NDA SSB Interview 2024 – Complete 5 Day SSB Process, Dates & Questions Asked

National Defence Academy (NDA) is one of the prestigious national-level exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) twice a year to recruit officers for the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Every year lakhs of aspirants apply for the NDA examination but only a few of them make it to the NDA SSB round, this also makes NDA one of the toughest competitive exams.

The NDA exam comprises two stages NDA written and SSB interviews. Candidates who complete stage one are qualified for participation in stage 2.

Continue reading this article to explain the 5-day SSB interview process comprehensively.

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What Is NDA SSB Interview?

The National Defence Academy (NDA) Service Selection Board (SSB) of the Indian Armed Forces selects candidates for officer-level positions through a thorough and demanding assessment process known as the NDA SSB Interview. The purpose of the interview is to assess the candidate’s leadership potential, intelligence, personality, and fitness for work in the armed forces.

The NDA SSB Interview is a five-day process that consists of multiple rounds of psychological testing, group exercises, and in-person interviews. The purpose of the tests is to evaluate a candidate’s mental ability, capacity for clear thinking under pressure, and teamwork skills. A group of officers conducts the in-person interviews, evaluating each applicant’s drive, attitude, and general fit for a career in the military.

Check – NDA 2024 Eligibility Criteria

The NDA SSB Interview is a challenging process, and only a small percentage of candidates are selected. However, the rewards for those who are selected are great.

If you want to clear the SSB interview round on the first attempt for the NDA 2024 session you can also refer to the few famous NDA SSB interview books like Let’s Crack SSB Interview, Breaking The Code of SSB Psychological Tests, SSB Interview -The Complete Guide, etc.

NDA SSB Selection Procedure

Providing the detailed information about the 5 days of the NDA SSB selection procedure below:

Day 0 (Reporting and Opening Briefing)

• Candidates are required to report to the SSB centre. There will be document verification, and candidates will be allotted their respective chest numbers.
• You will receive an initial briefing about the schedule and rules for the next five days. Get to know your fellow candidates, as teamwork and social interaction are essential aspects of the assessment.

Day 1 (Screening Test)

• The Day 1 screening test includes the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test and the Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT). The OIR test assesses your verbal and non-verbal intelligence.
• In the PPDT, you will be shown a picture for 30 seconds and must write a story based on it. Focus on effective communication, clarity of thought, and a positive, practical approach.

Day 2 (Psychology Tests)

• The psychology tests on Day 2 include the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test (WAT), and Situation Reaction Test (SRT).
• Be honest and spontaneous in your responses, as these tests gauge your personality, thought process, and problem-solving abilities.

Day 3 and 4 (Group Testing Officer Tasks)

• The SSB (Service Selection Board) interview process consists of a series of activities on Days 3 and 4 that are administered as Group Testing Officer (GTO) tasks.
• The purpose of these exercises is to evaluate an applicant’s officer-like qualities (OLQs), which include communication, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and physical fitness.
• The GTO tasks consist of both group and individual challenges and are carried out in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• In order to determine whether a candidate is qualified for the armed forces, the GTO tasks are essential.
• The GTO can identify candidates who possess the OLQs required to succeed as officers by observing their behavior and performance in these tasks.
• Practice good communication and cooperation with your group members. Follow the instructions given by the Group Testing Officer (GTO). The tasks may include group discussions, group planning exercises, progressive group tasks, and more.

Day 5 (Personal Interview)

• The Personal Interview is a crucial component of the SSB process. Be honest and confident while answering questions about your background, experiences, and opinions.
• Prepare for questions related to your interests, current affairs, and general knowledge. Maintain good body language and eye contact with the interviewing officer.
• The interview also assesses your suitability for a career in the armed forces, so express your genuine desire to serve your country.

After successfully completing the NDA SSB interview, candidates proceed to the next stage of the selection process which is the Medical Examination, candidates who are recommended by the SSB undergo a thorough medical examination to assess their physical fitness and suitability for the service in the armed forces.

Based on the combined performance in the written exam and SSB interview, a merit list is prepared for each service (Army, Navy, Air Force). Candidates are allotted to their preferred service based on their merit and availability of vacancies.

Following the merit release the Training at the National Defence Academy (NDA) will be done, then the Joint Services Wing (JSW) Training will take place followed by the Commissioning process.

Below is the comment section you may ask any questions or queries related to the NDA SSB interview process, and our team will provide you with the best assistance.

NDA SSB Interview 2024 FAQs