SSB Tech Day 1 Experience

As the sun rose on 26th May 2023, I found myself brimming with anticipation and excitement. It was the day that marked the beginning of my SSB (Services Selection Board) journey &#x2013 a path that could lead to a life of service and honor in the Indian Army. The SSB center in Bhopal was my destination, and I knew that Day 1 would be a crucial step towards the realization of my dream.

Months ago, I applied for the SSC(Tech) through the official joinindianarmy website. The joy of receiving the shortlisting mail with my SSB schedule was unmatched. With all my necessary documents in hand, I followed the instructions provided by the Bhopal SSB board diligently, ensuring everything was in order for the upcoming screening round.

As I arrived in Bhopal on 25th May, I settled in at ssbstay.in for the night. The next morning, at 6:00 hrs, a sense of camaraderie filled the air as all the candidates assembled at the military area’s entrance. Military transport took us to the SSB Center, where we were directed to leave our luggage behind and only carry the essential documents. After a smooth verification process, I was assigned my Chest Number &#x2013 20.

The day’s proceedings began at around 7:30 hrs, with a quick breakfast before the OTA (Officer’s Intelligence Rating) exam. The candidates were seated based on their chest numbers, and the exam was conducted in two steps. The invigilators explained the exam format clearly, using examples to ensure everyone understood. The first step consisted of aptitude, reasoning, and a time limit of 25 minutes, followed by the second step involving communication and mathematics, with 50 minutes at hand. We were provided with OMR sheets and question booklets, needing only to carry a pen as pencils were not allowed.

After completing the OTA, we had a short break before the PPDT (Picture Perception and Description Test) commenced. Just like the OTA, the PPDT was also explained smoothly by the Officer in charge. Each candidate was given a plain drawing sheet to write their story, and we had 1 minute to think and 4 minutes to pen down our narratives. Once done, we gathered in front of the three assessors in a semi-circle format, where we took turns narrating our stories in one minute each. After all the narrations, we engaged in a group discussion to derive the moral of each story. A representative was then chosen to present the collective conclusion on behalf of all candidates.

With the testing phase completed, we headed to the canteen for lunch, where both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options were available. The wait for our results felt both tense and exciting. At around 5 pm, the moment of truth arrived as the officer announced the selected candidates based on their chest numbers. Those not selected were escorted back to the military area’s entrance by the military bus.

Day 1 of the SSB was undeniably a mix of emotions &#x2013 nervousness, excitement, camaraderie, and determination. It marked the first step of a journey that held the promise of turning dreams into reality. As I prepared for the subsequent days of the SSB, I knew that this experience would be etched in my memory forever, regardless of the outcome. Each moment at the SSB center taught me valuable lessons and strengthened my resolve to serve my nation with honor and pride.