The Services Selection Board (SSB) is a 5-day officer-selection battery used by the Indian Armed Forces. Whether you arrive via NDA, CDS, AFCAT, TES or INET, the on-ground process is largely the same: Day 1 screening, Day 2 psychology, Days 3–4 GTO + Personal Interview, and Day 5 conference. This guide walks you through every day so nothing at the centre surprises you.
Before you arrive — what to carry
Call-up letter, original certificates and photocopies
Medical documents if you have prior surgery, spectacles or chronic conditions
Day 1
Day 1 — Reporting, Documents & Stage-1 Screening
You report to the Selection Centre, submit documents, fill the PIQ (Personal Information Questionnaire) and face Stage-1 screening: OIR (Officer Intelligence Rating) tests followed by PPDT (Picture Perception & Description Test) and a Group Discussion. Roughly 50–60% of candidates are screened out on Day 1.
What happens
Document verification and chest number allotment
PIQ form filling (carry a draft from our PIQ Builder)
OIR — verbal and non-verbal reasoning booklets
PPDT — 30 seconds picture view, 4 minutes story writing
PPDT Group Discussion — narrate and discuss stories
Screening result — screened-in list posted in the evening
Screened-in candidates write four psychology tests back-to-back under strict timing. There is no elimination on Day 2 — every response becomes an input for the Psychologist. Consistency across all four tests and your PIQ is critical.
The Group Testing Officer (GTO) stage begins. Your batch of 8–15 candidates works through outdoor and planning tasks. The GTO watches how you interact — initiative, cooperation, communication and physical courage all count.
Day 4 — GTO Tasks (Individual) & Personal Interview
Day 4 mixes individual GTO tasks with your one-on-one Personal Interview with the Interviewing Officer (IO). The IO has your PIQ and psychology file — every answer must match what you wrote on paper.
What happens
Individual Obstacles — 10 obstacles in 3 minutes
Command Task — lead 2 subordinates through an obstacle
Lecturette — 3-minute talk on a drawn topic
Snake Race / Group Obstacle Race
Personal Interview (IO) — 35–60 minutes, PIQ-based
The last GTO task (FGT), a short address by the Board President, and the Conference where all three assessors (IO, GTO, Psychologist) decide your recommendation. Results are typically announced the same evening or next morning.
What happens
Final Group Task (FGT) — last outdoor group obstacle
Board address and feedback session
Conference — assessors finalise recommendations
Result announcement — Recommended / Not Recommended
Recommended candidates proceed to medical (SMB) in following days
Recommended candidates proceed to the Special Medical Board (SMB) over the next 3–5 days. Height, weight, eyesight, dental, ENT, X-ray and blood tests decide fitness. Read our SSB Medical Standards guide before you arrive so you know what to expect — and how to appeal via AMB/RMB if needed.
Final merit lists combine your written exam score, SSB recommendation and medical fitness. A Recommended + Fit status means you are in the running for commissioning.
Frequently asked questions
How many days is the SSB interview?
The standard SSB is 5 days on the Selection Centre campus, plus 3–5 days of medical tests if recommended. Plan to be away from home for 7–10 days total.
What happens on SSB Day 1?
Document verification, PIQ filling, OIR tests and PPDT (picture story + group discussion). Roughly half the batch is screened out on Day 1 evening.
Is the SSB the same for NDA and CDS?
Yes — the tasks, timing and assessor structure are identical. Assessors calibrate slightly for age and life experience, but PPDT, TAT, WAT, SRT, SD, GTO and PI are the same.
When should I start preparing?
Start timed simulator practice 3–4 weeks before your SSB date. Read the day-specific guides above first, then run Strict Mode on our PPDT, TAT, WAT, SRT and SD simulators.
