ISSB: Gateway to Pakistan's Armed Forces

 

Inter Services Selection Board (ISSB)

The Inter Services Selection Board (ISSB) is a pivotal institution responsible for selecting future leaders for Pakistan’s Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force. It plays a critical role in evaluating the mental, physical, and psychological capabilities of candidates aspiring to join the forces as commissioned officers. The rigorous and comprehensive selection process is designed to ensure only the most competent individuals are entrusted with the nation’s defense responsibilities.

Purpose and Role of ISSB

The Inter Services Selection Board (ISSB) plays a vital role in selecting the future officers of Pakistan’s Armed Forces — the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Its main purpose is to assess whether a candidate has the potential to become a successful military officer and to serve the nation with commitment, leadership, and integrity.

Purpose of ISSB

The ISSB's purpose is to:

• Select mentally, physically, and emotionally fit individuals.

• Identify candidates who possess Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs) such as leadership, confidence, teamwork, initiative, and honesty.

• Recommend only those who can handle stressful and high-pressure situations, as faced in military life.

• Ensure that only the most suitable and capable candidates are chosen to uphold the values, discipline, and traditions of the Pakistan Armed Forces.

Role of ISSB

ISSB serves as a comprehensive evaluation body that carries out:

1. Psychological Evaluation

   To test a candidate’s mindset, emotional control, and decision-making ability.

2. Group and Leadership Assessment

   Through team-based tasks, ISSB examines how well candidates can lead, cooperate, and perform under pressure.

3. Personal Interviews

   Senior officers assess a candidate's communication skills, motivation, awareness, and personality traits.

4. Final Recommendation
   After a complete review of the candidate’s performance in all areas, the board gives its recommendation for final selection.

Eligibility and Criteria for ISSB

To appear before the Inter Services Selection Board (ISSB), candidates must first meet specific educational, age, and physical standards. These requirements vary slightly depending on the branch of the armed forces (Army, Navy, Air Force) and the course applied for, such as PMA Long Course, GDP (General Duty Pilot), Short Service Commission, or Naval Academy courses.

General Eligibility Criteria

Below are the general criteria for most regular commission entries:

✅ Nationality

• Must be a citizen of Pakistan.

• Candidates with dual nationality must surrender foreign nationality upon final selection.

✅ Gender

• Both male and female candidates are eligible, depending on the course.

  • Most Army courses are open to males only.

  • PAF and Navy offer opportunities to both genders in various branches.

✅ Age Limits (may vary by course)

• Intermediate-based entries: 17 to 22 years

• Graduation (2-year program): 17 to 23 years

• Graduation (4-year program): 17 to 24 years

• Serving Armed Forces personnel: Up to 25 years

(Age relaxation is often given to candidates with higher qualifications or military service.)

✅ Educational Qualification

• FSc / A-Level (Pre-Engineering, Pre-Medical, ICS) for most entry-level courses.

• Minimum 60% marks in Matric and FSc (or equivalent).

• O/A level candidates must obtain equivalence certificates from IBCC.

• For graduate courses, a minimum of 50-60% marks or 2.5 CGPA may be required (depending on the course and service).

✅ Physical Standards

• Minimum height:

  • Army: 5'4" (162.5 cm)

  • Air Force: 5'4" (163 cm)

  • Navy: 5'4" (162.5 cm)

• Weight: As per Body Mass Index (BMI)

• Vision:

  • 6/6 without glasses (for flying branches)

  • Glasses may be allowed for non-flying branches

✅ Initial Testing

Before being called to ISSB, candidates must pass:

1. Written / Intelligence Test

2. Preliminary Medical Examination

3. Initial Interview (for some branches)

Once these are cleared, candidates receive a call letter for ISSB, which is the final step before selection.

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Important Notes

• Candidates can appear before ISSB only twice in their lifetime for regular commission.

• A one-year gap is required before reappearing if not recommended.

• Screened-out candidates (rejected on first day) can still apply again as long as they are within age and attempt limits.

ISSB Testing Centers

ISSB operates through four main centers:

1. Kohat (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

2. Gujranwala (Punjab)

3. Malir (Sindh)

4. Quetta (Balochistan)

Candidates are allocated to these centers based on regional preferences and scheduling availability.

Structure of ISSB Tests

The ISSB selection process spans four to five days and includes a combination of the following:

1. Psychological Tests

These include intelligence, personality, and aptitude tests. They assess a candidate’s mental sharpness, decision-making ability, and emotional stability.

2. Outdoor Tasks (GTO Tasks)

These are group tasks supervised by a Group Testing Officer (GTO). Exercises like Group Discussions, Command Tasks, Group Planning, and Obstacles test leadership, cooperation, and problem-solving abilities.

3. Interviews

A senior officer conducts a one-on-one interview, asking questions about the candidate’s background, interests, and opinions. This evaluates communication skills, clarity of thought, and general awareness.

4. Board Conference

At the end, all assessors (GTO, psychologist, and interviewing officer) discuss the candidate’s performance and decide the final recommendation.

Medical Examination and Final Selection

After a candidate is recommended by ISSB, the next step is the medical examination, which is crucial to determine physical fitness for a military career. This step ensures that the candidate is not only mentally and intellectually capable but also physically healthy and medically sound to endure the rigorous demands of service life.

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✅ Medical Examination

The medical test is conducted at the respective military hospitals assigned by the armed forces:

• Army candidates: CMH (Combined Military Hospital)

• Air Force candidates: PAF Hospital

• Navy candidates: PNS Shifa or other naval hospitals

📋 Medical Checks Include:

1. General Physical Health

   • Height and weight (according to BMI standards)

   • Pulse, blood pressure, and chest measurement

2. Eyesight

   • Vision check (6/6 is ideal for combat and flying branches)

   • Color blindness and night vision tests

3. ENT Examination

   • Ears, nose, and throat inspection

4. Dental Check

   • Dental hygiene and structure assessment

5. X-rays and Blood Tests

   • Chest X-ray

   • Blood group and other essential blood tests

6. Urine and Hearing Tests

   • To ensure kidney function and hearing ability

7. Orthopedic and Surgical Check-up

   • Examination for deformities or past surgeries

❌ Common Causes of Medical Rejection

• Flat feet or knock knees

• Color blindness

• Weak eyesight (for flying branches)

• Chronic diseases (asthma, epilepsy, heart conditions)

• Mental or neurological disorders

Candidates declared unfit can appeal for a re-examination at a military medical board within a specified time.

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Final Selection

Once medically fit, candidates are included in the final merit list. The final selection is based on:

1. ISSB recommendation

2. Medical fitness

3. Overall merit and seat availability

4. Security clearance

Those who make it to the final list receive a joining letter and are called to report to their respective academies:

• Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), Kakul – for Army

• Pakistan Air Force Academy, Risalpur – for Air Force

• Pakistan Naval Academy, Karachi – for Navy

Challenges and Preparation

ISSB is considered one of the most challenging selection processes in Pakistan. Success depends on natural personality traits rather than rote learning. Therefore, candidates are encouraged to:

• Stay physically fit and mentally alert

• Develop clear communication and leadership skills

• Stay updated on current affairs and general knowledge

• Practice mock interviews and group discussions

Conclusion

The Inter Services Selection Board (ISSB) is not just a test—it is a comprehensive evaluation of a candidate’s character, intelligence, leadership potential, and physical fitness. Through a rigorous selection process, ISSB ensures that only the most capable, disciplined, and dedicated individuals are chosen to become officers in Pakistan’s Armed Forces. It upholds the highest standards of merit and integrity, preparing future leaders to defend the nation with courage and honor. For those who dream of serving their country with pride, ISSB is the gateway to a life of purpose, responsibility, and patriotism.