List of Special Operations Forces in India. The Special Forces of India are Indian Military units with specialized training in the field of special operations.
They include:

• Para Commandos: Formed in the year 1966, it has 8 battalions with their regimental center at Bangalore. It is the most important part of the Special Forces in India with the motto of Shatrujeet (The Conqueror).
  
• Special Frontier Force: Founded on 14 November 1962, it has its headquarters at Chakrata, Uttarakhand. Its main goal originally was to conduct covert operations behind Chinese lines in the event of another Indo-China war.
• Ghatak Force: Ghatak is a special operations capable infantry platoon. Ghatak (meaning lethal) act as shock traps and usually contain 20 men.
  
• Force one: The Force One is an elite commando force, which is a specialized counter terrorism unit to guard the Mumbai metropolitan area. Formed on 26th November 2010, it main concern is law enforcement it the city.
• Marcos: MARCOS is an elite special operations unit of the Indian Navy. It is active from the year 1987 and is nicknamed as magarmach (crocodiles). With the motto of “The Few The Fearless” , the MARCOS have been engaged in various mission including the Kargil War and counter terrorists operations in Kashmir.
  
• Garud Commando Force: it is a Special Forces Unit of the Indian Air Force. Formed in September 2003, Garud is tasked with the protection of critical Air Force bases and installations; search and rescue during peace and hostilities and disaster relief during calamities. Its motto is “Offence is the Best form of Defence”.
  
• National Security Guard: Formed in 1984, it was primarily being used for counter-terrorism. The NSG’s roles include conducting anti-sabotage checks, rescuing hostages, neutralizing terrorist threats to vital installations, engaging terrorists, responding to hijacking and piracy and protecting VIPs.
  
• Special Protection Group: It is the executive protection agency of the Government of India. It is responsible for the protection of the Prime Minister of India, former Prime Ministers and their immediate family members. It was formed in 1988 and has an annual budget of approximately 279 crore.
  
• Cobra: It is the specialized unit of the CRPF created to counter the naxalite activities in India. It was formed on 12 September 2008 and has a motto of “Victory or Death”. They are specially trained in guerrilla warfare in the Army’s elite Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School. 

 Rishabh, Editorial Team

I am a defense aspirant and want to join the Indian Army through NDA. I love football and I am a student of class 11th. I am quite sure of joining the forces one day and I have a motto of ‘Never say Die’ in my life. Mail us to join our editorial team now.

As the name suggests, Shivalik is a multi-mode hand grenade, which can be converted into any of the three modules- fuze, grenade body and launcher tube. The modules can be easily assembled and disassembled which helps when in a conflict. The fuze assembly forms the basic module. With the explosive filled non-splintering body, it forms an offensive grenade. Addition of fragmenting sleeve transforms it into defensive grenade and the attachment of a launch tube converts it into a rifle grenade. However, changing the module of the grenade doesn’t effects its efficiency.

As its module can be easily changed, it is very useful in various combat situations. In offensive role, it can be used to wipe away a line of enemy defense from a distance of 50 meters. Being non-splintering type, offensive grenade on detonation stuns the enemy through concussion effect within a radius of about 5 m from the point of burst. In the defensive mode, it is used against the enemy troops in open when our own troops are in defense. The controlled and uniform spread of the fragments from the fragmenting sleeve can incapacitate a human being within a specified radius from the point of burst, but causes no harm to our own troops beyond a certain predetermined distance.

• Research and Analysis Wing of India
• Screening Test Day 1 of SSB Interview
• Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC
• Captain Vikram Batra
• Indian Army Artillery Equipment
• Designated Marksman Rifle DMR

 Rishabh, Editorial Team

I am a defense aspirant and want to join the Indian Army through NDA. I love football and I am a student of class 11th. I am quite sure of joining the forces one day and I have a motto of ‘Never say Die’ in my life. Mail us to join our editorial team now.

Personal Interview in a SSB is the most important factor in the selection of a candidate. PI cannot be predicted and the IO can ask you questions from any field. When it comes to the technical portion then these questions are very basic in nature and somehow they are related to defence and science. IO never goes in much deeper detail, but if you say that it is your childhood dream then IO will ask you anything. 

Some of these frequent asked questions at SSB are:

• Rotor blades have an airfoil shape, like the wings of an aircraft. So as the rotor turns, the air flows more over the top of the blades than does it below. This creates enough lift for flights.
• Second rotor rotates vertically or nearly vertically. The tail rotor’s position and distance from the center of gravity allow it to develop thrust in an opposite direction of the main rotor’s rotation to counter the torque effect created by main rotor. It prevents the chopper from spinning out of control. If it is not present, then the chopper will spin on its axis.
  

• RADAR stands of Radio Detection and Ranging. It is a system which uses radio-waves to determine the range, altitude, direction or sped of objects. It can be used to detect aircrafts, ships, missiles, vehicles, weather formations and terrain as well.
• Transmitter emits radio waves called radio signals in predetermined directions. When these come into contact with an object they are usually reflected or scattered in many directions and these signals are reflected back towards the transmitter which makes the radar work. Time difference between transmission of signal and reception of signals helps to calculate the distance.

• SONAR stands for Sound navigation and ranging It is system that uses sound propagation to navigate, communicate and detect objects on or under the surface of water. Ultrasonic waves are transmitted through water. When these waves come in contact with any object then these are reflected by the object in the water which produces an echo signal. By noting the time interval between the generation of the pulse and reception of the echo-signal, the distance of the object can be easily calculated.

Difference between Sound Waves and Radio Waves

• SONAR uses sound waves whereas the RADAR uses radio waves
• Sound waves can be heard because of high frequency but we need electronic devices to hear or see the radio waves.
• Radio waves travel greater distance because of longer wavelength.
• Sound waves cannot travel in vacuum because there is no air foe the waves to oscillate in. Whereas the radio waves can travel through vacuum. 

• AEWCS stands for Airborne Earning Warning and Control System. It is a system designed to detect aircrafts, ships and vehicles at long ranges. AEWCS is used at high altitude; the radars on the aircraft allow distinguishing between friendly and hostile objects hundreds of miles away. It carries surveillance and performs command and control of air battle space by directing fighter and attack aircrafts strikes. AEWCS and AWACS are the same. AWACS stands for Airborne Warning And Control System. 

• Cartridges have the gun powder, projectile and a mechanism to ignite gunpowder packed into one unit. When the gun’s trigger is pulled then it strikes the primer which catches fire which ignites the gunpowder and the projectile is forced out of the shell because of expanding gases. 

• Ballistic missiles are big, heavy and expensive. It has warheads on the rocket. Ballistic missiles reach heights beyond the atmosphere and re-enter atmosphere & deliver warheads to predetermined multiple targets. Its detection is easy.
• Cruise missiles are small, light but less powerful. These missiles do not go in the atmosphere but rather it stays very close to ground to prevent detection and hit the selected targets. Cruise missiles are difficult to detect as compared to ballistic missiles. 

• A rifle has a long barrel and has grooves inside the barrel which in result produces spin of a bullet which counters the effect of wind. Rifles are heavy and are more accurate of long barrel length and spin produced. Bullet shots from rifle travel faster.
• Carbines have small barrel length without any grooves. These are lighter than assault rifles but these are not so accurate and bullet shots travel slower than the rifle. The carbines are made from the rifles. 

 About Author: Naval Journey

www.navaljourney.com is a website whose aim is to help the aspirants who want to join the armed forces of India. The website publishes articles related to SSB and Defence. The website has its own SSB study forum where you can ask questions and also meet other aspirants through the online coaching classes. If you are serious about joining the armed forces, you should at least check out the website. Also,join it on facebook.

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW or R&AW) is the primary external intelligence agency of the Republic of India. Its creation was necessitated post the Sino-Indian War 1962 and Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 which posed various gaps in intelligence gathering undertaken by Intelligence Bureau (which then handled both internal and external intelligence). This convinced the Government of India that a specialized, independent agency was required for competent external intelligence gathering. The primary function of R&AW is collection of external intelligence and counter-terrorism. In addition, it is responsible for obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations and persons to advise Indian policymakers. R&AW is an effective and one of the primary instruments of India’s national power. It is also involved in the security of India’s nuclear programme. The headquarters of RAW is in Delhi.

Recruitment Research and Analysis Wing

Initially, R&AW relied primarily on trained intelligence officers who were recruited directly. These belonged to the external wing of the Intelligence Bureau. In times of great expansion, many candidates were taken from the military, police and other services. Later, R&AW began directly recruiting graduates from universities. From 1983 R&AW created its own service cadre, the Research and Analysis Service (RAS) to absorb talent from other UPSC Group A officer cadre. Direct recruitment at Class I executive level is from Civil services officers undergoing Foundation course at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. At the end of the course, R&AW conducts a campus interview. Based on a selection of psychological tests and the interview, candidates are inducted into R&AW for a lien period of one year. During this period, they have an option of rejoining their parent service (if they wish to) after which they can be permanently absorbed into the Research and Analysis Service.Officers are also deputed from the Indian Revenue Service. Additionally, recruitment is also by lateral deputation from the Armed Forces or Civil Service Officers. The Civil and Defence Service Officers permanently resign their cadre and join the RAS. However, according to recent reports, officers can return to their parent cadre after serving a specific period in the agency if they wish to. Most of the secretaries have been officers from the IPS. R&AW also employs a number of linguists and other experts in various fields. The service conditions of R&AW officers are governed by the Research and Analysis Wing (Recruitment, Cadre and Service) Rules, 1975.

Structure of Research and Analysis Wing RAW

Training:  The training is conducted in two phases:

• Basic Training: Basic training commences with ‘pep talks’ to boost the morale of the new recruit. This is a ten-day phase in which the inductee is familiarised with the real world of intelligence and espionage, as opposed to the spies of fiction. Common usages, tradecraft techniques and classification of information are taught. Financial and economic analysis, Space Technology, Information Security, Energy Security and Scientific knowledge is imbibed to the trainees. The recruit is made to specialise in a foreign language and introduced to Geo strategic analysis. Case studies of other agencies like CIA, KGB, ISI, Mossad and Secret Intelligence Service are presented for study. The inductee is also taught that intelligence organisations do not identify who is friend and who is foe, the country’s foreign policy does. Basic classroom training to R&AW officers are imparted at R&AW’s Training Institute in Gurgaon. A multi-disciplinary school of economic intelligence is also being set up in Mumbai to train intelligence officers in investigating economic crimes like money laundering for terror purposes etc.
• Advanced Training: After completing ‘Basic Training’ the recruit is now attached to a Field Intelligence Bureau (FIB). His/her training here lasts for 1–2 years. He/she is given firsthand experience of what it was to be out in the figurative cold, conducting clandestine operations. During night exercises under realistic conditions, he/she is taught infiltration and exfiltration. He/she is instructed to avoid capture and if caught, how to face interrogation. He/she learns the art of reconnoiter, making contacts, and, the numerous skills of operating an intelligence mission. At the end of the field training, the new recruit is brought back to the school for final polishing. Before his deployment in the field, he is given exhaustive training in the art of self-defence mainly Krav Maga, and the use of technical espionage devices. He/she is also drilled in various administrative disciplines so that he could take his place in the foreign missions without arousing suspicion. He/she is now ready to operate under the cover of an Embassy to gather information, set up his own network of informers, moles or operatives as the task may require. Field training is provided in the Indian Military Academy Headquarters at Dehradun.

• Formation and Structure of Indian Army
• Major Exercises of Indian Army
• How To Join Indian Army After Graduation

 Tashi Mishra, Editorial Team

She is a defense aspirant from Varanasi completed her BCA. She has attended SSB Interview at 1 AFSB Dehradoon and has more SSB coming up. She is confident about joining Defence Forces one day. Here, she is sharing her views and experience. Mail us to join our editorial team now.

Candidates are to apply for AFCAT 1 2014 only online on IAF career website www.careerairforce.nic.in from 14 December 2013 to 12 January 2014. Last date for submission of online applications: 12 January 2014. AFCAT will take place on 23rd Feb 2014.

Eligibility Conditions AFCAT 1 2014

1. Flying Branch – 15 SSC Course and 44 SSC Course
• Age: 19 to 23 years as on 01 January 2015 i.e. Born between 02 January 1992 to 01 January 1996 (Both dates inclusive). (Upper age limit for Candidates holding valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India) is relaxable upto 25 years i.e. born between 02 January 1990 to 01 January 1996 (Both dates inclusive).
• Educational Qualifications: Graduates (Minimum three year degree course) in any discipline from a recognised University who have attained minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together and have passed Maths and Physics at 10+2 level OR BE / B Tech degree (Four year course) from a recognised University with minimum 60% marks in aggregate in all papers put together.
  
2. Technical Branch 86 AEC / 58 SSC Course
• Age: 18 to 28 years as on 01 January 2015 i.e. Born between 02 January 1987 to 01 January 1997 (both dates inclusive).
• Educational Qualifications: 
• Aeronautical Engineer (Electronics) {AE (L)}. Candidates applying for AE (L) branch would be eligible if they have undergone a minimum of four year degree qualification from a recognised University or cleared Sections A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India or Graduate membership examination of the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers by actual studies.
• Aeronautical Engineer (Mechanical) {AE (M)}. Candidates applying for AE (M) branch would be eligible if they have undergone a minimum of four year degree qualification from a recognised University or cleared Sections A and B examination of Associate Membership of Institution of Engineers (India) or Aeronautical Society of India by actual studies.
3. Ground Duty Branches – 137 GDOC / 30 SSC Courses 
   

Also Read

• AFCAT 1 2014 Notification By IAF
• Air Force Selection Board
• How to Apply For AFCAT 2014

 About SSBCrack Editorial Team

The Editorial Team of SSBCrack consists of a group of Professional writers and aspirants. Their main aim is to provide up to date information regarding SSB Interviews and sharing quality information about Indian Defence to help aspirants. Mail us to join our editorial team now.

AFCAT 1 2014 is scheduled to be held on 23 February 2014.  You can apply online for this exam from the website careerairforce.nic.in. Candidates need to be ready with their important details like 12th and graduation marks, PABT details, number of subject studied in respective branch, choice of service etc. AFCAT 1 2014 online registration will go on till 12th Jan 2014.

1. Go to the website: www.careerairforce.nic.inOn the bottom right side of the page, you would see a button of Candidate Login, click on that button.
   

    

2. In that next page that will come up, click on new candidate.
   
3. You would be directed to candidate registration form, fill up that form along with the security code and click on submit.
   
4. You will receive an email on the email addresses provided by you.
5. Now, login to your account on the website using the username and password provided in that email.
6. On the left side of the page you would see various tabs, click on Application Part 2.  Carefully, fill up that form following the guidelines next to each part.
   
7. After completing part 2, click on the ‘continue to part 3’ button given on the bottom.
   
8. In part three, you have to tick the subjects that you may have studied and also other details like if you have appeared for PABT or not.
9. In the application form part 4, you have to fill up your course preference your, preferred AFCAT center and your AFSB center.
   
10. In part five, you have to fill up other details. Also, you have to upload a photograph of yourself. Make sure the photo presents the full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin. The soft copy of your photograph should be between 10 kb to 250 kb.
11. After filling part five, you can preview your application form.
12. In “Application Preview & Submit”, you need to scroll to the end of the page, click on ‘Final Submit’ button to complete your application form.
13.  No further changes would be allowed thereafter. Successful submission of application would be indicated on status on the left side window through the message ‘Application submitted to the Indian Air Force’. After the last date for receipt of applications, candidates who have successfully submitted their applications would be allotted AFCAT centers automatically as per a pre-determined logic. Candidates would be informed by e-mail about the allotment of centers. 

• AFCAT 2013 Cut Off Marks
• AFCAT 1 2014 Notification and Exam Date
• AFCAT 1/2013 Question Paper & Answers
• AFCAT Syllabus 2013

 About SSBCrack Editorial Team

The Editorial Team of SSBCrack consists of a group of Professional writers and aspirants. Their main aim is to provide up to date information regarding SSB Interviews and sharing quality information about Indian Defence to help aspirants. Mail us to join our editorial team now.