SSB Interview Process - 5 Days Process Explained

SSB Interview Process 2023 is of 5 days in which candidates are evaluated based on a variety of criteria. To determine if candidates possess the necessary qualifications to serve as officers in the Indian Armed Forces, the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and Indian Air Force have adopted the 5 Days SSB interview procedure.

Table of Contents:

• Introduction - SSB Interview Process
• How to Qualify for the SSB Interview Process?
• SSB Call Letter
• The 5-Day SSB Interview Process
  • Day 0 - Reporting
  • Day 1 - Screening
  • Day 2 - Psychological Test
  • Day 3 - Group Test I 
  • Day 4 - Group Task II
  • Day 5 - Conference
• SSB Interview - Post Process

Introduction - SSB Interview Process

The interview for SSB is known to be difficult, as candidates are posed with several challenges throughout the stages. Moreover, the SSB interview came into being to test the capability and gauge the personality and eligibility of defence aspirants.

Subsequently, the five-day SSB Interview Process involves a range of psychological tests, interviews, group tests and more to evaluate the candidate's potential to fill positions as an Officer.

Importantly, the main principle of SSB is Mansa, Vacha and Karmana. Mansa equates to thoughts, Vacha means speech, and Karmana means deeds or actions.

How to Qualify for the SSB Interview Process?

First and foremost, candidates must appear for the written examinations for CDS, NDA, AFCAT and INET to qualify for the SSB interview process.

Besides, candidates who wish to join the positions mentioned below can also appear for the SSB interview.

• Judge Advocate General
• Territorial Army
• Technical Short Service Commission Courses
• Non-Technical Short Service Commission Courses
• IAF's Meteorology Branch Course
• Navy's Executive and Technical Branch Entry
• Coast Guard
• Navy's Pilot/ Observer Entry
• Navy's Education Branch Entry

SSB Call Letter

Receiving the SSC Interview process call letter is an aspiration for every defence candidate. The call letter essentially contains the following information on the candidate.

• Applicant's Roll Number
• Registration Number
• Applicant's Name
• Reporting SSB Centre
• Reporting Time
• General Instructions
• Required Documents to be carried by the candidates
• Requisites to be taken by the candidates
• Boarding and Lodging Details

However, candidates must note that the call letter is sent to only those examinees who have been shortlisted in the first round of selection.

The 5-Day SSB Interview Process

The SSB interview is administered over five days for all three wings of the IAF. On top of that, the interview is divided into two phases. First, candidates must appear for the "Screening" in Phase I. While in Phase II, they must take Psychological tests, Group Tests, Interviews and Board Conferences.

Day 0 - Reporting

On this day, candidates must report to their allotted SSB centres. Per the IAF wing/exam, all guidelines will be available on the call letters. Candidates must report a day earlier because the MCO will escort the SSB interview candidates to the centres in military vehicles. Next, candidates are given their respective temporary chest numbers. Through this, candidates will be addressed for the next five days of the SSB interview process.

Day 1 - Screening

Candidates must note that for a few exams, such as AFCAT, the reporting and screening will be on the same day. Namely, day one will have two main activities.

• Officer Intelligence Rating Test (OIR): A test to evaluate a candidate's logical and analytical reasoning capacity.
• Picture Perception (PP) and Discussion Test (DT): The PP & DT test of the SSB interview process examines the candidates' power of expression, cooperation, self-confidence, ability to influence people, and speed of decision-making.

Day 2 - Psychological Test

The Psychological battery test in the SSB interview process includes four types of evaluation on the second day. Descriptions of the tests are briefly mentioned below.

• Thematic Apperception Test (TAT): One of the most important test rounds of the interview process, it helps authorities evaluate the true representation of the candidate's thoughts and how they perceive a specific situation. Specifically, candidates must have excellent imaginative and creative skills to handle different situations.
  Authorities will display 11 pictures to the candidates, where the last slide will be a blank page. Candidates must compose a story after viewing each picture for 30 seconds. The duration to write each story is 4 minutes.
• Word Association Tests (WAT): Through this round, candidates are tested on their perceptive senses, wherein 60 words are displayed on the screen for 15 seconds each. Next, candidates must write a sentence that comes to them immediately after looking at the word.
  Candidates will be shown 60 words, each for a duration of 15 seconds. In the next 15 seconds, candidates must write a sentence based on reading the word. SImilarly, they must pen down 60 words without any break.
• Self-description Test (SD): This test aims to analyse the candidate's perception of self, i.e., how well they know themselves and how they would picture themselves in front of the world.
  Candidates will further be asked write an opinion-based essay about themselves, from the point o view of their parents, friends or teachers in 15 minutes. 

Day 3 - Group Test I 

The Group Test I is conducted by a Group Testing Officer, wherein candidates have to small group groups and perform the designated tasks.

• Group Discussion: The test evaluates the ability of a candidate to discuss in a group, put their opinions forward, and influence them with their decisions. In turn, they are examining their social cooperation and social cohesiveness levels.
• Group Planning Exercise: It checks the candidate's planning skills, resourcefulness, and leadership quality.
• Progressive Group Task (PGT): Known to be one of the most difficult tasks, it is also an exciting task to take on in the GTO series of the SSB Interview Process. In this round, candidates must cross obstacles and hurdles within a time-bound frame.
• Half Group Task (HGT): Same as the round mentioned above. However, the group is now divided into two halves.
• Group Obstacle Race: In this round, the whole group is penalised if a candidate makes a mistake.

Day 4 - Group Task II

Day 4, group tasks II includes four tasks. First, further candidates must appear for a personal interview round.

• Lecturette: The task examines how perfectly candidates can deliver speeches and their confidence levels.
• Individual Obstacle Task (IOT): A total of 10 obstacles must be crossed by appearing candidates of the SSB Interview Process. A few tasks are Burma bridge, Tarzan swing, long-jump and more.
• Command Task: Here, candidates are chosen to be commanders who give instructions and the rest of the members must follow and complete the task.
• Final Group Task: The candidates are tested on their potential to perform as a team.

Furthermore, candidates will appear for a one-on-one interview with an Interviewing Officer. They will ask questions about the candidate's daily activities, performance and general awareness questions. 

Day 5 - Conference

On the last day, candidates will participate in the Board Conference Day in front of a panel of Officers. Authorities will assess candidates' personalities, presence of mind, and task performance.

AFCAT candidates will also take the Computerised Pilot Selection System round. This round examines the candidate's hands, legs, vision and hearing coordination.

SSB Interview - Post Process

In the end, shortlisted candidates have to go through a detailed medical examination. Candidates marked medically fit will qualify further, although candidates who do not meet the medical eligibility criteria might be dismissed on the permanent grounds or asked to re-visit in 42 days.