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 thirtieth 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
Swati, a final-year criminology student, was returning home after her internship at a police station. She had developed a keen eye for suspicious behavior through her training. She noticed a man suddenly snatch a woman’s purse and run into the busy market. Without a second thought, she started chasing him. Others joined seeing her courage, Swati swiftly coordinated with bystanders, guided one to block the thief ahead while she closed in. They successfully caught the man, and she handed him over to the nearby traffic police. The woman got her belongings back. The police appreciated Swati’s presence of mind and bravery. She later received a recommendation letter from her internship officer.
Sample TAT & PPDT Story 2
Nayanika, an NCC cadet, was shopping in the market for her mother’s birthday gift. She saw a man snatch a phone from an elderly man and dash away. The bystanders were confused. Without panicking, Nayanika immediately took action. She whistled to get everyone’s attention, pointed out the thief’s direction, and ran ahead. She used her training to direct a shopkeeper to call the police while she and another youth caught the thief. The thief was arrested. Nayanika’s leadership and initiative were recognized by the local police inspector, and she was later felicitated on Republic Day at her college.
Sample TAT & PPDT Story 3
Meera, a civil services aspirant, was in the market for some stationery. She had always believed in taking swift and responsible civic action. A man was running after snatching a woman’s wallet. Meera saw this and immediately ran after him. Instead of yelling, she smartly used her phone’s torch feature to draw attention and led a few shopkeepers to form a human chain. The thief got confused and was trapped between people. Wallet returned, thief detained, and Meera’s rational decision-making in a chaotic situation made her a local role model. She was later invited by the local municipality to speak on civic awareness.
Sample TAT & PPDT Story 4
Sakshi, an NDA aspirant, was on her way to the coaching institute. Her OLQs were evident through her confidence and quick thinking. She saw a chain snatcher running through a busy road. People were shocked but hesitant. Sakshi didn’t wait. She shouted to alert others, began chasing the man, took a shortcut through a side alley, and managed to confront and stall the man until help arrived. She ensured the safety of the elderly woman who had fallen in the process. Her initiative and physical fitness were praised by everyone present. She used the incident as motivation to prepare harder for her SSB.
Sample TAT & PPDT Story 5
Nisha, a medical student, was returning from a local health camp. While walking, she noticed panic among people. A thief had stolen a woman’s chain and was running. People were trying to catch him. She also saw the woman who had fainted from the shock. While others chased the thief, Nisha quickly went to the woman, checked her pulse, and asked a nearby shopkeeper to call an ambulance. Then she noted the thief’s direction and gave a description to police. The thief was caught later using CCTV footage. The woman recovered, and Nisha was admired for balancing medical responsibility with civic vigilance.
