Lieutenant Garima Yadav secured AIR -2 in CDS 1 2017 and joined the OTA Chennai, she got commissioned into the Army after passing out from the academy. She has completed her studies from Army Public School and St. Stephen’s College, she was a bright student and wanted to join the IAS but she wasn’t able to clear her IAS mains and later cleared the CDS exam to join the Indian Army. She was selected for a beauty pageant called India’s miss charming face and won it in November 2017. “I am a single mother-child, and she has been there for me in all my ups and downs, motivating me, she’s a strong woman and my true inspiration I just wanted to make her proud. I am from army public school Ddagshai (Shimla) and did BA economic from St Stephen’s College New Delhi, I was preparing for civil services but I guess army was my true calling, I got recommended in my 1st attempt. Before that I was working as an MC for events as a part-time job, while preparing for exams, from there I was selected for a pageant called India’s miss charming face’s auditions, I won the pageant in November 2017 and was selected for next pageant at international level which was to b held in Italy, but I chose to join OTA Chennai instead.” – Lt. Garima said while talking to SSBCrack
I had a wonderful experience at the OTA, at first it was difficult for me to cope up with the tough training, the weather was also unfavorable, I did not have very good physical standards but somehow I managed for first few months, I didn’t give up and improved drastically. I actively participated in all curriculum activities. People have a wrong conception that you have to be good at all sports, physically strong to get selected in the SSB, that’s not true, you just should be willing to accept your weaknesses and work on them, should always endeavor to get better and better every day. One should b honest, positive, creative and solution orientated that’s all you need rest everything will follow.” She said.
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In a major boost for Army, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired indigenously developed, low weight, fire and forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) for the second time today in the ranges of Rajasthan desert. MPATGM is incorporated with advanced features including state-of-the-art Imaging Infrared Radar (IIR) Seeker with integrated avionics. The first test was conducted on 13th March 2019. In both the missions, the missiles hit the designated targets precisely at different ranges. All the mission objectives have been met.
The President and Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces Shri Ram Nath Kovind conferred three Kirti Chakras and fifteen Shaurya Chakras to Armed Forces Personnel for displaying conspicuous gallantry, indomitable courage and extreme devotion to duty at a solemn ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here today. Two Kirti Chakras and one Shaurya Chakra were given posthumously. The President also conferred fifteen ParamVishishtSeva Medals, one Uttam Yudh Seva Medals and twenty-five AtiVishisht Seva Medals to senior officers of the Armed Forces for distinguished service of an exceptional order.
Love story of a Commando is the second book of Swapnil Pandey which depicts the intricacies of Commando’s life style,service responsibilities,social aura,deep feelings and a way to attain unattainable. Ladies are unsung heroes of Armed Forces and make huge sacrifices to sustain the principles of freedom this country holds. Swapnil Pandey books are perfect tribute to the silent Veeranganas who stay behind, hold back so that the men they love can serve this country and protect its honour. Its time women behind the men get their due and also deserve equal adulation as men in uniform.
Chapter-12 The Prime Minister’s Visit – Loving someone with all your heart and losing them can have apocalyptic effects on one’s soul which can never be fixed by anyone else but by the ones whom you have lost. You are never the same person. The soul dies a bit or maybe goes away with the lost love. You see the world little differently and you end up finding mostly dark grey shades in your once colourful life. It hurts when someone you love remains in your heart and you cannot take them into your arms. You cry, you sob, you shatter things, but nothing can bring them back. Perhaps, they were never meant to be yours.
They were there for a silly moment to teach you the lessons of love, life and pain all at once. It felt even the ‘Bermuda Triangle’ could not shelter me away from my miseries, memories and pain, Kashmir was still not that alien. Where could have I run away from my inner turmoil? I sobbed into my pillow till daybreak and the next day, I woke up with a fog of fever. I was burning like I had been in a sauna for hours.
Susan visited me and brought some Paracetamol tablets and antibiotics with her. Rafeeq had told her about my condition and she duly informed Mr. Ahmed Khan about my fever. He asked Susan to tell me to rest till I recovered, and not bother about classes. I felt so relieved. Susan was turning out to be one very special person in my life. She was nothing like me; we both belonged to different creeds, nations and ethnicities. But our common situation and loneliness bonded us over those snowy lands which were alien yet beloved to both of us.
I smiled.
She asked, “What is so wrong with you? What happened to your immunity? You looked fine just yesterday.”
I replied, casually suppressing my agony, “Nothing! Maybe just a viral due to the weather change! You tell me what happened today?”
“Nothing much! But yes, the kids were asking about you and they played solitaire in your absence. I’d say you’re creating some genius solitaire players here.” She giggled.
“Ha ha! Actually my idea of education is synonymous with having fun. I mean what would you learn if you didn’t enjoy it,” I explained.
“I know that, and the kids love you.” she said.
“I know! You see…I am very passionate about this job. I love teaching these kids. I never felt like this before in my previous job,” I said.
“By the way, there is some big news too,” she said.
“What?” I asked
“The Prime Minister is visiting us next week. It had been kept under wraps due to security reasons, but the preparations have been going on for a while. He wants to connect with the locals here and spread his message of love and peace to them directly. He wants to project a secular image to the Kashmiri people and shed the outsider image especially, after so many Kashmiris voted for him in the previous election. He is also coming to our school to meet the kids.” She was almost whispering.
“That is great. Who told you all this?” I asked casually as if Prime Ministers visit rural Kashmir all the time.
“Mr. Khan himself! He got the call from the state home minister directly from Srinagar and had been asked to keep it under wraps and not inform the media. They anticipate the media directly on the day of visit or they might even bring their own media personnel with them.”
She left after a while and I also resigned for the day by slumping against the pillows on my bed.
I was feeling much better the next day.
As I stepped out of my room to join the classes I saw a convoy of military trucks on the dirt track connecting our shelter home to the village. I walked towards the willow and poplars near the aluminum fence of the school to get a clearer view and I saw moving military vehicles, armed soldiers, armored cars with machine guns mounted on it and even army battle tanks.
My mouth fell open.
I mean military convoys; armed soldiers were not an alien concept in Kashmir but the magnanimity of the view I had was different. By now the entire school, hearing the loud rumbling noises of battle tanks and extraordinary military movements, had turned up on the common grounds. The trucks at the first row of the convoy screeched their brakes and came to a halt at the gates and with them the entire convoy halted systematically. The soldiers were moving in and one of their officers asked for the ‘in charge’.
After some sharp murmurs, Mr. Khan moved from his place and stood before him claiming his authority. The officer said something to him in an inaudible tone unlike their loud and commanding voice and I could see Mr. Khan nodding nervously. After a few minutes, the officer went back to his convoy and started giving instructions to his chaps.
Mr. Khan wiped his profusely sweating forehead with a handkerchief and instructed us to take the kids back to the classes. We herded the students together and took them to the classrooms. The soldiers set to work fast. In a few hours, the trucks had been unloaded and soon the shelter was turned into a military camp. Over the next few days, they built watchtowers and sandbag bunkers along the school fence. Scores of machine gun nozzles and stern looking soldiers stared from the rectangular firing slats of the bunkers, draped with wire mesh aimed at deflecting potential grenades.
We were given new rules to follow which especially emphasized that we were not to visit half the school building at any times. We were also instructed to carry our identity cards with us all the time and show it to the soldiers every time we entered or left the school.The soldiers never bothered us, and we went on with our daily schedules.
The soldiers set about their work of ‘area domination’- patrolling the road passing by the school, now and then. Strangely, none of it filled me with a sense of security. Being a north Indian, the word army had always instilled confidence in me, but here, in this small village of Kashmir, it was collapsing with my definition of insecurity or fear maybe.
The Indian Army is a very dreaded and hated term in Kashmir. Unlike tourists or other people from the rest of the country, who are mostly welcomed here, the Army is always considered the enemy. The setting up of military camp in our shelter home also made us prone to guerrilla attacks. We, uneasily, expected the inevitable. It was strange to be into the shoes of a Kashmiri. The militants or the army both are considered a threat in Kashmir.
Who loses after all? A common Kashmiri!
During my stay, I had learnt about some hard facts too. Kids as young as ten years old were sent to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for arms and ammunition trainings. Some were forced to join the ongoing war by their friends or relatives, and some would just be inspired to join by themselves. Such kids would leave their families and flee their houses to join banned organizations like JKLF (Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front) or Hizbul Mujahideen or many other terrorist organizations. These various organizations were ideological rivals. JKLF fought for an independent Kashmir whereas the HM supported the merger of Kashmir with Pakistan.
Many of the Kashmiris trained locally in orchards or meadows and were prone to regular Army raids. But those who managed to cross the LOC without getting shot at by BSF or Indian Army and could also come back without getting killed were considered heroes. The families loathed every single minute of it, but they were treated with great respect if their sons returned safely to fight against Indian Army. It also helped the young terrorists attract female adulations, but the end result led to only one fate “To mourn the death of their wards by family members.” The consequences to fight against an organized and highly equipped army were inevitable and they were to be eliminated sooner or later.
Here, the roles of separatists or terrorist heads was pivotal as they were the ones to provoke generations of youth to join the so called ‘jihad’ while their own sons and daughters were studying abroad and becoming doctors and engineers, and yet they never liked to serve Kashmiri awam. The Indian government also had limited options here. These separatist leaders, sponsored by the enemy country spoke openly against the country they lived in but Indian government chose to ignore. Any strict actions against these popular leaders meant protest by the masses and also raking up of Kashmir issue among International communities.
Government would just imprison them occasionally.
This is politics. This is the world. It demands blood and flesh. The struggle between masses and the government is always of apocalyptic proportions. Who benefited? Those leaders who turn to be gold diggers or those governments who turn to be tyrannical? Where should a common man go who is affected the most by the clashes and also by the negotiations?
The day of the Prime Minister’s arrival was close.
Though there was no official statement issued yet. Mr. Khan looked perplexed. There was grave danger looming over his head because of the terrorists but being a government employee, he had no option.
Watching those men in uniform would also make my stomach churn sometimes. Though their camouflage combat uniforms were nothing like Virat’s black overall. But the presence of the army reminded me of him again and again.
The happiness that I gathered recently, the smiles that I would flaunt and the past which called for a truce were gone suddenly and the nightmares of blood, death and him were back in my life. The angelic faces of the kids were calming but I was mostly distracted and could not put in hundred percent of my energies towards those kids. I felt guilty most of the time.
Finally, the day for the Prime Minister’s visit arrived. It was a three-day visit to Kashmir. His itinerary included various important places. He had a very charismatic personality and the media just loved clicking him. The newspapers, TVs and social media were all buzzing with ‘what he ate’, ‘where he visited’, whom he met and many things more.
His candid pictures hugging Kashmiri locals, offering chadar at Hazratbal, sharing sweets with troops or a shikara ride on Dal Lake in Srinagar were going viral. The TV channels promptly set up debate panels over the long-term result of his unexpected visit.
He gave speeches of peace and prosperity.
He looked promising when he said the dark phases were over and now the youth of Kashmir deserved an equal opportunity as any citizen of India. He promised more colleges and hospitals. Thousands of people turned up to his public events. It all looked very appealing. But there was something odd about everything. The unusual silence in the valley! There were usual rants by separatists’ leaders who appealed to people not to attend his events but there was no major terrorist activity or bomb blasts reported anywhere in Kashmir.
Kashmir looked deceptively peaceful and welcoming.
Tral was scheduled to be visited on the last day of his official tour and by then we were all eagerly looking forward to meet him. The general worry was replaced by excitement. The entire school was done up freshly. The Indian Flag was installed in the school premises where the Prime Minister was supposed to hoist it. The young kids looked bewildered and for them it was like a big awaited carnival which they never witnessed. Many of them saw Tiranga for the first time and related with it.
The soldiers felt familiar by now. Many kids even befriended some of them and would proudly flaunt the little goodies, chips or biscuits offered to them by the security forces.One multi-layered security blanket was thrown around the day the Prime Minister arrived at Tral, which was also declared a no-fly zone for that day and a drone was keeping an aerial tab on the security. The streets were blocked and identity cards were checked at every step. More than hundreds of CCTV cameras were installed across the village and we could see many unfamiliar, non-Kashmiri people lurking around in civil dresses, which hinted of their secret service cover.
There were sniffer dogs deployed and it felt as if that small Kashmiri village had been shut down for the day. Early on Sunday morning, the Prime Minister of our great nation arrived in his Air India One Mi-17 V5 helicopter. The huge rotor blades were spinning in the air and the vibrations stirred the ground. Several men were running around in their black suits, the crowd was shouting his name, the barricades were almost breaking. People from far flung areas of Kashmir had gathered for a single glance of the man, the police, military and other security personnel looked alert.
He emerged out of his bird, smiling and waving to everyone, several high-profile Jammu & Kashmir officials had gathered to receive him, and he shook hands with many.
Patting and applauding, he looked really generous, social and happy.
I was there along with five other children from the shelter to present him a bouquet of flowers. We were to move straight to our school along with the convoy. I was briefed by an Army major from RR just a day before regarding the arrangements and about our expected ‘code of conduct’. He was the in charge of his local security in Tral.
Just as the PM took a few more steps I saw those ‘Black Uniforms’ again!
Two of them jumped behind him from the same helicopter and a few more from other helicopters were jumping out like black cats…swiftly, quietly and alert. All the black cats were masked and only their eyes were visible, but I could feel his presence around.
He was one of them, I was sure of that.
I was numb for a moment and then my stomach began to churn and my heart began to beat menacingly, sweat trickled down my face and eyes widened in shock. I clutched my stomach and almost collapsed to the ground.
The kids turned to me, hassled. “What happened? What happened? Get up! Get up! The Prime Minister Sahib is here.”
Their voices awakened me from my trance and I managed to regain my strength. The kids heaved a sigh of relief. How embarrassing though! I was supposed to look after them.
I don’t care about anyone now. Black cats, white cats or no cats! I don’t even like cats. To hell with everyone! And even if he is here it does not bother me a bit. I hate him from bottom of my heart. I know this and I am firm about it.
The little thought bubbles assured me of my sanity, and I repeated it several times until I was signaled to greet Mr. Prime Minister. The poor Army JCO, who was tasked to take us to him, had to literally shout the instructions before I understood it.
But trust me I was absolutely normal. Okay! Fine! I might be a little distracted.
It was a glorious moment. The kids offered him the flowers which he accepted humbly and shook hands with me. Yes, he actually shook hands with me and I could hardly control myself from jumping. Man! I just shook hands with the most powerful man in India. He is my Prime Minister too. I vouched to vote for him next time, even though I had never participated into any election before.
He patted the kids and chatted with them for a while. I was mesmerized by his magnanimous personality and then I suddenly felt as if someone was watching me intently. I looked around and could not see anyone doing so. All the NSG guys were scattered by now and some joined the Prime Minister security bubble, and it was impossible to identify them.
They all looked identical.
The PM moved ahead towards his convoy of bulletproof vehicles and we were hurriedly escorted into one of those vehicles by some other officials. The crowd was scattering but the eulogies of his name were reaching the sky.
Kashmir was so welcoming. Who knew!
The school looked like a Kashmiri bride from a distance. Glowing and adulating its own beauty! As if it realized its magic for the first time and mesmerized the world by the same. The building was freshly painted. The wooden windows and ornate pillars were reflecting the fresh varnish. The snowcapped mountains were glowing in the sunlight, the Chinar trees were standing tall in their golden glory, while the cold air smelt of saffron harvest. The Chinar trees were changing their colors and turning a dusty shade of red before shedding their leaves. The usual Kashmiri autumn day felt more pleasant than the usual days.
This is the Kashmir of our dreams and it is not an illusion any more. The good days are here. The future generations would prosper, and the bloodshed will be a thing of the past.
I smiled as the Kashmir of my country leapt before me in its full glory.
The halting screech of black Mercedes interrupted my thoughts. We stepped out of the car and saw a huge crowd gathered along with Mr. Khan. He presented the Prime Minister a gorgeous bouquet of fresh Kashmiri flowers, which he humbly accepted only to pass it to his staff.
The Prime Minister was deep inside the security bubble and NSG guards with masked faces were marching, waving their guns. We were walking just a few steps behind him. I was happy in spite of all those black uniforms around me. I smiled and glanced at the Tiranga inside the school premises ready to be hoisted by the Prime Minister.
What a rare honour!
But suddenly there was a shift in the air. And next second, there was a loud bang. An explosion!
There was a whistle of splinters as the glass from the school windows crashed and a suffocating mix of powder and dust covered the venue. We were blown off our feet. Before I could make out what had happened, another smaller explosion went off somewhere in the school building.
And then I understood what had happened.
It was an attempt to assassinate the Prime Minister!!
Here are some beautiful pictures of young officers of the Indian army who got commissioned last week from OTA Chennai. These YOs (Young Officers) will join their respective regiments soon to serve the motherland. The OTA or Officers’ Training Academy Chennai has been set up to train the officers of the Indian Army and take down the burden of cadets from the existing IMA. OTA Chennai colors are steel grey and blood red which indicates the strength of steel and sacrificing blood for the nation. Hope these pictures will motivate young blood and future warriors of India.
Here is my brief interaction with Lt. Amit Gulia, he talks about his journey in the Indian Army. Lt. Amit Gulia joined the Indian Army as a soldier and later through his hard work and dedication he cleared the SSB interview to join the OTA Chennai and got commissioned in the Indian Army last week. This is one of the most inspiring stories I have ever come across so far and I have learned a lot from him while covering this story. I hope the defence aspirants, service candidates, and others who are reading this, will surely learn something from this story and it will help you to achieve success in your respective fields.
Pankaj: Congratulations Lt. Amit for the great achievement. How does it feel?
Lt. Amit: Thank you and it feels great and the journey has been long.
Pankaj: Would you tell us about your family and educational background?
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Lt. Amit: I am the youngest in my family, my father is working in BSNL as a phone mechanic, my mother is a housewife. My elder sister and brother are professor and software engineer respectively. My grandmother is 106 years old. I was born on 23 March 1994 also known as martyrs day. I completed my 10th from Mid Fields High School, Badli and scored 83%. My father wanted me to join the Doon Public School in New Delhi because my elder brother studied there, but in an accident my father broke his leg, at that time, my sister was preparing for the IAS and brother was completing his BTech. Being the only child at home, I decided to stay at home and completed my study from a local school. I completed my 12th with commerce and got 70.2%. Later, I cleared the entrance examination of the Chartered Accountancy Course( CA CPT) in very first attempt and got the admission in Delhi University North Campus. I was good at sports and took part in many sports event, but soon I realised that CA is not my cup of tea. I decided to go back to Rohtak but it was too late to get the admission in a good college and finally I took admission in a govt college there. My elder sister guided me to join the NCC and I did my B certificate with A grading from 8 Haryana Battalion NCC, Rewari later I changed my NCC Bn to 1 Haryana Bn Rohtak and completed my C certificate with B grading from there. During college, I was the Volleyball and Chess team captain. I took part in National Service Scheme which is an Indian government-sponsored public service program conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government of India.
Pankaj: What motivated you to join the Indian army and how did you do it?
Lt. Amit: One day my friend took me to an open recruitment rally of the Indian army, I was there to help him in running on 30th October 2014, we reached there by 0300 hours without eating anything. It was a huge crowd of candidates, around 36000 candidates were participating and only 249 were able to make it in the final selection. On that day, I passed the running test and my friend was not able to clear it. I also cleared the medical test and having NCC, I was not required to attempt the written exam, finally I got the date of joining and meanwhile, I managed to complete my Graduation before joining. During training, my batch was the part of training evaluation and we created history in JAT regiment by giving 100% results in BPET and 92% in firing. Finally, I got in 11 JAT, I feel lucky to come across such a good unit, officers there helped me a lot in my SSB interview preparation. I stopped going home and I took a rented place in Delhi and spent my study leaves there only to prepare more and more without any distractions. I cleared the CDS 2 2016 examination but got screened out at SSB, but my senior officers kept me motivated, I used to study whenever I get the time after duty, I took help from the internet as well while preparing. I was screened out 3 times at SSB and 3 times I was conference out, I cleared the SSB in my 7th attempt on 16 Dec 2017 through NCC entry. The same day on which Indian won the 1971 war also known as Vijay Diwas.
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Pankaj: How did you prepare for the SSB interview and what motivated you to apply for the officers entry?
Lt. Amit: The things which motivated me to join the Indian army as an officer are the stars, officers, rank, more participation in the decision making, helping other jawans to reach here and a better understanding of the equipment we use. There was no one in my family with any connection to the army and due to that I had no knowledge about this organisation, but one day I heard about the JAT regiment and later after learning about it more and more I realised that God has sent me to join this regiment and finally I got into the same. The thing which motivated me to join the Indian army was the uniform and I wanted to fire bullets on our enemies. I completed my initial soldier training and got some good officers who have helped me to appear for the SSB interview two times during my training, they might have seen some potential in me. In my first SSB attempt, I was screened out and in second attempt I was conference out. For SSB interview, I took help from the internet visiting SSBCrack website, I learned to speak in front of the mirror to improve my communication skills. My family supported me throughout this, my father’s life journey always motivated me to do something big. My sister’s struggle and journey from an ordinary Hindi village school and getting failed in 12th and then leaving study for 1 year and after that continuing in English medium and becoming the topper of school and university, clearing bank exam twice and many other exams, all these were the sources of my motivation.
Pankaj: What is your message for the defence aspirants?
Lt. Amit: I believe the theory of “BE YOURSELF” is the biggest mantra to get success in SSB. If you are fit for the organisation, they will surely take you in. Second thing is “कोई लक्ष्य मनुष्य के साहस से बड़ा नहीं, हारा वही है जो लड़ा नहीं. ” When my mother asked me “Beta Khana Kha Liya”, my reply was “Indian Army” Jai Hind
Pankaj: Thank you for your time and best wishes for the future.
Lt. Sangeeta Mall, the wife of martyred Gorkha jawan Shishir Mall who was killed in action in J&K while battling terrorists, was commissioned into the Indian Army after passing out from the Officers Training Academy in Chennai on 09 March 2019. Lt. Sangeeta worked as a teacher before marrying Mall in 2013. Shishir, who was part of Gorkha Rifles, he was serving in the sector of J&K when he was killed while battling terrorists in September 2015. After his death, Sangeeta quit her teaching job to be by her mother-in-law’s side. Not only did Sangeeta have to deal with the tragedy of her husband’s death but she also suffered a miscarriage. “My mother supported her and encouraged her to study further and do a banking job,” said Sushant Mall, Sangeeta’s brother-in-law. He added that Sangeeta became motivated to join the army after she attended an investiture ceremony in Ranikhet in 2016 where Shishir was awarded Sena Medal posthumously. She worked hard and cleared the OTA examination,” he said. After a rigorous training at the academy, she was commissioned in army as a Lieutenant in the short service commission.
I am G. Pavan Babu from Andhra Pradesh and I am pleased to share my experience and also gratified to say that I am first in the family to have the opportunity of joining the army. It took me three attempts to get recommended. I was conference out in my first attempt and screened out in my second attempt. I feel I was quite an ordinary candidate for SSB with a civilian background and completed my graduation in BSC (computer science). So I am writing this because I feel there were so many aspirants like me feel motivated and make it one day. After my second attempt I got the call letter I had my SSB interview on 13 Dec at Allahabad, after my AFPA joining at Nagpur. In AFPA I learnt so many thing specially life lessons I can proudly say I am the student of Commander Natarajan sir. Here I Joined for CDS+SSB coaching and stayed here for 3 months and this is the place I changed a lot as a person. And I want to say that Personality cannot be coached but it can be groomed.
There are so many SCR called SSB Coaching Centers in India for SSB but AFPA is the academy where personality can be groomed and there is lot of difference between the best choice and the right choice and I felt AFPA is the right choice for me and I got recommended. I would like to thank commander Natarajan and other faculty members for helping me to meet the love of my life.
Day 1: Total 200 of us reported at SSB Allahabad after an OIR Test we were shown a hazy picture of an elephant and half of it legs submerged in water and 3 of them sitting on its top. I made a story on rescue mission. I also narrate the story well with confidence and in group Discussion I spoke only twice after an hour, results were announced; total 30 candidates were screened in. I would like to tell good narration and a healthy discussion and 80+ OIR helps you to get screen in.
Day 2: I made very simple stories on all the pictures that were shown. This time I penned down whatever was the first thought that come to my mind. In blank story I wrote about my experience and organizing basketball tournament in my college days.
WAT: I did all the 60 WATS.I focused on making observational response and some factual responses.
SRT: I attempted 33 SRT’S with detailed situations.
SD: What I felt about SD is ,It is the main crunch of the psyche part and SD is about knowing yourself including aspects like strengths and weakness.
After the last, I was not satisfied with my performance because my SRT’s are not up to the mark. And tragically my interview was on the same day. I was bit nervous and had to wait for some hours, I entered the room with wishing the IO who was the president of the board. He welcomed me with a smile. And started talking about my previous attempts and how the journey and first question was:
1: What is name of the train by which you travelled?
Ans: I straightly said I forgot it.
Here I have the chance to say anything but I tried to be honest.
GTO DAY 1: GTO gets easier when the group is cooperative, when you have the knowledge regarding topics and you are good at communication skill and ability to influence the group with your valid point and we have to speak with confidence and most important thing is try to be a good listener, I spoke 4-5 time in both.
In GPE I observed the planning board very carefully and I figure it out where the Junctions are there I the map and calculate the distance from one place to another place and how much time it will take to reach the place by vehicles and GTO handed the story scripts to us and I read it twice and related everything and wrote my plan effectively and actively participated in GD while writing below plan mention time ,distance and resources and how you utilize the group effectively is more important.
In GOR I cheered my group with the GUNTHA LAKAOI GULA GULA GULA. This is new to everyone in my group but everyone accepted it and GTO also appreciated our war cry and every one enjoyed the whole taste.
In PGT, HGT, FGT I had given my ideas and accepted the ideas of other. Here it is not how you did it ,
it is about how you help them or lead them and how you behave in your group. Your motive in all the task that you perform in GTO should be based on the benefits of your group as a whole rather than your personal benefits.
In lecture I spoke on the topic Honoree thrilling. Do practice in front of the mirror and front of your friends.
GTO day 2: In command task I was the last called for CT got a round task to so be with 3 approaches with my subordinates. I completed with all the 3 possible ways. In FGT I gave my ideas and we completed it in time.
Interview: After these he have me all the questions of the rapid fire in one go just as he finished I started answering. One point to say in interview for questions, it is not about what we supply that matters. It is all about what the demand is. And we have to answer right filled answers not the best filled one to the questions which were asked by the interviewer and secondly the body language also plays an important role. Here everyone can communicate but few connect and analysis your PIQ as much as you can and try to bring out all the possible question from the PIQ and prepare for that.
Conference: I entered and wished the president. My IO asked me about my performance in the SSB and told me to rate and I said I performed well in each and every task.
Then IO asked me How famous is your name?
Ans: Then I said 1: operation pawan in shrilanka, Pawan Hans, pawan is equal to Air Force.
Result: Results was announced after 20 minutes. We all are waiting with excitement, the officer announced results. I couldn’t believe my ears when my chest no. was announced I was so ecstatic and no words to describe.
Candidates who have applied for the SSC 53 tech men and SSC 24 tech women can see their SSB interview centre and SSB dates soon. Official website of the Indian army has recently mentioned that the centre allotment for SSC 53 and SSC 24 tech will be carried out shortly and candidates will be able to select the SSB interview dates soon. Once the center allotment list is out, you will be able to check if you have been shortlisted for the SSC 53 and SSC 24 tech or not. SSC 53 and SSC 24 tech cut off marks will be displayed shortly, candidates who are clearing the cut off marks for SSC 53 and SSC 24 tech will be getting the SSB interview call letter. If you have applied for the SSC tech entry, we suggest you to keep an eye on the official website of the Indian army and do login in your account to check the latest updates, it will help you to select the SSC tech SSB dates once the allotment list is published.
Official Statement: “Centre allotment and seeking choice of SSB dates for SSC (Tech) – 53 and SSCW (Tech) – 24 will be carried out shortly.”
SSC 53 Tech SSCW 24 Tech
Events
Date
SSC 53 Tech SSCW 24 Tech Notification Date
23 January 2019
SSC 53 Tech SSCW 24 Tech Last Date
21 February 2019
SSC 53 Tech SSCW 24 Cut Off Date
April 2019
SSC 53 Tech SSCW 24 Tech SSB Date
March/April 2019
SSC 53 Tech SSCW 24 Tech Merit List
Sep 2019
SSC 53 Tech SSCW 24 ELIGIBILITY:
Nationality: A candidate must either be : (i) A citizen of India, or (ii) A subject of Bhutan, or (iii) A subject of Nepal, or (iv) a Tibetan refugee who came over to India before the 1st of January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India or (v) a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka and East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire and Ethopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India. Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) above shall be a person in whose favour a certificate of eligibility has been issued by Government of India. Certificate of eligibility will however not be necessary in the case of candidates who are Gorkha subjects of Nepal.
Age Limit: – (i) SSC(T)-53 Men and SSC(T)-24 Women:- 20 to 27 years as on 01 October 2019 (Candidates born between 02 October 92 and 01 October 99) (both dates inclusive).(ii) SSCW(Non-Tech)(Non-UPSC)- For Widows of Defence Personnel who died in harness only. Max 35 years of age as on 01 October 2019.
Educational Qualification: Candidates who have passed Engineering Degree course or are in the final year of Engineering course are eligible to apply. The candidates studying in the final year examination of Degree Course should be able to produce the Engineering Degree within 12 weeks from the date of commencement of training at OTA. Such candidates will be inducted on Additional Bond Basis for recovery of the cost of training at OTA as notified from time to time as well as stipend and pay & allowances paid, in case they fail to produce the requisite Degree Certificate within the specified time.
IMPORTANT – Download eBooks for SSB Interview Preparations
SSC 53 Tech SSCW 24 Important Note: – Candidates must note that the minimum educational qualification for induction into SSC(T)-53 Men and SSC(T)-24 Women is BE/B.Tech degree in the Engineering stream notified below. Therefore, to become eligible for induction into SSC(T)-53 Men and SSC(T)-24 Women course, candidates studying in final year of engineering must complete all the formalities including written, practicals, projects, backlogs, viva voce, etc, for the award of qualifying BE/B.Tech degree before 01 October 2019 failing which their candidature is liable to be canceled.
Candidates who want to join the Indian Navy as an officer can take this opportunity, Indian navy is going to open the online application for Pilot, Observer, Education, and Logistics on 16th March 2019, aspirants can find more details here. Applications are invited from unmarried eligible male & female candidates for Short Service Commission (SSC) in Executive Branch (Pilot/Observer entry) & Education Branch and unmarried eligible male for Permanent Commission (PC) in Executive Branch (Logistics Cadre) of the Indian Navy for course commencing Jan 2020 at the Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala, Kerala. Candidates must fulfil condition of Nationality as laid down by the Govt. of India.
The age criteria & vacancies available & educational qualification are as under:
Note
(i) Candidates who have passed Engineering Degree or are in the final year of Engineering Course in any discipline from a AICTE recognised university / educational institute with at least 60% marks for the entries mentioned at Para 2 (b) & 2(c) and 55% for the entry mentioned at Para 2 (a), till 5th / 7th semester, in regular
/ integrated course respectively can apply for Branches / Entries indicated above. The candidates will, however be required to pass final examination (BE/B Tech) with minimum stipulated percentage before joining INA. The candidates failing to meet minimum cut off %age will not be permitted to join INA Ezhimala.
(ii) Candidates who have completed their degree on the date of filling the application can apply for Branches / Entries indicated at Para 2 (d) to 2 (e).
(iii) Call up for SSB. Candidates will be issued call up for Service Selection Board (SSB) interviews based on their academic performance.
(iv) Candidates applying for the Education entry must have scored minimum of 60% marks in class X and class XII and minimum 60% marks in English in class X or class XII.
(v) Only one application is to be filled by a candidate.
(vi) Candidates who are eligible for more than one Branch/Cadre should mention their preferences in the application so as to be considered for other choices in case vacancies in entries of their first choice are filled.
(vii) Candidates will be shortlisted for SSB based on their first preference. However, if not shortlisted for the first preference you may be considered for alternate Branch/Cadre subject to availability of spare slots in SSB batches of that Branch/Cadre.
(viii) Once shortlisted for a Branch/Cadre, subsequent stages of selection process (SSB, medicals & meriting) will be exclusively for that Branch/Cadre only.
(ix) No equivalent stream of BE/ B.Tech other than that mentioned in para 2 (e) above will be considered valid for selection process at any stage.
Tenure of Commission
(a) Short Service Commission Granted initially for 10 years extendable by maximum 04 years in 02 terms (02 years + 02 years), subject to service requirement, performance, medical eligibility and willingness of candidates. Officers joining under these schemes will not be eligible for grant of permanent commission.
(b) Permanent Commission. Candidates inducted under PC will continue to serve till the age of superannuation.
IMPORTANT – Download eBooks for SSB Interview Preparations
Ministry of Defence (Navy) reserves the right to short-list applications and to fix cut off percentage. No communication will be entertained on this account.
SSB interviews for short-listed candidates will be scheduled from May 19 to Aug 19 at Bangalore for pilot & observer candidates and at Bangalore/Bhopal/Coimbatore/Visakhapatnam/Kolkata for other branches/ entries. Shortlisted candidates will be informed about their selection for SSB interview on their e-mail or through SMS (provided by candidates in their application form).
The total duration of SSB interviews is five days consisting of stage I (Day one) and stage II (Four days). Stage I Tests; consist of Intelligence Tests, Picture Perception and Group Discussion Tests. Candidates who fail to qualify in Stage I will be sent back on the same day from SSB Centre. Stage II Tests consists of Psychological Tests, Group Task Tests and Interview. Successful candidates will undergo medical examination (approx 3-5 days). Candidates of Pilot entry are required to undergo PABT (Pilot aptitude battery test) followed by Aviation medical examination. Candidates of Observer entry are also required to undergo Aviation medical examination.
Candidates recommended by the SSBs, cleared PABT (for Pilot Entry) and declared medically fit will be appointed for training based on merit list and vacancies available.
Training
Candidates will be inducted as officers in the rank of Sub Lt. The training is tentatively scheduled to commence in end Dec 2019 at Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala. Full pay and allowances are admissible to the officers whilst under training.
Pilot Entry: Pilot candidates will undergo 22 weeks of Naval Orientation Course (NOC) at INA, Ezhimala followed by Stage I and Stage II flying training at the Air Force/Naval Establishment. On successful completion of training, the candidates will be awarded wings. The candidates will be entitled for flying pay and allowances only after award of wings.
Observer Entry: Observer candidates will undergo 22 weeks of Naval orientation course (NOC) at INA, Ezhimala, Kerala. On completion of NOC the candidates will undergo SLT(X) Tech course followed by ab-initio training at Observer School. On successful completion of training at Observer School, the candidates will be awarded Observer wings. The candidates will be entitled for flying pay and allowances only after award of wings.
Logistics/Education Entries: Candidates will undergo 22 weeks of Naval Orientation Course at the INA, Ezhimala, Kerala followed by professional training at Air Force Academy and at various Naval Training Establishments/Units/Ships.
How to Apply
Candidates are to register and fill application on the recruitment website www.joinindiannavy.gov.in. The candidates are to apply from 16 Mar 19 to 05 Apr 19.
Online (e-application):- Whilst filling up the e-application, it is advisable to keep the relevant documents readily available to enable the following:-
Correct filling up of personal particulars. Details are to be filled up as given in the Matriculation Certificate.
Fields such as e-mail address, mobile number are mandatory and need to be filled.
All relevant documents (preferably in original) (marksheets upto 5th & 7th semester for regular & integrated course respectively for branches / entries indicated at above and marksheets of all semesters for entries indicated at Para 2(d) to 2(e), date of birth proof as per 10th or 12th, CGPA conversion formula for BE/B.Tech / Integrated Course and a recent passport size colour photograph should be scanned in original in JPG/FITT format for attaching the same while filling up the application. If any scanned document is not legible/ readable for any reason, the application will be rejected.
Print one copy of online application form. Candidates will carry application form and original certificates/documents while appearing for SSB interview.
Lieutenant Garima Yadav secured AIR -2 in CDS 1 2017 and joined the OTA Chennai, she got commissioned into the Army after passing out from the academy. She has completed her studies from Army Public School and St. Stephen’s College, she was a bright student and wanted to join the IAS but she wasn’t able to clear her IAS mains and later cleared the CDS exam to join the Indian Army. She was selected for a beauty pageant called India’s miss charming face and won it in November 2017. “I am a single mother-child, and she has been there for me in all my ups and downs, motivating me, she’s a strong woman and my true inspiration I just wanted to make her proud. I am from army public school Ddagshai (Shimla) and did BA economic from St Stephen’s College New Delhi, I was preparing for civil services but I guess army was my true calling, I got recommended in my 1st attempt. Before that I was working as an MC for events as a part-time job, while preparing for exams, from there I was selected for a pageant called India’s miss charming face’s auditions, I won the pageant in November 2017 and was selected for next pageant at international level which was to b held in Italy, but I chose to join OTA Chennai instead.” – Lt. Garima said while talking to SSBCrack
In a major boost for Army, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired indigenously developed, low weight, fire and forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) for the second time today in the ranges of Rajasthan desert. MPATGM is incorporated with advanced features including state-of-the-art Imaging Infrared Radar (IIR) Seeker with integrated avionics. The first test was conducted on 13th March 2019. In both the missions, the missiles hit the designated targets precisely at different ranges. All the mission objectives have been met.
