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8 Most Important Questions Asked in SSB Interview
There’s no specific difference in the questions asked in an NDA SSB interview compared to a regular SSB interview for other entries into the Indian Armed Forces. The SSB assesses potential officers across all branches, so the core themes remain consistent. Here’s a list of question you might encounter in your SSB interview:
SSB Interview Questions with Answers
Background and Self-Awareness:
- Tell me about yourself and your background. (this is the most common question)
- What are your strengths and weaknesses? (Be prepared to elaborate with specific examples)
- Why do you want to join the NDA and the Armed Forces?
- What branch particularly interests you (Army, Navy, Air Force) and why?
- What are your hobbies and interests? How do you manage your time between academics and extracurriculars?
Academics and General Knowledge:
6. Briefly discuss your academic performance and achievements.
7. (Rapid Fire) Be prepared for quick questions about specific subjects or your marks. Questions might be like what is your favourite subject be aware that you don’t lie here because next question might be related to that subject
8. Questions or your Opinion on current affairs, especially defence-related news?
SSB Interview Questions’ Answers
Tell me about yourself and your background.
You can start answering this question by:
Introduction: Start by briefly introducing yourself, and then your educational qualification like studied in 12th grade.
Academic award (optional): If you’ve received any academic awards or achievements that are relevant to the NDA or military, such as academic excellence awards or participation in science fairs, briefly mention them.
Your Hobbies and Interests: Briefly Discuss your interests and hobbies, because they define who you are or your personality. For example, playing a team sport like basketball or cricket shows teamwork and leadership skills, while activities like painting or writing shows creativity and perseverance. Having an interest or hobbies also shows your discipline because improving in a sports or painting requires discipline.
Tell them about your strengths and weakness: Why weaknesses? you might ask because being aware about your weaknesses shows that you have self awareness and also state that how you’re working to improve them.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
List your 2 to 3 strengths that align with military.
For example
Leadership– Ability to motivate others
Teamwork– Your ability to work in a team
Communication skill– Active listening and ability to convey ideas effectively
Physical Fitness: Stamina and endurance or if you are good in any sports.
These are just some examples of the types of strengths you might want to mention during the interview.
Weaknesses
Accept your Weakness: Don’t claim to be perfect everyone has weakness. Accept them and show how you’re actively working on improving.
E.g., “Sometimes I tend to be impatient. To address this, I’ve started practicing mindfulness techniques and actively listening to different perspectives before forming an opinion.”
Make your Weakness your Strength: Instead of getting sad about your weaknesses or focusing on them entirely make it your strength by telling them how you’re actively working to improve them and then your weakness becomes becomes your strength.
Why do you want to join the NDA and the Armed Forces? Or What branch particularly interests you (Army, Navy, Air Force) and why?
Don’t give a generic answer like “serving the country.” Because then the next question for you might be “Is Joining defence is the only way to serve your nation. If you want to serve your nation you can be a teacher or a social worker or a doctor. Then question will be again why NDA?”
Here is how you can answer this question
Express Genuine Passion: It is important that you want to serve the nation but it’s also important that you don’t just give generic answer here’s how you can answer” I am always attracted towards the discipline, teamwork, punctuality, uniform of army and their drive to serve the nation even if it costs their life but your words should show your passion these words must not be shallow or passionless”
Your knowledge: Show the interviewer you’ve done your research. Briefly mention a specific branch of the Armed Forces that interests you (Army, Navy, Air Force) and explain why it appeals to you.
What are your hobbies and interests? How do you manage your time between academics and extracurriculars?
Hobbies define your personality as we discussed above
How do you manage your time between academics and hobbies?
You can say that i have created time table for myself such that I have enough time to study and for my hobbies and interest making sure everything gets balanced attention. This will show your time management skill.
Conclusion
The questions we discussed above are just some questions that you might face during your interview, so it is important that you are honest during your SSB interview and make sure you show how much you really care about serving your country and how much you know about the branch of the military you want to join. Also, talk about how you’re trying to get better at things you’re not so good at. If you want a proper guidance while you are preparing for NDA SSB preparation, you can join Commandant Defence Academy. We provide you the best NDA coaching in Dehradun. For more information, contact us.
FAQs
NCERT Books: These books are highly recommended for building a strong foundation in core subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, and Political Science.
Reference Books and Coaching Materials: While not mandatory, these resources can supplement your learning by providing additional practice questions, explanations, and insights. Consult with experienced educators or coaching institutes to determine if such materials align with your learning style and needs.
Mathematics:This section carries 300 marks and consists of 120 objective-type questions.
General Ability Test (GAT):This section carries 600 marks and consists of 150 objective-type questions further divided into:
- English:50 questions (200 marks)
- General Knowledge:100 questions (400 marks) covering various topics like Physics, Chemistry, History, Geography, and Current Affairs.
Here are some strategies to improve your problem-solving skills in Mathematics
Master the fundamentals: Ensure a thorough understanding of basic mathematical concepts like arithmetic operations, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus.
Practice regularly: Regularly solve problems from various topics to solidify your grasp of the underlying concepts.
How can I stay updated on current affairs for the GAT section?
Develop a News Consumption Habit:
- Newspapers:Subscribe to a reputable newspaper (e.g., The Hindu, The Indian Express, Times of India) and dedicate time daily to reading national and international news.
- News Websites:Utilize credible news websites (e.g. The Hindu, Times of India ).
- Magazines and Journals: Consider subscribing to weekly or monthly magazines (e.g., India Today, Frontline, Yojana) that offer deeper analysis of current affairs and provide diverse viewpoints.
- Government Websites: Visit official government websites (e.g., Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of External Affairs(MEA)) to access official statements, reports, and press releases on various government initiatives and international relations.
- Discussions and Debates: Participate in discussions and debates about current events with friends, family, or online communities. This can help you gain different perspectives, test your understanding, and solidify your knowledge.
- Note-Taking and Summarization: Develop a habit of taking notes while reading or listening to news. Briefly summarize key points and important information to reinforce your learning and aid in revision.
Additional Tips:
Prioritize Credibility: Always verify the source of information before accepting it as fact. Be wary of fake news and misleading information circulating online.
Focus on Relevant Topics: While staying broadly informed, prioritize news pertaining to national security, defense, foreign policy, social issues, and economic developments, as these are more likely to be relevant to the NDA exam.
Maintain a Balanced Approach: Don’t overload yourself with information. Aim for regular, focused news consumption to ensure effective learning and retention.
Develop a News Consumption Habit:
- Newspapers:Subscribe to a reputable newspaper (e.g., The Hindu, The Indian Express, Times of India) and dedicate time daily to reading national and international news.
- News Websites:Utilize credible news websites (e.g. THE HINDU, TIMES OF INDIA ).
- Magazines and Journals: Consider subscribing to weekly or monthly magazines (e.g., India Today, Frontline, Yojana) that offer deeper analysis of current affairs and provide diverse viewpoints.
- Government Websites: Visit official government websites (e.g., Press Information Bureau (PIB), https://www.mea.gov.in/) to access official statements, reports, and press releases on various government initiatives and international relations.
- Discussions and Debates: Participate in discussions and debates about current events with friends, family, or online communities. This can help you gain different perspectives, test your understanding, and solidify your knowledge.
- Note-Taking and Summarization: Develop a habit of taking notes while reading or listening to news. Briefly summarize key points and important information to reinforce your learning and aid in revision.
Additional Tips:
- Prioritize Credibility: Always verify the source of information before accepting it as fact. Be wary of fake news and misleading information circulating online.
- Focus on Relevant Topics: While staying broadly informed, prioritize news pertaining to national security, defense, foreign policy, social issues, and economic developments, as these are more likely to be relevant to the NDA exam.
- Maintain a Balanced Approach: Don’t overload yourself with information. Aim for regular, focused news consumption to ensure effective learning and retention.
Cracking the NDA exam requires dedication, a strategic approach, and a strong foundation in various subjects. While coaching institutes can be a valuable resource, they are not absolutely necessary