Ultimate Guide to Crack SSB Interview After NDA, CDS & SSC Tech

How to Crack SSB Interview : Are you one of the proud aspirants who has cleared the NDA, CDS, or SSC Tech written exam and now preparing for the prestigious SSB Interview? Congratulations! You’re a step closer to wearing the olive green uniform. But the journey isn’t over yet — the SSB Interview is your real test. This blog offers a complete SSB Interview Guide — from day-wise procedures to preparation tips, common mistakes to avoid, and success strategies for NDA, CDS, and SSC (Technical Entry) candidates.

A best SSB Interview Guide to Crack SSB Interview

Contents

1 ✨ What is the SSB Interview?
2 SSB Full form in army
3 List of SSB Centers/ AFSB Centers/ NSB Centers in India
4 🗓️ SSB Interview – Day-Wise Breakdown
5 📚 How to Prepare for SSB Interview (NDA/CDS/SSC Tech) – How to Crack SSB Interview
6 ❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
7 📍 Tips for NDA, CDS & SSC Tech Candidates Specifically
8 📈 Final Checklist Before You Go
9 📥 Download SSB Preparation Resources (Free PDFs)
10 🏆 Final Words

✨ What is the SSB Interview?

The SSB Interview is a 5-day personality and intelligence assessment process conducted by the Indian Armed Forces to evaluate a candidate’s officer-like qualities (OLQs). It’s the most crucial stage after qualifying for entries like:

NDA (National Defence Academy)
CDS (Combined Defence Services)
SSC Tech (Short Service Commission for Technical graduates)

SSB Full form in army

In the Indian Army, SSB Full form in Army/Air Force/ Navy is Services Selection Board, which is responsible for evaluating candidates aspiring to become officers in the Indian Armed Forces. The board conducts a series of interviews and tests designed to assess a candidate’s intelligence, personality traits, and leadership potential to determine their suitability for military service.

The Services Selection Board (SSB) plays a crucial role in the recruitment process for officer-level positions in the Indian Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force. These centers conduct intensive interviews and psychological assessments to evaluate candidates’ leadership potential, intelligence, and overall suitability for a career in the defense forces.

Equipped with advanced facilities, the SSB centers maintain a transparent and merit-based selection process for candidates from all corners of India. Below is a detailed overview of various SSB centers categorized by the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy.

List of SSB Centers/ AFSB Centers/ NSB Centers in India

🇮🇳 Indian Army SSB Centers

The Indian Army operates several SSB centers across the country, each responsible for conducting interviews and assessments for specific regions:

1. Selection Centre East (SCE), Allahabad (Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh

Boards: 11 SSB, 14 SSB, 18 SSB, 19 SSB, 34 SSB
Address: Cariappa Road, Canton, Civil Lines, Allahabad (Prayagraj) – 211001
Phone: 0532-2424816
Fax: 0532-2424815
Email: sce-ald-army@nic.in, selectioncentreeast_allahabad@yahoo.co.in
Region Covered: Eastern and Northeastern India

2. Selection Centre Central (SCC), Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Boards: 20 SSB, 21 SSB, 22 SSB, 33 SSB (also hosts a Navy Board)
Address: Sultania Infantry Lines, Navri Road, Bhopal – 462001
Phone: 0755-2731245, 2702223, 2731255
Fax: 0755-2735980
Email: scc-bpl-mod@nic.in
Region Covered: Central and Western India

3. Selection Centre South (SCS), Bangalore, Karnataka

Boards: 17 SSB, 24 SSB, 12 SSB (also hosts a Navy Board)
Address: Cubbon Road, FM Cariappa Colony, Sivanchetti Gardens, Bengaluru – 560042
Phone: 9916322971, 9480948061
Fax: 080-255327671
Email: bloressb@rediffmail.com
Region Covered: Southern India

4. Selection Centre North (SCN), Kapurthala, Punjab

Boards: 31 SSB, 32 SSB
Address: Professor Colony, Kapurthala – 144602
Phone/Fax: 01822-230127
Email: callup.scn@gmail.com
Region Covered: Northern India

5. Selection Centre East Coast (SCEC), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

Region Covered: Eastern and Southern India
Address: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh – 530014

6. Selection Centre West (SCW), Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Region Covered: Western and Central India
Address: Rupen Creek, Shahibaug, Gandhinagar, Gujarat – 382042

✈️ Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) Centers

The Indian Air Force (IAF) runs multiple AFSB centers for officer recruitment. These centers are dedicated to evaluating candidates through a rigorous selection process involving psychological tests, group tasks, and personal interviews.

List of AFSB Centers:

S.No	AFSB & Region	State	AFSB Centre Name	Board Name
1	1 AFSB Dehradun	Uttarakhand	Air Force Selection Board Dehradun	1 AFSB (ex-7 GSB)
2	2 AFSB Mysore	Karnataka	Air Force Selection Board Mysore	2 AFSB
3	3 AFSB Gandhi Nagar	Gujarat	AFSB Gandhi Nagar	3 AFSB
4	4 AFSB Varanasi	Uttar Pradesh	AFSB Varanasi	4 AFSB
5	5 AFSB Guwahati	Assam	AFSB Guwahati	5 AFSB

⚓ Navy Selection Board (NSB) Centers

The Indian Navy conducts officer selection through designated NSB centers across the country. These centers follow similar procedures to SSBs, assessing candidates’ aptitude, psychological readiness, and officer-like qualities.

List of NSB Centers:

S.No	Region	State	NSB Centre Name	Board Name
1	NSB Coimbatore	Tamil Nadu	Navy Selection Board Coimbatore	—
2	NSB Visakhapatnam	Andhra Pradesh	Navy Selection Board Visakhapatnam	—
3	NSB Kolkata	West Bengal	Navy Selection Board Kolkata	—
4	SCS Bangalore	Karnataka	Navy Board at Selection Centre South	12 SSB
5	SCC Bhopal	Madhya Pradesh	Navy Board at Selection Centre Central	33 SSB

🗓️ SSB Interview – Day-Wise Breakdown

✅ Day 0 – Reporting Day

Document verification
Allotted chest numbers
Briefing about the interview process

📘 Day 1 – Screening Test

OIR Test (Officers Intelligence Rating – verbal & non-verbal reasoning)
PPDT (Picture Perception and Discussion Test)

📝 Tip: Clear communication and a positive group discussion attitude are key.

📘 Day 2 – Psychological Tests

TAT (Thematic Apperception Test)
WAT (Word Association Test)
SRT (Situation Reaction Test)
SD (Self Description)

🧠 Tip: Be honest, imaginative, and spontaneous. Don’t overthink your answers.

📘 Day 3 & 4 – GTO Tasks (Group Testing Officer Tasks)

GD (Group Discussion)
GPE (Group Planning Exercise)
PGT/HGT (Progressive/ Half Group Tasks)
IO (Individual Obstacles)
Command Task
Lecturette
Final Group Task

🏃 Tip: Physical fitness, teamwork, and leadership skills are evaluated here. Be an active contributor and motivator.

📘 Day 5 – Personal Interview & Conference

Personal Interview (any day between Day 2-4)
Conference: Final assessment and result declaration

🎯 Tip: Confidence, clarity in thoughts, and honesty are crucial.

📚 How to Prepare for SSB Interview (NDA/CDS/SSC Tech) – How to Crack SSB Interview

1. Understand Officer-Like Qualities (OLQs)

SSB tests your:

Leadership
Communication
Teamwork
Determination
Initiative
Problem-solving ability
Emotional stability

📖 Study OLQs and try to incorporate them into your daily life.

2. Work on Communication Skills

Speak in English confidently
Practice GD and lecturette topics
Record yourself and analyze

🎤 Tip: Join mock SSB coaching or discussion groups.

3. Enhance Your General Awareness

Read newspapers (The Hindu / Indian Express)
Watch defense-related updates (India’s defense deals, current military operations)
Learn about Indian Armed Forces structure

📚 Be prepared for questions like:
“Why do you want to join the Army/Navy/Air Force?” or “Tell me about a current international conflict.”

4. Stay Fit and Active

Practice running, push-ups, chin-ups, balancing
Increase stamina and agility
Know the GTO physical tasks beforehand

💪 Tip: Regular outdoor games help build stamina and teamwork.

5. Psychological Preparation

Practice TAT, WAT, SRT from previous SSB booklets
Do not copy answers – be original
Reflect your personality and problem-solving skills

🧠 Stay mentally calm during tests and trust your instincts.

❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid

Speaking too much or too little in GD
Dominating or disrespecting others during group tasks
Over-preparing scripted answers
Not being aware of your own PIQ (Personal Information Questionnaire) form
Faking OLQs or bluffing in interviews

📍 Tips for NDA, CDS & SSC Tech Candidates Specifically

🧑‍🎓 For NDA Aspirants (12th Pass)

Focus on clarity of thoughts, motivation to join the forces, and good etiquette.
Strong personality is more important than experience.

🎓 For CDS Aspirants (Graduates)

Expect deeper questions in the personal interview.
Be ready with your academic performance and goals.

🛠️ For SSC Tech (Engineering Graduates)

Be clear about why you want to join the army and not the corporate sector.
Brush up on basic engineering concepts and project work.

📈 Final Checklist Before You Go

✅ Carry all original documents
✅ Get good sleep and stay relaxed
✅ Maintain grooming and formal dressing
✅ Stay confident – not overconfident
✅ Learn from every interaction, even if you get screened out

📥 Download SSB Preparation Resources (Free PDFs)

SSB Interview Complete Handbook – PDF

🏆 Final Words

Cracking the SSB Interview is about being your best self — genuine, confident, and determined. Whether you’re from NDA, CDS, or SSC Tech, remember the SSB is not about memorizing, but showcasing your natural leadership qualities and emotional intelligence.

🎖️ Serve with pride. The nation awaits your courage. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳