SSB Interview Process

The Service Selection Board (SSB) is an organization that selects candidates for the Indian Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The SSB interview is a step-by-step process that tests your personality, intelligence, and skills to check if you are suitable for a career in the armed forces. It includes different types of tests and interviews to assess your overall potential.

What is SSB Interview Process ?

The Service Selection Board (SSB) is set up by the Indian Ministry of Defence to select future officers for the Indian Armed Forces. Candidates who pass written exams like CDS, NDA, AFCAT, and others are invited for the SSB interview.

The interview process lasts five days and is conducted in two stages. During this time, candidates go through medical checkups and several tests to evaluate their suitability for the armed forces.

Preparing for the SSB interview requires dedication and thorough planning. It is a challenging process that focuses on identifying candidates with leadership skills, mental sharpness, and emotional stability.

If you dream of serving the nation as an officer in the Indian Armed Forces, understanding the SSB process is crucial. Read this complete guide to learn how to prepare effectively and succeed in your first attempt!

SSB Interview 2025 Overview

SSB Full Form	Service Selection Board
Objective	Choosing candidates for officer roles in the Indian Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Selection Process	Multi phase process
Location	Vaious SSB Center across Nation
Duration	5 Days

SSB Interview Rounds

To attend the SSB interview, candidates need to clear one of the following exams:

National Defence Academy (NDA) & Naval Academy (NA) Exam
Combined Defence Services Exam (CDSE)
Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT)

Once candidates qualify for these exams, they will be invited for the Army SSB interview, which will be followed by other assessments. The final selection depends on the candidate’s performance in both the written exam and the SSB interview.

Candidates must attend the SSB interview on the date mentioned in their invitation letter.

How many Tests are there in SSB Interview ?

The SSB Interview process includes various tests to evaluate candidates in four main areas:

Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test: This tests basic reasoning abilities, including both verbal and non-verbal skills.
Psychological Tests: These include TAT, WAT, SRT, and the Self-Description Test, which focus on understanding a candidate's personality, subconscious thoughts, and behavior.
Group Testing: This involves activities like group discussions, planning exercises, progressive group tasks, half-group tasks, and individual obstacles to assess teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Personal Interview: In this stage, the candidate’s communication skills, general knowledge, and overall personality are tested.

Each part of the process is designed to assess different qualities, ensuring a well-rounded evaluation of the candidate’s abilities

SSB Interview Stages

The SSB Interview process is divided into two stages: Stage I and Stage II. Candidates must clear Stage I to move on to Stage II. Here’s how the process works:

Stage I:

Includes an Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test.
A Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT).

Stage II:

Involves a psychology test.
A personal interview.
Group tasks led by the Group Testing Officer (GTO).
A final assessment during the conference.

Only those who successfully clear each stage proceed further in the selection process.

Five Days Of SSB Interview Process

The SSB interview takes place over five days, where candidates are assessed on various factors. Some candidates may be eliminated on the first or fifth day of the process. Aspiring candidates who wish to serve the nation must fully understand the SSB procedure and prepare well. The SSB selection includes tests to evaluate physical fitness, mental stability, personality traits, and intelligence.

SSB Day 1 Reporting day

When candidates arrive at the reporting center, they first need to fill out a form with their personal and educational details. After submitting the form, they are given a temporary chest number. This chest number will be used to identify and communicate with candidates during the entire interview process.

Candidates will be called by their chest numbers, not their names. Once the form is completed, candidates must take a screening test. This test includes the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test, the Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT), and the Story Narration and Discussion Test.

Officer Intelligence Test (OIR Test)
In the SSB Officer Intelligence Test (OIR), candidates are required to answer 50 questions, divided into verbal and non-verbal sections. Each section must be completed within 30 minutes.

Test	Total No. Question	Time Duration
Verbal Test	50	30 Minutes
Non Verbal Test	50	30 Minutes

Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT)
In this test, candidates are shown either a clear or blurry picture for 30 seconds. They must then note the number of characters visible in the image. After this, each candidate writes a short story (around 70 words) based on what they saw in the picture.

The story should include details like the characters’ mood, age, and gender. The purpose of this test is to assess how well candidates observe and express themselves.

Story Narration and Discussion Test
Candidates are divided into small groups, and each group member has one minute to narrate their story. After everyone shares, the group collectively creates a story that includes elements from each individual's story.

Elimination
After completing the first three tests, candidates are evaluated both individually and as a group. If a candidate’s performance is not up to standard, they are removed from the selection process.

Candidates who do well move on to the next phase of the SSB. These candidates will be provided with accommodation, while those who are eliminated will be asked to leave. Candidates can be rejected only on the first or fifth day of the process.

SSB Day 2 Phsycology Test

In this stage, candidates undergo various psychological tests to assess their mental health, perception, and personality. These tests help reveal their strengths, weaknesses, and how they react in different situations. Candidates are expected to answer the questions based on their personal understanding.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)
The TAT is conducted on the first day to evaluate how candidates view relationships with others. Candidates are shown 12 pictures—11 unclear and one blank—and have 30 seconds to observe each image. Afterward, they have four minutes to write a story based on what they saw. The final picture is blank, and candidates can create any story they like.

Word Association Test (WAT)
In this test, candidates are shown 60 simple words, each for 15 seconds, and asked to quickly respond with the first thought that comes to mind. The WAT helps the interviewers understand how a candidate’s mind works and the thoughts stored in their memory.

Situation Reaction Test (SRT)
Candidates receive a booklet with 60 real-life situations. They are given 30 minutes to respond to these scenarios, showcasing their decision-making and problem-solving skills. This test helps evaluate how candidates react in different situations.

Self-Description Test (SDT)
The final test of the day is the Self-Description Test, where candidates answer five questions about how they see themselves or how others perceive them. This test helps assess their self-esteem, self-awareness, and how they view the world and people around them.

SSB Day 3 - Group testing 1

The GTO conducts various exercises during the SSB interview to assess how well candidates work in a team and interact with others. These activities test group dynamics, as well as each individual’s contribution to the group. The third day of the SSB is full of important tasks, as detailed below:

Group Discussion (GD)
The SSB holds two group discussions, each lasting 20-30 minutes. Topics usually include social issues or current events. Candidates must share their thoughts on the given topics, and their speaking skills, ability to communicate clearly, and assertiveness are assessed.

Group Planning Exercise (GPE)
In this exercise, candidates are split into groups of 10 to 15. They are given a scenario with specific problems to solve. The goal is for the group to work together, identify the issues, and come up with solutions. This task evaluates teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and empathy.

Progressive Group Task (PGT)
Candidates are given four obstacles along with helpful materials. The group must work together to solve these challenges, using the materials in creative ways. The focus here is on cooperation and team problem-solving.

Group Obstacle Race (GOR)
In this task, the group must navigate a racecourse with six obstacles. The emphasis is on teamwork, sportsmanship, and the ability to collaborate under pressure.

Half Group Task (HGT)
This task is similar to the PGT but with a twist: the group is split into two smaller teams. For example, if there were 10 candidates in a group, they are now divided into two smaller groups of 5, and the groups compete against each other to complete the task.

SSB Day 4 -Group Testing 2

Day 4 is filled with various tasks, where the Group Testing Officer (GTO) evaluates candidates’ performance, helping to determine if they will move on to the final day. Here are the tasks candidates will face:

Lecturette
This activity is similar to a mini speech competition. Candidates choose one topic from four displayed options and have three minutes to speak about it. The goal is to assess their speaking ability and how clearly they can present their ideas on the spot.

Individual Obstacles (IO)
Candidates are given three minutes to overcome ten different obstacles. These obstacles are ranked from easy (1) to difficult (10). This task is designed to test how well candidates handle challenges on their own.

Command Task
In this task, candidates are assigned leadership roles and must choose subordinates to help them complete various tasks. The Command Task assesses their leadership abilities, decision-making, and how well they work with others to solve problems.

Final Group Task (FGT)
Similar to the Half Group Task (HGT), candidates are put into larger groups. They must work together to solve problems and complete tasks within a set time. This task is more challenging than earlier group activities and tests teamwork and problem-solving under pressure.

Personal Interview
The personal interview begins on Day 2 and continues through Day 4. During this time, candidates are questioned by an interviewer about personal details provided during the initial stages and their general knowledge. The interview also evaluates their communication skills, body language, and overall expressiveness.

SSB Day 5- Conference

The last day of the SSB interview is when all candidates are reviewed. All the officers involved in the selection process gather to discuss how each candidate performed throughout the interview. After this, candidates are called into the conference room, where a panel of officers will ask them a few questions and assess their responses.

Once the panel has reviewed each candidate's performance, the SSB announces the results. Those who have passed are recommended for further steps in the selection process.

How SSB Interviews are Conducted ?

The SSB Interview is a five-day process that evaluates a candidate's Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs) through various tasks and activities, spread across different stages:

Screening (Day 1): This day includes an Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) test and a Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT). Only the candidates who perform well are selected to move to the next round.
Psychological Testing (Day 2): This stage tests the candidate’s mental abilities and personality traits. It includes tests like the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT), and the Self-Description Test.
Group Testing (Day 3 and 4): In this phase, candidates participate in group discussions, outdoor tasks, and individual challenges to test their leadership, teamwork, and decision-making skills.
Personal Interview: The personal interview takes place between Day 2 and Day 4, assessing the candidate’s communication, confidence, and overall personality.
Conference (Day 5): On the final day, all the board members discuss the candidates' performance and make the final selection decision.

How many types of SSB Interviews are there ?

The SSB Interview is conducted for candidates who want to join the Indian Armed Forces. There are two main types of SSB interviews: Entry-Level SSB and Service-Specific SSB.

Entry-Level SSB is for candidates applying through exams like NDA, CDS, and AFCAT, which are for the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Service-Specific SSB is for candidates applying for direct entries, such as the Technical Graduate Course (TGC), NCC Special Entry, and other roles based on the specific branch of the Armed Forces.

While both types follow a similar process, the criteria for Service-Specific SSB may vary depending on the specific job or role being applied for.

SSB Interview is of how many marks ?

The SSB Interview is scored out of a total of 900 marks, which includes both the SSB process and, if applicable, the written exam. For exams like NDA and CDS, the written exam is worth 300 marks (per subject), and the SSB interview is evaluated separately for 900 marks. These marks play a key role in determining the final ranking of candidates.

The SSB board assigns marks based on how well candidates perform in various tasks, such as psychological tests, group activities, and personal interviews. To secure a better position in the merit list, candidates need to perform well in every part of the process.

How many times SSB Interview is Conducted ?

The SSB Interview takes place multiple times a year, depending on the type of entry. For exams like NDA, CDS, and AFCAT, the SSB interviews are held twice a year, after the written exam results are announced. For direct entry programs like TGC or SSC Tech, the interviews are scheduled regularly throughout the year based on the course timeline. Each branch of the Armed Forces—Army, Navy, and Air Force—organizes its own interviews, providing continuous chances for candidates to appear and qualify.

How many candidates are selected in SSB interview ?

The SSB interview is very competitive, with only around 5-7% of candidates getting selected. Out of each group of 100-120 candidates, only 5-10 candidates are recommended, depending on how well they perform and the number of available positions. Final selection also takes into account medical fitness and the candidate’s merit ranking. This tough process ensures that only the most qualified individuals with the necessary Officer-like Qualities (OLQs) are chosen to join the Armed Forces.

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