Updated on Mar 29, 2023 11:50 IST

CDS Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview is conducted for candidates who qualify for the written exam. CDS SSB Interview assesses candidates on physical, physiological, and analytics level. Here are certain tips which will help candidates in CDS SSB interview.

CDS SSB Interview

How to Prepare for CDS SSB interview?

How to Prepare for CDS SSB Interview?: Aspirants who qualify in all the three papers of CDS exam make it to the interview. Service Selection Board Interview is a unique process and is conducted for five days. CDS SSB Interview comprises two stages-Stage 1 is Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and Picture Perception Description Test (PP&DT) and Stage 2 is Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests, and Conference. CDS SSB interview is a lengthy process and it assesses a candidate's overall personality, teamwork, and basic outlook toward life in general. Knowledge, as well as personality, plays an important role in the CDS SSB interview. 

Table of contents
  • CDS SSB Interview
  • CDS SSB Interview Centres
  • SSB Interview Structure
  • How to Prepare for CDS SSB Interview?

CDS SSB Interview

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) prepares a list of candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in the written exam. Candidates whose name appears in the merit list of the written exam are called for CDS SSB Interview for intelligence and personality test. For prepare for SSB interview, candidates should start their preparations by running daily. Physical fitness plays an important role in SSB Interview. Candidates must enhance their thinking by being more realistic. Read newspapers and current affairs. Candidates must introspect themselves by knowing their strengths and weaknesses. CDS exam 2023 is conducted for admissions to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers' Training Academy courses.

Q:   What was the difficulty level of CDS English paper in CDS 1 2022 exam?
A:
The difficulty level of CDS 1 2022 exam was easy to moderate in terms of difficulty level. There were questions asked from the previous year's question paper. The questions paper comprised questions from topics like Noun, prepositions, pronoun, reflexive pronoun, demonstrative pronouns, demonstrative pronouns, adjective, adverb, ordering of chunks in a sentences, idiom and phrases, spotting errors, synonyms, antonyms, cloze composition, prepositions and determiners, completion of sentences, comprehension, unseen passage, etc. According to the responses of the candidates taken the exam on April 16, 2023, the overall difficulty level of the CDS English exam was easy to moderate in terms of difficulty level.
Q:   How can I prepare for CDS Maths and Current Affairs for CDS exam?
A:
You can use the following approach to Current Affairs for the CDS WATCH TV- Spend a couple of hours watching TV every day. It offers information on every subject in an engaging manner that is simple to remember. Watch reputable news stations like CNN and BBC for the daily bulletin. It serves as the greatest and the simplest method to understand current events. NEWSPAPER READING The oldest and most popular method for increasing understanding of current issues is to read newspapers. Local, regional, national, and international news can all be found there. Get a subscription to a reputable newspaper, such as "The Hindu, " and make reading the newspaper a morning ritual. USE THE INTERNET SMARTLY: Use your time online more wisely by avoiding time-wasting websites like Facebook and Instagram. In terms of websites, there are several, however practically all of them require payment. As a result, I would prefer to advise you to use reputable YouTube channels, such as Study IQ instruction. Write because you tend to forget what you've read easily. Writing aids in memory retention and strengthens information in the brain. Therefore, put what you learn in writing and take brief notes that you can refer to later. For CDS Maths Prioritize the preparation of the crucial topics first while allocating time for the challenging ones. Determine how much time to spend on each sort of question by taking practice exams. Additionally, in order to have a sense of the kinds of questions that will be in the exam, candidates must complete prior year's question papers. Candidates must acquire time management shortcuts, suggestions, and techniques. Recall basic computations like squares and cubes. Make a list of formulas and shortened forms to keep on hand for last-minute revision. Due to the exam's negative marking policy, they should only mark an answer if they are certain about it. During the exam, avoid making educated guesses. Candidates should consult quality mathematics textbooks when preparing for the CDS.
Q:   Does CDS have Physical Test?
A:

Yes, the Combined Defence Services (CDS) exam have physical test in the selection process. A lot of candidates are rejected after the physical test as they were not physically sound. The candiatesneed to clear the written, mental, physical test and a interview in order to get enrolled for the Indian Armed Forces Academies. The candidates are advised to take the physical and medical test prior filling out the CDS application form.  

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CDS SSB Interview Centres

The list of CDS SSB Interview centres for Army, Navy and Navy across the country is given below:

Q:   What is the ideal time to start preparing for CDS exam?
A:
It is ideal that candidates must begin their preparation six months prior to the release of CDS notification. The candidates can check the preparation tips to qualify for the CDS exam: a) The candidates must know the complete syllabus and the pattern of the CDS exam b) Go through the NCERT books of classes 6 to 12 c) Solve previous years' questions and mock tests d) Make time table to cover complete syllabus of CDS exam e) Take frequent breaks to calm and relax.

For Indian Army

Selection Center East (SCE) Allahabad: (Uttar Pradesh)

  • 11 SSB
  • 14 SSB
  • 18 SSB
  • 19 SSB
  • 34 SSB

Selection Center Central (SCC) Bhopal: (Madhya Pradesh)

  • 20 SSB
  • 21 SSB
  • 22 SSB

Selection Center South (SCS) Bangalore: (Karnataka)

  • 17 SSB
  • 24 SSB

Training Centers/Institutes

  • Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun (U.K) – Permanent Commission for Male
  • Officers Training Academy (OTA) Chennai (TN) – Short Service Commission for both Male & Female
  • Officers Training Academy (OTA) Gaya (BH)– Permanent Commission for TES & SCO Male Course
  • National Defense Academy (NDA) Khadakwasla, Pune (MH)– Permanent Commission

For Indian Air Force

  • 1 AFSB Dehradun: (Uttarakhand)
  • 2 AFSB Mysore: (Karnataka)
  • 3 AFSB Gandhi Nagar: (Gujrat)
  • 4 AFSB Varanasi: (Uttar Pradesh)

Training Centers/Institutes:

  • Air Force Academy (AFA) Hyderabad (A.P)– Permanent/Short Commission for both Male & Female
  • National Defense Academy (NDA) Khadakwasla, Pune (MH)– Permanent Commission

For Indian Naval Academy

  • NSB Coimbatore: (Tamilnadu)
  • 12 SSB at SCS Bangalore: (Karnataka)
  • 33 SSB at SCC Bhopal: (Madhya Pradesh)

Training Centers/Institutes

  • Indian Naval Academy (INA) Ezhimala (Kerala) – Permanent/Short Commission for both Male & Female
  • National Defense Academy (NDA) Khadakwasla, Pune (MH)– Permanent Commission

SSB Interview Structure

SSB Interview of CDS follows a two-stage selection process.  All the candidates will be first put to the first stage one test on the first day of reporting at selection centres. Only those candidates who qualify stage one will be called for stage two. Candidates need to submit a photocopy of the Class 10 certificate or equivalent in support of date of birth, Bachelor’s degree/Provisional degree alongwith mark sheets of all semesters/years.

Stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests are Picture Perception  Description Test (PP&DT). The candidates will be shortlisted based on a combination of performance in OIR Test and PP&DT.

Stage II comprises Interview, Group Testing Officer Tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. These tests are conducted over four days.

Three different assessors such as Interviewing Officer (IO), Group Testing Officer (GTO) and the Psychologist assess the personality of candidates. There is no separate weightage for each test. The marks are allotted by assessors only after taking into consideration the performance of the candidate holistically in all the tests.

In addition, marks for conference are also allotted based on the initial performance of the Candidate in the three techniques and decisions of the board. All these have equal weightage.

Also Read:

How to Prepare for CDS SSB Interview?

The various tests are designed to bring out the officer like qualities. Accordingly, candidates are recommended or not recommended at the SSB. Candidates need can follow the preparation tips for CDS SSB Interview:

  • For OIR and PP-DT, candidates should focus on basic aptitude, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, Image recognition, story writing in 4 to 5 mins, narrating stories, articulating the group discussion ability, etc.
  • Candidates must get over the fear of speaking. Start practising public speaking. The best way is by contributing to discussions taking place with family and friends. Also, try to interact with people, it will help in boosting confidence. This will help candidates in GD rounds.
  • Candidates can also stand in front of a mirror and talk. Read poems/stories. This will help candidates to improve body language, expression, and pronunciations. It will contribute to overall personality development.
  • There are certain questions such as aim in life and determination and family background are asked frequently in SSB Interview. Keep their answers ready in the best possible way.
  • There are physical activities in the SSB interviews for which candidates need to have a fit body.

Candidates need to do well in SSB Interview. They need to secure the prescribed minimum qualifying marks in the test. The final selection of candidates is done based on SSB Interview and written exam.

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Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered a month ago

Some of the books, help candidates in their CDS preparation are given below:

  • High School English Grammar & Composition Edition by Wren and Martin
  • Objective General English by SP Bakshi
  • Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
  • English Grammar & Composition by S.C Gupta

J

Jasleen Jain

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago


The authority released a total of 453 vacancies for the CDS 2 exam 2025 for admission to the Indian Air Force, Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, and Officers’ Training Academy for courses. 

M

Manisha Singh

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

It is advised to the candidates to reach the CDS exam centre one hour before the given time. They should carry hall ticket along with them otherwise they will not be able to give the exam.

C

Chanchal Shekhar

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

Yes, the English section of the CDS exam is scorable if it is prepared properly. Usually the difficulty level of the exam is moderate. 

S

Satyendra Garg

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

Candidates can check the cut off marks for the CDS exam by visiting the official website at upsc.gov.in. The UPSC will release the cutoff according to the academy or course.

S

Shikha Goyal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The methods to check the CDS cut off marks is provided below:

  • Visit at upsc.gov.in.
  • Click on the :Examination" tab.
  • Go to the "Cut Off Marks" dropdown menu.
  • Click on the download link and save it for future reference.

I

Ishita Kaur

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

Yes. In the CDS exam there is a negative marking. One-third mark will be deducted for an incorrect answer. No mark will be deducted for unanswered questions. 

S

Shikha Shukla

Contributor-Level 6

Answered a month ago

The CDS exam is conducted offline or pen and paper mode. Objective questions will be asked in the examination. Candidates need to mark their choices of answers in the sheet that was provided during the exam. CDS 1 2026 notification will be released on December 10.

 

 

J

Jasleen Jain

Contributor-Level 6

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, the CDS 2 application last date to apply was extended to June 20 from June 17, 2025. A one-time extension was provided by the commission. The application correction window was opened from July 7 to July 9, 2025.

S

Shikha Shukla

Contributor-Level 6