‘The Navy is not a job, it’s not a career. It’s a way of life.’Barie
A far cry from duty ashore, challenges and responsibilities are the hallmark of life at sea. At sea, the Captain leads his team of officers and sailors. In the “good old days”, ships were propelled by sails harnessing the power of the winds. Work on ships involved extensive rope-work, swabbing decks and polishing brass. But today’s ships have specialist sensor operators, guided missiles, homing torpedoes, complex machinery and state-of-the art communication networks etc.
Work on board ships is divided amongst teams that do different kinds of jobs. They could be involved in the operation of various equipment such as radars, sonars or communications, or firing of weapons such as missiles, guns, or rockets. Other diverse teams involve Chefs, Stewards, Medical Assistants and others who are additionally trained to work with weapons.
For each naval personnel, skills, knowledge, abilities, resolve, physical and mental toughness are put to test at sea. ‘Sea duty’ does not mean being at sea at all times. Each ship will have its own ‘home-port’ and personnel spend a fair amount of time in or close to the port. At sea, personnel visit far-flung places in India and abroad, which may only have been read or heard about. While you are at sea, the Navy looks after the welfare of your family like its own.
Modern ships, submarines and aircraft of the Indian Navy are highly sophisticated and technologically advanced platforms. Onboard ships, men are involved in operating the state-of-the art weapons, navigational systems, communication sets, diving equipment, etc. It involves maintenance of equipment. Personnel go through training in the art of seamanship, operating weapons and sensors, look-out duties, boat-work and man-management. All personnel are also trained in Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Warfare and Damage Control including Fire Fighting.
CDS Exam Preparation is must before appearing for the actual exam. Always after the CDS Exam results, many aspirants get shocked as they expect the result in their favor without understanding the competition level of CDS Exam. Candidates must keep in mind that with time CDS exam competition level is increasing drastically. Even if you have or had a good preparation of the CDS exam, there are many others who have an upper hand in preparation and will score better rank than you do. Lakhs of candidates are writing the CDS exam every year and only thousands of them will make it for the SSB Interview. So here we are talking more about the top 5 killer tips to get more marks in CDS exam to clear it. Candidates can follow these tips to gain more advantage over other candidates.
5 Killer Tips to Clear CDS Exam
Know the syllabus first, candidates who are very good in general Mathematics, English and GK, especially the freshers, never look and study the syllabus of the CDS exam. Always study the syllabus of the exam because that will help you to understand what they might ask in CDS exam paper. After you scan the whole CDS exam syllabus, make sure you are filtering out topics where you do not need any preparation and you are 100% confident of clearing it, topics which you are not 100% confident are the one you want to prepare to clear the CDS exam. Weed out the topics which you have zero knowledge on and keep them for last. So here the basic idea is to prepare as many as topics you can with 100% confidence, even if you missed out 10% of the topics from Maths, English and GK it won’t affect you that much. To have better understanding of these topics, refer to the CDS exam questions blueprint.
Refer to previous question papers of CDS Exam; this method of preparation is followed by many successful candidates since many years. So always solve 10-15 previous question papers and find out where you are lacking, focus on topics which you are sure about and you will succeed without any doubt. Check out for CDS Exam Coaching online by SSBCrackExams for detailed lectures, mock tests and solved previous question papers.
Consider various preparation sources like books, e-books, online preparation, online groups, blogs etc. This will make your preparation rock solid and you will also discover things which you are not aware of while preparing with a single source, if you are preparing from SSBCrackExams CDS Online Course, we never stop you from referring other sources, the more you study, the more you gain. So extend your horizon to discover more things related to CDS exam preparation, you never know what advantage you will get by preparing with all other sources.
Start well in advance and make a plan as to how you are going to prepare for CDS exam, stick to your plan till the end. Most of the candidates who are good enough to clear the CDS exam never realize the importance of time, at the last minute they miss out the revision of important topics, this leads to sure shot failure. So always try to kick start your CDS exam preparation as soon as you can.
In SSBCrackExams we have launched our CDS exam online coaching course by analyzing the need of present CDS exam aspirant. We not only stick to the strict topic wise plan but also provide the tracker to analyze the learning curve of the candidates, we assume there is less improvement when there is no feedback, our online course has high end reporting system which helps you to understand your weak and stronger sections of CDS Exam topics, this will not only help you to improve on those topics, but also save lot of time to focus on other things, may be another exam you are preparing for. You can check out more details on CDS exam coaching online
Hope these tips will give you some direction and will be helpful for you to understand from where and how you should start your cds exam preparation. You are never too late to start anything, so do not waste more time just thinking and start acting now. All the best !
To talk to SSBCrackExams Defence Mentors and Counselors, call at 1800-890-6919 (Toll Free)
Responding to the clarion call given by Hon’ble Prime Minister for “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has taken several initiatives to strengthen the indigenous defence ecosystem. Towards this, A DRDO delegation met with Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh today to apprise him about 108 systems and subsystems which have been identified for designing and development by the Indian Industry only. The list of technologies is enclosed at Appendix . This initiative will pave the way for Indian Defence industry to develop many technologies towards building an AtmaNirbhar Bharat.
DRDO will also provide support to industries for design, development and testing of these systems on requirement basis. All the requirements of these systems by R&D establishments, Armed Forces, and other Security Agencies can be met through development contracts or production orders on suitable Indian industry. This will allow DRDO to focus on design & development of critical and advanced technologies and systems.
DRDO has been partnering with industry for realization of its systems. Collaborating with DRDO in the development of major weapon systems the Indian industry has matured to a stage where they can develop systems on their own. Indian industry has progressed from a ‘build to print’ partner to ‘build to specification’ partner.
The present industry base for DRDO consists of 1800 MSMEs along with DPSUs, Ordnance Factories and large scale industries. DRDO has already taken major initiatives through various policies to involve Indian industry as Development cum Production Partners (DcPP), offering its technology to industry at nominal cost and providing free access to its patents.
This initiative will support the fast growing Indian defence industrial ecosystem and will help the industry to contribute towards “Atmanirbhar Bharat” in a big way.
The Chief of Army Staff, Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane, today conferred the COAS Unit Appreciation to 51 Special Action Group of the National Security Guards in recognition of the Group’s outstanding achievements in combating terrorism.
On this occasion, the COAS complimented the force for its capabilities and professionalism. The group draws 100% of its manpower from the Indian Army and has established itself as an elite Counter Terrorist Force earning many Gallantry Awards including three Ashok Chakras.
Among various operations of the group, most noteworthy was Op Black Tornado during which it eliminated eight terrorists during Mumbai terror attack in Nov 2008, freeing over 600 hostages, including numerous foreign nationals. Since its raising in December 1984, 51 Special Action Group has carved a niche for itself among the most renowned counter terrorist outfits of the world.
The Assam Rifles came into being in 1835, as a militia called the ‘Cachar Levy’. With approximately 750 men, this Force was formed to primarily protect British Tea estates and their settlements against tribal raids. Subsequently, all these Forces were reorganised and renamed as the ‘Frontier Force’ as their role was increased to conduct of punitive expeditions across the borders of Assam. This Force significantly contributed in opening the region to administration and commerce and over time they came to be known as the “right arm of the civil and left arm of the military”. In 1870, existing elements were merged into three Assam Military Police Battalions, named as Lushai Hills, Lakhimpur and Naga Hills. The ‘Darrang’ Battalion was raised just before the onset of World War–I. Since Reservists were difficult to be called on short notice and Gurkha Battalions’ soldiers were on leave in Nepal, the Assam Military Police were tasked to take their place. Thus, this Force sent over 3000 men as part of the British Army to Europe and the Middle East. In 1917, recognising theirwork during the Great War, fighting shoulder to shoulder with Rifle Regiments of the regular British Army, the name of the Force was changed to ‘Assam Rifles’.
The Post-Independence role of the Assam Rifles continued to evolve ranging from conventional combat role during Sino-India War 1962, operating in foreign land as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka in 1987 (Op Pawan) to peacekeeping role in the North-Eastern areas of India in the face of growing tribal unrest and insurgency wherein the maintenance of law and order, countering insurgency and reassuring the people of the region became important tasks for the Assam Rifles.
Today the Force remains deployed in some of the most remote and under developed areas and provides security to locals. Assam Rifles has grown substantially over the years from 17 battalions in 1960 to 46 battalions at present. The Force also has a Training Centre and a number of Logistics Units. Through its long deployment in the tribal belt, the Assam Rifles has earned the complete confidence of the locals and has helped considerably in bringing the people of this region into the national main stream. The humane, just and ever helpful approach of the men of Assam Rifles has truly managed to win hearts and minds earning the Assam Rifles the sobriquet of ‘Friends of the North East’.
Role and Tasks
Conduct counter insurgency operations in the north-east and other areas where deemed necessary, under control of the army. During peace and ‘proxy war’, ensure security of the Indo-china and indo-myanmar borders. During war, rear area security in the TBA. Act as penultimate interventionist force of the central government in internal security situation, under the control of army; when the situation goes beyond the control of central paramilitary operations.
Organisation Structure
HQ DGAR
The Force is commanded by an officer of the rank of Lieutenant General of the Army. The highest HQ of the force known as the HQ Directorate General of Assam Rifles is located at Shillong. Assam Rifles is a region specific force with its operational role in the North East and therefore the HQ DGAR is also located in the East. The HQs of all other Central Para Military Forces are located at Delhi.
HQ IGAR
HQ Inspector General Assam Rifles comes next in chain of command after HQ DGAR. HQ IGAR is commanded by an officer of the rank of Major General from the Army. HQ IGAR in turn exercises command and control over the sector HQs.
Sector HQ
The Sector HQ are commanded by Army Officers of the rank of Brigadiers from the Army. The Sector HQ exercises direct command and control over the Assam Rifles Battalions deployed in its area of responsibility.
Maintainance Group Assam Rifles (MGAR)
The Maintenance Groups located at various location provide the requisite administrative support to the Assam Rifles formations and battalions deployed in the field. The MGsAR are commanded by officers of the rank of Lt Col from the Army.
Workshop
The workshop are co-located with the MGsAR to provide repair and recovery cover to the field formations. These workshops further provide detachments to the Sector HQs to provide repair and recovery cover as far forward as possible to the Battalions.
The principal role of the Indian Naval Academy is to impart basic and orientation training to all officer entrants of the Navy and Coast Guard, other than Special Duties List officers. The aim is to develop the trainees morally, mentally, physically and to imbibe in them the high ideals of loyalty, valour and patriotism in order to provide the service with officers who are dedicated to a career of Naval Service and have potential for future development to assume the highest responsibility of leadership. The Indian Naval Academy has been developed as a national prestigious project and is the ‘Cradle for Leadership’ in the Indian Navy.
It is unique in concept and design which stands out as an outstanding monument. The ab-initio training imparted at the Academy will ensure that every officer who passes out through its portals will be leaders worthy of trust and confidence that the nation has reposed in them. It will also establish bridges of friendship across the ocean by training personnel from friendly foreign countries.
The aim of the Indian Naval Academy is to prepare young men and women to be a professional officer in the navy by providing them sound education supplemented with the required professional naval training. It is intended that all officers joining the Navy will pass through this academy so that the entire officer cadre is suitably initiated into the naval way of life starting with a common controlled foundation. The academic curriculum is tailored to keep pace with the demands of modern technology. In addition, the Academy will condition the young men and women who have chosen the navy as a career with the mental and physical attributes to be able to exercise self-discipline, to perform efficiently under stress, to think and react quickly.
The Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala is Asia’s largest Naval Academy. The Indian Naval Academy is situated in Kerala. It is situated at a distance of 35 kms from the historic city of Kannur and 135 kms from city of Mangalore. The Academy is surrounded by Mount Dilli, the serene Kavvayi backwaters and the majestic Arabian Sea. The campus occupies an area of 2452 acres, with a total perimeter of 22 kms. The Academy also includes a beach stretch of 7 kms. It also has a large area with a variety of flora and fauna. The important landmark of INA campus are the Headquarters, Parade Ground, Chola stadium, cadet squadrons, Katari Cadets’ Mess, aquatic complex, sports fields, officer residential area, naval sailors accommodation and civilian employees residential area.
The campus provides facilities for training cadets in all aspects such as swimming and diving at Mulla Aquatic complex, Pereira Drill and Discipline complex to imbibe discipline among cadets, Angre Physical Training and Sports complex for developing team spirits and physical fitness and Marakkar Watermanship Training centre for yachting and rowing skills. The academy has world class library named as ‘Panini’ which is a five storied building with all facilities and training aids like internet and digital library. The campus is also nested with OOW/ROR simulator and Catspaw which help the cadets to learn seamanship activities and basic Rules of the Road and Ship Handling. The campus also provides auditorium facilities like Ramanujan and Orion where movies are screened every week. The campus has basic facilities for cadets like ATMs, stationary shops, tailor, cafeteria, canteen etc.
On 29 February 2020, Lieutenant General Madhuri Kanitkar put on her ranks after her promotion. She is the third woman officer in the Indian armed forces to have become Lieutenant General. She has now been posted to Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff under the Chief of Defence Staff.
1. She being a CBSE toppers and a National Science Talent scholar could have joined any medical college, but it was the uniform that beckoned her and much against the wish of her parents she joined the Armed Forces Medical College.
2. She joined the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune in 1978. She placed first in Pune University in all three phases of her MBBS. She was awarded the President’s Gold Medal for the best outgoing student of the graduate wing in academics and extra-curricular activities, apart from the Kalinga Trophy for excellence in academics.
3. Lt. Gen. Kanitkar was commissioned in the Army Medical Corps in December 1982. She did her post-graduation in 1990, earning the Doctor of Medicine degree in Pediatrics. Post that she underwent training in Pediatric Nephrology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Kanitkar has also completed fellowships at the National University Hospital, Singapore and the Great Ormond Street Hospital, London and the FAIMER fellowship in Medical Education.
4. She has tenanted appointments of Associate Professor, Professor and Head of Department of Pediatrics at the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. She has also served as a Professor at the Army College of Medical Sciences and at the Army hospital (Research & Referral). Kanitkar was instrumental in setting up the first Pediatric Nephrology service in the Army Medical Corps and has served as the President of The Indian Society of Pediatric Nephrology. Kanitkar has served as the Deputy Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (Dy DGAFMS) in the office of the DGAFMS in New Delhi.
5. On 28 January 2017, she assumed the office of Dean and Deputy Commandant of her alma-mater Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. Kanitkar then served as Major General Medical at the Northern Command at Udhampur. Kanitkar was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General on 29 February 2020. The Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) and her husband pipped the Epaulettes of her new rank.
6. Gen Kanitkar has been awarded the GOC-in-C Commendation Card and has been awarded the Chief of the Army Staff Commendation Card five times. She was also awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2014 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2018.
Candidates who are appearing for the NDA Exam can read the special guidelines and NDA Exam COVID-19 rules and regulations to follow during the NDA Exam. As we all know, after the COVID-19 pandemic a lot of things have changed, we suggest all the young NDA aspirants to stay alert and follow all the safety rules at the examination centre.
NDA EXAM COVID-19 Official Guidelines:
Check the e-Admit Card carefully and bring discrepancies, if any, to the notice of UPSC immediately.
Mention your Name, Roll Number,Registration ID and Name & Year of the Examination in all the correspondence with UPSC.
Bring this e-Admit card (print out), along with the (original) Photo Identity Card, whose number is mentioned in the e-Admit Card , in each session to secure admission to Examination Hall. E-Admit Card must be preserved till the declaration of the final result as its production before Service Selection Board is necessary.
You are responsible for safe custody of the e-Admit Card and in the event of any other person using this e-Admit Card , the onus lies on you to prove that you have not used the service of any impersonator.
Please note that entry into the Examination Venue shall be closed 10 minutes before the scheduled commencement of the Examination i.e. 9:50 AM for the Forenoon Session and 01:50 PM for the Afternoon Session. No candidate shall be allowed to enter into the Examination Venue after closure of the entry.
Candidates are advised to visit their Examination Venue at least one day in advance and familiarize themselves with the itinerary to avoid the last minute hassle in their own interest. They should reach the Examination Venue on the day of Examination well in time for frisking.
Candidates should note that they shall not be allowed to appear at any other Venue except the Venue mentioned in the e-Admit Card. If a candidate appears at any other venue due to any reason, his candidature shall liable to be cancelled.
Please Read the “Rules/Instructions for the Examination” available in the Examination notice and “Poster containing instructions” displayed outside the Examination Hall.
Your candidature to the examination is provisional.
Candidate should not be in possession of or using any mobile phone (even in switched off mode), pager or any electronic equipment or programmable device or storage media like pen drive, smart watches, etc., or camera or Bluetooth devices or any other equipment or related accessories either in working or switched off mode capable of being used as a communication device during the examination. Any infringement of these instructions shall entail disciplinary action including ban from future Examinations.
Use of normal or simple wrist watches by candidates is allowed inside the Examination Rooms/ Halls. However, use of watches fitted with any special accessory that might be used as communication device or smart watches is strictly prohibited and candidates are not allowed to take such watches into the Examination Rooms/ Halls.
There will be penalty (Negative Marking) for wrong answers marked by a candidate.
Answers other than those made by Black Ball Point Pen would not be evaluated.
Candidates are advised not to bring any valuables/costly items to the Examination Hall, as safe keeping of the same can not be assured. The Commission will not be responsible for any loss in this regard.
Candidates who do not have clear photographs on the e-admit card will have to bring a photo identity proof and two passport size photographs one for each session for appearing at the examination with an undertaking.
Candidates should note that any omission/ mistake/ discrepancy in encoding / filling in details in the OMR answer sheet, especially with regard to Roll Number and Test Booklet Series Code, will render the answer sheet liable for rejection.
Wearing of mask/face cover is mandatory for all candidates. Candidates without mask/face cover will not be allowed entry into the Venue.
Candidates, however, will have to remove their masks for verification, whenever required by the Examination functionaries.
Candidate may carry his/her own hand sanitizer (small size) in transparent bottle.
Candidates to follow COVID 19 norms of ‘social distancing’ as well as ‘personal hygiene’ inside the Examination Halls/Rooms as well as in the premises of the Venue.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a whole is a collection of various infrastructure projects that are part of China’s ambitious project One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative to link China with Europe. The project construction throughout Pakistan had been started in 2013 with an initial value of $46 billion. The project seems to be very strategically important for both China and Pakistan but is a grave concern For Indians. Below with the help of 10 points, we will learn more about the CPEC project, its different concerns, and strategic importance.
1. The China Pakistan Economic
Corridor is a whopping $46 billion project under construction throughout
Pakistan since 2013. The primary aim is to construct a vast network of roads,
railways, dams, hydropower projects, and pipelines. Not only this, but it also
aims to transform Pakistan’s economy by connecting with China through this
route.
2. The long term project aims
to link the Gwadar port of Karachi with northern Pakistan as well
as further will connect to Kashgar
in the Xinjiang province of China.
The route of the corridor passes through some significant areas like
Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
3. The Chinese investments in
the project seem to upgrade Pakistan’s 274 billion dollar GDP by over 15
percent. Not only this, but there are also other motivations for Pakistan to
invest in the project. The major among all is the energy needs of Pakistan that
will be easily fulfilled after the construction of various projects like Karot
Hydropower project, Karachi Nuclear power plant, and World’s largest solar
power plant in Pakistan’s Punjab Province are part of this initiative that can
double Pakistan’s energy capacity.
4. With Pakistan’s motivation to work in the CPEC project, we can also include that it will improve Pakistan’s infrastructural facilities. Under the CPEC agreement, Gwadar Port will initially be expanded and upgraded to allow for docking of larger ships with a tonnage of up to 70,000. Not only this under the roadways project, but China has also announced financing for $10.63 billion worth of transportation infrastructure so far up to which $6.1 billion have been allocated to date. The increase in employment opportunities is another thing promised by this project. Last but not least, CPEC provides Pakistan with an opportunity to work closely with a more reliable friend China and to increase its influence in the region of POK.
5. In recent years, the
interest of China for the project has been taking a rapid speed. China’s
primary benefit in the project is that it will decrease its energy import route
from NATO countries by approximately 12,000 km. As previously, the ships that
carried the energy imports for china have to cover a long distance covering the
Arabian Sea, Strait of Malacca, and the South China Sea, but now it can easily
take them through CPEC. Therefore through CPEC, their imports safety is
assured.
6. Apart from the imports, the
Gwadar port is also exceptional for China. The Gwadar also provides China a
link between its Maritime Silk Road and the Arabian Sea. Though as we know that
only 6% of the population of china lives in western China, and the rest is in
west china. So, through developing the Khasgar port in the west, they can also
increase the region’s potential to attract public and private investment and
develop areas like Xinjiang, Tibet, And Qinghai. China, putting its presence in
the POK and Gilgit Baltistan, also sought to increase its military influence
around India, which it might use in future events.
7. Despite there being so many
pros to Pakistan from the project, there are apprehensions regarding this
project’s success. Among the various concerns, the first one is that the
various insurgent groups in Balochistan are in opposition to CPEC as it
disturbs the ethnic distribution of the region. This poses a severe threat to
CPEC as Gwadar port, situated in Balochistan, holds the key to the corridor’s
success. The second is the threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty under which
approximately 17,000 Pakistani security personnel have been tasked with
protecting Chinese nationals in Pakistan. This much larger military of China in
Pakistan is also a concern for them. The third one is the banned terrorist
organizations in Pakistan, which poses a severe threat to the project. It may
also hamper the relations with China in the long run.
8. Since the project, CPEC has been announced, India has been continuously opposing it. The first reason behind it is that the planned CPEC route passes through POK and Gilgit-Baltistan, which India claims to be its integral part occupied forcefully by Pakistan’s military. Secondly, India highly doubts the concern that once the corridor is built, it will be easier for China to move its armour and mechanized weapons in Pakistan, which are a threat to India in the plains of Punjab and Rajasthan. The third reason is that China may establish a naval base at Gwadar port to ensure its presence in the Indian Ocean and control it.
9. In response to China’s Gwadar port, India also has subsequently invested in Iran’s Chabahar port, which is just 72 km away from it. Also, Iran, India, and Afghanistan have signed a deal where India will get the land access to Central Asia from Chabahar, bypassing Pakistan. One solution to the problem could be that India can support Pakistan For the CPEC project as economically stable Pakistan is necessary for the peace and prosperity in the region.
10. The conclusion of the topic could be that the CPEC could act as a catalyst for economic connectivity and integration in Central Asia, South Asia, and West Asia. While opposing the project, India needs to be a little cautious as this could lead to strains between the Indian and Chinese Governments. But at last we can only say that a prosperous South Asia is possible only if India and Pakistan leave their political clout and work closely with each other to find an amicable solution to the bilateral Issues.
The third and fourth day is full of exciting physical activity for the candidates in any SSB interview. After taking their breakfast as early as 0600 hours the candidates are rushed to the GT grounds by the armed forces personnel responsible for their activities. The candidates are briefed by the Group Testing Officer about all outdoor activities.
Group tests do not require specialized individual skills on your part as logical thinking and coordinated team efforts to receive and give suggestions are what is looked at by assessors. You will be provided with Fatta or a plank, balli, and ropes as your tools to help you in the assigned task. The battery of GTO tests consists of nine tests/ tasks and I will be explaining all of them one by one.
Group Discussion The first task of the GTO series of testing begins with 2 Group Discussions consecutively. In the first group discussion, the group is allowed to select one of the two topics offered and it is very frequently based on international or national issues. In the second group discussion, the topic is of the GTO’s choice and generally focused on social issues. Each discussion will last for approximately 20 to 30 minutes and the candidates are expected to participate in the discussions. Remember that the discussions involve the exchange of ideas and thoughts and candidates are expected to maintain the group dynamics while presenting their views in a polite yet firm manner.
Group Planning Exercise The Group planning Exercise is the second test of the GTO test series. In this test, an incident on a model with a few problems is narrated. The candidates have to identify the problems and come up with practical solutions within the given time. They are also instructed to write down their solution on the sheet of paper. A candidate while giving solutions should think logically, write, and draw neatly and also examine alternative solutions to the problem. In the end, the group collective solution will be discussed by the group and candidates should participate in the discussion to come up with a workable group plan acceptable to everyone. One of the candidates will be then asked to explain the acceptable group solution.
Progressive Group Task Progressive group task or simply PGT is continued after the group planning exercise and this is also an outdoor task. It is one of the tasks that are called as confirmatory in nature of the GTO series. This task is about a set of obstacles in the ground that you and your team members need to cross by a set of rules. The time allotted for the task is 30-45 minutes and to cross the obstacles the group will have some helping materials which are given by the GTO as stated earlier. The PGT is called so because the 4 obstacles that are given to the groups are progressive means that they become harder with each passing task. The consecutive level will be difficult that the last level. The whole group participates in this task. Let’s have a look at the rules of the obstacle series that are applicable in HGT, FGT, GOR, IO, and CT as well.
Rules of The Task 1. Rule of colour– The structures are painted in different colours viz Red, Yellow, and White.
White– Both the person and helping material can use this structure.
Yellow- The person can stand on this structure but he cannot place the helping material on the structure coloured yellow.
Red – Both the candidate and the helping material should not touch the obstacle.
2. Out of bond area– The areas in the PGT which should not be touched are called out of bound areas. These areas include the mud surfaces and the colour code mentioned above.
3. Rule of rigidity-This rule states that no two rigid helping material like a phatta and a balli can be tied together. Instead, the helping material can be tied with a structure such as a phatta with a rope or a balli with a rope.
4. Rule of infinity– This states that the start and the end line of the obstacle extend till infinity. The group cannot pass these lines.
5. Rule of Group and load– The entire group along with the last person, helping material and load must move ahead in unison at any point in time through the entire course of the obstacle. No men should be left behind is the basic motto of this statement.
6. Rule of distance-It states that no distance greater than four feet can be jumped. The gap more than four feet has to bridge using the helping materials to shorten the distance and the less distance can be jumped, of course.
Group Obstacle Race or Snake Race Unlike other tasks where all the tasks are held in an individual group manner, here, all the groups compete with each other groups over a set of six obstacles. Each group has to carry a roll of the tent/ stuffed gunny bags in the shape of a snake from the start point to finish point and hence the name snake race. The rules of the race will be explained to you by the GTO and follow the similar colour code along with a new set of rules of carrying the snake, crossing the obstacles, etc.
The Obstacles To Be Crossed In Snake Race Are As Follows:
Ramp jump
Spider web
Parallel big size iron pipe painted with white, red alternatively, the candidate has to cross it without touching the red lines and bend his body such that making the letter ‘8’.
Balancing Beam in between two walls usually 7-8 feet high each.
10 feet wall climb and jump
Climb through wedges on a balli and slide through a ramp that is connected like a triangle.
HALF GROUP TASK (HGT) This task is similar to the PGT except that it is conducted over one obstacle with half the group. The HGT can be considered as the most important task of GTO Outdoor tasks. After the GD and PGT, some of the candidates might have assumed the role of a leader automatically due to the group dynamics and some of the candidates may not have been able to express themselves or put forth their views because of some inhibitions or due to their personality. After the PGT and GD, the GTO might have formed an assessment about each candidate and he observes every candidate minutely in HGT to conclude or to change his former assessment. This is a part of confirmatory series tasks.
As the number of candidates is reduced to half, GTO can observe the qualities of every candidate. Also in HGT, every candidate has a wider opportunity to show his various character traits and leadership qualities if in case he/she failed to do so in PGT. So you must give importance to HGT as this test will mark your leadership qualities. After the HGT, the GTO will form a clear cut assessment about every candidate and he assesses the candidates further in the following tests to confirm his earlier findings.
Lecturette Lecturette is the next task of the GTO series. In this task, the candidates are asked to deliver a short talk one by one on any one of the topics given to him/her out of the four topics. The GTO has several cards and each card has four topics written on it where the difficulty level increases from topic to topic. Each candidate is expected to pick up one card and give a short talk of about 150+30 seconds on any one of the given topics.
The first candidate will come and pick up one card, go a little away from the group, prepare for a maximum time of 3 minutes or less, and will come back at the whistle come back and return the card to the GTO and speak for maximum three minutes. As soon as the first candidate is ready the second one can come to pick up the card and start preparing. As soon as two and half minutes are over the GTO will ring a bell. This indicates that the candidate must wind up soon. After three minutes GTO rings two bells, with this the first candidate sits down and second stands up.
Individual Obstacles Individual Obstacles is one of the next tasks of the GTO series, generally conducted on the first day of GTO testing. Sometimes they can be conducted on the second day, depending on the weather and mood of the officer. As the name suggests this task is performed by each member of the group, individually. The purpose of this test is to check ability, physical toughness, stamina level, courage, determination, acrophobia (fear of heights); it also checks how fast you can make choices and execute it. There are a total of 10 tasks and the time limit is a total of 3 minutes. A candidate can repeat the task if he/she can complete all 10 obstacles before 3 min. All obstacles are marked from 1 to 10, more tasks a candidate complete more his marks will be.
Command Task Command task is one of the most interesting and important GTO tasks. Unlike other Group tasks, it is not a leaderless exercise. In this test, you are the commander and you have to accomplish the given task within the allotted time. Here, your ability to give command is tested by the GTO. Depending upon the performance and aptitude of the candidate, GTO selects a task for every candidate. So if you have performed well in GTO tasks, the task allotted to you in the Command task will be rather challenging. The GTO calls the candidates one by one and interacts with them and maybe take a short interview while walking in the GTO field. He will explain the task allotted to the candidate along with the helping materials. He then tells the candidate to choose subordinates from your Group. Then the candidate has to finish the job within the allotted time.
Final Group Task This task consists of one obstacle similar to the Progressive Group Task series and the entire group once again gets together to participate in the task that was broken down after the GOR. The time limit for this task is 15 minutes.
Till now you must have got quite some idea regarding the GTO tasks and their functioning. I will be telling you about how to approach these tasks in the next article and till then stay connected.
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