SSB comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the recruitment process is independently managed by UPSC. The UPSC CAPF exam is conducted for the recruitment of candidates into SSB, as Sahastra Seema Bal is one of the five forces for which the exam is conducted.
CAPF recruitment 3 major steps. The exam pattern for the recruitment process is very elaborate and lengthy. The recruitment stages are as follows:
- CAPF written exam
- Physical Efficiency Test and Medical Standards Test
- Interview/ Personality Test
The interview or personality test is one of the major qualifying stages, and candidates must clear this stage to get through the SSB exam. A planned preparation is crucial to score well in the SSB interview.Â
In this article, we have provided important SSB interview questions to help you score well in the SSB interview.
25 Key Interview Questions in SSB Personality Test
- Tell me about yourself
- Tell me about your daily routine.
- Tell me about your routine at the weekend.
- Tell your 2-3 strengths and weaknesses
- Tell me about your native place, language, and culture
- How do you spend your free time?
- Why did you choose to join the armed forces?
- Tell about some recent trending news in India
- What are the subjects you chose for graduation and why?
- What if you fail the interview? Do you have another plan?
- Will you try for SSB next time if you do not qualify for the exam this time?
- What is the meaning of your name, and how significant is it for you?
- Which regiment/arm/branch would you prefer to join and why?
- Why have you only applied for Army and not Air Force or Navy?
- Tell me about some other competitive exams that you have appeared for
- Tell us something about your best friends.Â
- How do you share your secrets with your family and friends? Why?
- What kind of people do you not get along with?
- How important is your opinion at your home?
- Tell us about your relationship of yours with your parents.
- Do you get any pocket money? If yes, how do you spend it?
- Tell me something about this exam centre and city.
- What is your biggest fear in life?
- Tell me about a situation where you have used your strength and emerged victorious.
- What are your other career plans other than defence?
SSB Interview Phases
The SSB Interview is conducted in two phases.
- Phase I- Screening
- Phase 2- Psychological Tests, Group Tests, Interviews, and board conferenceÂ
The above tests are conducted to assess a candidate on some important qualitative aspects, such as
- Discipline
- Determination
- Intelligence
- Adaptability
- Cooperation
- Reasoning Ability
- Self-confidence
- Courage
- Stamina
- Decision-making
Interview Preparation Strategy to clear the SSB exam on the first attempt
Aspirants must be well-prepared for the SSB personality test to ace the overall exam with good scores and achieve their dream of serving the nation by getting into the defence domain.
- Be organised and confident
Attending an interview of this stature can create a sense of nervousness in many. But, to crack the interview, aspirants must create the best initial impression by looking smart, cheerful, and enthusiastic. While entering the hall, candidates must respond politely to the interviewing officer’s welcome remark. Stay calm and relaxed, and ensure you have dressed appropriately for the interview.
- Have better etiquette and posture
Aspirants must ensure that they have their basic posture and etiquette in check while attending the SSB interview. It is commendable to make yourself heard, but aspirants must not be too loud. It’s essential to show an eagerness to communicate and answer queries. Aspirants must be very attentive while the interviewer asks questions.
Sit up straight and comfortably without fidgeting or shifting your hands or legs. Acknowledge the question by softly nodding your head and maintaining eye contact throughout. If you don’t understand something, respectfully ask for clarification or ask the question again.
- Do your homework well
Aspirants must be aware of the facts and figures related to the topics that can be tentative questions in the interview. Also, whatever is mentioned in your DAF, you must have in-depth knowledge about that. Avoid writing things to impress randomly.Â
Aspirants must be clear about facts and figures regarding their schooling, college, ranks, and every detail they mention.
Also, it’s a common incident of questions being asked in a sequence in such interviews. Try to recall all of these questions and answer them in the same order. If you fail to memorise all questions, finish those you remember and then seek to clarify anything left out.
- Be well-informed about events around the world
General knowledge is a crucial part of the interview process. The candidates are gauged on their general knowledge and awareness of recent events and happenings. You need to be aware of what is happening in your nation and in the world. Aspirants must have an in-depth knowledge of topics and not just the base idea. Candidates who have a logical viewpoint and know their facts can mark a better impression on the interviewer than the competitors. Be very subtle in the debate that might come across during the interview. Avoid being biased towards any opinion. Have a habit of reading newspapers on a daily basis and keep all important details in mind.
- Be fit and dress well for the interview
Aspirants who get selected for the SSB are the ones who have marked a better impression on their interviewers than other candidates. Be mindful of the attire for your SSB interview. You have to be dressed appropriately as suggested by the commission and previous year’s candidates. Read the dressing guidelines for both men and women for the SSB interview. Be careful of the way you walk and sit, and avoid looking lazy during your interview. Try to remain physically fit, as it speaks a lot about your overall personality. It’s best to exercise regularly if you plan to get into SSB.Â
The Personal Interview component of the SSB exam tests a candidate on multiple fronts. The Interviewing Officer conducts an interview with the candidate to determine their suitability to become an army officer. The SSB interview is an important aspect of the selection process for the Defence sector (Army).
Interesting Facts about SSB Interview
Some of the interesting facts about the SSB interview are as follows:
- SSB Interview is one of the longest interviews with a schedule spread over 5 days.
- SSB interviews have an extremely low success rate.
- In an SSB interview, applicants must answer naturally to any given situation. Candidates who do not react might be immediately rejected by the interview panel.
- There is no limit on the number of SSB Interview attempts that can be made.
- SSB maintains stringent guidelines and never compromises with their selection criterion in any situation.
- All shortlisted applicants must stay beyond the fifth day of the SSB Interview process for a one-week medical check.
- Fit individuals with boosted confidence, English speaking abilities, and responsiveness stand a better possibility of being chosen.
Cracking the SSB interview might be tough, but with the right preparation, it is possible. Students must be well-prepared for the interview by practising answering questions in front of a mirror, a friend or a family member. Repeated practice can be very effective in cracking the SSB interview with good scores and rank.
About SSB
Sashastra Seema Bal is currently managing the security of the Indo-Bhutan and Indo-Nepal borders. The Force was initially named Special Service Bureau and was planned in November 1962 and subsequently established in March 1963 with the only goal of achieving ‘total security preparedness in distant border areas for playing a stay-behind role in the case of a conflict.Â
Related links:
CAPF Recruitment | Government exams | AFCAT Salary |
NDA Salary | CDS Salary | CAPF Syllabus |
CAPF Eligibility Criteria | BSF | ITBP |