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Importance of Language and Expression. Candidates must not forget that language of SSB is
English. You are required to be well versed in expressing your thoughts or ideas in English; in written
as well as spoken form. No doubt, you are allowed to give your answers in Hindi also. My own
experience suggests that only those candidates opt to answer in Hindi who cannot express themselves
well in English. Language is only a means to communicate one’s thoughts. Notwithstanding this I
would assert that knowledge of many languages is an asset of the personality that helps you to survive
well. Unfortunately, English language, in most part of our country has been declared as a symbol of
‘mental slavery’ of British by vested interests. Knowledge of English is not promoted because it is
against the patriotic spirit. I do not want to kick a controversy on this issue. As an officer, your area of
interaction is far beyond your own region or country. You will be interacting with your counterparts
from European American and commonwealth countries more than often. The literature of military
hardware is mostly available in English Language. So let us be flexible and without prejudice to any
language, acquire the skill to communicate in English well. I leave it to you how you are going to
acquire this.

Lesson 11
Call Letter-Journey-Reporting-Personal
Information Questionnaire

Tests at Selection Boards span over four to five days. You must plan for staying at least fifteen
days away from home comfortably and equip yourself accordingly. In most of the cases successful
candidates are sent for medical examinations from Boards immediately after declaration of results.
Medical examinations are carried out at nearest Military/Command Hospitals. Medical tests also may
last for about a week and hence must be prepared for a fifteen days rendezvous with mind and body as
scanning agencies are away from home. However, you must go through your call letter and come
prepared according to instructions given therein.
As per the established practice, candidates are received at the nearest railway station at appointed
date and time by a representative of the Board. On arrival, candidates are required to fill up various
forms for various official purposes. One of the most important papers a candidate is required to fill is
the Personal Information Questionnaire. Personal Information Questionnaire seeks total information
about the past of any candidate. A sample pattern of the PIQ is given at the end of the chapter. PIQ is
filled in two copies. One copy is given to the psychologist and the other one goes to the interviewing
officer.

Importance of PIQ : Personal Information Questionnaire contains the entire developmental history of an
individual. It is a complete reflection of your achievements, socio-economic background, percentage,
schoolings, hobbies and interests, achievement in various fields etc. Remember, what you are today is due to
your environment. You have complete control over the environmental factors; and therefore, you must be
truthful in supplying the information sought. Do not be tempted to exaggerate your achievements specially in
the field of co and extra curricular activities. Nor it is advisable to hide any point which you feel, reflects you in
poor light. A truthful PIQ is only a help to build a realistic image of the candidate. I want to quote two real
instances to prove my point.

Case I. I recall the case of Navin (not the real name), a candidate for NDA entry at 4 AFSB
Varanasi. The candidate hailed from Gorakhpur and belonged to an educated middle class
family. His father was an engineer in a public sector. He studied in St. Paul’s School of
Gorakhpur which is a reputed English medium school of that area. A highly motivated
candidate he was and took briefing from someone regarding SSB tests.