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 (as many as you are in the group) have been selected from various units for taking part in a river rafting expedition and attached to a unit at Shakarpur. This morning prior to expedition, You had set up a temporary camp for carrying out practise on Rajpur-Shakarpur Canal. This afternoon while some of you had already proceeded to the canal; a few of you were checking the equipment when a person from TCP at Lanka came running to the camp and said “Sir, about 10 minutes ago, I was approached by the Post Master of Lanka village who had received information that some antisocial elements were planning to blow up the water head works at Rajpur at 1600 hrs. He also said that the co-driver of a 3 tons height being slightly more than the tunnel. This was a new 3 ton collected from Rajpur Railway Siding. The person from TCP added that all telephone lines including civil lines are down.” Meanwhile one of you suddenly exclaimed that he had forgotten his life jacket at the unit location. While you were planning the next course of action, one of the members of the group who had proceeded initially to the canal came running and told you that one of the boats had capsized and one of the occupants had drunk lots of water and required immediate evacuation.
Additional Information
•The 1 ton vehicle attached with you had gone to Shakarpur and is likely to return by 1430 hrs. The officer in charge of rafting team has gone to the Engineer Regiment at Mirapur and will be back by 1700 hours only.
•Due to increased terrorist activities, you have been provided with arms and ammunition.
•There is no police station in the vicinity. Time now is 1400 hours, what will you do in such a situation?
Sample GPE Priority-wise Problems
| PRIORITIES | REASONS | PROBLEMS |
| 1 | Threat to human life | Boat capsized at canal. One occupant drank a lot of water and required immediate medical attention. |
| 2 | Mass disaster | Anti-social elements planning to blow up the water head works at Rajpur at 1600 hrs. |
| 3 | Important | 3-ton truck (height > tunnel) may get stuck, delaying emergency response or aiding anti-social elements. |
| 4 | Minor problem | No life jacket with a group member. |
Sample GPE Group Division
| GROUPS | MEMBERS | ASSIGNED TASKS |
| 1 | 2 | Evacuate injured person from canal |
| 2 | 3 | Intercept 3-ton vehicle before it enters the tunnel |
| 3 | 3 | Prevent explosion at water head works in Rajpur |
Sample GPE Solution Timeline
| GROUPS | TASKS | START | END | TIME TAKEN |
| 1 | Rescue capsized victim | 1400 hrs | 1425 hrs | 25 mins |
| 2 | Stop 3-ton truck | 1400 hrs | 1440 hrs | 40 mins |
| 3 | Prevent Rajpur sabotage | 1430 hrs | 1455 hrs | 25 mins |
For detailed solution, check out Sample GPE With Detailed Solution For SSB Interview – Part 3
