Services
Selection Board (SSB) is an organization that assesses the candidates for becoming
officers into the Indian Armed Forces. The board evaluates the suitability of
the candidate for becoming an officer using a standardized protocol of
evaluation system which constitutes of personality, intelligence tests, and SSB Interviews & Written Examinations.
The tests are of both types i.e. written and practical task-based.
An SSB comprises the panel of
assessors, who are officers in Indian Armed Forces and having their
specialization as Psychologist, GTO and
Interviewing Officer. In total there are ten Service Selection Boards
across India, out of which three boards are for Indian Army, four boards are
for Indian Air Force and three boards for Indian Navy. SSB is a 5–6 days
evaluation process.
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Introduction
There are a variety of pathways to a
commission as an officer in the Indian Armed Forces. This applies to both for
civilians (after 10+2, graduation and post graduation), as well as for serving
armed forces personnel. All except army medical corps members must succeed in
the “SSB interview”. There is no limit to the number of attempts that can be
made. The interview involves a battery of psychological tests of personality,
to assess the candidate’s suitability for the commission to the armed forces.
The tests help the SSB select candidates with an officer like qualities
(“OLQs”). The Services Selection Board is not concerned with the number of
commissions available. Its responsibility is just to assess and then,
recommend. Successful candidates have a medical examination and if satisfactory
are recorded on a “merit list” before training and commission.
The selection occurs over a five-day
process. Day 1 involves a screening test, Day 2, psychological tests, Days 3
and 4, group tasks, and Day 5, the compilation of results In Conference. A
personal interview is also included during the selection period. The qualities
looked for in the selection period include intellect, responsibility, initiative,
the judgment under stress, ability to reason and organize, communication
skills, determination, courage, self-confidence, speed in decision making,
willingness to set an example, compassion and a feeling of loyalty to the
nation. The candidates are billeted during the selection period and complete
the assessment in a group with other candidates. Observations of the group are
constant.
Procedure
The candidates who have passed the
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) written examination, or who, in the case
of the Territorial Army have been recommended by a Preliminary Interview Board
(PIB), or, who have been asked to present to the Service Selection Board are
allocated a SSB centre to attend. Service candidates attend via movement orders
made by their superiors.
DAY 1
On the day candidate has to report,
he has to follow the instructions as mentioned in the SSB call letter.
Generally, the candidate has to report at the railway station in the morning
between 7 Am – 8 Am, and from there candidates are escorted to the board by one
of the SSB official. On the very same day, candidates are made to sit in the
testing hall where they have to present their educational documents for
verification and are allotted a number (called as Chest Number) by which they
will be able to identify the candidates throughout the process. A briefing
about the schedule, various tests and general instructions is given.
Day 1, Screening test – Stage I
On Day 1, stage one of testing is
administered. This includes a verbal and non-verbal intelligence test (About 50
questions each) and then a Picture Perception and Description Test (PPDT). In
this test, a picture, either hazy or clear is shown to the candidates for 30
seconds. Each candidate observes it and then, in the next minute, must record
the number of characters seen in the picture. Then, in four minutes, each
candidate must win over seventy words, make a story from the picture (and not
just describe the picture). The candidate must record the mood, approximate
age, and gender of the first character they saw, known as the “main character”.
In stage two of the PPDT, the candidates are given their stories, which they
may revise. Then, in a group, each candidate must narrate his story in under
one minute. The group is then asked to create a common story involving each or
their perceived picture stories.
After the completion of these tests,
unsuccessful candidates are dismissed. Other candidates are short-listed. They
must complete the first of up to five personal information questionnaires which
must each be recorded in the same manner. The personal information
questionnaire is the basis for the individual candidate interview.
Day 2, Psychology test – Stage II
On Day 2, a Thematic Apperception
Test (TAT) or picture story writing is administered. It is similar to the PPDT,
but the picture used is clear. Again the candidates are shown a picture for
thirty seconds and then write a story in the next four minutes. Twelve such
pictures are shown sequentially. The last picture is a blank slide inviting the
candidates to write a story of their choice. Candidates do not need to remember
the number of characters in each picture and there is no group discussion.
Also administered on the second day
is a Word Association Test. The candidates are shown sixty simple, everyday
words in sequence. Each is shown for fifteen seconds. For each word, the
candidates write the first thought that come to mind in response to the word.
Other tests administered on day two
are the Situation Reaction Test in which a booklet of 60 situations is given in
which responses are to be completed in 30 minutes. and the Self Description
Test which consists of 5 questions asking about the candidate’s parent’s,
teacher’s, friend’s and his own perception about himself.
Days 3 and 4, Group test by GTO (Group Testing
Officer) – Stage II
On the third and fourth days, there
are tasks including group discussion; group (military) planning exercises;
progressive group tasks; small (half) group tasks; individual tasks
(obstacles); group obstacle or “snake race”; command tasks; a lecture and a
final group task.
Days 2, 3 & 4, Interview by IO (Interviewing
Officer) – Stage II
On day 2, 3 or 4 along with GTO,
individual candidate interview The interview is conducted by the interviewing
officer. It is based on the personal information questionnaires filled by the
candidates on day 1 and other general knowledge.
Day 5, final assessment and results (Conference)
On day five, All the officers in
Proper Uniform to attend the conference each candidate has a conversation with
a panel of assessors. The assessors look for confidence and expression when
speaking; a positive attitude in adversity and in life; and honesty. Following
this, the final results are announced. Successful candidates remain for an
intensive medical examination taking three to five days at a military hospital.
Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT – Once in a
lifetime Test)
The Pilot Aptitude Battery Test
(PABT) is administered to candidates hoping to join the Flying Branches only of
the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, Indian Army or Indian Coast Guard. The PABT
is conducted during the SSB interview. Candidates may sit the PABT only once.
The PABT includes the Instrument Battery Test, a Sensory Motor Apparatus Test
(SMA) and a Control Velocity Test (CVT).
More recently, the “Computerized
Pilot Selection System” (CPSS) has been used. It was created by the former
president of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with the Defence Institute of
Psychological Research and the Air Defence Establishment, groups within the
Defence Research and Development Organization. It was developed to determine
aptitude for use of intellect with respect to advanced aircraft.
CPSS machine simulates an aircraft
cockpit. Video games played by the candidate on a screen in front of him are
scored best of three games. It tests hand, leg, and vision and hearing
coordination.
Instrument Battery Test - Best SSB Coaching in
Lucknow
The Instrument Battery Test (INSB0
is a paper, pencil and machine based test. It has two parts. The candidate must
listen to a briefing and then interpret the dials of an instrument panel of an
aircraft. If the candidate does well, they proceed to the machine part of the
test. The machine test includes the Sensory Motor Apparatus Test (SMA) and the
Control Velocity Test (CVT) which examine a candidate’s co-ordination. The
tests are administered in one day and candidates may only ever attempt the
tests once.
