Before 1996, all the shortlisted candidates would compulsory go through the 5 day interview process. As the number increased it became significantly difficult for the assessors to individually assess each candidate with accuracy. To overcome, the DIPR (Defence Institute of Psychological Research) a branch of DRDO made a recommendation. They came up with a plan to divide interview into two stages i.e Stage 1 and Stage 2
For the first time in 1996, candidates were first filtered through stage 1 which was named “Screening” so that only a few number of candidates go through the rest of the days and the assessors get plenty of time to assess each individual candidate in stage 2. The stage 1 required candidates to sit through a cognitive test called “Officer Intelligence Rating Test”. The OIR test used a pen-and-paper format, with booklets distributed to candidates in an exam hall like setting.
DIPR named the next test as the “Picture Perception and Discussion Test. “The PPDT test required candidates to see a picture on screen and write a story based on the individual’s thought process. Candidates had to write the story according to a predefined format. They then walked out collectively to an open area, where officials divided them into groups and seated them in a semicircle. This is when the next part of PPDT came into play. The next part was narration and discussion where each individual based on the seating would stand up one by one and narrate the story they had written without actually having that paper in their hands. Once everyone narrated their stories, candidates were to have a common discussion to come up with a single story that everyone agreed upon. This marked the completion of Stage 1 testing.
Why is SSB stage 1 system changing?
Over the last 30 years since this process came into existence, candidates have raised their concerns over the inaccuracies of the testing. Candidates have expressed a common concern that the test is biased. While OIR is clearly a transparent testing, PPDT doesn’t have a defined standard. A person may demonstrate strong writing skills, speak effectively, and perform well in discussions, yet selectors may still not choose them. This issue has long concerned candidates, as many people perceive the selection process as biased and assessors have not clearly defined their role. With unclear standards, clearing screening became mere luck for many candidates. This is why there has been a constant demand to review the process and it had been going through since a decade. Authorities tested many different processes in parallel since 2017, but they never reached a conclusion, and the old process continues to exist.
In 2026, Indian Army finally gave a clear indication of a new stage 1 selection system. Authorities had been planning the system since 2023 and tested it on actual candidates in 2025. Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) designed the system, and after reviewing research and feedback, the Indian Army has decided to introduce the Computerised Stage-1 Selection System (CSSS).
What is CSSS in SSB Interview?
Computerised stage-1 selection system is a computer based test with a total of 190 questions having different time duration and marks. The test will be conducted at the selection board’s computer systems. All the candidates will sit together in front of their systems and given an individual headphone too.
The test will consist of two parts: 70 cognitive (OIR) questions + 120 personality introspection based questions.
While candidates preparing for SSB Interview are familiar with OIR questions, the personality based questions are going to be very different. Image based, voice based, map based etc. It will be a complete variety of questions with 4 options to select the response from. The computer will allocate a limited time for each question, and candidates cannot revisit questions they have already answered. Further, if candidates fail to answer individual question in time, they will not be able to revisit it too. Each question will have different time and marks.
Once candidates finish the test, the computer based result will instantly generate the report. This process is more transparent and has zero assessors involvement in screening.
What are benefits of this new SSB Stage 1 system?
The primary benefit of this system is that it allows officials to assess all candidates in a single sitting without requiring them to move to different areas for separate tests. Second, The computer based test is unbiased and gives instant result. It is more transparent and candidates will know where they lack so they could prepare accordingly. There will be no PPDT, story writing, narration or group discussion in stage 1 according to this new system.
What doesn’t change in the new SSB selection system?
The change is only made to the stage 1 selection system. There will be absolutely no difference in stage 2 selection system. Stage 2 test will remain exactly the same with no change whatsoever.
When will CSSS be applicable?
CSSS will likely be applicable from 2027 or until authorities make an official announcement. Till then all this information is for candidates general awareness.
Candidates are to prepare as per the existing stage 1 system that requires OIR & PPDT testing with narration and group discussion.
CSSS will be across AFSB & NSB’s. The implementation will likely take time; therefore, authorities will most likely implement the newly proposed Stage 1 selection system across all selection centres toward the end of 2027. . Till then candidates are advised to not fall for any misinformation unless officially stated by the Indian army or Directorate generate of recruitment.
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