What is OLQ in SSB | Top 15 OLQS to Become an Officer

HIGHLIGHTS

Know What is OLQ in SSB (Officer Like Qualities) in SSB

List of all Top 15 OLQS for SSB

Detailed explanation of all the 15 OLQ with Life Examples

The officer-like qualities or OLQ is one the most common and familiar words among defense force aspirants from the age of 16.5 (minimum entry) old child of 11th std to 42 years (Maximum entry) age of MD in medicines.

The defense force aspirants(girls & boys) are trying hard to understand the OLQ and project themselves during SSB. But most of the candidates are either screened out or conference out, and very few are being selected.

what is olq in ssb

There are a number of coaching academies that are trying to teach their candidates about OLQ. Most of them are again could not get recommended.

The Indian defense force’s strength is not up to the required level, even after a short service entry scheme and service entry scheme in the Army have been introduced.

Also, huge numbers of ladies are joining the defense force at present.

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The question may come to our mind:

Why not the Service Selection Board take the initiative to fill the defense force’s existing vacancies? Why OLQ becomes a hurdle in front of the defense aspirants?

Studies have released that many aspirants could not join the Indian defense service, but they have performed exceptionally well for IAS.

On the latter side, The former President of India, Dr. Abdul Kalam, could not join the Army due to screen out/conference out.

But he was the supreme commander of the Armed Forces during his Presidency.

Today we will discuss the mandatory testing tools of three assessors (Psychologist, Ground Testing Officer & Interviewing Officer) in the Service Selection Board spread over India’s various places (details….)

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What is OLQ in SSB | Top 15 OLQ List For SSB

15 olqs for ssb

>> Factor – I (Planning and Organizing)

1. Effective Intelligence
2. Reasoning Ability
3. Organizing Ability
4. Power of Expression

>> Factor – II (Social Adjustment)

5. Social Adaptability
6. Co-operation
7. Sense of Responsibility

>> Factor – III (Social Effectiveness)

8. Initiative
9. Self Confidence
10. Speed of Decision
11. Ability to Influence the Group
12. Liveliness

>> Factor – IV (Dynamic)

13. Determination
14. Courage
15. Stamina

The responsibility of SSB is to find out potential future officers of the Indian armed force by using the above tools called OLQs.

It is formulated through extensive case studies and research by the defense and civil sectors’ eminent personalities.

Defense research institutes psychology centers have a full-fledged team of researchers who have their method to study, study & test various aspects of the OLQ on a theoretical and practical regular basis.

The assessors of the service selection board have to undergo & acquire adequate knowledge and experience from the above institute before taking over Service Selection Centres’ duties.

They have a tremendous responsibility to recommend only an individual who has the potential to serve as a future officer of the Indian force by fulfilling the above-listed OLQ.

As an ordinary course of applying for a job, it is prudent that necessary knowledge must be acquired and inherited during our academic and environmental experience.

Therefore all job aspirants of any profession need to pass a few essential examinations and interviews before getting appointed.

Similarly, the Indian defense force needs an individual who has become a good leader, personality, and determination at least a bare minimum.

Therefore the aim of SSB Is to select the potential officer after necessary training and practical knowledge.

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SSB requires Candidates to have a Good Personality. Build an Officer Like Personality from Day 1

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Life Example: OLQ Shown by Captain Pawan Kumar SC

I took this opportunity to salute the departed soul with humility and wowed in front of his proud parents.

I sincerely hope that the coming generations will inspire by the life example of Captain Pawan Kumar.


Capt Pawan Kumar, SC(Post…) was born on Army Day (January 15) and was the only son of Shri Rajbir Singh and Smt Kamlesh from Haryana.

He had the idea of joining the Armed Forces since his younger days. He continued to pursue his dream and eventually got selected to join the prestigious NDA after his schooling.

He got commissioned into 7 Dogra of the Dogra Regiment, an infantry regiment known for its gallant soldiers and numerous battle exploits & later volunteered to become Para SF officer Capt Pawan Kumar, die-hard soldier and loved adventurous life.

Capt Pawan Kumar was proud to be part of the force with steel men, whose physical and mental toughness was beyond compare.

During 2016, Capt Pawan Kumar served with 10 Para (SF) deployed in J& K for counter-insurgency operations.

On February 20, 2016, 4 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists armed with AK-47 Assault rifles, hand grenades, and explosives attacked a CRPF convoy on the main road linking Srinagar to Jammu, killing two police officers and a civilian.

The militants then took refuge in the government-run multi-story “Entrepreneurship Development Institute” in Pampore.

Leading from the front, Capt Pawan reached the top floor, firing on the door and the window of the room in which the militants were held up.

As he kicked the door to lob a hand grenade inside, a hidden terrorist shot him from close range.

indian army commandos

Undeterred by his grievous injuries and refusing evacuation, Capt Pawan kept firing at the terrorist and killed him.

He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred, but his gallant action paved the way for the security forces to complete the operation successfully.

Capt Pawan Kumar was a committed soldier and a brave officer who laid down his life at 23 years in the nation’s service.

Capt Pawan Kumar was given the gallantry award, “Shaurya Chakra,” on August 15, 2016, for his exceptional courage, fighting spirit, and supreme sacrifice. “I had one child, and I gave him to the Army to the nation. No father can be prouder.

captain pawan kumar

He was destined to be in the Army as he was Born on Army Day, January 15, 1993, Pawan’s father, Sri Rajbir Singh, said on hearing of his son’s death.

His last Facebook post said it all, “Kisi ko reservation chahiye toh kisiko azadi bhai, humein kuch nahi chahiye bhai bas apni razai (Some want reservations, some even freedom, but I want nothing, just my blanket).”


Pawan Kumar was a young and a dynamic officer, and He was a true commander
— Lt. Gen. S.K. Dua, (GOC of Udhampur based 15 Corps)

He is my close brother and my friend. We lost Capt. Pawan. When our running starts at 2 am late at night, he always says we don’t give up.
— Captain Prateek Chahal (Para SF 9)

Source

Based on Capt Pawan Kumar’s above amazing life story, it is 100 percent evident that he had proved himself that he was correctly evaluated as per OLQ during SSB for his NDA Entryway back.

Now let see each OLQ based on the life example of Capt Pawan Kumar.

>> Factor I: Factor Planning and Organizing

factor 1 olq list

1. Effective Intelligence

Is the intelligence utilized in coping with the practical situation of varying complexity

It is different from basic intelligence, which is the capacity to perceive relations or do abstract thinking.

The use of intelligence tests assesses basic intelligence. Effective intelligence includes practical intelligence and resourcefulness.

(a)Practical Intelligence: The capacity to evolve independent solutions to practical problems and situations.

(b)Resourcefulness: The capacity to put to use the available means for the desired end. It may be said to contain two factors:

(i) Improvisation of a solution and
(ii) Finding a solution when in a tight corner.

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2. Reasoning Ability

The ability to grasp the essential well and to arrive at conclusions by rational thinking. Reasoning ability includes receptivity, inquiring attitude, logical reasoning, and seeing essentials of a problem.

(a) Receptivity: The ability to understand and absorb new impressions. It involves interest, attention, and grasping power

(b)Inquiring Attitude: Healthy curiosity, resulting in an urge to increase one’s general knowledge and experience in life.

(c)Logical Reasoning: The ability to arrive at a conclusion or judgment based strictly on the process of rational thinking, excluding emotional factors.

(d)Seeing Essentials of a Problem: The ability by which the individual is clear in his knowledge of the situation at hand can analyze various factors, sift them in order of importance and make the best use of them towards achieving a solution.

3. Organizing Ability

The ability to arrange resources in a systematic way to produce effective results. It can also be defined as the ability to put the best use of the available means to attain the desired objective.

4. Power of Expression

The ability to put across one’s ideas adequately with ease and clarity.

>> Factor II: Factor Social Adjustment

factor 2 olq list

Social Adaptability: An individual can adapt to the social environment and adjust well with persons and social groups, with particular reference to superiors, equals, and subordinates. Social adaptability includes social intelligence, attitude towards others, tact, and adaptability.

5. Social Intelligence

The ability to deal with individuals singly or in a group and to be able to get along with superiors, equals, and subordinates.

(a)Attitude Towards others: The ability to put oneself into the other man’s position to appreciate justifiable difficulties, to enable rendering of help in a proper way.

(b)Tact: Skillful management of the feeling of the persons dealt with.

(c)Adaptability: The ability to adjust to the environment with particular reference to the background’s social situations. When considering the service aspect, it involves a resilient nature shown by an accommodative tendency, keenness, and interest in service life.

6. Co-operation

An individual’s attitude is to willingly participate in harmony with others to achieve the group goal.

This implies a belief in the collective effort being more productive than the individual step. Co-operation includes the element of joint action and team spirit.

Team spirit indicates loyalty to the aims and objects of the Group to the extent of subordinating individual purpose to the group aim.

7. Sense of Responsibility

It enables a person to be dependable and to discharge his obligation willingly. It includes a sense of duty but is much more comprehensive in meaning and scope. Sense of Responsibility implies:

(a)Sense of Duty: Faithfully and firmly doing what one is ordered to do.

(b)Discipline: A trained sense of acting strictly following rules, regulations, and conventions. This factor promotes the development of self-control and keeps one within the bounds of social and customary standards.

Sense of Responsibility, therefore, means:

(a) A thorough understanding of the values of duty, social standard, and what is required from an individual. And then giving his energy and attention of his own accord.

(b) Taking initiative and doing one’s best, carrying out even unspecified and probably unforeseen duties and obligations, rather than faithfully carrying out only what one is told to do. It demonstrates a moral willingness to bear the consequences.

>> Factor III: Factor Social Effectiveness

factor 3 olq list

8. Initiative

The ability to originate action and sustain it. It has four aspects: the ability to take the first step; and act first, usually in a new, subsequently emerging situation, in the right direction and maintain it.

9. Self-confidence

It is the faith in one’s ability to meet stressful situations, particularly those unfamiliar.

10. Speed of Decision

The ability to arrive at workable decisions expeditiously. It comprises:

(a) The appropriateness of the decision arrived at.

(b) The quickness in arriving at a decision.

11. Ability to influence the Group

The ability enables an individual to bring about the Group’s willing effort to achieve the desired objective. This influence is the prime cause of the cooperative and generous action of the Group towards achieving a set purpose.

12. Liveliness

The capacity of an individual to keep himself buoyant when meeting problems and bring about a cheerful atmosphere.

>> Factor IV: Dynamic Factor

factor 4 olq list

13. Determination

A sustained effort to achieve the objective despite obstacles and setbacks. It implies fixedness of purpose, mental concentration, and strength of will. It includes:-

(a)Application to Work: The Capacity of physical application to work.

(b)Drive: The inner motive power at the disposal of an individual. It is the capacity to force oneself along when under pressure and with urgency towards the object’s achievement. It May inspire energetic action in others towards the achievement of a common goal.

14. Courage

The ability to appreciate and take purposive risks willingly. It includes:-

(a) Ability to meet appreciated danger.

(b) Spirit of adventure, an enterprising spirit, and a willingness to dare a risk

(c) Capacity to keep oneself composed in adverse situations and enabling one to be steady in handling such cases

15. Stamina

The capacity to withstand protracted physical & mental strain. It emphasizes endurance.

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Conclusion

Officer Like Qualities are an important sets of requirement for any candidate looking to become an officer in the indian Armed Forces

SSB and its management is responsible to find such qualities in an individual and recommend them for further process and training.

The above article gives you an overview of what is OLQ in SSB and the 15 different types of SSB which you should have in order to serve and make a career in the armed forces as an officer

All these qualities can be developed over time. So if you feel that you lack in any one of these qualities, work on it from Day 1.


Recommended: Read for More Details on How to Develop OLQ on Daily Basis


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