Candidates who are looking forward to join the Indian navy can apply for the latest notification posted by Indian army for the recruitment of Logistics and Law cadres. Both men and women who are eligible for this entry can apply online. Read more details below. Notification: Applications are invited from unmarried eligible male/female candidates for grant of Short Service Commission (SSC) in Executive Branch (Logistics & Law Cadres) and from unmarried eligible male candidates for grant of Short Service Commission (SSC) for Information Technology and Permanent Commission (PC) in Education Branch in the Indian Navy for Jul 2019 Course conducted at Indian Naval Academy (INA) Ezhimala, Kerala. Candidates must fulfill conditions of nationality as laid down by the Government of India. SSB Interview Preparation Material [ 100% Recommended]
(a) IHQ of MoD reserves the right to shortlist applications and to fix cut off/based on percentage of marks obtained in final educational qualification without assigning any reason. No communication will be entertained on this account. SSB interviews for shortlisted candidates will be scheduled at Bangalore/ Bhopal/ CoimbatoreNisakhapatna/Kolkata during Nov 18 to Mar 19. A choice of dates for appearing in SSB will be indicated in the application dashboard for shortlisted candidates. 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).
(b) The total duration of SSB interviews is five days, consisting of two Stages – Stage I (Day one) and Stage II (Four days).Stage I test consisting of Intelligence Test, Picture Perception and Discussion test will be conducted on the first day of arrival at SSB. Candidates who fail to qualify in Stage I will be routed back on the same day. Stage II tests comprising of Psychological testing, Group testing and Interview will last for 04 days. Successful candidates will thereafter undergo Medical Examination (approx duration 03-05 days).
(c) Candidates recommended by the SSB and declared medically fit will be appointed for training as per All India Merit of SSB marks depending on the number of vacancies.
(d) Change of SSB Centre for interview is not permissible under any circumstance.
(e) Any correspondence regarding change of SSB dates be addressed to the call up officer of the SSB on receipt of call up letter. Candidates are to download the call up letter on receiving intimation from IHQ-MoD (Navy) at SMS/e-mail(provided by candidate in their application).
(f) No compensation will be paid in respect of any injury sustained as a result of test during SSB interviews.
(g) Return AC 3 tier/AC Chair Car rail fare is admissible for the SSB interview, if appearing for the first time for that type of commission on production of railway tickets. Candidates will carry photocopy of the first page of pass book or cheque leaf where the name, NC No & IFSC details are mentioned, while appearing for SSB. How to Apply
Visit join Indian navy website.
Create your correct and complete profile.
Go to current opportunities section.
Under officer tab, apply for this entry.
How to Prepare?
If shortlisted by Indian navy, you will get the SSB interview call letter through email/SMS.
Start preparing for the SSB interview as there will be no written exam for this entry.
To know more about SSB interview, get the book linked below.
Any person on the verge of retirement imagines a pleasant, well-settled life. For 67-year-old Captain Ravindra Kumar Bali, this remains a distant dream. His current address is the footpath next to officers’ mess in Pune Cantonment. He has been residing there since five years under a small plastic sheet to shield himself from rain and his bed, which he sleeps on in the night.
But, Captain Bali doesn’t have any regret or any complaints. He blames his destiny for his situation along with some wrong decision he made during his career.
Bali, born in Kota, Rajasthan, was the son from the second marriage of a police officer. After completing his school, his athletic ambition prompted him to join the National Defence Academy (NDA) as a cadet in June 1970. He trained hard for four years and spent another four years at the College of Engineering (CME), Pune. Subsequently, he received his first posting at Hussainiwala border museum in Ferozepur district.
However, Bali’s soaring career had some room for discomfort. He was distressed upon receiving letters from his ailing parents, who were evicted from their ancestral house by his six step-siblings. He rushed to take care of his parents and tendered a resignation in 1988.
Upon failing to complete 20 years of his service according to the rule, he was neither entitled for volunteer retirement scheme nor was he eligible for pension scheme. Bali had spent the funds on treating his parents, who did not survive for more than three years after that.
By then, he was unmarriageable and so, he decided to stay single.
Soon, he was engaged in a battle for the ancestral home. But, his siblings evicted him too. Looking at the delays in legal system, Bali decided to withdraw himself from all the disputes and shifted to Prabhas Patan near the famous Somnath Temple in Gujarat. He started a business of dry fish with the help of some locals. Here, he spent ten years, spending all the money on maintaining a lifestyle without saving up. Ennui set in after a decade after which, he decided to come back to Pune to find alternative employment. With the help of some old friends he joined a BPO company in Kalyani Nagar.
Bail said, “I achieved stability in my life while working with a BPO. I decided to buy a 1-BHK in Wagholi. I purchased the same by obtaining home loan. But here too, my destiny decided to siphon me off my new-found peace. Around 2012, the particular unit was shut down and I again become jobless. Unable to pay the monthly EMIs, the bank auctioned the flat and handed over Rs 2 lakh to me. I could not secure another job due to old age. Meanwhile I spent all the savings to survive.”
To search for another job, he left for Kerala in 2013. But, a rainy day wreaked havoc in his life once more. His documents were washed away when he was on cycle.
Bali further said, “Since I did not have any identity, I left Kerala and returned to Pune and started staying on footpath. With the God’s wish I have still survived. The locals are providing me with food and water. In case of heavy rain, I take shelter under porches of nearby bungalows. People give me alms considering my old age and fluency in English. I spend my entire day reading all kinds of English newspapers.”
Bali does not want to join any beggars’ home or old-age home. He does not regret his situation as he is still happy and healthy. “I want to die on this footpath with this destiny,” he said.
General knowledge is required in all competitive exams and not only in defence exams, even while facing SSB interview, you must be aware of the latest happenings and a strong current affair knowledge improves your chances in the interview. Here are the latest GK questions from Jan 2017 to June 2017 which you may face in upcoming exams. The Gk questions are in MCQ format and compiled based on the recent competitive exams, in case you want to prepare for the GK and current affairs in the best way, do not forget to check our current affairs ebook series here.
Sub lieutenant Atul Kumar Pawar, an inspiration for all the young defence aspirants and people of India. This young naval officer saved 4 lives by donating his organs. Sub lieutenant Atul Kumar Pawar was an under trainee officer at INS Dronacharya, the gunnery school of the Indian Navy located in Kochi. He met with a road accident near Chalakudy in Thrissur district on September 24. He suffered severe head injuries. Despite their best efforts, doctors at Aster Medicity Hospital were unable to revive him. They declared him clinically dead on September 28.
A young naval officer, who was declared clinically dead after a road accident, will now help three critically-ill patients get a fresh lease of life.
Pawar’s parents have agreed to donate his vital organs for those who are in need.
“The officer’s relatives, including his father, who arrived at Kochi on September 25 displayed exceptional moral courage, social responsibility and empathy and willingly consented to donate vital organs of the officer and in doing so, turned their grief into a noble gift of life for the needy,” the Press Information Bureau (Defence Wing) said in a statement.
The deceased officers’ heart, liver and two kidneys will be transplanted into recipients at Government Medical College, Kottayam; Aster Medicity, Ernakulam; Air Force Command Hospital, Bengaluru; and Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Ernakulam respectively.
Sub lieutenant Atul Kumar Pawar
In deference to the wishes of Kumar’s parents that a part of their son continues to serve the country in the Armed Forces, one donor kidney was transferred to a recipient in Command Hospital Air Force, Bengaluru. Naval and civil police ensured a green corridor between Aster Medicity Hospital and the Naval base in Kochi. From the base, the kidney was taken to Bengaluru on an Indian Air Force aircraft.
Wreaths were laid by Vice Admiral AR Karve, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command and other officers at a solemn ceremony at INS Dronacharya. Kumar’s mortal remains are being transported to his native place Rohtak in Haryana for the last rites.
He is survived by his parents and a younger brother, who is a college student.
An Indian Air Force training aircraft crashed in Hyderabad today, Air Force sources said. The two-seat trainer was being flown by a flight cadet, who escaped unhurt, they added. The aircraft has been completely destroyed in the mishap. A court of inquiry will ascertain the cause.
The pilot, believed to have taken off from the Hakimpet Airforce Station, ejected about 2 km from the crash site with the help of a parachute. After landing, the trainee cadet was able to contact his colleagues using his cellphone.
The process of ejecting from an aircraft is a brutal one and he would have to undergo a lot of medical tests to ascertain if there is any damage particularly to his spinal cord, sources added.
The Kiran MK-2 aircraft, an indigenously manufactured trainer, has been in use for several decades. Although it’s considered an elderly aircraft in terms on design, it is one of the main training platforms.
The two-pilot aircraft was, however, being flown by a flight cadet at the time of the accident. Sources says that it’s a standard procedure, if a pilot is proficient enough to fly the aircraft, to do these sorties alone as part of their training.
Terrorists killed a constable with paramilitary BSF at his residence at Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Wednesday night. Besides the BSF constable, Rameez Ahmad Parray who had returned home on leave from Rajasthan, the Terrorists also injured his brother, Mumtaz Ahmad Parray. .
The Terrorists barged inside their home at Parray Hajin area of the district and fired at them, report said.
Both were critically injured and were referred to hospital where Rameez succumbed. The terrorists, reports said, first thrashed and threatened BSF constable and then returned to shot him and his brother. Meanwhile, Indian security forces immediately cordoned off the entire area and launched searches to catch the terrorists.
Hey friends, my name is Vidit Biswas and through this reading transcript, I’d like to share my SSB experience. Belonging to an Army background, it has always been my dream to don the uniform, earn those stars on the shoulder and most importantly, follow my father’s footsteps. Army has given me everything. It has been instrumental in helping me become the person I am today. An added motivation has always been there to give something back to the profession which has given me everything. I’ve been dreaming of getting into NDA since 9th class when my best friend’s elder brother got through to NDA. That josh has ever been on the rise since then. I’ve been conferenced out once for NDA-138. And that rejection helped me introspect as to where I went wrong and what all qualities I lack and need to develop, with reference to the OLQs. I gave NDA written exam again in April this year. I had started my preparation for SSB quite early only because my paper had gone well and was confident of clearing it. I started practicing writing stories and positive sentences within the time frame. Improved my handwriting as well as the speed, as these things matter too apart from your ideas.
Finally, the call-up letter came and I had my reporting date on 13 August 2017 at Allahabad. This time I was confident and much more ready to face the SSB. So our screening took place on 14 August and out of the 45 who reported, 36 were screened in. We had a repeaters batch of 9 candidates, including a cadet from the Indian Naval Academy. The next day we had the psychology tests. I completed all the 12 stories in TAT, did 59 words in WAT, 47 situations in SRT and the day rounded off with the SDT. Few candidates had their interviews on that day itself.
Next up were the GTO tasks. The GDs went well. Gave 4-5 valid factual points in the discussions. The topics that we chose were- 1.” In order to counter the Chinese threat, who do you think India should ally with- Japan, USA or Russia?” 2.” Many south Indian colleges have imposed dress restrictions on women. Is it their discriminatory behaviour, influence of western culture or something else?” The next task, GPE went well too. Prioritised the problems with apt solutions. The discussion also went well and Chest no 36 was nominated to give the group plan. Then we had PGT. In PGT, we managed to reach PGT-4 but then got stuck. Helped the group and gave 3-4 ideas, though not satisfactory performance. Next up was GOR. It was an activity full of josh and it was fun. Though I and my group mates still don’t know why we kept “bahubali” as our war cry! After being done with the HGT, we had our lecturette on the same day. I spoke on “AFSPA”. According to me, I delivered a good talk with a bit of history, facts, the present scenario and the future course of action. Next day was the GTO 2 day which started off with the Individual Obstacles. I completed 12 obstacles. My Command task, id say was slightly difficult but I did it in time. And the GTO technique rounded off with the FGT.
Current Affairs questions will be from last 5-7 months (for AFCAT, NDA, CDS, TA)
As I was chest no 35, I had my Interview on the GTO 2 day, after the GTO tasks. It went for around 35-40 mines. The IO asked questions regarding family, studies, and friends. Asked some GK and current affairs questions. He tried to make me uncomfortable by calling me by some words, and abusing, which I hadn’t expected that he’d say out something of this sort! But I didn’t freak out. I was taken aback though but soon maintained composure thinking that he is maybe checking do I react unnecessarily or not. I grew a bit tensed after my interview thinking about how it went about because obviously, something had happened which I had not expected. Nevertheless, I looked forward to the conference the next day.
Before the conference began, the Deputy President of our SSB gave the closing address. He told us to not lose heart if we don’t make it and that we may excel in some other fields. He rounded off the closing address by saying- ‘’Your life has just begun, so you never know what good is in store for you’’
After chest no 34, one of my best buddies in SSB Sukhmandeep’s conference ended, my discussion started and it went around for 5-6 mins. Then my chest no displayed on the screen and I went in. I greeted the officers and was asked to sit. Then a series of regular questions came about my stay, the places I visited, suggestions etc. Then my IO asked me- ‘’ So Vidit, what was the most challenging day for you in these 5 days?’’ I answered- “Sir, I believe that GTO1 day was a bit challenging for me. Particularly in PGT I couldn’t give very good ideas. But overall, the day was satisfactory as my GPE went well and also the lecturette as I chose a good topic and spoke well of it.” Next question that he asked was- “who all do you think can get recommended from your group?” based on the performance of my group mates, I answered honestly that- “Sir I think that Chest No 32 and 34 will make it from our group” he was taken aback and questioned me- “why didn’t you take your name?” I answered that- “ Sir, I believe that these two were the best performers from our group in GTO tasks, based on the level of ideas that they gave and the effort they did to take the group forward. And the reason I didn’t take my name is that I couldn’t present that level of ideas which is expected from a repeater, particularly in PGT. So I believe that I couldn’t live up to the expectations expected from a repeater. Some tasks of GTO technique is the area where I believe I lacked behind my group mates.” So after this, he said “Thank you Vidit. God bless you.” And this way my conference rounded up.
We were made to sit in a hall and the series of those anxious pre-results moments began. Then our psychologist came in with a file to declare the results. The moment Chest No 35 was announced in the third time, I just lost it there! We were supposed to stand up and say out our UPSC roll no and our name. I was so choked up with emotions that I somehow found my voice to say out my roll no, but said it wrong! As I said I had just lost it! I broke down saying my name and… I just couldn’t stop crying. I WAS ON CLOUD NINE. All those difficult months after my initial rejection, all those thoughts of self-doubt that I had earlier, everything vanished at that very moment! My hard work had earned me the fruit and the “+” sign chest no which every defence aspirant dreams of getting, initially. I said to myself that,” This is just the beginning. YOU ARE AT THE BASE CAMP. THE CLIMB IS UP AHEAD.”Recommendation after rejection- The success tastes very sweet! The whole feeling was surreal. Absolutely.
All in all, 7 of us made the cut. 5 freshers, the Indian Naval Academy cadet, and me the only repeater. A new band of brothers was formed comprising of Rithesh, Dinesh, Jagmohan, Nitish, Kartikey(bhalu!), Dev, me and also one of my best friends- Ravinder, who got recommended from 34 SSB. We enjoyed our time thoroughly during the medicals! Went places watched movies and had a lot of fun! After the medical, 3 of us including me were found to be unfit. I appealed at Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt and was declared fit! Hope Kartikey and Nitish also make it through the appeal board and every one of us makes the merit list!
For all the future SSB attendees, a piece of advice. Be genuine, be natural, be raw. Don’t present a different-you at the SSB. And don’t come under stress if one task/activity doesn’t go well. What I learned from my experience is that they are looking for your bouncing back ability. How you perform the next day/task after not doing well the previous day/task. That bouncing back ability is required instead of sitting morose and thinking again and again about something which didn’t go well.
The Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun and the Officers Training Academy (OTA) with its branches in Chennai and Gaya are prestigious institutions dedicated to shaping the future officers of the Indian Armed Forces. Despite sharing the common goal of nurturing Gentleman and Lady Cadets, notable distinctions exist in their commissioning processes, training duration, and eligibility criteria, reflecting the unique pathways they offer to military service.
Commissioning and Duration of Service
The most fundamental difference lies in the type of commission the cadets receive upon graduation. The IMA primarily trains cadets for a Permanent Commission in the Indian Army, promising a longer career span, with the possibility of serving up to 30 years. In contrast, the OTA, Chennai, is known for training officers for Short Service Commission, typically allowing for a service duration of 10 to 14 years, with an option to extend. However, OTA Gaya deviates from this pattern by also offering Permanent Commission but under specific entry schemes like the 10+2 TES (Technical Entry Scheme).
Eligibility criteria and entry schemes offer another layer of differentiation. IMA caters exclusively to male candidates, requiring a graduate degree for most entry schemes like the Direct Entry (DE), with age limits varying between 19 to 24 years. The training duration here is pegged at one and a half years for DE candidates, with variations for other entries like UES, TGC, and AEC, catering to engineering graduates and postgraduates in specified streams.
Conversely, OTA provides a platform for both male and female candidates, with OTA Chennai being prominent for training all recommended women candidates. The training duration at OTA Chennai is uniform across entries at 49 weeks. OTA Gaya, catering to male candidates through the 10+2 TES entry, stands out with a 5-year training duration, integrating 1 year at OTA and 4 years at Cadet Training Wings (CTWs).
Educational Requirements and Selection Process
IMA demands a higher academic threshold for its aspirants, necessitating a graduate degree for Direct Entry, and includes a more rigorous selection process with three papers (English, Mathematics, and General Knowledge) in the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE) conducted by UPSC. OTA selection for SSC (Short Service Commission) involves only two papers (General Knowledge and English), reflecting a slightly more accessible pathway for those aiming for a shorter service tenure or specific roles within the Army.
Promotion and Career Progression
While salary scales do not vary significantly between officers commissioned from IMA and OTA, the path to higher ranks and promotions does. Traditionally, preference for promotions follows the order of NDA, IMA, and OTA, although exceptions may occur based on merit and vacancies.
Conclusion
Both IMA and OTA play critical roles in the defense ecosystem of India, offering tailored pathways to military service. Whether through the pursuit of a Permanent Commission with a longer service tenure at IMA or embracing the flexibility and diverse entry schemes of OTA for a Short Service or Permanent Commission, each academy caters to the distinct aspirations and career trajectories of its cadets. The choice between IMA and OTA ultimately hinges on individual career goals, educational background, and personal commitments, with each path offering its unique set of challenges and rewards in service to the nation.
Group discussion is a process where the candidates get an opportunity to formally exchange their opinions and ideas on subjects and issues of common interest and controversial nature. Group discussion is an excellent way to display your knowledge in current trends and matters of the globe, how well informed you are about the things happening around you, and most of all, to examine your communication skills. The goal of this discussion is to help the candidates to know each other. Therefore, it provides them with a platform to explore each other and make an impression on one another. It goes without saying that you need to be prepared beforehand, with a good hold on a broad array of topics.
Fundamentally, three personality traits are assessed through group discussions, namely, communication abilities, interpersonal skills, and knowledge of the subject. It is a means to ascertain the analytical skills of the candidates. Hence, content as well as the structure of one’s talk matter.
Skills judged in Group Discussions:
How good you are at communicating with others.
How you behave and interact with the group (Group Behaviour).
Listening skills (patience to listen attentively).
Leadership and decision-making skills.
Your attitude and confidence.
Analytical and critical thinking skills.
How effectively you put forward your views.
How you bring and maintain balance in your tone.
Your body gestures.
Current Affairs questions will be from last 5-7 months (for AFCAT, NDA, CDS, TA)
Eye contact while speaking: Do not look at the assessors. Keep eye contact with all the members of the group. Hold their attention with your gaze.
Initiate the GD: Initiating GD is a plus point. But remember, initiate only when you are well aware of the topic and have some knowledge about it. Speaking without subject comprehension and knowledge forms a bad impression.
Allow other members to speak: Do not interrupt anyone in between while speaking. Whether you agree or disagree with their thoughts, do not snatch someone’s chance to speak. Alternatively, make notes and clear the points when it is your turn.
Make sure to keep and bring the discussion on track: If in any condition the group is deviating from the topic or goal then simply take the initiative to bring the discussion on the track. Make the group members aware that they need to derive at some conclusion at the end of the discussion, so stick to the topic.
Speak clearly: Speak clearly and politely. Use simple comprehensible words while speaking. Don’t get aggressive or rude if you disagree with anyone. Express your feelings calmly.
Positive Attitude: Stay confident and enthusiastic. Show interest and goodwill in the discussion. Do not try to dominate anyone. Keep positive body language and gestures.
Speak sensibly: Do not speak just to increase your speaking time. Speak at different point of times. Don’t worry even if you speak less. Share sensible and admissible thoughts and present relevant arguments.
Carefully listen to others: As much as it is important to speak, also be very attentive while others speak. Be patient while listening, this makes a discussion coherent and you get more involved with the group in a positive manner.
No need to get into minute details: Basic subject knowledge and analysis is sufficient. You don’t need to mention the exact figures while giving reference to any point. And if you do give, be accurate in your figures. You have limited time so try being precise and convey your thoughts in short and simple words.
Follow three thumb rules: Rule 1: Solid opening statement: You don’t have to have a speech prepared. A smallthought-provokingg statement that is likely to spark a further discussion will do good. Rule 2: Lead to something: Don’t leave group members hanging after your powerful introduction. Your opening statement should flow into some strong relevant point that you want to make later, without which your contribution amounts to zero. Rule 3: Closing statement: Just when you are about to end your talk, ask a question in the end or ask others to put forward their opinions in order to keep the discussion going. If it is not possible then summarise everything you said in a single statement just to make your stance clear and known. But yes, do remember, NO ESSAYS to be delivered. Keep it short and simple.
Non-Verbal Gestures are important: Non-verbal gestures like nodding while appreciating somebody’s point is peculiarly noticed as it conveys an idea about the interpersonal skills of a candidate. Unnecessary body movements and gestures are to be avoided.
Knowledge of the subject: Knowledge of the subject you are speaking about is an aspect that distinguishes a candidate from the group. There is no substitute to the depth of knowledge on the matter discussed in the group. Read newspapers daily to learn about the affairs of the globe. Choose magazines that are rich in content.
As mentioned earlier, initiating GD is an advantage. Closing it too adds brownie points. If you can grab the opportunity to end it, use the chance or if no conclusion was derived, try concluding it.
Follow these simple points to ace your group discussions!
Indian army official website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in has released the SSB dates for the course commencing in April 2018 . Candidates who have applied for NCC 43 special entry can check their email or they can directly go to army website in their login id and can find their allotted venue.
For SSB dates ,as this time army has made the application for NCC Special entry online so the army has provided various date slots starting from Nov to Dec. One has to select date from given dates and care should be taken while selecting the dates as no date of change will be permissible after selection. Try to select the dates as soon as possible otherwise it will be selected automatically.
