The Services Selection Board (SSB) interview is a crucial part of the selection process for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Armed Forces as officers. The SSB interview process spans over five days, each designed to assess different qualities and aspects of a candidate’s personality and potential. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the five-day SSB interview process:

**Day 0: Reporting Day**
– **Reception and Documentation**: Candidates report to the designated SSB center and undergo initial documentation and verification.
– **Briefing**: Candidates are briefed about the SSB process, rules, and schedule for the coming days.

 **Day 1: Screening Test**
– **Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Test**: This consists of verbal and non-verbal reasoning tests to evaluate the candidate’s intelligence and problem-solving abilities.
– **Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT)**: Candidates are shown a picture for 30 seconds, after which they have to write a story based on it within 4 minutes. Following this, groups of candidates discuss their stories to reach a common narrative.
– **Shortlisting**: Based on the OIR and PPDT, some candidates are shortlisted for further testing. Those who are not shortlisted are sent back home.

 **Day 2: Psychology Tests**

– **Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)**: Candidates are shown 12 pictures, including one blank slide, and they need to write a story for each picture within a limited time.
– **Word Association Test (WAT)**: A series of 60 words is shown, one at a time, and candidates have to write a sentence for each word in 15 seconds.
– **Situation Reaction Test (SRT)**: Candidates are given 60 situations and must write their reactions to each within 30 minutes.
– **Self-Description Test (SDT)**: Candidates write about their own views on their parents, friends, teachers, and themselves, and also mention what qualities they wish to develop.

**Day 3: Group Testing – Part 1**
– **Group Discussion (GD)**: Candidates participate in two rounds of group discussions on different topics.
– **Group Planning Exercise (GPE)**: A situation is given to the group, and they must collectively come up with a solution, followed by individual written solutions and a discussion to arrive at a final group solution.
– **Progressive Group Task (PGT)**: Groups tackle a series of obstacles with the help of certain aiding materials like planks, ropes, etc.
– **Group Obstacle Race (GOR)**: Also known as the Snake Race, this involves groups competing against each other while overcoming a series of obstacles.
– **Half Group Task (HGT)**: Similar to PGT but with smaller groups, allowing for better individual assessment.

**Day 4: Group Testing – Part 2**
– **Lecturette**: Candidates give a short lecture on a topic selected from a set of given topics.
– **Individual Obstacles (IO)**: Candidates attempt to complete a series of obstacles within a specified time.
– **Command Task (CT)**: Candidates are assigned to lead a small group and solve an obstacle/problem.
– **Final Group Task (FGT)**: Similar to PGT but the entire group works together.

 **Day 5: Personal Interview**
– **Personal Interview (PI)**: Each candidate undergoes a personal interview with an interviewing officer. The interview focuses on the candidate’s background, education, achievements, interests, and various other personal aspects.
– **Conference**: All assessors (psychologists, GTOs, and interviewing officers) gather to discuss and evaluate each candidate’s performance. Candidates are called in one by one, and the final results are announced.

**Post-Conference**
– **Result Announcement**: Candidates who are recommended by the board are informed and briefed about further medical examinations.
– **Medical Examination**: Recommended candidates undergo a thorough medical examination to ensure they meet the medical standards for the Armed Forces.
– **Final Merit List**: After clearing the medical examination, a final merit list is prepared based on the candidate’s performance in the SSB interview and their medical fitness.

This five-day SSB interview process is designed to assess a candidate’s mental, physical, and emotional suitability for a career as an officer in the Indian Armed Forces.