The year 2019 marks the 20th anniversary of the successful culmination of Operation Vijay wherein brave soldiers of the Indian Army overcame seemingly insurmountable odds, hostile terrain, weather, and a determined enemy occupying dominating heights, to win the Kargil war. On this momentous occasion, the Indian Army is celebrating this victory in memory of its brave martyrs with events covering a myriad spectrum. One of the major events planned during the celebrations is the relay of a Victory Flame from National War Memorial, New Delhi to Kargil War Memorial, Dras. The Victory Flame symbolizes the coalescence of the souls of the Kargil War martyrs. The Victory Flame was lit at the National War Memorial, New Delhi, by Honourable Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh on 14 July 19 along with General Bipin Rawat, COAS, Subedar Sanjay Kumar, PVC handed it over to ace army shooter Subedar Jitu Rai, as the first torchbearer.
The event was attended by Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, GOC-in-C Northern command, Lt Gen Y K Joshi, Fire and Fury Corps and a large number of officer & civil dignitaries. The Victory Flame will be carried by Indian Army’s outstanding sportsmen and war heroes. It will pass through nine major towns/ cities of North India and finally culminate at the Kargil War Memorial located at Dras on 26 Jul 19,where it will be received by the COAS. All along the journey, Indian Army personnel will be paying homage to the heroes who fought valiantly for the Nation.
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The design of the Victory Torch has been inspired by the grit, guts and glory displayed by the immortals who made the supreme sacrifice for the motherland in the finest tradition of the Indian Army. The Torch is made of copper, brass and wood which symbolizes the tenacity and determination of our fallen heroes. The upper portion of the Torch has a metal etching of the Amar Jawan, epitomizing the fallen Unknown Soldiers. The lower wooden portion of the Torch has 20 gold embossed inscriptions of the Amar Jawan exemplifying 20 glorious years of the Kargil Victory.
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This Victory Flame and the journey of the eternal flame from the National War Memorial to the Kargil War Memorial brings alive the theme of the 20th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas -‘Remember, Rejoice and Renew’. We ‘remember’ our martyrs by revisiting their sacrifices, we ‘rejoice’ by celebrating the victory in Kargil and we ‘renew’ our resolve to safeguard the honour of the Tricolour.
Applications are invited from eligible unmarried Male and unmarried Female Engineering Graduates and also from Widows of Defence Personnel who died in harness for grant of Short Service Commission (SSC) in the Indian Army. Course will commence in Apr 2020 at Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Age Limit
For SSC(Tech)- 54 Men and SSCW(Tech)- 25 Women. 20 to 27 years as on 01 Apr 2020 (Candidates born between 02 Apr 93 and 01 Apr 2000, both days inclusive).
For widows of Defence Personnel who Died in Harness Only. SSCW (Non Tech) [Non UPSC] and SSCW(Tech) – A maximum of 35 years of age as on 01 Apr 2020.
Educational Qualification for SSC(Tech)(Men and Women)
Candidates who have passed the requisite Engineering Degree course or are in the final year of Engineering Degree course are eligible to apply. Candidates studying in the final year of Engineering degree course should be able to submit proof of passing by 01 Apr 2020 and produce the Engineering Degree Certificate within 12 weeks from the date of commencement of training at Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Such candidates will be inducted on Additional Bond Basis for recovery of the cost of training at Officers Training Academy (OTA) as notified from time to time as well as stipend and pay & allowances paid.
Important Note: Candidates must note that for induction to Pre Commission Training Academy, after final selection, the minimum educational qualification is passing BE/B.Tech degree in the Engineering streams notified below at Para 3. To become eligible for induction into SSC(Tech)-54 (Men) and SSC(Tech)-25 (Women) course at Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, candidates studying in final year of engineering must ensure that he/she submits the proof of passing engineering degree exam by 01 Apr 2020 to Directorate General of Recruiting, failing which his/her candidature will be cancelled.
Educational Qualification for Widows of Defence Personnel who Died in Harness (i) SSCW (Non Tech) (Non UPSC). Graduation in any Discipline. (ii) SSCW(Tech). BE/B Tech in any Engineering stream.
Important Note: Candidate studying in final year of Degree must ensure that he/she submits the proof of passing Degree exam by 01 Apr 2020 to Directorate General of Recruiting, failing which her candidature will be cancelled.
Vacancies: Candidates must note that only the Engineering streams and their acceptable equivalent streams, strictly as notified in the table below, will be accepted. Candidates with degrees in any other engineering stream(s) are not eligible to apply. Variation between the nomenclature of Engineering stream as given on the degree parchment / marksheet and that submitted by the candidate in his online application will result in cancellation of candidature.
For SSC(Tech)-54 Men and SSCW(Tech)-25
For Widows of Defence Personnel only
SSC(W) (Non Tech) (Non UPSC) 01
Graduate in any stream SSC(W) Tech 01 B.E/B.Tech in any tech stream
A candidate is permitted to apply for only one entry /discipline of the above courses. Change of Entry or qualification choice will not be entertained at any stage of selection process.
Type of Commission
Grant of Commission. Selected candidates will be granted Short Service Commission on probation in the rank of Lt from the date of commencement of the course or the date of reporting at Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, whichever is later and will be entitled to full pay and allowances admissible to Lt during training period. Pay & allowances will be paid after successful completion of training.
Confirmation of Short Service Commission. On successful completion of Pre Commission training at OTA, officer will be confirmed Short Service Commission (Technical) in the rank of Lt.
Ante Date Seniority. One year ante date seniority from the date of commission will be granted to Engineering Graduates of Short Service Commission (Technical) in the rank of Lt.
No Ante Date Seniority for widows of Defence Personnel for SSC(NT). Widows of Defence Personnel selected for SSCW (NT) entry will be granted Short Service Commission in the rank of Lieutenant but will NOT be entitled to any ante date seniority.
Indian army has published the merit list of JAG 23 for women. JAG 23 course is going to commence in Oct 2019 at OTA Chennai. Candidates who have cleared the JAG 23 SSB interview can check the merit list for men and women. Candidates will get the joining instructions as per the order in the merit list. JAG 23 men merit list will be published. SSBCrack congratulates all the successful candidates.
Mohd Tariq & Mohd Shabbir, brothers of Army personnel Aurangzeb join Indian Army during Enrolment Parade of 100 New Recruits, today in Rajouri. Aurangzeb was abducted & later killed by terrorists, when he was on his way home on June 14, 2018. Mohammed Tariq, 23, and Mohammed Shabbir, 21, attended an enrolment parade of 100 new recruits in the Territorial Army in Rajouri on Monday, according to a defence spokesperson. “They were enrolled into a territorial battalion on Monday and now they will undergo training at Punjab Regimental Centre,” the spokesperson said.They posed with their parents Mohammed Hanif and Raaj Begum after donning the olive green. Hanif is also a former army man. Aurangzeb was abducted in Pulwama and later killed by armed terrorists on June 14, 2018, when he was on his way back home in Poonch to celebrate Eid with his family. He was a rifleman in the army’s 44 Rashtriya Rifles.
Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 313, the fifth Dornier aircraft squadron was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Admiral Karambir Singh, PVSM AVSM ADC Chief of the Naval Staff at an impressive ceremony held at Naval Air Enclave, Meenambakkam, today, on 22 Jul 19. Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, AVSM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Rear Admiral KJ Kumar VSM, Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA) and a host of other dignitaries were also present during the commissioning ceremony.
Addressing the gathering Admiral Karambir Singh said that, “Commissioning of INAS 313 marks yet another milestone in our efforts towards enhancing maritime security and safeguarding our nation’s maritime interests”. He also emphasised the importance of India maintaining an edge over its adversaries in defence preparedness. The developing geo-political situation in the region needs to be monitored constantly. It is therefore, necessary to maintain surveillance over the Bay of Bengal, Palk Bay and adjoining regions. The strategic position of the squadron will give the nation, dominance over the North Eastern part of the Indian Ocean which also consists of trade routes.
The Squadron will be operating from Chennai International Airport. With commissioning of INAS 313, the State of Tamil Nadu will have three naval air bases; which is the highest number for any Coastal State. INS Rajali at Arakkonam and INS Parundu at Ramnad are the other two air bases in Tamil Nadu.
INAS 313 derives its name ‘Sea Eagle’ from the bird of prey family Accipitridae. The insignia of the squadron depicts a ‘Greater Spotted Eagle’ searching over the vast blue and white sea waves. ‘Greater Spotted Eagle’ is a large bird of prey and has good sensory capabilities, symbolising the envisaged role of the squadron. The Squadron will operate Dornier aircraft which is a multi-role Short Range Maritime Reconnaissance (SRMR) aircraft manufactured by HAL, under license from RUAG Aerospace. The aircraft is used for maritime surveillance, Search and Rescue Operations and to provide targeting data to weapon platforms. Contributing towards indigenous development and self-reliance through “Make in India”, Navy is procuring 12 new Dornier aircraft from HAL with improved sensors and equipment including glass cockpit, advanced surveillance radar, Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), optical sensors and networking features. These aircraft are being delivered in a phased manner to the Indian Navy.
INAS 313 is commanded by Cdr Vivek Koman, an accomplished and experienced Dornier test pilot with extensive operational experience.
If you are reading this then I am pretty sure you are already in for a hell of a ride who did not give up and made it in his 12th attempt. I have seen everything and have felt every emotion that an armed forces aspirant goes through. I have slept on platforms, dormitory, travelled in general compartments, slept in the alley of the sleeper trains, woken up with dreams of getting recommended, left important team-client meetings and exams for SSBs and finally cried for an hour on getting recommended. Repeated failed attempts had exhausted me and I was nearing the last eligible age limits. I always tried to give my best to improve my personality traits according to the demands of ssb and every decision or action I took in my profession and personal life revolved around this.
According to me, SSB is a reflection of our life. Thinking of being good in only 5 days of SSB process won’t fetch you recommendation. The personality is required to be analysed and moulded based on your weakness and it does not happen overnight as it takes time. Anyone can clear SSB based on two conditions. First one is, those who clear SSB in is the first attempt had OLQs since an early age. The second one is, those who take various attempts have to mould there personality thereby practicing OLQs in their day to day life to earn a recommendation.
Almost in every closing ceremony of screening and conference results the assessors use to advise us to be professional as much as you can and I strived to be professionally competent and mentally robust day by day thereby earning 1st bucket in two consecutive years at my office. Giving my best each and every day made me become the best version of my self every passing day. I always believed that what I am doing is getting me closer to the recommendation.
Since last three years I have been actively participating in half marathons, 1k run, 5k run, 15k run, 20k cycling, and 50k cycling championships and following up with my hobbies of reading books and photography to have a dynamic personality. Sacrifices done in the past will be paid in the future is what I always believed into and that made me stay out of my comfort zone every second.
Now I would like to share my experience in 5 days SSB process Day 1:-350 candidates reported on the first day. Screening process started and we were made to go through verbal and non-verbal test series. I tried to complete as many as I can by maintaining focus and consistency. Then we were shown a picture to which we had to right the action and a story within 4 minutes. What here I would like to suggest is make a practical and reasonable story and try to relate the story with ur real-life experiences or else try to keep the main character in place of you and think what you could have done using your utter common sense if you were kept in place of him. The results were announced. Total 40 candidates got screened in and I was allotted chest no. 39.
Day2:-We were already briefed by CHM to report at 6:30 am for our psychology test. Test started and we were shown 11 pictures followed by a blank story. Absolutely and accurate observation is the key to TAT. I tried my best to reflect the actions and emotions shown in the picture to be seen in my stories. I was able to relate most of the stories with my hobbies and work-life thereby maintaining the soul theme of the story. According to me, WAT is a reflection of ur qualities and characteristics. Try to maintain the response to words shown in WAT revolving around your personality. Be professional and reasonable when it comes to SRT and try to maintain the consistency of ur responses throughout as many situations will be repeated with minimal modifications. SD is a reflection of our personality and can be prepared well in advance.
Day3:-We reported for GTO at 6:30 am. Topics were given and we were made to discuss them. Key to GD is politeness and etiquette when you deliver your point and general awareness to add weight to your points. In GPE you need to be a problem solver who is good in tactical, administrative, organisational and planning abilities. Read instructions carefully and mentally note down minute details including time and distance. Ensure the resources available at your disposal are utilised to the maximum. Speak deliberately and ensure that the whole group is listening to you. Try to be a spokesperson for your group. In PGT plan and make appropriate use of other members of the group, give them responsibility without bossing over them keeping in view the principle- the right man for the right job. Never lose temper or shout at others but be patient and careful and show a friendly and cordial approach. In snake race during our first obstacle, we were at last to finish but finished up with the first position with utter cooperation. Then for the HGT maintain cooperation and coordination with the group members. In LECTURETTE command over language is required added by awareness to it. Remember your introduction must be interesting, the main body put across in a logical, systematic and forceful manner and the conclusion natural and brief.
Day4:- It started with individual obstacles and I managed to complete 13. In CT I had a long conversation with GTO for about 20minutes in which he asked about my job, personal life, achievements, hobbies, interests, what improvements I made and how I overcame difficulties and obstacles at my profession and personal life. The difficulty level of CT was high and somehow I managed to complete it. Whole group coordination was shown in FGT.
My interview was scheduled on the 4th day after GTO. I dressed up and went for the interview. The whole interview was based on my PIQ. The interview is a clear reflection of what you are in real life. Try to be as much as professionally competent and responsible as much as you can in your day to day like. Take your time and do concentrated research on your hobbies and interests. Improving your personality is a dynamic process that will make you sail through the interview. My interview lasted for about an hour.
Day 5:- It didn’t take even more than a min after the call of the last candidate and I was called in. I started thinking it can a straight no or yes. I even started playing my journey back home when I was walking to the conference room. The IO asked me how do I relate my real-life experience with SSB the followed by my stay in SSB and food. The psychologist came and announced my chest no. 39 and tears started rolling down my eyes. I had a glimpse of the long struggle I have been to and cried for half an hour. Called my father who is a serving JCO in Indian Air Force that main recommend ho gaya and I am gonna be the first officer in my family.
Ex Garuda 2019, a bilateral Indo-French large force employment warfare exercise hosted by French Air Force (FAF) from 01 to 12 Jul 19 at Mont-de-Marsan France, was successfully completed with the IAF contingent landing back in India on 19 Jul 19. Garuda-VI was the largest international air training exercise for the year 2019. The IAF contingent consisted of 134 air-warriors. The participating aircraft included four Su-30 MKI fighters besides one IL-78 and two C-17 aircraft that provided logistic support during induction and de-induction. The contingent departed for the exercise from India on 25 Jun 19 with an objective of operating in the International environment at Mont-de-Marsan, France.
Objectives for the exercise were to foster closer relationship between India and France so as to promote interoperability through exchange of knowledge and experience. The exercise ensured that the participating forces were exposed to operational environment in an international scenario. Garuda VI was planned in two phases. In these phases, both IAF and FAF flew missions involving Large Force Engagement (LFE) air combat exercises in near realistic environment and exchanged best practices towards enhancing our operational capability. IAF undertook operations both by day and by night. During the exercise, IAF maintenance crew ensured 100% serviceability of all assets, thus ensuring that all missions were flown on all days as planned.
Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria, Vice Chief of Air Staff visited the IAF contingent during the exercise and also flew in the final mission. Mr. Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Ambassador of India to France & General Philippe Lavigne, Chief of Staff of the French Air Force and Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria interacted with GARUDA participants during the closing ceremony of Exercise Garuda-VI on 12 Jul 19. IAF appreciated FAF for the professional conduct of the exercise and overall excellent support provided.
Participation in an International air exercise assumes importance in view of the continued engagement of the IAF with friendly foreign countries. Over the last decade, IAF has been actively participating in operational exercises hosted by various countries, wherein collaborative engagements have been undertaken with the best air forces in the world. It was a unique, fascinating and timeless learning at the exercise for the IAF contingent. The Operational lessons learnt by IAF during the exercise will assist IAF in adding more teeth to its overall war waging capabilities and assist us in better jointmanship with the friendly forces.
MS Dhoni’s request to train with the Indian Army has been approved by General Bipin Rawat. He would train with the Parachute Regiment battalion. Some part of the training is also expected to take place in J&K. Army won’t allow Dhoni to be part of any active Op.
MS Dhoni has informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he will be unavailable for two months and as a result, will be missing India’s tour of the West Indies next month as he is joining the para regiment for the next 2 months. Dhoni, who holds an honorary post of Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute regiment of the Territorial Army, had made this commitment even before the Cricket World Cup 2019. The MSK Prasad-led BCCI selection panel will meet on Sunday to announce the team.
India’s tour of the West Indies will begin with a three-match T20I series starting August 3. The teams will then play three ODIs and two Test matches between August 8-30. Dhoni meanwhile, has no immediate plans to retire from limited-overs international cricket despite the intense speculation surrounding his future, his longtime friend and business partner Arun Pandey said Friday.
My journey started in 2014 when I finally got my SSB call letter in 1st year of engineering. From there on I gave 13 SSB before I got to know about Brig. Dixit who lives in Gurgaon. I went to him and immediately knew that the kind of training he provides can’t be found anywhere else. I approached my Coast Guard SSB according to his guidance. PSB was easy, I prepared my OIR from YouTube and answered all the questions confidently, even though I missed a couple of questions but I did not let it bother me. Thereafter, for PPDT a picture of a girl standing on the bridge was shown to us, I made a story on how a Civil Engineer in PWD found cracks on a bridge and how she tackled the situation. I along with 7 more candidates were selected for FSB. After a month, my FSB was scheduled. I reported there on time and after documentation, got my chest no. 56 and we were escorted to our rooms. Next day, we reported at 0700 hrs for the psych test. Psych test was easy for me as I had prepared for it thoroughly with Brig Dixit, he had made me understand how to approach it and answer efficiently. I did all TAT, WAT, 52 SRT and wrote my SD neatly. Next day I had free, hence I prepared for my interview, made new friends and enjoyed the company of my book. Our GTO was in the second slot, hence we had to report at 1000 hrs, topics for the GD was ‘Which approach should India take against Pakistan a) Political b) Diplomatic c) Military’ and ‘Reasons of stress in teens today’ I actively participated in both the GDs and put across my points clearly and confidently. In GPE, I wrote my solution neatly, put my points across and helped the group in forming a common solution. In lecturate, I spoke on ‘Public Distribution System’, I divided my lecture in ‘Intro, Needs, Problems, Current developments, Future Possibilities”.
My interview was scheduled for the next day and was one of the last person to be interviewed, I was very confident for the interview because Brig. Dixit had taken 20+ full length interviews of mine in the past, which helped me to understand the approach and the tact to handle various questions. The interviewer asked me all the CIQs in one go, I listened to him patiently, memorised the questions asked and answered each question in a calm and satisfactory manner. He tried to corner me but I was able to handle all the questions easily. He asked me 6-7 current affairs questions as well and I was able to answer 5 out of those. After the interview, I decided to show my roommates Delhi as it’s my hometown. We visited War Memorial, India Gate, CP and Bangla Sahib and thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company.
On the D day, I had to wait for 4-5 minutes before officers
called me in for the conference. They asked me about my stay, places we
visited, also asked me to rank the techniques wrt my performance. I put
interview at first and Psych at last. President asked me to tell me answers of
2 questions I couldn’t answer during the interview, I answered both confidently
as I prepared them last night. They asked me about my future career options and
wished me luck.
After everything, we had to wait for the result, I was the
second one to be called out. Couldn’t believe it for a second, proudly gave my
name and date of birth and was standing among the other 7 selected boys. It was
indeed a proud moment, something that I had dreamt of since a long time. I was
in tears and could only think about my parents and how they have always
supported me.
I would like to thank Brig. Dixit for all the guidance, nurture, love and motivation. I am blessed to have a trainer like you. I would also like to thank SSBCrack for so many inspiring articles, regular updates and material to practice from.
