SSB- Personal Interview

What is a Personal Interview (PI) in SSB

Personal Interview It is a one-one interaction between a candidate and Interviewing Officer, generally a Colonel or Major General ranked officer.

It is one of the important test, as it gives you a chance to present the best of yourself in front of an assessor. For some candidates it is scheduled for Day 2 ,Day 3 for some and finally remaining candidates on Day 4 or 5. Its length can vary from 40-70 minutes, however the exceptions are always there.

In Personal Interview, generally questions related to personal & family background, and friends in addition to current affairs ,10 +2 level science, armed forces are mostly asked.

# How was my Personal Interview ?

This was going to be my life's first interview, so it would have been once in a life thrill. 

After 30 minutes of finishing Psychological Test series, at 1000 hours , CHM took chest no.14-22 to the interview building, we were briefed about the entering and exiting rules, he told chest no. 14,15,16  to stay there, he said to them," Look at the screen inside waiting room when it displays your chest number", rest of us were told to wait in our respective allotted rooms and report in a group of next 3 when our turn comes as each Personal interview would take 30 minutes at least.

So we came back to our rooms, were nervous as well as happy that we will be free by today itself from this tough part. I prepared some national news through books & Internet, went for lunch, then after taking shower, dressed in proper formal clothes with a red tie so called lucky tie.

Filled with optimism and confidence I went to waiting room as we were called by our CHM , after an hour break, my chest number displayed on the screen, I was called, opened the door and asked permission to enter, greeted him and took a seat. IO briefed me about basic rules of this Interview. 

First of all, IO told me to introduce myself, then he told me to tell more about Tanakpur, I mentioned about Sharda River, Shyamlatal, Boom Temple and Poornagiri Temple. He asked me route to Poornagiri Devi Temple by vehicle, so I told him everything in detail and he seemed quite impressed and appreciated me about my knowledge of my place.

Now, it was a CIQ  series of 8-10 questions about my marks from 9-12, why did my marks went less in 12th, favorite subject and teacher, not so favorite subject and teacher, about friends, hobbies and interests ,what all sports have I played etc..

I answered 7-8 of them, rest of the questions i was not able to remember them, I told my inability to complete the syllabus in time and not giving equal weight-age to all subjects  as the reasons of my low marks in class 12. I also told him a lot about my school and hostel friends.

I told that Mathematics was my favorite subject, however my marks in it were only 71/100, so he asked some questions related to speed , length conversion & Pythagoras and I answered them within seconds confidently. I told my not so favorite subject as social-science as class lectures used to be monotonous, nothing extra was discussed other than book.

Another set of 8-10 questions was thrown at me about my family,which all competitive exams had I appeared for & what were  results, what am I doing nowadays, what are my friends doing ,how do I spent time with my family ,who am I more close to mother/ father, did I get pocket money, why I would like to join army and which regiment, name some of its equipment etc.

This time I was able to remember all questions, however I stuck in between. II told him about my family, I told I appeared for NDA twice, first with class 12 and now, I cleared JEE mains as well.

I told my friends are pursuing engineering and I teach my sister whenever I am free & help my mother to improve English-speaking, I did not get pocket money and ask for money from my mother whenever needed. I told my inner motivation and cheerful and courageous personality of personnel's attracts me to join Army. However that time I knew nothing about Army regiments so I said 'EME corps', so Interviewing Officer asked about equipment but I was unable to answer all this questions related to weapons and equipment now.

Now the room turned into battlefield, IO started asking current affairs,rivers Hong Kong Protest etc. but I was able to answer only 2 out of 6, even not with proper explanation. I was asked about GMT and Tropic of Cancer, so I knew about it one of them, so answered it with explanation. 

Then he asked about principle behind the flying of an aeroplane,I answered about 4 forces acting- thrust, drag, weight and lift with proper explanation. Now he asked about floating of ship, I answered but that was not up-to his mark so he cross questioned a lot, about sink and float to confuse me.

At the end he asked me about my strengths and weaknesses and two good & bad qualities of my best friend. I told him very confidently. Finally my Personal Interview got over, officer wished me good luck for my next tests.