INTER SERVICES SELECTION BBOARD AS AN INSTITUTION  :  THE HISTORICAL EYE VIEW
Ladies and Gentlemen:-

Assalam-o-Alikum

It is pertinent to mention that there was no well-defined / specific procedure for the selection of commissioned officers rather it was based on the will & wish of the commanding officers of the units or wings. The selection was mainly carried out / made on the basis of blood lines and educational background of the candidates whose parents had already served in the Defence Forces. Due to the experience of Second World War, the British institutionalized the induction streams of commissioned officers through establishment of war office selection boards in the year 1942. The same arrangements were also extended to the British India in 1943 which was later replaced with services selection boards in 1945.

These selection boards employed scientific methods of personality screening mechanism and adopted 2-3 days based examination system comprising Intelligence, written tests, academic and interviews.  In the post war scenario, these boards made their mark by stimulating a continuous flow of good material to the army and so won the confidence of Royal Army.

In 1947, Pakistan inherited three services selection boards as a partition plan which were amalgamated into inter services selection board in 1952. ISSB initially remained functional at Lahore, however it was shifted to Kohat later on in old Park Lane Hotel building. Later with the increased induction in Pakistan Defence Forces, two additional ISSB centers were also established in Gujranwala (Punjab) and Malir Cantt (Karachi, Sindh) in 1982 and 1987 respectively. ISSB centre Quetta was established in 1999 to facilitate the youth from Balochistan province and it has been made permanent since September, 2021 on the orders of the Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan Army and the same has been functioning with all facilities and required staff.

THE IMPORTANT ROLE AND TASK OF ISSB
ISSB always focus upon the quality men power for the command of Defence Forces of Pakistan at all levels. The selection of right person for right job and to predict his behaviour under odd conditions has always been an intricate process. For military organizations, stakes are much higher than profit or loss. Military leaders are required to possess some special qualities / merits which make them different from the managers and entrepreneurs in the civil or private sectors. In Pakistan, ISSB has been performing an important / pivotal role of selecting future commanders / leadership for Armed Forces of Pakistan and has the sacred responsibility of selecting future Commissioned Officers of the armed forces of Pakistan who have requisite mental, moral, social and dynamic qualities to make successful leaders during peace and war times.

SELECTION PROCEDURE OF COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AT ISSB
ISSB is the unique institution which select the actual defenders of Pakistan purely on the basis of merit which is generally known that ISSB is a premier national institute which selects future commanders / leadership for the Armed Forces of Pakistan. ISSB for last seven decades has been fulfilling this esteemed task with commitment, diligence, resilience, un-doubted devotion and prestige / honour. ISSB centre Kohat, Gujranwala, Malir and Quetta are systematically located to facilitate candidates appearing from length and breadth of the country including all provinces. Candidates appearing at ISSB are subjected to an elaborate selection system and the ones with requisite leadership potentials / commanding abilities are recommended to undergo training in the three services military academies.
     It is intimated that ISSB shadows a three dimensional selection process during the 4 days stay at ISSB by the candidates:-
(a)    The psychologist dimension uncovers the subconscious of the candidate through carefully designed tests as presented in this website.
(b)    The Group Testing Officer dimension observes the candidates’ behaviour in a group settings through situational tests as presented in this website.
(c)    Deputy President’s dimension analyses the candidates’ intellect, emotional pattern and social behaviour through interview as presented in this website.
     The structure of activities at ISSB are flexible and are regularly adjusted to meet the specific requirements of the armed forces of Pakistan. The ISSB selection process is extensive and will last for four days in conducting of these tests. It involves an innovative and creative range of individual and group assessment methods, activities and sessions designed to provide an opportunity for the selectors to correctly assess the personality of the candidates. This is how the final picture of a candidate emerges reflecting three dimensions of his personality. The Board then decides about the final result and either recommends a candidate for further training or decides not to recommend a candidate being unsuitable for military training and further services as an officer. The results are communicated to respective services headquarters who make the final merit list and thus a fresh batch of cadets report to their academies at time and date set by the respective services headquarters of GHQ, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Naval Headquarters and Air Headquarters, Pakistan Air Force.

WHAT ARE CONDITIONS OF INELIGIBILITY AT ISSB?

The following candidates shall be ineligible if he / she is:
Permanently declared UNFIT (PUF) by Appeal Medial Board (AMB).
Tested within four months (120 days) gap of previous appearance (for Not Recommended candidates).
Tested within one year validity period. (As validity of ISSB/GHQ/AHQ Selection Boards stands for one year).
Withdrawn from any Academy/Training Institution of Armed Forces on any ground.
Withdrawn from any bonded Armed Forces college/institution on disciplinary grounds.
Dismissed/removed/debarred from Government Services including Armed Forces.
Convicted in a court of Law for an offence involving moral turpitude.
Declared medically unfit due to Hepatitis B & C (in such cases Appeal Medical Board cannot be requested).
Declared unfit by any Armed Forces Hospital except those cleared by Appeal Medical Board.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CANDIDATES AT ISSB

At ISSB, we are looking for alert, motivated candidates who have the potential to complete the long, arduous and extensive training faced by all newly commissioned officers in the service. The Selection Board is looking for many things such as clear thinking, the ability to remain calm under stress and strain, team skills and willingness to participate. We don’t want you to display rashness or aggression; neither do we want you to be dull or spiritless. Be honest, straightforward and frank. Don’t display over-consciousness, false projection or superficial behavior. Over the years some private institutions and coaching centers have mushroomed in the country to train the candidate for passing ISSB tests. You are advised not to join these for training and guidance. The training imparted in these centers is too restricted and brings in rigidity in thought process. A detailed video documentary is being uploaded which can serve as a detailed guideline for candidates, you are advised to make full use of it.
Appearance

You can tell a lot from a person’s appearance. Show us that you have got a sense of personal pride.

Self Confidence

Self-confidence and maturity are largely the product of experience. You can strengthen these qualities by participating in-group activities, taking on responsibility and exercising independence.

Communication Skills

We look for people with good communication skills in both Urdu and English, clear direction, a good vocabulary and sense of grammar. Try to develop these by joining in debates and group discussions.

Academic Ability

Good academic results mean you will be good at absorbing the training of advanced and sophisticated equipment. Make your English and Mathematics sound.

Leadership

If you possess the above qualities, you will have a greater potential for leadership training. Try and seek out positions of responsibility in academic, sports, extra-curricular activities and other expeditious tasks.

Fitness

Take adequate physical exercise in the run up before you report at the ISSB.

Motivation

You should be convincing and sincere in your reasons for desire to join armed forces. Make sure you really know for what and why you are applying.

General Knowledge

We are looking for people with an awareness of the world around them, and an interest in military matters. Discuss current affairs and defense issues with your parents, teachers and friends and keep yourself updated with good newspapers.

CAUTION

Keep this thing in your mind very clearly. If anyone attempts is made by you or by anyone on your behalf in the shape of “RISHWAT OR SIFARISH”, use of unfair means in Selection Board’s tests or
non-compliance of Board instructions will debar you for consideration / selection for commissioning in Pakistan Armed Forces. You are advised / warned not to approach ISSB directly or indirectly for any favour regarding your selection before or during your tests so be careful in this regard.