In the journey toward becoming a part of the Indian Armed Forces, the SSB interview holds a place of immense significance—especially for women candidates aspiring to break barriers and serve the nation with pride. As a part of our ongoing “Ladies Special” series, this twenty-seventh installment brings you 5 fresh and thoughtfully crafted sample stories for Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT) and Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). Each story is designed to reflect the qualities of an ideal officer—leadership, presence of mind, empathy, and determination—while also staying relatable to real-life scenarios women might envision. Whether you’re just starting your SSB preparation or looking to refine your narrative skills, these samples aim to guide and inspire.
Sample TAT & PPDT Picture
Sample TAT & PPDT Story 1
Anamika, the warden of a girls’ hostel, had received complaints from fellow residents about late-night disturbances from one of the rooms. One night, Anamika heard unusual noises and decided to investigate. As shown in the image, she carefully opened the door to check on the situation. She found a student having a severe panic attack due to academic stress. Anamika calmed her down, offered emotional support, and ensured she received counseling the next morning. She also revised hostel wellness protocols and introduced weekly stress-relief sessions. Her presence of mind, empathy, and initiative helped the student recover and created a supportive environment for others.
Sample TAT & PPDT Story 2
Sneha, a medical student, was at her grandmother’s house during the holidays. One evening, she noticed a strange burning smell while studying. As shown in the image, she followed the smell and cautiously opened the guest room door. Inside, she discovered a short-circuit had caused the lampshade to catch fire. She immediately turned off the main power supply, used water to put out the fire, and informed the family. She also educated her grandparents about electrical safety. Her quick thinking and alertness prevented a major fire hazard, earning praise from her family and neighbors.
Sample TAT & PPDT Story 3
Riya, a young journalist, was following a lead about illegal activities happening in an abandoned building used as a library front. Posing as a visitor, she entered the building. The picture shows her cautiously opening a room door where suspicious activity was suspected. Riya used her hidden camera to document evidence of the illegal dealings. She later handed over the proof to the police and wrote a detailed article on the issue, which led to action being taken by local authorities. Her courage, investigative skill, and sense of duty resulted in a breakthrough that improved local safety.
Sample TAT & PPDT Story 4
Kavya had returned home for a break after a long college semester. One night, she noticed her younger brother unusually quiet and missing from the dinner table. Worried, she went to his room and gently opened the door, as seen in the image. She found him in distress over bullying he faced at school. Kavya consoled him, talked to their parents, and later met the school counselor and principal to address the issue constructively. Her empathetic, solution-oriented approach helped her brother regain confidence and ensured bullying was addressed at school.
Sample TAT & PPDT Story 5
Meera, wife of an Army officer, lived in a cantonment house alone when her husband was on deployment. One night, she heard suspicious noises. With presence of mind, she picked up a torch and cautiously opened the study room door, shown in the image. She found a monkey had entered through an open window. Instead of panicking, she calmly ushered it out using a stick and closed all the windows properly. The next day, she raised a complaint to get protective grills installed in her quarters. Her composure, courage, and problem-solving nature exemplified the resilience expected of a soldier’s family.
