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 coming from your small town Kalapur in a minibus going to neighbouring district town Nimganj to appear in an Exam commencing at 11:15 A.M. After dismounting from the minibus at village Ruppar you are waiting for the steamer to go across River Koyal. Suddenly a villager comes to you for help and informs that an old dilapidated haveli on the outskirts of the village Ruppar has crumbled down crushing five men, out of which two are seriously injured. He also tells that while he was working in his field nearby, he overheard two terrorists who had planted a bomb on the Railway Bridge on River Koyal and timed it to blow up at 10:15 A.M., when Mimganj- Kalapur passengers passes over it. He further added that they have gone to village Chara where they plan to exchange the contraband they were carrying with other party at 10:20 A.M. at Raju Hotel and chalk out plan to destroy a Pontoon Bridge on River Koyal further upstream. Subsequently as you were listening to this villager another shepherd comes running asking for help to put out the fire in his hut where he stored haystack and fodder for his cattle. The streamer service is twice a day and comes at 9:30 A.M. to leave for Nimganj. The minibus leaves back for Kalapur at 9:20 A.M. and its speed is 40 kmph. Due to some problem local communication from village Ruppar is out of order. The fishery department located on River Koyal has one rowing boat with capacity of four. Maximum speed upstream is 6 kmph and downstream is 15 kmph. Down train leaves Kalapur at 10:30 A.M. to reach Nimganj at 11:00 A.M.
Time now is 9 A.M. As bold young men/women what action will you take?
Sample GPE Priority-wise Problems
| PRIORITIES | REASONS | PROBLEMS |
| 1 | Threat to human life | Crashed haveli injuring 5 men (2 severely injured) |
| 2 | Mass disaster | Railway bridge blast at 10.15AM & train passing |
| 3 | Urgent | Contraband Exchange at 10.20AM at Chara & Pontoon bridge blast |
| 4 | Important | Shepherd’s hut on fire |
Sample GPE Group Division (Assuming 10 Students)
| GROUPS | MEMBERS | ASSIGNED TASKS |
| A | 2 | Rescuing trapped victims of crashed haveli |
| B | 2 | Prevent rail bridge blast |
| C | 2 | Prevent contraband exchange |
| D | 2 | Prevent Pontoon bridge blast |
| E | 2 | Douse fire in shepherd’s hut |
Sample GPE Solution Timeline
| GROUPS | TASKS | START | END | TIME TAKEN |
| A | Rescue trapped victims of crashed haveli | 9:00 AM | 9:35 AM | 35 mins |
| B | Prevent rail bridge blast | 9:00 AM | 9:10 AM | 10 mins |
| C | Prevent contraband exchange | 9:00 AM | 9:25 AM | 25 mins |
| D | Prevent Pontoon bridge blast | 9:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 30 mins |
| E | Douse fire in shepherd’s hut | 9:00 AM | 9:15 AM | 15 mins |
All groups (except Group A) will reassemble at 10AM at Ferry, reach Nimganj on foot (6km), meet with Group A at 11AM and appear in the Exam from 11.15AM.
For detailed solution, please check Sample GPE With Detailed Solution For SSB Interview – Part 15
