Hi Friends,

I am Utkarsh and i would like to share my SSB experience with you. My journey from 26th of August 2012 (the day i wrote my AFCAT paper) to 19th of January ( the day i got recommended from 1 AFSB Dehradun).

This was my first and last attempt( age restriction) so i was a little unsecured in view of that i started preparation  for my written examination. On 26th of August i gave the exam and secured a decent score.I was only eligible for the post of  Aeronautical Engineer ( Electronics) / AE(L).

I am a Computer Engineer. I completed my engineering in 2008. Due to some personal / familiar reasons i couldn't applied for AFCAT earlier and this was my last attempt. There were several doubts in my mind regarding 8 subjects eligibility criteria, procedure of SSB  and EKT examination. Some of them are listed below -

1 Regarding my 8 subjects. 6 of them were exactly same like AFCAT demanded but 2 of them differ. I was having Data Communication and Networking and AFCAT asked for Computer Networks , i studied Cellular and Mobile Communication Engineering and AFCAT asked for Telecommunication Engineering. So i was quiet confused. But Friends not to worry. Officers in the SSB are very Co-operative. They go for the content of the subject. They will listen to you. The content should match.

2. My University follow CGPA system. You must carry a proof of converting your CGPA in to percentage. 60% is must. There was a guy who was having 59.99% but they sent him back.

3. Their is "NO EKT "exam. For flying they conduct PABT but after your recommendation.

DAY OF REPORTING - (14 jan)

 I was standing near MCO dehradun. There were around 250 candidates. At 0700 hrs 2 buses came . The Officials checked our call letters and than we all  moved to 1 AFSB, Clement town. There we had our breakfast. after that they bifurcated the group in to two sub groups. One group was of freshers and other was of repeaters. After that chest numbers were allotted and we were sent to Brahmaputra Hall. After few form fillings 2 objective type written exam was conducted. Question's were easy but u have to hurry because of time constraints. In both the paper's there were around 45 - 50 questions and time given was 15 and 20 mins. After written examination PPDT was conducted . As you all might be knowing that in PPDT every body write story according to his perception after observing the hazy pictorial slide.
There were 3 officers in the discussion room. We entered the room. We were 20 candidates. One officer told us to narrate our story one by one. ( " Your narration should be fluent, you must sound confident and do not address the selectors, address the group. Speak like you are already a leader, This is the only time when all the 3 selectors and whole group will listen to you. so utilize this time" ). Once the narration is finished they will ask you to form a group story and here the fish market starts. Gentlemen this... Gentlemen that........ that's all. Everyone try to proof his point but you have to behave very maturely and utmost important thing is do not loose your patience. Listen and contribute . I know its difficult but that's the only remedy.

After few hours result was declared and 61 candidates made it. Rest of them were directed back to Railway station.

Now the tough time start's . They will check your documents. They will match your 8 subjects ( for technical). They will calculate your percentages. ( here was the guy who secured 59.99% and they sent him back, and other forget to bring his original mark sheets so officer's gave him another date for phase 2 testing) So now we were 59. After documentation they asked " Gentlemen's are you tired" and we on a single cry said " NO SIR" .  So he said " Great , Than get prepared for psychological testing " after listening him we were like  we are fu......d. We were so tired , document's check and all procedure were so lengthy. Time was around 08 p.m.  We were hungry. and in this stage we were going to give Psychological test.
 But we were there for some serious business . So we just regained our enthusiasm. and started giving the test.

PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST -

1. PPT - 13 slides will come one by one. After observing each slide you have to write a story in 3 minutes.Friends i hope you all know how to write a story but one thing i want to mention is do not try to write story given in Arihant or other coaching materials. It will not help. Develop your writing skills. Express your perception in a quiet intellectual and practical manner. Qualities like leadership skill, Initiation etc are important in the story but ultimately express your self in the story. Last slide was blank one. Write any story which you will like.

2. WAT - 60 words will be shown to you. While writing the sentence take care of time .I covered around 50words

3. SRT - Use shorthand. Situation reaction test is all about your reaction in different situations. I successfully completed only 45 SRT's :(

4. Self  Description test-  You have to write , what your family,  friends, teachers and all above what you think about your self. Your future Goals etc.

After completion of the test we went to mess. Starving like anything. Food was awesome. After that we went to our room . completed chit- chat and then gone to sleep. few were having their Interview on the very next day, few were having their GTO test and few were having free day. i was in the last category. so slept like khumbhkaran...

INTERVIEW DAY -

The most important phase of SSB is interview. My interviewer was Senior Interviewer Wing Commander Sandeep Mohan Sir. I was wearing White shirt , black trousers and Red Tie. I was keenly waiting for my turn in the waiting room. Discussing with my friends about various Aircraft of IAF. Suddenly one official came and called chest no. 59.I rushed with him. I was sitting in the chair kept outside the interviewer  room. One person took my file and went inside. After few minutes red light blinked and i entered the room-

I.O. -  Good Morning Utkarsh.
Me -   Good Morning Sir.
I.O.-   So Utkarsh i start our conversation with your hobby. You have a very interesting hobby. " Dog Training ". What is it? How do you train dogs ? How many dog breeds do you know ? Tell me something about Rottweiler? Tell me names of 5 large , 5 medium and 5 small breed ? How do you know that when the dog is in attacking mode?

Me - Sir i have one Saint Bernard.One Rottweiler and One Lhasa Apso. Dog training is all about making your dog obedient.Your dos must follow your command under every circumstances. Sir my dog's defecate and urinate in a human toilet. We have a separate toilet for them at our residence. When they obey my command i appreciate them. i love them and give some cookies and when they didn't follow my commands i deal with them very strictly. i keep my behavior same in same situations. I started with paper training and then i gave them search operations training. I know more than 50 dog breeds. Rottweiler is German guard dog which was mainly used to protect flock of sheep from wolves. This creature is quiet aggressive from blood but we can train him to become obedient and lovable. Than i told the names of all breed's which he asked for.and by specific gesture we come to know about the dog's mood.

I.O. - Labrador is very intelligent breed. Why don't you have this one?
Me- Sir Labrador is one of the most famous, intelligent and familiar dog but i have a special liking for large breeds. like St. Bernard and other Mass tiffs.

I.O - So this is your last attempt . why didn't you applied earlier?
Me- Gave him my reasons.

I.O.- Define Secularism, Socialism, Republic and Democracy?
Me- Gave him reply with full confidence. I study a lot and polity is my special area of reading.

I.O. - How do tackle Corruption and Cases of Rape? Your view
Me- Sir Stringent laws and strict rules will not lead to solution. people will find some loop holes in it. We need to develop moral and ethical values in each and every human being.

I.O. - Is it practical to develop ?
Me- Yes sir, When we were child their was a subject in our school curriculum " moral science " . we need to make that subject compulsory in every stream of study , students should do some practical research in moral values. and Indian government should take this subject very seriously in providing job and other opportunities to the student.

I.O. - What is Red Corridor? ( he asked this question because i belong to chhattisgarh state)

Then he started asking question like my percentages from 10th to highest qualification. My weak points, My strong points, My profession, My fathers weak and strong point, My friends, My view on china and Pakistan intrusion. Few governmental policies like MGNREGA, JNNURM, etc.

I was satisfied with my interview.

GTO TEST -

 Our GTO was Wg. Cdr. Jitendra Negi Sir.

1. Group Discussion - a. Agriculture vs Industrial economy.
                                  b. merits and demerits of social networking websites.

Group Discussion was good i actively participated and contributed in it.

2. Military Planning Exercise - It was also done well because of co-operative group efforts.

3. PGT, HGT - remember the rules. Contribute and take initiative. do not try to dominate but show your leadership skill.

4. Lecturate  - I selected  the topic " Environment Degradation"

5. Command task - GTO sir called me gave me one task and checked me by giving different circumstance for the same problem.

6. FGT- same as PGT.

7. Individual Obstacles - Not happened because of rain. but try to cover as mush as possible.

CONFERENCE DAY -

After our GTO we immediately rush to our room and changed to attend conference. It was raining heavily. Their were total 59 candidates and i was the last one. so i have to wait for long period. In conference all the officers were seated around a C - shaped . One officer asked me . How was my stay? What did i do in my free time? Any suggestion?

After few minutes our DSO ( duty selection officer) came and announced the results- chest no.8 ,_ ,_,_,_, and Chest no. 59 . I couldn't believed that i got recommended in my last attempt.i was so happy. 6 of us got recommended among 59 . Than again lengthy process of documentation took 3 to 4 hrs.

Friends i cleared my medicals also from AFCME, Delhi. BUT we can't do anything in front of destiny. I got merit out in the final selection list. At that time i realized that if i would have scored better in my written exam or in ssb than may be........ But my attempts are over now. Somewhere i felt that i lack guidance regarding ssb procedure. So i am here writing each and every thing. i didn't find any one who could help me but friends if u need any help/ guidance than feel free to ask..

ALL THE BEST..


 


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