Page 70 - Failure to Triumph - Journey of A Student

My Target Service Selection Board (SSB)

The obstacles are painted in three colors namely

o White
o Black
o Red

Each one describes one rule.
White: - Both the candidate and the helping materials can touch the obstacle at this region.
Black: - Only the candidate can touch the obstacle in this region and not the helping materials.

Red: - Both the candidate and helping material should not touch the obstacles.

Group Discussion Topics and Tips

Friend Group Discussion G.D. is first test of the GTO series in SSB interview. It is an informal
discussion among group members on a current topic. Most important thing to keep in mind is IT IS
NOT A DEBATE. There are two discussions in first discussion candidates get choice and in second
discussion candidates don’t get any choice. Generally both the topics have 3 subtopics. For both
discussion 15 to 20 minutes are given to discuss.

A candidate is free to speak whatever he wants to speak and as many times he wants to speak. For
example

According to you which is the biggest problem our country is facing today:

o Illiteracy
o Poverty
o Population

Few tips: Things under observation are interpersonal skills, group behavior and knowledge. There
are certain Do’s and Don’ts which can help us to show our qualities in an effective manner. These
points are:

1. In 1st G.D. when a choice is available always try to give reasons for choice of particular topic to
group, generally group members jump to a topic skipping the discussion part in deciding the
topic. Giving your thoughts and helping the group to select a topic gives you an advantage.

Giving 2 to 3 reasons in favor of the topic of your choice is always beneficial.
2. Every time you speak you must speak for 25 to 30 seconds, giving one idea clearly.
3. Be active throughout the discussion and speak at regular intervals. For doing this you can

follow this technique after you finished a point, allow 2 or 3 members to speak and give next
point after that.
4. Giving positive ideas always.

5. And when the time is about to finish try to speak one point in favor of each sub topic.
6. A good body language is must to follow.

7. Never regulate and never indulge in 1 to 1 discussion.