PIQ : Importance and seven tips for improvement

This would be the probably the first form you get to fill once you are screened in after clearing the Day 1 at SSB/AFSB/PSB/FSB. This is the first and undoubtedly the most important form of your SSB and hence needs special preparation. PIQ stands for Personal Information Questionnaire. Its a 2 page form which reflects your personality and achievements across your life and would be the best source for information related to you, for the psychologist and the interviewer.

Importance of OIR in Screening round of SSB

Screening round that is conducted at Day 1 of SSB is the gateway for the aspirants to their dream world as after this recommendation only they move ahead and are allowed to stay in the SSB center for 4 more days. Screening round has the highest rate of rejection as compared to the other exams of the same level, but its the easiest known process where one need to just reveal the officer potential with average aptitude and they are recommended for further rounds.

Tricks of Time Management for SSB Aspirant

Hello, Aspirants, I am writing for the first time for the blog. I am very excited to share my knowledge with you. Whenever Defense word comes in our mind, we always think of Discipline. When I was appearing for NCC exam, all the cadets were trying to get help from each other and there was one Officer, present there, who said one line which changed my life.

SSB Decoded: SSB Vision Lucknow Workshop Chapter

The SSB vision team was all set again to conduct an on demand workshop but this time in the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. The workshop was conducted on 1^st February. It was a chilly morning in Lucknow and all aspirants were preparing for CDS written. Some of them dared to move out and attend the workshop while few late starters were still juggling for some shortcuts in CDS.

The gang that rocked the show and learned a lot

SSB Decoded: SSB Vision Delhi Workshop Chapter

The winter was at its peak and everyone was getting ready in a holiday mood for celebrating Christmas. New dress, Santa, jingles, Christmas tree, gifts and what not , but midway to this there was a group of aspirants who were getting ready to serve the nation. Leaving all the things at side these ten aspirants were busy making their future, they were determined to learn and apply for fighting a new war at SSB and win the battle by getting their favorite Olive green or Blue or the White for them.

Is Language a barrier in SSB - English or Hindi ?

I have been asked quite often by the aspirants about this question. Which language to use and what not to use. Is language the criteria for making the selection? What if I use Hindi or English? What if I use English frequently but suddenly use some of Hindi or what if I am comfortable and confident in speaking Hindi only. 

Do I have OLQ's in me?

There is a lot of buzz on the net these days that what do really assessors looking at the selection center. The only answer that one gets is the OLQ's. Yes its true that they only look at the OLQ's but what does these OLQ really means for the aspirants and how can one know whether they have it in them or not.... I have been receiving multiple requests to Reveal the reality of OLQ's and tell how to link it with the person or the character. Lets do it today by the means of this article.

Role of ELECTRONICS in Defense

As days go by, the role of electronics in Defense systems becomes more and more important also the advancement which come in it. This is because of the growing application of sophisticated electronic technology in Defense equipment...

Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has developed a large number of electronic materials, devices and components that have helped the country in achieving self-reliance to a considerable extent in Defense electronics. These developments have resulted to enhance the strength of our Armed Force.

Mother's Day Special : MAA

Everything happens in life for the first time but most of the memories attached in our heart are related to our mother. When the child is born the first word that is pronounced is “MAA” , the first learning of life is also given by a mother. Mother forms the base of every child and the learning of traditional values inherited by a person is also dependent on that. It will not be wrong if I say that we live life because of mother life and we exist because of her only in this world. 

Ten Tips every SSB Aspirant must follow

There have been a lot of topics on GD and lecturette on our blog where different mentees of mine and other aspirants are helping spread a word for aspirants to succeed in their goal of serving the nation. I have been seeing a lot of myths in and around the internet and knowing that majority of people seek guidance through this mode I thought of sharing quick tips of success at SSB. SSB is all together a different method of examination where one is assessed psychologically of whatever he or she do in different forms and then they are recommended for the Indian defense forces. So certain things that you should essentially follow are mentioned. See where you score out of 10 here !!

Revealing Secret of Officer like Qualities for getting selected in Indian Defense forces

It has been discussed a lot that what a person needs for being the part of Indian defense forces. I had been receiving multiple queries on this. Everyone asks me that they have been performing well in all the rounds but still they have not been taken while someone who has average performance had been selected. Please learn at this point of time that at SSB you are only tested for 15 OLQ's and nothing else. Each of the three ways that are there for testing these qualities only. Three rounds of Psychology , PI and GTO are kept to ensure no mistake is done in assessment and personal bias is at the lowest. All the three assessors will be testing the same personality in different ways and aspirants need to ensure that the same  qualities should be coming out as response everywhere. This is the only thing which makes SSB tough for few people and easy for some. The people who try to cheat the system and act over-smart and thrown at the instant as its a cheat proof system for selecting officers for our country protection.

You can be one of them

Are we truly capable of making indigenous weapons to match our counterparts?

Critical analysis on the capability of India in producing defense weapons

India achieved independence in the year 1947, since then we have set ourselves on a path of development and have not looked backwards. With time we have devised technologies which have caught eyes of developed nations. With the Chandrayaan 1 in action our country made history and became the fifth country in the world to reach Moon, showing clearly what the people of this country are capable of doing. The journey to development and space exploration didn't end there and with the development of the Mangalyaan, Indian Space Research Organisation became the only organisation after NASA to reach the orbit of Mars.

Our country has not only made developments in the field of space explorations but has also developed equally in the defense sector as well. India is now capable of making weapons indigenous which are strong enough to protect the country in time of crisis. But the question which looms over us is “Are these weapons strong enough to match our counterparts?” This can only be answered by first looking at the developments made in the Indian Defense and the upcoming projects to come alive.

Sure shot success mantra for clearing SSB

Self Belief : The tool for success at SSB

It is said that if you believe in yourself half of the work is automatically done. One should have firm belief in ones capabilities. One cannot get anywhere without it . Self belief is the topic of discussion for today and we will see how it really helps in achieving success. As far as SSB is concerned its all about revealing the true identity but one must be aware of it, then only factually things can be linked to the personal self and revealed at SSB. Each and every round at SSB is designed for this purpose where they try to analyse various qualities through different assessment techniques and that helps in giving the fair judgement whether the candidate is trainable into officer or not.

See the magic of self belief

GD Topic Series : Is FDI Good or Bad for India - Part 2

Critical analysis of FDI in India

In part 1 of this series we saw the details of FDI in India, what it means and what it can do. Lets analyse the situation further. In recent years, given rapid growth and change in global investment patterns, the definition has been broadened to include the acquisition of a lasting management interest in a company or enterprise outside the investing firm’s home country. As such, it may take many forms, such as a direct acquisition of a foreign firm, construction of a facility, or investment in a joint venture or strategic alliance with a local firm with attendant input of technology, licensing of intellectual property,   In the past decade, FDI has come to play a major role in the internationalization of business.

GD Topic Series : Is FDI Good or Bad for India - Part 1

Critical analysis of FDI in India

We all are familiar with the definition of FDI. The term FDI or Foreign Direct Investment, is a type of investment that includes the injection of foreign funds into an enterprise that operates in a different country of origin from the investor. Investors are granted management and voting rights if the level of ownership is greater than or equal to 10% of ordinary shares. Shares ownership amounting to less that the stated amount is termed portfolio investment and is not categorized as FDI.

Businesses that make foreign direct investments are often called multinational corporations (MNCs) or multinational enterprises (MNEs). A MNE may make a direct investment by creating a new foreign enterprise, which is called a Greenfield investment, or by the acquisition of a foreign firm, either called an acquisition or brownfield investment.

Economic reforms taken by the Indian government in 24 July 1991 makes the country as one of the prominent performer of global economics by placing INDIA As the 3rd largest economy of the world in terms of purchasing power parity and thus looks attractive to the world for FDI. INDIA has the 3rd largest pool of scientific & technical manpower. Even Government of India, has been trying hard to do way with the FDI caps for majority of the sectors, but there are still critical areas like retailing and insurance where there is lot of opposition from local Indians / Indian companies. Recent investment opportunities are at peak in India.

Lecturette Series: One Rank One Pension

Critical analysis of One Rank One Pension (O.R.O.P.)

 "Pension is not a bounty nor a matter of grace depending upon the sweet will of the employer. It is not an ex-gratia payment, but a payment for past services rendered". A pension refers to a sum which is to be paid regularly to a person, typically following retirement from service

So basically what OROP means that a Armed Forces personnel holding the same rank deserves to receive the same pension, regardless of the last drawn pay, years of service and the years served in a particular rank , or, it simply means equal pension for those who retired in a particular year ,while holding same position/rank as to those who retired in some other year. So for example, if a sepoy who retired in 1995 should be paid the same amount of pension as the one who retired later.

However this has not been the case so long. With every pay commission that comes up , it increases the salary of the present government services , but the pensions of the ex-servicemen remains unaffected . Thus, the gap between past pensioners and the present servicemen with same position keeps widening with every pay commission. For example a sepoy who retired prior to 1996 receives 82% less pension with respect to a sepoy who retires after 2006 Or a major who retired prior to 1996 receives 53% less pension with respect to a Major who retires after 2006 even though both the sepoy and the major put their lives equally at stake to guard this country .

GD Topic Series: Is AAP winning in Delhi a move towards corruption free India?

Critical analysis of AAP in Delhi!!

Today India is one country which is not only full of raw talent, but is also full of people who are waiting to get their talent explored. The various professions from Defense to Research to Teaching to Sports and Politics to Entertainment are full of personalities which are living examples of what this country is capable of producing.

But sadly not everyone in our country sees the light of success. Why is that? Do we lack talent? Do we lack skill? Are we not enough hardworking, or we simply not good enough? Well the answer is “Neither of these!” Today a sportsman can be the next Sachin Tendulkar or Milkha Singh or Dhyan Chand is not made to play for the country, not because he isn’t talented, but because in the process he has to pay and fill the pockets of people with loads of money to reach his destination. Money which he doesn’t have or doesn’t seem worthy of spending. The result? We perform average in Olympics!

Leaving aside the spots men, struggling actors or artists, let’s focus on the common man. Today in India we, the people, the common man makes the government and builds the nation. Tall promises are made to him by these very politicians, promises to decrease corruption, increase employment, and help people in all the ways possible. But sadly the minute a politician wins an election, he forgets the very people who sent him to that position. All promises are lost, these people who at the time of election were “bhai and behen” to him suddenly becomes nobody. And to put cherry on the cake, it is this common man who suffers the most in the long run. The Big Question is WHY? Why do we suffer?

The answer is one worded: Corruption! From School to offices, to sport arenas to Government everything to everyone (well mostly all) is corrupt. In 2011 people like Anna Hazare have made their efforts to bring this corrupt system down to its knees, several people like Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal joined him too, yet, the efforts made by the old man didn't bring fruit :

• Firstly the dharnas didn't prove out to be effective.
• Secondly because of difference of Opinion between Hazare and Kejriwal. Though they both had the same motive, yet because of their different approaches the two separated.

Hazare remained where he was, Arvind Kejriwal instead formed a party in November 2012 to counter corruption, the party’s name: AAM AADMI PARTY. Though the party was brand new as compared to old horses like BJP and The Indian National Congress, yet it left no stone unturned to win the Delhi election polls in 2013. And call it a miracle, the party managed to form an alliance government with the Congress. But what followed after that is the interesting bid. Arvind Kejriwal became the Chief Minister of Delhi, the promises he made:

•     Lowering of electricity prices for consumption below 400 units per meter per house and free water supply below 20 kiloliters per house.
•    Introduction of the Lokpal Bill to remove corruption completely from India were starting to get fulfilled one by one.

People got electricity at lower rates, water was available, everyone seemed happy. But no one questioned who will benefit and who will pay for the loss (if any). AAP knowingly the consequences kept quiet on this. After that another blunder happened, the day AAP stood against BJP and Congress in the parliament for the Lok Pal Bill to pass, defined the remaining days for the party. Soon after the bill was kept on hold and was not passed, the party leader Arvind Kejriwal called it quits. Call it impulsive nature, defeatist attitude or inexperience, but the 49 day old government stopped in its track.

14^th Feb 2015, Life gave another opportunity to Arvind Kejriwal. This time a major one, with 67 seats won out of 70, Arvind Kejriwal was again nominated as the Chief Minister of Delhi. The coming five years will decide the fate of Delhi. Will life of a common man become better or will it remain the same or get worse in the hands of this earlier failed government, this is something only time can tell.

But the elephant in the room is “Will AAP in Power, Make Delhi A Corruption Free State?”

“Mein HOON AAM Aadmi” this is the slogan printed on the Nehru cap work by the AAP workers, right from the very beginning AAP has made promises that it comprises of people who are common people and the party’s sole function is not to remain in power but to eradicate corruption from Delhi. Why then fight elections? If staying in power is not the motto, then why even fight elections. Peaceful protests are another way of making the government agree to your terms and make not only Delhi but the entire country a corruption free state. Okay let’s just agree to AAP’s entering into politics to make DELHI a corruption free state. But can the following dis-functionality of the party be justified:

•     The Khap Panchayats, comprising solely of male members, who got a tribal girl gang raped, who sees honor killings as justified, who has the belief that girls should be married at early age so as to avoid rape were seemed fit to function by Arvind Kejriwal, as according to him such panchayats need not be banned as they held cultural values.
•      After resigning from the CM post , Arvind Kejriwal ran for PM election post.
•    The previous government held by him and his party stood only 49 days. It could have lasted longer, AK could have come up with a different strategy, but he chose to resign than govern.
•     The party decided to spread in other parts of the country. Why?! Did they solve the very problem they promised they would? Did the greed for power got them too?
•     After resigning, AK  bad mouthed every party and everyone, is that true leadership?
•     The party called into question, the placement of Army in J&K, without knowing that every time it’s not the votes which save the day. Hard men on borders play their part well!
•    AAP lacked basic management skills, A Janta Durbar was called, Kejriwal sat on the table listening to people’s problem, but when the crowd got out of control he ran to his house’s rooftop. After that the durbar was dissolved. If he couldn't handle it, why start it in the first place.

Well it’s my opinion on the functioning of the party, I may be wrong. But the facts aren’t. Calling himself aam aadmi and denying security won’t solve the problems of people, neither would it make Delhi a corruption free state, fulfilling the promises by active participation and looking at the problems at the root level and finding a PLANNED solution for them would. In my point of view, instead of doing something reckless and immediately jump for PM elections again or anything of that sort, Arvind Kejriwal should first focus on Delhi. Improve Delhi and make the life of people there better. He should and must as the CM of the capital make efforts to dissolve the barbaric Khap Panchayats, which comprises of illiterate people who hold no respect for women. Also Arvind Kejriwal should first plan things out before cutting the electricity cost and making water free of cost, as losses which are inevitable would be too much to pay. If Delhi is governed strategically, and Arvind Kejriwal finds no shame in asking for help and advice from politicians senior to him for issues he is not able to work upon himself, then in my opinion with the combined efforts of everyone, Delhi WOULD become corruption free, and would pave the way for other states to become corruption free as well and India would truly see the light of a day when the common man no longer would have to pay bribes to government employees  to get things he has right over! I would like to hear more views of my fellow defense aspirants on the same.

About the Author: Shekhar Tanwar is a computer science engineer who is working with a renowned MNC and is a die heart defense aspirant. Guitar is his passion and he is very firm believer of physical fitness. This article is a way to help defense aspirants to present his critical views on the topic, on the forum so that collective exchange of thoughts can take place.

GD Topic Series:RAILWAY BUDGET 2015-16

Highlights of RAILWAY BUDGET 2015-16

Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu in his first Rail Budget unexpectedly avoided any hike in passenger fares and announced a slew of passenger services aimed at improving the travelling experience of the commuters.

Blending investment and technology, the minister announced several steps to revamp the facilities at the railway stations, ticketing and other passenger services. Higher involvement of the private sector in railways functioning is also one of the key elements of the railway budget for 2015-16.

Women Day Special : Are they really celebrating?

Some one has rightly said that, "Women is the symbol of power , God's finest and beautiful creation without whom no creation is possible " .  Each year we are celebrating women day on March 8 but is it really living up-to the expectations. Are women still given equal status to their male counterparts? Are they seen equal in society? Are we really celebrating Women day in India with the real essence for which the idea was propagated? Making a day specially for the women is a good idea but they should also accept that they have been given that standard where they can happily celebrate the day. In Indian context if you will hear views of different generation the data could be shocking enough. Still major population feels that they are the ones who have to take care of household chores only, why do they need to move out to prove their equality with the men. Men had been superior and would always be. Few channel also showed that people still believe that if something wrong happens with the women men are not to be blamed its only women who are responsible for it. 

On one side we talk of equality and on the other we say that women don't even have the freedom to wear clothes of their choice. A recent documentary that was released by a reputed channel on the nirbhaya case showcased the mindset of people. But fault lies within us as since ancient times the mindset has been where we considered women inferior and the same is prevailing in modern times. In India situation is pathetic where the birth of the girl child is not even celebrated and at few places there is problem of women infanticide. But in my view women can only give the credit of their upliftment to themselves as they had the courage to come out and match their male counterparts with strong will and determination.They were the ones who are taking care of motherhood, they can manage office well, they can take care of family also. They can do multitasking better than men but still where are we lacking that we cannot change the mindset.

This day marks the importance of women in everyone's life and forces us to remember their contribution and the pain they have taken for us. This day is important so that we can do introspection of the society and we still need to change a lot. this day is just an honor for our women where we try to recognize their efforts and the contribution they have made for our growth. We should never think that the two gender are different , once we talk of equality it should reflect clearly in our actions as well. So lets take a pledge that we will implement the changes in our thinking, we will change our mindset and women day will not only be updated on our profiles in social media but it will change our heart and we will respect this gender more and will give them the status that they deserve. This topic is very close to my heart and i tried to express my views. I would love to hear the views of my reader in the comment section so that we can learn from the fruitful discussion.

Know your selection centers for defense forces

Let’s know about the various centers that are there for the selection of various forces. These centers are allotted on random basis to the aspirants and one need to report to the allocated center. There happens two rounds and the one selected on day 1 are called screen in while the rest people not selected on this day are called screened out. They need to return then and there to respective places while remaining people move ahead for stage 2 where they are subject to various tests for 4 days. Those people who are selected for stage 2 are called conference in / recommended and they move to stage 3 for medicals. While the remaining are called conference out and they return their home again.  Finally those who clear medical are subject to be called for training in respective academies if their name comes in merit. So aspirants, the reduction process is very stringent as there is limited number of seats.

The following are the various centers for all the forces:

 Indian army

Allahabad, UP	Selection Center East (SCE)
Bhopal, MP	Selection Center Central (SCC)
Bangalore, KA	Selection Center South (SCS)
Ropar, PB (Proposed)	Selection Center North  (SCN)

  Indian Navy

Bhopal , MP	33 SSB, SCC
Bangalore, KA	12 SSB , SCS
Vishakhapatnam , AP	NSB Vishakhapatnam
Coimbatore, TN	NSB , Agrani

 Indian Air force

Dehradun, UK	1 AFSB
Mysore, KA	2 AFSB
Ghandhinagar, GJ	3 AFSB
Varanasi, UP	4 AFSB
Kolkata, WB	5 AFSB

Know your centre’s well before going there and perform your level best. The performance anyway does not depend only on center as all the centers have been designed separately keeping the competency level same. All the tasks, pictures or the other things one get at the center differs from the other so that the information is not reused and no one is benefited. Also this is done so that fresher’s and repeaters have any benefit over one other. Every precaution is taken to avoid wrong decision because the person selected here for officer’s post has huge responsibility on one’s shoulder, so prepare accordingly and keep yourself updated with the latest happenings at the blog. You can contact me for any other information needed in this regard. It would be a pleasure to help the future officers. Post comments in case of doubts.