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 seventeenth 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
Neha, recently promoted to HR Manager, was tasked with improving recruitment efficiency for her firm. During a walk-in interview, she encountered a candidate who had impressive qualifications but lacked confidence due to previous rejections. Neha patiently interviewed him, reviewed his resume thoroughly, and discovered strong potential in his previous work. She motivated him, explained his career fit in the company, and gave constructive feedback. She recommended him for a position matching his skillset. The candidate joined the company and performed well. Neha’s empathy, decision-making, and leadership brought new energy to the team.
Sample TAT & PPDT Story 2
Priya, the managing director of a tech start-up, had just launched a new hiring program to onboard fresh graduates. She personally conducted interviews to ensure quality and vision alignment with her company goals. While interviewing, she asked analytical questions, tested creative problem-solving through real-time cases, and evaluated behavioral skills. She created a score matrix for objective comparison of candidates and offered mentorship opportunities for those with potential. She selected a dynamic team that later led her startup to secure major funding. Her leadership inspired growth.
Sample TAT & PPDT Story 3
Kavita, a corporate leader, noticed that women were underrepresented in technical roles in her firm. She initiated a drive to recruit talented women professionals through university outreach and skill challenges. She mentored recruiters, developed an inclusive hiring policy, and ensured interview processes were bias-free. She personally oversaw the interview of a promising male candidate while ensuring diversity goals were still being met. Her initiative resulted in a 35% increase in female hires in core roles, fostering a balanced and productive environment.
Sample TAT & PPDT Story 4
Asha, the managing director of a pharmaceutical firm, was alerted about a case of résumé fraud in the interview process. She decided to directly confront the issue by interviewing the candidate herself and verifying credentials. She maintained a professional tone, asked precise questions, and upon confirming inconsistencies, advised the candidate on ethical conduct and future career improvement steps. She then ensured stronger verification systems were implemented in HR. Fraud prevention improved, and employees respected Asha’s integrity and fairness.
Sample TAT & PPDT Story 5
Sneha, an IAS officer recently assigned to a public sector enterprise, discovered inefficiencies in employee recruitment. She visited the recruitment office unannounced to monitor the ongoing hiring process. She interviewed candidates herself, observed interviewer conduct, and identified gaps in the evaluation process. She redesigned the interview process with focus on transparency, skill evaluation, and documentation. The next recruitment cycle saw a 50% improvement in selection quality and candidate satisfaction. Sneha earned commendation from higher authorities.
