It was the most difficult task of the day early in the morning at 0500 hrs of 2nd of October 2010 that is to wake up. We were ordered to gather near barracks at 7 AM with our luggage packed. We completed our daily business, bathed and taken food and gathered at the specified area. We are then given instructions and taken to the Stage I testing area that is Screening test in which we are to face two intelligence tests of 40-40 multiple choice questions which are to be completed in 17 minutes respectively. After the intelligence test we are shown a blunt hazy picture to write a story upon for PPDT Test that is Picture Perception Description Test. In this test a hazy picture is shown on which story is to be written making a central idea of solving a problem or some courageous story. After written part, groups are formed according to chest numbers and group discussion(GD) is being carried out in which each candidate will narrated their story and the discussion is done after that. In discussion we are to reach a common story considering all the elements of the picture. Luckily I got a chance to conclude the story as no one concluded and the I stage was completed.
It was afternoon and stomach was shouting for its companion. Then we had our lunch and queued for Stage I result and the result was announced and I was through to the second stage of the SSB and got new chest number 38. Only about 70 were left from about 140 candidates. It was a happy moment for me as I had to stay in Dehradun for other 4 more days. I called at home and told them about this and they were too happy of hearing all this.
Now the real test was set to test us. In the evening we were called up for the first test of Stage II that was Psychology test. It was the most tiring test of the whole selection procedure as we have to write like horses running in race arena. The psychology test contains various tests such as Thematic aperception test(TAT), Word association test(WAT), Situation reaction test(SRT) and Self description test. In TAT 12 images are shown one by one on which we need to make a story of about 200 words. Last slide is blank slide so you should have to make any story from your own mind. In WAT 60 words come on screen one after another and we have to form sentences on each word within 15 secs. SRT test carries 60 different situations on which we need to give our reactions. One more test is there that is self description test in which we have to describe our self on behalf of our parents, teachers and ourselves. The psycho test was the most tiring one as it was not only written one but also it made us tired mentally.
It was 9 PM and we swiftly move towards mess took up our dinner and went to sleep. That day the food was nice as compared to the previous day. May be that was a reward for us for clearing the Stage I.
Next day we were to meet our next test that was Group task officers test (GTO) and the day to wander Dehradun and I was too much excited for the next day and it was the time to sleep. So Good Night friends.

Begining of a new era...

Oh finally the day comes when I was going to enter in a new era, a new world. World of most respected uniform, bullets, snipers, Jet planes and a tag of an officer. It was October 1,2010 my cousin dropped me from my Aunt's home to railway station Dehradun near M.C.O. and here the officials of Indian Air Force and other candidates were already present. They were checking the interview call letters and assigning the respective bus to go to the selection board. I also got my documents verified and moved to the respected bus and the feeling of a little fear and excitement was engraving me. I was totally blank and just thinking what will happen?
Oh the moment came and the bus moves into selection centre. We were lined up and there were about 140 candidates and we are provided with chest numbers and I got number 37 and the tests begin after that. First of all we face Pilot Aptitude and Battery Test (PABT). This a once in a lifetime test. I f you fail once then you cannot become a pilot in Indian Air Force. It is considered that IQ of a person cant be increased or decreased so other chance is not an option here. This test contains two parts. One is INSB which is a written test based on the instruments of the jet plane. If you clear the first one, only then you are supposed to appear in the second part of the test which is machine based test. Luckily I was through to instrumentation test and appeared in the machine test. Its likely to play Video Game  in actual. A small ball appeared in the screen of the machine and it was considered as our virtual jet plane and we have to control that ball following some instructions given by the authorities. I played that as a video game based on instructions given by them. The test was over and the result was to be declared at the end of all the tests.
It was already 8 in the evening and stomach was bitterly craving for something to eat and the about after half an hour they show us the way of mess and I jumped to plate and gathered my food and oh it was not cooked well but is was awesome for a empty tummy. Then the coordinator call the candidates to line up and he gave instructions and bade us good night and we move into our respective barracks and slept early as  next day we have to wake up for screening test at 5 in the morning. GOOD NIGHT.