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 8 students from city Deer had gone for boating on the riverside. You had parked yourself on the southern side of the river at a point A. While your friends were boating, you were going to village Tiger to bring drinking water. While crossing the Railway line, you notice that one fish plate of the Railway line has been completely removed. A boy came running to inform you that he overheard 5 terrorists planting a powerful road mine to kill the Chief Minister who will be passing in one hour’s time. The terrorists were hiding in the nearby jungle. At the same time, one villager came to inform you that a tigress has mauled 2 young girls and they are lying unconscious in the jungle. Just then another man informs that his haystack was on fire and wanted your help. There is a Police post and a PCO in Village Lion. A messenger from PCO enquires your name and informs that your mother is seriously ill and your presence is immediately required. When you start moving, you see a young beautiful daughter of Pradhan of Village Tiger, who was walking along with you, just slips and falls in the ground well. But you do not know swimming. The Village Pradhan has got 5 guns with him. The train will pass through your location at 1600 hrs. A half an hour bus service is available between cities Deer and Bear. A number of carts are available in Village Fox. There is a motor boat that can travel at a speed of 10 km per hr. Time now is 1415 hrs. You have got a jeep with you, being young and brave students what will you do?
Sample GPE Priority-wise Problems
| PRIORITIES | REASONS | PROBLEMS |
| 1 | Threat to human life | Tigress mauled 2 girls in forest |
| 2 | Threat to human life | Pradhan’s daughter fell in well |
| 3 | Mass disaster | Haystack on fire |
| 4 | Mass disaster | Fish plate missing from railway track & train passing at 1600 hrs |
| 5 | CM arriving in 1 hour | Road mine to kill CM planted by terrorists |
| 6 | Minor problem | News about mother’s illness from PCO |
Sample GPE Group Division
| GROUPS | MEMBERS | ASSIGNED TASKS |
| 1 | P1, P2 | Railway track issue + Police alert |
| 2 | P3, P4 | Terrorist & CM threat |
| 3 | P5, P6 | Tigress victim rescue + Girl in well |
| 4 | P7, P8 | Fire control + Mother’s illness |
Sample GPE Solution Timeline
| GROUPS | TASKS | START | END | TIME TAKEN |
| 1 | Railway track issue + Police alert | 1415 hrs | 1435 hrs | 20 mins |
| 2 | Terrorist & CM threat | 1415 hrs | 1445 hrs | 30 mins |
| 3 | Tigress victim rescue + Girl in well | 1415 hrs | 1445 hrs | 30 mins |
| 4 | Fire control + Mother’s illness | 1415 hrs | 1440-1530 hrs | 1 hr 15 mins |
For detailed solution, check out Sample GPE With Detailed Solution For SSB Interview – Part 4
