The Group Planning Exercise (GPE) is a key component of the Group Task (GT) series at the SSB, designed to evaluate a candidate’s planning, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. In a typical GPE, you will be presented with a map, a situation, and several problems to tackle within a limited timeframe. You and your group must come up with a detailed, logical plan to address all issues effectively.
Below, you will find a situation. Read it carefully, analyse the information, and then propose a step-by-step plan in the comments section.
Sample GPE Map

Sample GPE Story
You are a group of students from Dimapur district science college traveling to Nokia Fort on picnic. Instead of taking the hourly intercity bus service from Dimapur to Ranapur, you had hired a minibus for the picnic. On reaching the ferry point, you found a boatman bleeding profusely in the floor of a boat. He said that about 15 minutes back, four dacoits had crossed the river Damdama on his boat. During the ride, they were discussing their plans. They had planned to exchange drugs in the ruins near Chakrata international border from a foreign agent. Their leader Dacoit Mogambo had gone to Ramnagar to poison the drinking water tank during the annual mela to be held at 12 noon. When he had protested to poisoning of the water tank, the dacoits stabbed and injured him badly. After narrating the incidents, the boatman became unconscious. When you were contemplating your plan of action, a poor lady comes running towards you. The lady cried to you saying that her hut was on fire and requests your help to save her only house. The time now is 10 a.m. Placed under such situation, what will you do?
Sample GPE Priority-wise Problems
PRIORITIES | REASONS | PROBLEMS |
1 | Threat to human life | Injured boatman |
2 | Mass disaster | Poisoning at Ramnagar water tank at 12 noon |
3 | Urgent | Drug exchange at ruins |
4 | Important | Fire in poor lady’s hut |
Sample GPE Group Division (Assuming 8 Students)
GROUPS | MEMBERS | ASSIGNED TASKS |
A | 2 | Stop poisoning at Ramnagar water tank |
B | 2 | Help fire victim and control fire |
C | 2 | Report & intercept dacoits at ruins |
D | 2 | Give first aid to boatman and hospitalize him |
Sample GPE Solution Timeline
GROUPS | TASKS | START | END | TIME TAKEN |
A | Water tank mission | 10:00 AM | 10:20 AM | 20 mins |
B | Fire rescue | 10:00 AM | 10:20 AM | 20 mins |
C | Drug exchange alert | 10:00 AM | 10:25 AM | 25 mins |
D | Helping Boatman | 10:00 AM | 10:20 AM | 20 mins |
For detailed solution, check out Sample GPE With Detailed Solution For SSB Interview – Part 14