the group discussion. I was able to do both GD with ease and I was bit lucky that my group behaved like real gentlemen and didn’t made a fish market rather than contradicting each other we complimented each other and avoided one to one clashes.
After GD we headed for our planning exercise and we were able to solve the plan in given time and I was the one who briefed the final plan to group.
We then went for our progressive task and were able to completed 3 of the task and I was also able to complete half group task. Then we went for our snake race and our group was really the one of the quickest one and we all coordinated very well and we were first to finish the task.
INTERVIEW
As the group task ended I was told that I will report in front of deputy for my interview.{i was completely exhausted but what has to be done is to be done} I reported and was given 5 min. to relax and have
water in the waiting room. I just mediated there and didn’t have water as it was lukewarm.
I opened the door and greeted the deputy and he asked me to sit down, he asked me if I want water then I said yes as water was cold and was much needed I drank half a glass and thanked him.
The very first question was how I am spending time and how is stay, I answered him and after making me completely comfortable he fired the question to which I was assured and that was my views on Amethi and Gandhi family connection. I told him the ground reality and he was quite satisfied with it.
he then asked a rapid fire about my schooling, college , teacher, subject, family, like dislike in one question later I was asked to which person I go in time of need and I replied it as my father, he countered me why I don’t go to my brother so rather than telling demerits of my brother i told him qualities of my father.
he asked me about my friends and also asked girlfriend, he inquired me about my love life and my views on love and arrange marriages. He asked me to name my best friend and also why he is my best friend and what he wants to change in me and what would I change in him.
He later asked me about my friends and I told he later asked me to point out 2 demerits in my brother, sister, father, mother. I told him my mother is an over religious person so he pointed on the ring I was wearing he asked is that reason for wearing a ring. I told him that my sadhe satti is going and to satisfy my mother I am wearing it and have no problem with it.
He even asked me whether I am a religious person or not. I told him yes I am religious person as well as a rational person and don’t follow it blindly the next question was about ranks of navy, air force, I was almost prepared to tell army ranks but he asked me insignia of brigadier and I told him.
The last question was from geography as I was asked to tell about all the coastal states of India with their capital.
DAY 4: GTO 2
Day two of GTO came and it was the real nightmare for me as I had injured left soldier but thanks to the motivation I got from my family
and my NCC battalion I was able to complete all the 10 obstacles though it really pained like hell when I did my tiger leap but no pain
no gain.
I completed my command task with ease though it was quite tricky and even GTO kept on increasing difficulty level. The final task we had was the FINAL GROUP TASK and it was very easy and we completed it very easily. DAY 5: CONFERENCE
So the final day of SSB was the conference day. I was dressed like gentlemen and was prepared for the final clash and I was the last
person to go for the conference. I greeted everyone and the deputy asked me the very first question was how was my stay and I replied it as very good and he asked why it was very good so I replied I made new friends and even new habits like I was introduced to table tennis for first time , later he asked me how was the food and I said it was a good one, this time I was interrupted as deputy said that people are complaining about food and I am giving just opposite view, I told him that being out of home we were served healthy and hygienic food that was more than enough and primary task was to get food which gave us energy not enjoyment for tongue.
THE FINAL RESULT
After the conference I was hoping to get recommended because the conference went smooth like butter and I was quite sure for myself and Ankur Baloda though we both were tense and shared common sentiments of stress and worry if at all we don’t get recommended. Ankur was concerned with his interview and I had concerns over PGT even at night we had a chat over this issue and we both had one aim in our eyes to catch the NDA 128 batch and it was only possible if we get through this.
To all of us surprise we had 7 of us which was a sort of record as stated by the officer and we also realised that because every other
batch had 1-3 recommendation while we had 7. So this was my all experience and I am going to join OTA in October
anyone who has any query can contact me on [email protected]
ENTRY-CDSE
ROLL NO-19525
CHEST NO-23
Europe has been in news from the last several months. Mass migration is being observed in Europe in 2015, where people from middle and south Asia and North Africa are migrating to Europe. It’s not just about migration. Several problems are emerging due to this e.g. lack in handling those migrants, violence from the residents, accidents while migrating and several other. Some key points are discussed below to make the entire issue clear.
What is Migration?
Migration is term used to denote a situation of shifting of a person from one place to another place for permanent settlement. It is of two types – immigration which means entry of people at a place and emigration, which means people leaving the place decreasing the population density.
What causing Immigration in Europe
Many African and Asian nations are facing harsh conditions in their states. In Iran Afghanistan like states Taliban, ISIS and weak government is reducing people confident from re-stabilization of conditions. While African nations like Somalia, Nigeria and many others are having Boko Haram and Al-Shabab, which has compelled people to flee from their places. People in conflicted area or better life seekers are seeing Europe as safer place.
Effects of Migration
As per the records, about 1.7 million non- European people have migrated to Europe in 2012. Migrants have many routes to Europe. Several people put their life in danger by crossing Meditation Sea to enter Italy and some north African migrants goes to Spain by crossing the sea route. While majority of people migrating from middle and south Asia, cross water ways from turkey to Greek islands and easily crosses European borders. A fraction of those also cross Siberian- hungry border after arriving to turkey and flee to Europe. But in a counter plan made by hungry govt., the country made 4 meters high fence along its border with Siberia to tackle migration. In an incident in Austria, 71 people were found dead in a truck due to no availability of ventilation. Investigation revealed that truck was used to smuggle migrants. Several similar incidents of death of migrants in overcrowded boats and trucks is reported in recent times.
Reaction Observed
European Union has restricted the migration by strengthening borders. Agencies have also made some laws that will check the return of undocumented migrants from EU and smuggler, traffickers and culprits caught are to be punished accordingly. But the sudden migration has made lot of problem and EU is heading for proper system of handling the migrants. Several incidents of violence in Germany was seen against the migrants. Italy has also faced some violence by the residents against the foreigners. Whereas, Macedonia has declared temporary state of emergency for proper control and increasing safety at border region.
Verdict
The situation is going more complex day by day and several people are suffering from the crisis. Even European nations are also taking steps to overcome the problem. Countries like Afghanistan, Syria, Iran and African nations must pay attention to their nationals to make them safe and comfortable in their nation.
Crop insurance period for Non-Loanee farmers extended to Sept 15
NITI Aayog holds workshop on development of smart cities
Ban on Gujrat’s mobile internet service lifted
Telangana to spend 81,000 cr. On irrigation project
Strike over government’s labour reforms hits many sectors
International
500th manned launch successful with launch of soyuz rocket
Water being used as weapon of war in Syria, says Red Cross
Tiger Memon named man arrested in Karachi, India is not excited
India along with 49 Prospective Founding Members (PFMs) on Monday signed the Articles of Agreement for the formation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
Sri Lankan Parliament urged to repeal anti-terror Act
Business
Government to auction 69 oil and gas field of ONGC, Oil India
Chinese firm foxconn to setup unit at Tamilnadu
Ericsson won 4 year 4G contract in Delhi from Airtel Bharti
Jet airways to merge jet lite with itself
India post to take e-commerce to Tamilnadu’s rural area
Politics
Lalit modi’s Singapore and Mauritius accounts may be seized
Modi’s packed foreign schedule for next three months
State-run outlets in Tamilnadu to sell onion at Rs. 55 a kg
BJP, VHP attack Ansari on ‘reservation for Muslims’
Manmohan knew everything on Jindal firm: Koda
Defence
Deadlock on rafale broken, DAC approved further talks
India and Australia set to hold AUSINDEX joint naval exercises in mid-September
Indian naval fleets returning to India after naval exercise with Iran
Decision on OROP likely to be taken before announcement of Bihar poll dates
Pakistan has lost international support on Kashmir says Ex Pakistan envoy
Sports
Ishant, Pujara enter Top-20 in ICC Test rankings
US Open 2015: Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams to be seen in second round action
Logo for 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games scrapped
Cricket should be kept out of India-Pakistan relations says PCB to BCCI
Sri Ramakrishna Mills Sports Club (SRMSC) regained first division title and won the Lakshmi Card Clothing Trophy in the 57th Annual Day celebration
The Indian Air Force (IAF) saw two senior Air Marshals taking charge at its Southern and Eastern Commands. At the Headquarters Training Command situated in Bengaluru, Air Marshal S R K Nair, took over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief. Similarly, at the Eastern Air Command situated in Shillong, Air Marshal C Hari Kumar took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief.
Air Marshal Nair has over 7000 hours of flying in his kitty
Commissioned in the transport stream of the IAF in 1980, Air Marshal Nair is a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Air Force Examiner. Hailing from Thrivananthapuram, Air Marshal Nair has a rich and varied flying experience of over 7000 hrs in various transport and trainer aircraft.
He has taken active part and flown extensively towards Operation Pawan (Sri Lanka), Operation Cactus (Maldives) and Operation Parakram, Operation Safed Sagar – both in Kargil. He has the unique distinction of being selected to lead the first Indian contingent for airborne exercises to three different countries. During the exercise in the US, he pioneered a flight on IL-76 to the North Pole and back, the only Indian aircraft to do so. He has also circumnavigated the globe. He was instrumental in commencing operations both by AN-32 and C-130 Hercules to ‘Daulat Beg Olde – on the India-China border — the highest airstrip in the world and has himself landed in the AN-32. The Air Marshal has held key appointments, including Chief Operations Officer of a Transport Base, Commanding Officer of a strategic Air lift Squadron, Director Operations (Transport), at Air Headquarters and Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station, Chandigarh among others. He is a recipient of Vayu Sena Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.
Air Marshal Hari too held key positions
Air Marshal Hari is a Fighter Combat Leader and a Qualified Flying Instructor and was commissioned in the Fighter Stream in 1979. He has held various important field and staff appointments during his career spanning over 36 years. Prior to taking over as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Air Command, he was the Senior Air Staff Officer, South Western Air Command. For his distinguished service to the Nation, he has been decorated with Vayu Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.
A decade ago, on 21 September 1992, the feisty Priya Jhingan enrolled as 001 — the first lady cadet to join the Indian Army. “It’s a dream I have lived every day for the last 10 years,” says Jhingan, formerly OIC, Judge Advocate General, at the Chennai headquarters. That dream ended two days ago for her and 24 of her batch-mates who served out their 10-year commission. Jhingan does not want to think too much about what life’s going to be like here on end. She’s applying to various banks for administrative jobs. Returning to the dream, she says it was her single-mindedness that won her an entry into the Army. Soon after she finished her graduation, she wrote a letter to the then Chief of Army Staff, General Sunith Francis Rodrigues, requesting him to open the doors of the armed services to women.
The General wrote back saying the Army was planning to induct women in a year or two. Jhingan dropped all plans of becoming a police officer — her father was one — and decided to wait till the Army called her. “The signed letter from the General remains one of my prized possessions,” says Jhingan. To bide her time, she studied law. When the full-page advertisement inviting women to join the Army appeared in 1992, she knew she would make it. “There were two seats reserved for law graduates. I was just curious to find out who the other person might be.” Jhingan was right. Soon, she came down to the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai. The batch of 25 spirited women did not know what to expect and did not have much of an introduction. So, they walked into the OTA with their trunks filled with fancy clothes they thought they would wear to all the social dos. With a shake of her head, Jhingan says, “Our commanding officer almost hit the roof when he saw our trunks and the list of requests — warm water, tube lights and a saloon.”
A rigorous physical training with stringent standards that matched the male cadets wasn’t a problem, says Jhingan. She is unhappy that the standards for ladies have been lowered now. “It is no longer challenging.” The parallel training, however, did create some awkward moments for the shy lady cadets who never imagined they would have to get into the same swimming pool as the gentleman cadets or train under the watchful eyes of male officers. “We wrapped the towels tightly around us and refused to let go of them. Finally, our platoon commander Captain P S Behl had to come and order us to stand in attention. The towels fell and we marched forward,” says Jhingan, embarrassed by the memory. In her first posting at Ahmedabad, there was only one toilet and she had to share it with other male officers, but she didn’t let that bother her. “Often, I would go in and see someone else using the facility. So, soon I devised the system of knocking hard on the door before entering. But never once did I think that I should be allotted a separate facility,” she says. When a sozzled jawan entered her room five years ago, she gave him a good thrashing. He was later court-martialed and booted out.
Jhingan waves away the initial apprehension of male officers that women were inducted just to ‘add colour’ to the Army. She explains their refusal to call her m’aam as just one of the “problems that every working woman faces while breaking stereotypes.” But this mother of a five-year-old son, Aryaman, is willing to admit that her priorities have changed. “I am always thinking of what will be a good move for my son,” she says. Ask her whether the Army took the right decision in curtailing the lady officers’ service to 10 years, she will shoot back, “No way. Why should they decide what is right for me and my family?” She did not write to Army HQ seeking an extension because, “I never want to tell the Army not to detail me in for a case because I have other personal obligations. I can never do that.” When Jhingan was commissioned on 06 March 1993, she requested that she be posted in the infantry. Her commanding officer told her may be her great-grand-daughter would get a chance to serve in the infantry. “I am waiting for that day,” she says.
A decade ago, on 21 September 1992, the feisty Priya Jhingan enrolled as 001 — the first lady cadet to join the Indian Army. “It’s a dream I have lived every day for the last 10 years,” says Jhingan, formerly OIC, Judge Advocate General, at the Chennai headquarters. That dream ended two days ago for her and 24 of her batch-mates who served out their 10-year commission. Jhingan does not want to think too much about what life’s going to be like here on end. She’s applying to various banks for administrative jobs. Returning to the dream, she says it was her single-mindedness that won her an entry into the Army. Soon after she finished her graduation, she wrote a letter to the then Chief of Army Staff, General Sunith Francis Rodrigues, requesting him to open the doors of the armed services to women.
The General wrote back saying the Army was planning to induct women in a year or two. Jhingan dropped all plans of becoming a police officer — her father was one — and decided to wait till the Army called her. “The signed letter from the General remains one of my prized possessions,” says Jhingan. To bide her time, she studied law. When the full-page advertisement inviting women to join the Army appeared in 1992, she knew she would make it. “There were two seats reserved for law graduates. I was just curious to find out who the other person might be.” Jhingan was right. Soon, she came down to the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai. The batch of 25 spirited women did not know what to expect and did not have much of an introduction. So, they walked into the OTA with their trunks filled with fancy clothes they thought they would wear to all the social dos. With a shake of her head, Jhingan says, “Our commanding officer almost hit the roof when he saw our trunks and the list of requests — warm water, tube lights and a saloon.”
A rigorous physical training with stringent standards that matched the male cadets wasn’t a problem, says Jhingan. She is unhappy that the standards for ladies have been lowered now. “It is no longer challenging.” The parallel training, however, did create some awkward moments for the shy lady cadets who never imagined they would have to get into the same swimming pool as the gentleman cadets or train under the watchful eyes of male officers. “We wrapped the towels tightly around us and refused to let go of them. Finally, our platoon commander Captain P S Behl had to come and order us to stand in attention. The towels fell and we marched forward,” says Jhingan, embarrassed by the memory. In her first posting at Ahmedabad, there was only one toilet and she had to share it with other male officers, but she didn’t let that bother her. “Often, I would go in and see someone else using the facility. So, soon I devised the system of knocking hard on the door before entering. But never once did I think that I should be allotted a separate facility,” she says. When a sozzled jawan entered her room five years ago, she gave him a good thrashing. He was later court-martialed and booted out.
Jhingan waves away the initial apprehension of male officers that women were inducted just to ‘add colour’ to the Army. She explains their refusal to call her m’aam as just one of the “problems that every working woman faces while breaking stereotypes.” But this mother of a five-year-old son, Aryaman, is willing to admit that her priorities have changed. “I am always thinking of what will be a good move for my son,” she says. Ask her whether the Army took the right decision in curtailing the lady officers’ service to 10 years, she will shoot back, “No way. Why should they decide what is right for me and my family?” She did not write to Army HQ seeking an extension because, “I never want to tell the Army not to detail me in for a case because I have other personal obligations. I can never do that.” When Jhingan was commissioned on 06 March 1993, she requested that she be posted in the infantry. Her commanding officer told her may be her great-grand-daughter would get a chance to serve in the infantry. “I am waiting for that day,” she says.
The interviewing officer discusses by way of questions and answers the opportunities you had in life and the utilization which you have made of them. It is a test of your heart. The interviewing officer is fairly senior and experienced in the armed forces. While he interacts with you, he visualizes whether you have the essential qualities to be trained to be an army officer.
What you have done till date with regard to your basic educational performances in exams from 10th to present level, your achievements in extracurricular activities, your hobbies, sports, activities and any other interests in life, your relation with your parents, friends, teachers and society at large, your general awareness and general knowledge and your physical and mental fortitude are important facets of his assessment.
The interviewing officer understands and gives you fair benefit for shortcomings or mistakes which you may have committed. Thus, do not try and hide anything. The tendency of lying or making false pretenses is viewed negatively and is easily discernible.
The interviewing officer understands and gives you fair benefit for shortcomings or mistakes which you may have committed. Thus, do not try and hide anything. The tendency of lying or making false pretenses is viewed negatively and is easily discernible.
Do’s of SSB Interview
Some basics that a candidate must keep in mind while preparing during an interview are as under:-
Be appropriately turned out for the interview.
Look smart, cheerful, and enthusiastic.
Must remain happy and calm and respond politely to the interviewing officer’s welcome remark.
Be audible but not too loud. Appear keen to speak and respond to questions.
Sit straight and comfortably, do not fidget, and do not keep moving your hands and legs.
Acknowledge questions being asked by gently nodding your head and maintaining eye contact throughout.
If you have not understood anything, politely ask for clarification or to repeat the question.
Must be clear about facts and figures regarding your bio-data, marks obtained, ranking in competitive exams, dates, names of school/institution, teachers, friends, etc. Avoid stating “I do not remember” and respond as far as possible.
A large number of questions are normally asked at one go in a sequence. Try and remember all these questions and attempt to answer them in the same sequence. If you fail to recollect all questions, finish those you remember and then request to clarify anything, left out.
Prep well in general knowledge for the interview. You are expected to be aware of current events if asked.
Talk about hobbies, participation in games & sports, adventure activities, and any other interests. You must have adequate technical knowledge about your hobbies and the games you play. You shall get some questions on these.
Utilize your time while waiting for the interview by reading newspapers and journals available in the waiting room.
Watch TV News for updating yourself in candidates’ lines/waiting room.
Remain relaxed and at ease throughout during the interview.
Listen to complete questions before attempting to reply.
Be truthful and honest while replying to questions.
Dont’s of SSB Interview
Do not be shabbily dressed.
Do not be under stress during interview.
Do not discuss the questions asked by interviewing officer.
Never lie or put up a false pretense.
If you are well read it is an advantage. If not, do not pretend to have read books/magazines and newspapers which you have only heard of.
Do not reply as has been told to you by the candidates interviewed before you. Their questions may have had a different perspective.
Avoid guess work. Better be polite and say I don’t know, sir, I shall find out”.
Avoid being rigid, restorative, argumentative, overbearing, complacent and stiff, throughout the interview.
Don’t keep mobile, watch etc on person during interview.
Captain Aswathy Ganapath is a daring young woman who has chosen to serve in the Indian Army. She is an engineer and a 2011 pass-out from the Officers Training Academy (OTA). Excerpts from a tête-à-tête with the Captain who is on a short vacation home.
The Indian Army
I am an electronics and communication engineer. After I completed my course at the Government Engineering College at Barton Hills I was selected by Infosys during the campus recruitment. During my training period at Infosys, I came across an advertisement in a paper calling for woman officers to the army. Stories and movies on the army had captured my imagination right from childhood. I went ahead and applied. There was no looking back after that.
Life at OTA, Chennai
The first day I was given a the black and white uniform. My long tresses were cut short. The first thing about OTA that was starkly different from what I was used to was the concept of ‘senior and junior’. I was part of a culture where you call your seniors in college and at work by name and you share an easy relationship. Here, hierarchy is very important. I was part of a batch of 60 women cadets. We were put through a tough training schedule. You are trained to become strong both mentally and physically. Initially I was not sure if I would be able to do the tasks that were assigned to us. I had no sports background and all this was new. But, with each passing day, my confidence grew and when you are able to do a task to perfection the feeling is great.
First posting
My first posting was at Ladakh; it is my current posting as well. The place is incredibly cold. I developed chilblains and infections. I head jawans who are much older than me. I am the only woman among more than a thousand men. There is not much of a social life up there. You are away from home and totally dedicated to the work that you do. I am part of the Military Engineering Service (MES) whose motto is “idea and innovation”. So this ensures that my technical appetite is also met.
Moment of pride
Initially my parents were apprehensive about my decision to join the army. I developed severe lung infection when I was at the OTA. When my parents came to see me and saw the state that I was in they were very unhappy. However, at the passing out ceremony from OTA, it is your parents who do the pipping. The pride on my parents’ face as they pinned the stars on my uniform is my moment of greatest pride.
Woman amongst men
The fact that you are treated equally is the greatest motivating factor. In the army being a woman does not make you different or special.
A word to women aspirants to the army
Do not ever think that this is something that is beyond your reach. Your boundaries are what you set for yourself. Believe you can do it and you can. And trust me, this is a cool job.
Candidates who are looking for JAG 15 merit list can check the JAG 15 merit list here linked below. Official website of Indian army has published the merit list of JAG 15 for men and women course commencing at OTA Chennai in OCT 2015. Candidates who have made it in the final merit list and are medically fit will be getting joining instructions as per their order of merit.
Total Candidates in the JAG 15 merit list Men: 22
Total Candidates in the JAG 15 merit list Women: 15
