Serving with Honour

Officers Training Academy (OTA) is the prestigious training establishment of the Indian Army that takes in men and lady cadets to be commissioned as Short Service Commissioned Officers. 

The entry into the OTA is through Combined Defence Service(CDS) examinations conducted by the UPSC followed by an SSB interview(for non-technical cadets). 

Technical cadets (those with an engineering degree in the notified discipline), NCC special entry scheme cadets and Women cadets will have to clear the SSB interview only. 

The OTA offers short service commission to its cadets who pass out, which means that at the end of year five, an officer has three options: leaving the force ;opting for permanent commission or opting for an extension of another five years. 

Till recently there was no provision for extension of period of service for women officers beyond 10years.Now they can serve up to 14years. 

But men only have the option of seeking permanent commission. Women Officers however, enjoy the same perks and privileges as male officers. 

The job involves much more than handling a battlefield situation or a low intensity conflict. 

It is as much about intellect, quick thinking and judgment as it is about courage. And of course, you should have it in you to make it to the course. 

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Group Discussion & Tips

Group Discussion

It is one of the task in the group testing technique .In this task group seated in full circle and required to discuss the topic allotted by G.T.O. The discussion is of informal nature where in the members are free to express their opinion on the topic of discussion .Any speaker can speak any direction in any number of times the member desires. There is no conclusion required to arrive by the group. We may preferably speak in English,Hindi or mix of both. It is conducted in two parts as given below. 1.the GTO offers two subjects the group and give half a minute to decide the topic. He repeats the selected topic once again to allow 20 minutes of discussion time and abruptly stop the discussion. 2.GTO offers only one subject and allows 20 minutes of discussion time and end of which he terminate the task. 

TIPS 

1.Take initiative even in the selection of topic in case you want the topic of your choice. 

2.Initiate discussion if possible in both the parts. ie, you should be first to speak if not possible at least be second or third to speak. 

3.Be active participants through out the discussion. ie, speak as many number as possible. 

4.Convey depth in what you speak. Do not come out only with shallow level views. 5.Each time you enter the discussion do not repeat what you already said and what others are already added. Therefore come out with fresh views and new arguments. 

6.Give as many examples as possible, quotation, proverbs and factual data related to the topic because such details are more convincing to others. 

7.Be brief and to the points. ie, don’t drag your views because others would get irritated and cut it short that will interrupt you. 

8.In case some one is dragging you may interrupt otherwise don’t interrupt some one is just giving the point. 

9.At no stage you should display quarrelsome or aggressive attitude or show annoyance through words or via, expressions 

10.Don’t be conscious of the presence of the GTO. 

11.Give weaker numbers a chance to speak by encouraging them. 

12.Once in a way do appreciate the good points of others 

13.even when opposes other views be polite. 

14.Do not intent to talking only to those sitting on your adjacent sides. 

15.Talk loudly and clearly otherwise your views will go unheard in the group.

What is Lecturatte?and the Points to follow

As I told ,Lecturatte is one of the test by GTO.The task is to give a short talk in front of the audience.Some of your qualities are assessed from this test. In your team, each one turn wise will get an oppurtunity to give a short talk in front of the rest of the team.Regarding the lecturate topics, you will get three/four topics to select one topic to talk.The topics written on paper slips will be handed over to you just three minutes before your turn to talk.That means your preparation time will be three minutes.The time for speaking is also for three minutes. when you complete two and half minutes you will get a reminder that you left with half a minute to conclude.You may talk in English/Hindi. 

Some tips for the test: 1. Select a topic on which you are confident and feel easy,but not by looking at the importance of the topic. 2.Take some breathing time to decide and once you select the topic don't change it. 3.Be systematic in preparing and remembering the points on the topic.Group the points coming to your mind one bye one under Introduction,Body and Conclusion as headings.Then again those points can be divided under subheadings to remember the points well and to recollect while speaking. 4.Stand straight in front of the audience and face them squarely.Keep eye contact with the audience all the time.Turn your face to all the sides to see everyone in rotation. 5.Give an interesting introduction to your topic after addressing the audience. 6.Do not give gaps while speaking .Maintain an average and uniform speed.In case you forgot any point ,coolly get to next point. 7.Avoid peculiar mannerisems and gestures while speaking,because that will distract the listners. 8.Speak on more number of points briefly rather than dwelling only on a couple of points. 9.Have a hidden smile while speaking and if possible include some humour if your topic wants. 10.Speak loudly and clearly. 11.To make your lecture interesting add as many examples,proverbs,quotes and factual data related to the topic. 12.Vary your pitch while speaking. 13.Speak on topic for two and half minutes and give a conclusion on topic in half a minute. 14.Give some critical and personal views on topic during conclusion. 15.Stop on time with the same tempo as you started and walk back gracefully. 16.Practice the above points many times to be perfect during the test.

SSB Testing Procedure

Hai ,Happy New Year to all of you. 

My hearty wishes for Prosperous, Healthy, Meaningful, Successful and ever happiest days .

I was talking about the efforts taken by me to pass through one of the milestones ,I had set in my life, that is to serve in Indian Armed Forces.Now I want to share with you what I learned while achieving it. As you know the entry in to the Armed Forces as an Officer is restricted with a unique testing procedure by a board of officers called Service Selection Board (SSB).We have to clear various tests conducted by SSB. Before that we have to qualify in the Intelligence/screening test to appear in all the tests conducted by this board. These test are mainly grouped as Phychological,Group Testing Officer's(GTO),Interview and concluded with Board Conference. Psychological Tests include

TAT(Thematic Apperception Test),

WAT(Word Association Test),

SRT(Situation Reaction Test), 

Self Description. 

Group Testing Officer's(GTO): 

Group Discussion(GD), 

Planning Exercise(PE), 

Progressive Group Task(PGT), 

Group Obstacle Race(GOR), 

Half Group Task(HGT) ,

Lecturatte, 

Individual Obstacle(IO),

Command Task(CT),

Final Group Task(FGT).

Personal Interview and Board Conference. I will be discussing these tests one by one. 

Read on.........