Entire process of SSB interview is conducted over a period of five days in Services Selection Board Centre and includes two steps: The first being screening on the first day and second the assessment from Day 2 to Day 5. Candidates appearing for Army, Navy, and Air Force officer selections (NDA, CDS, AFCAT) conduct their interview following the above procedure. In the following lines, the entire process of SSB interview is elaborated in sequence from appearance till outcome of the interview, and the purpose of tests along with the documents needed.
At a glance: Reporting (Day 0) → Stage 1 screening (Day 1: OIR + PPDT) → Psychology tests (Day 2) → GTO tasks (Day 3 and 4) → Personal interview (spread across days) → Conference and result (Day 5).
The Services Selection Board (SSB) is the evaluation process adopted by the armed forces of India for the selection of candidates for officer training. As opposed to the written examination, which measures only the candidate’s knowledge, SSB evaluates personality, behavior and potential by means of psychological tests, group tasks and interviews. Candidates are evaluated based on the criteria of the Officer Like Qualities (OLQs).
Three panels of evaluators are involved in this process – the psychologists, the Group Testing Officer (GTO), and the interviewing officer. Each panel reaches their own conclusion, and the final decision is taken in the conference.
| Day | Stage | Main Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Day 0 | Reporting | Document check, allotment of chest number, briefing |
| Day 1 | Stage 1 | OIR test, PPDT, screening result |
| Day 2 | Stage 2 | Psychology tests: TAT, WAT, SRT, Self Description |
| Day 3 | Stage 2 | GTO tasks (indoor and outdoor) |
| Day 4 | Stage 2 | Remaining GTO tasks, personal interviews continue |
| Day 5 | Stage 2 | Conference and announcement of result |
The exact order can vary by centre and batch.
The candidates appear at the reporting place on the date mentioned in the call letter. Normally, the following takes place:
Those candidates who are late for reporting or fail to produce their documents properly will be rejected from the selection process.
Day 1 is the screening stage, and it decides whether a candidate continues. It consists of two parts.
The OIR includes verbal and non-verbal reasoning questions, designed to examine reasoning ability and speed.
In the PPDT, candidates see a hazy picture for around 30 seconds, write a story in about four minutes, narrate it in the group and then take part in a group discussion. You can read a detailed explanation in the SSB preparation course overview.
After these tests, the result is announced. Candidates who are screened in continue to Stage 2, while others return home.
The psychology tests study how a candidate thinks and responds. They are written tests with strict time limits.
| Test | Full Form | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| TAT | Thematic Apperception Test | Candidates see a series of pictures and write a story on each, with one blank slide at the end |
| WAT | Word Association Test | Around 60 words are shown one after another, and a sentence is written for each in a few seconds |
| SRT | Situation Reaction Test | Around 60 everyday situations are given, and the candidate writes a reaction to each |
| SD | Self Description | Candidates write about the opinions of parents, teachers, friends, their own view of themselves and the qualities they wish to develop |
These tests are evaluated by psychologists, who look for patterns across all four. Natural and honest responses show consistent character.
The GTO tasks form the practical part of the SSB. They include:
These tasks show how a candidate communicates, plans, cooperates and leads under time limits. Basic fitness helps with outdoor activities, and the NDA, CDS and AFCAT entries all follow a similar GTO pattern. Candidates targeting the NDA exam will see this stage after clearing the written paper.
Personal Interview
It refers to an interview between an individual and the interviewing officer. This is done during the individual’s stay at the centre and usually takes place either on Day 2, 3, or 4. This interview takes about 30 to 60 minutes depending on various factors.
These topics could be discussed:
The interviewer builds a picture of the candidate based on honest answers. Contradictions between the interview and the written tests are easy to notice, so consistency is important. Candidates may also read about the services in advance, for example the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force career pages, so that their answers reflect real understanding.
The conference is the last step. In the conference, each individual appears before the board, comprising the president of the board, the psychologists, GTO, and the interviewing officer. The interaction is brief, and there is a discussion on how the individual did based on all the assessments conducted over five days.
It is decided whether an individual is recommended. Normally, the results are declared at the end of the conference. The individuals who are recommended move on to the next phase, and the rest are told that they are not recommended.
Recommended applicants receive a medical test to ensure that they satisfy the physical requirements for the service. The medical test is carried out at a military hospital, and its scheduling is determined by the mode of entry and the notification. Applicants can be fit, temporarily unfit or permanently unfit.
Since the requirements vary from one entry level to another, the call letter contains the ultimate list of requirements. These requirements may be:
The above documents should be kept in a nice folder as you will need them on reporting.
Throughout the five days, assessors look for OLQs grouped into four areas:
| Area | Qualities |
|---|---|
| Planning and organising | Effective intelligence, reasoning ability, organising ability, power of expression |
| Social adjustment | Social adaptability, cooperation, sense of responsibility |
| Social effectiveness | Initiative, self-confidence, speed of decision, ability to influence the group, liveliness |
| Dynamic factor | Determination, courage, stamina |
Candidates are not expected to show every quality equally. A balanced and consistent personality is generally viewed favourably.
The SSB interview takes five days. Day 1 is screening with the OIR test and PPDT, followed by psychology tests, GTO tasks and the personal interview in Stage 2, and the conference and result on Day 5.
What are the number of stages in SSB?
There are two stages. Stage 1 is screening and Stage 2 involves psychology test, GTO activities, personal interview and conference.
SSB is generally of 5 days, excluding the reporting day.
No. The personal interview is just a small part of the entire procedure that includes a written psychology test and group activities too.
The result is generally declared at the conclusion of the conference on the last day. Screened-out candidates are informed of their result at the end of Day 1.
Yes. However, outdoor GTO activities require physical skills but are more focused on team play and decision making. Formal medical tests take place after recommendation of the candidates.
Reapplication depends on the entry rules, age limits and attempts allowed. Check the official notification for each entry, such as the CDS or AFCAT.
The entire process of the SSB interview aims at analysing the candidate from various perspectives in five days. With the help of knowledge about the activities that take place on each day, making proper preparations for the documents, practising the test and being honest, candidates can enter the process in a more informed manner. Don’t forget to check the updated information about the schedule from the recruitment sites.
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