35+ Most Important SSB Interview Questions to Prepare in 2025
SSB Interview tests the candidate’s ability to become officer. SSB Interview is a five-day process and comprises a rigorous assessment that involves a variety of tests and activities. SSB Interview questions range from personal background, family-related questions, friends, social life, hobbies, Current Affairs, etc. Read below for more details on SSB Interview.
Service Selection Board (SSB) Interview is conducted by the Indian Armed Forces to select candidates for entry the Army, Navy and Air Force. All the defence exams in India like NDA, CDS conduct SSB Interview for candidates who qualify the written exam. SSB Interview tests the candidate’s ability to become Officers. SSB Interview is a five-day process and comprises a rigorous assessment that involves a variety of tests and activities. SSB Interview includes psychological tests, group discussions, and a personal interview. This stage plays a critical role in the overall selection.
Many people get rejected in SSB Interview on several grounds. Therefore, candidates must prepare well for this stage of selection. To help crack this stage, we have provided on this page SSB Interview questions. Going through the SSB Interview questions, candidates can understand the pattern of the test and prepare themselves accordingly. Scroll down to read more details on SSB Interview.
Candidates for this part can refer to forces shaping the modern world, freedom movement in India, Indian Constitution and Administration, Panchayat Raj, Democracy, Socialism and Communism, etc. The tips and tricks to prepare the History section of NDA are given below:
Before starting the preparation, candidates must understand the exam pattern of NDA. This will help candidates to focus on the important topics and allot time accordingly
Candidates must check the syllabus of NDA for History and make a list of all the topics that are covered. This will help candidates to priortise their preparation
Candidates must start revising the NCERT books of Classes 6 to 12 for History
Candidates must refer to good books like India's Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra for history
Candidates should practice the previous year question papers to understand the type of questions asked in the exam and identify their strong and weak areas
Six months are more than enough to prepare for AFCAT exam. Candidates must start from clearing the basic concepts of every topics. Maths can be tough, therefore, candidates must understand the basic concepts. They should note down the important theorems and formulas. In English, candidates need to focus on improving their vocabularly. Candidates must prepare current affairs of six months from the date of exam. They should also prepare basic Science, Geography, Defence Terms, etc. Logical Reasoning questions will be of non-verbal type. So, candidates must solve previous years' question papers.
- What is SSB Interview?
- SSB Interview Pattern
- SSB Interview Questions
What is SSB Interview?
SSB Interview is conducted to identify the candidate’s leadership qualities, teamwork skills and other essential attributes to succeed in Armed Forces. Candidates who appeared for CDS, NDA, AFCAT are required to appear for SSB Interview after clearing the written exam. Apart from these, candidates have to appear for SSB Interview for entries like 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, and Navy’s Education Branch Entry.
Candidates can also appear for SSB Interview through open entries like- Technical Graduate Course, Tech Entry Scheme, NCC Special Entry Scheme, and University Entry Scheme.
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SSB Interview Pattern
SSB Interview process is same for all the entries such as NDA, CDS, etc. The interview process is given below.
Stage 1: Screening
With just three months left for the exam, take mock test on the first day of preparation. This will give candidates an idea how much effort they need to put in to propel towards the ideal score. Set a week-wise target to complete the syllabus. Buy a good book and learn from it. The mock-taking exercise should be followed up with an in-depth mock analysis. Candidates must also solve previous years' question papers.
Follow the preparation hacks given below to do smart study and crack the exam in one month:
- Stick all the required mathematical formulas and theorems near the study table so that it becomes easier to memorise them all
- Algebra, Calculus and Coordinate Geometry are the topics that have the highest weightage, prepare them well
- Brush up English grammar skills
- Improve vocabulary by reading articles, editorials, English newspaper, etc.
- Refine General Knowledge by reading newspapers daily and watch news channels
- Be aware of each and every news about defence services
- Solve as many previous years' question papers as possible to understand the pattern better
To clear the NDA exam, you generally need to score between 340 to 360 out of 900 marks. NDA cut off for written exam is calculated out of 900. NDA cut off for final selection is calculated out of 1800. NDA cut off is calculated based on difficulty level of the exam, number of test takers, number of vacancies.
The Stage 1 screening comprises Intelligence Test and Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT). In Intelligence test, candidates are assessed their Reasoning Ability, Problem-Solving Ability and Verbal Skills. In PPDT, candidates are presented with a picture and are asked to write a story based on it. This is followed by group discussion.
Stage 2: Detailed Evaluation
This stage comprises psychological testing, group testing, personal interview. The psychological testing includes tests like Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) and Word Association Test (WAT) that assess the candidate’s personality and subconscious motivations. The Group Testing involves group discussions, group planning exercises, and progressive group tasks. In PI, the Interviewing Officer assess the personality, Officer Like Qualities (OLQs), and suitability for the armed forces.
Conference and Recommendation
After the tests and activities, a conference is held where the Interviewing Officer, Psychologist, and Group Testing Officer discuss the performance of candidates and make report card.
Medical Examination
Successful candidates then undergo a medical examination to ensure that they meet the physical standards that is crucial for the Armed Forces.
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SSB Interview Questions
SSB Interview questions ranges from personal background, family-related questions, friends, social life, hobbies, Current Affairs, etc. Some of the common SSB Interview questions are given below.
Personal Background
- What is the meaning of your name?
- How about your family members’ names?
- How would you compare yourself with your family members?
- Describe your hometown. What do you like/dislike about it?
- What are you currently doing (studies/job)?
- Were you ever weak in a certain area? How did you overcome it?
Family Related Questions
- How many members are there in your family?
- Since when have you lived in your current place?
- Describe your relationship with each member. Who are you closest to and why?
- Compare yourself with your sibling(s). If you’re the only child, would you prefer an elder or younger sibling?
- What are the occupations of working family members?
Education
- Which institutions have you studied in?
- Any achievements or leadership positions held?
- Which subjects did you like or dislike? Why?
- What are your future plans if not selected in the Armed Forces?
- Why do you want to join the Armed Forces?
Social Life
- What kind of people do you choose as friends?
- Describe your best friend and compare him/her with yourself.
- What activities do you enjoy with your friends?
- What are your friends’ hobbies, ambitions, and personalities?
Hobbies & Interests
- How do you spend your leisure time?
- Which task in GTO or psychology series did you enjoy the most?
- Which books have you read recently?
- Why was your performance weaker in 12th compared to 10th?
- Compare your hometown with the SSB location or Pune, if applicable.
- How are your friends at the SSB Centre different from college friends?
Current Affairs
- Name 5 current national and international political news items.
- Name 5 current national and international sports news events.
- Be aware of major international organizations and how they function.
- What are India’s key national challenges today?
- Who is your role model, and why?
- Share your opinion on India’s defense policies.
Military Knowledge
- Why the Army/Navy/Air Force?
- Who are the current Chiefs of Staff?
- What is the role of the Armed Forces in a democracy?
- Are you ready for the hardships of military life?
- What does “service before self” mean to you?

