The Services Selection Board (SSB) interview is the stepping stone to serving as an officer in the Indian Armed Forces. However, clearing it does not guarantee final selection. Once the candidates with the desired Officer Like Qualities (OLQs) are recommended, the medical board stands between them and their dream.
With very less information available online, candidates often dread the SSB interview medicals. So, this blog simplifies the process for them. After detailed conversations with previously recommended candidates, it shares everything that you must know about the SSB interview medicals.
What are SSB Interview Medicals?
Candidates earn the “+” sign after recommendation from respective SSB centres. This indicates that they are undergoing medicals for final selection. The candidates undergo several medical tests based on a set of parameters, clearing which nears them to the uniform.
The SSB interview medicals happen in three stages:
- Special Medical Board (SMB) happens immediately after recommendation. Here, only a preliminary medical examination occurs over a period of 4 to 10 days.
- Appeal Medical Board (AMB) happens if a candidate is declared medically unfit for any reason. They get 42 days to appeal and appear for re-medicals.
- Review Medical Board (RMB) is the final medical board. Candidates can apply for RMB if they are deemed unfit by the AMB too. However, grant of RMB is not a right of the applicant.
Documentation for SSB Interview Medicals
A day prior to the reporting for medicals, all recommended candidates fill an identification form. It carries basic details about them along with two identification marks. When they report to the Military Hospital (MH) the next day, they must fill four identical forms about their medical history. Doctors use these forms to note their medical findings.
Women candidates also fill an additional form about their menstrual cycle and undergo relevant tests at the MH.
SSB Interview Medicals: All Tests
The SSB interview medicals start immediately after recommendation at the centre. However, Air Force medicals happen outside at designated hospitals. Candidates report to the MH early morning.
Day I: Basic Tests
On the first day, they report on an empty stomach for the following tests:
- Blood sample for haemoglobin, blood cells, et cetera
- X-ray for spine
- Urine test
- Ultrasound (abdomen)
Here, the MNS officers collect their blood and urine samples for further testing, and they appear for an X-ray of the upper body.
The ultrasound of the full abdomen happens last. For this, candidates drink several glasses of water which tires them. The radiologist scans the abdomen, and checks for any issues in the internal organs such as the liver and kidneys.
The radiologist also checks for PCOD/PCOS in women candidates during the ultrasound. You may get an ultrasound done before your SSB, and take medical advice to cure PCOD.
Tip: Follow all instructions carefully, and avoid junk food, alcohol, and smoking to clear these tests. Also, stand straight during the X-ray.
Day II: Dental and ENT
The second day of the SSB interview medicals begins with the dental check-up. Candidates line up at the dental department, where 14 dental points are examined for each. This is the easiest one to pass, as all candidates have a total of 28 teeth.
Soon after the dental examination, candidates report to the ENT department (ear, nose, and throat). Here, the specialist first checks the mentioned parts for any deformities, and then subjects them to hearing (audiometry) tests. The test is simple: he calls out numbers while one ear is covered, and candidates are expected to say them out loud.
Tip: Keep your ears free of wax before the medicals. Brush your teeth well, and use a dental floss for hygiene.
Day III: Eye-related tests
The candidates report to the ophthalmology department (eye) on the third day. This is the most essential part of SSB interview medicals. The doctor first checks their vision, and then conducts the relevant tests accordingly.
Firstly, he makes them read numbers from a short distance. He also adjusts the lens based on their vision. This is followed by the colour perception test using Ishihara booklet. You can practice these tests at home easily before your medicals.
Next is the dilation test. All candidates use some eye drops for this test and then the doctor shines a bright light into their eyes. This helps him find any damage to the eyes that may affect the person in the long run.
Tip: Eye tests are easy to clear. Just take a deep breath, and get good sleep the night before.
Day IV: Surgical tests
The next test in SSB interview medicals is the surgical, where the specialist checks for any deformities of the limbs, or body. He also examines post-surgery marks for concerned candidates.
Some common areas for rejection are high-arching feet, cubitus valgus, and knock knees among others.
SMB is a preliminary board and sometimes, candidates are rejected in surgical even though you may be fit. Rest assured because in such cases you will be cleared during the AMB.
Day V: Other medical tests and conference
Lastly, candidates undergo tests in the medicine department. Here, the doctor checks their body weight, height, and other measurements. Candidates from certain communities (Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Gorkhas, and Northeast) get relaxation in these areas.
The doctor also notes their blood pressure, pulse rate et cetera as final tests. Stay relaxed before these are monitored, and stand in shade to clear them easily!
Women-specific tests
Excluding the above-mentioned tests, women candidates undergo additional medical tests in the gynaecology department.
The gynaecologist checks the entire body of the women candidates, and asks simple questions about their menstrual cycle. This is also an easy test to pass, provided that you only answer what is asked, nothing extra.
Finally, after all the medical tests a final report is prepared. Candidates who are deemed medically unfit for the service fill out some more forms to appear for AMB in the next 42 days. The following hospitals are available for this stage:
- Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment
- Command Hospital, Chandimandir
- Armed Forces Medical College, Pune
- INHS Ashvini, Mumbai
- Command Hospital, Kolkata
- Command Hospital (South)
- Command Hospital (North)
Candidates who clear the SSB interview medicals in AMB await the merit, and those who do not, appear for RMB at either AFMC, Pune or R&R Delhi Cantonment.
Tips to clear SSB Interview Medicals
Now that you have an idea about what awaits you after the recommendation, here are some tips to stay fit and clear the process easily.
- Avoid smoking, consuming alcohol and junk/oily foods before your medicals.
- Eat nutritious food, and stay hydrated.
- Go for a run or workout everyday to maintain healthy bodyweight and physique.
- Ensure bodily hygiene for dental, ENT and other tests.
- Reduce screen time, stay calm, and sleep well before your reporting.
- Listen to all instructions carefully and answer questions briefly, no extra information.
SSB interview medicals are easy to clear for most candidates, but the process remains incomplete. After the medicals candidates undergo document verification and await the final merit list. This culminates the journey of a select few, who join their dream academy while it is restart time for others.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the duration of SSB interview medicals?
A. The duration varies from four to ten days, depending on the availability of doctors, and working days.
Q. Is PCOD a ground for rejection?
A. No, it is not. If PCOD is diagnosed, women candidates get 42 days to appeal. At the AMB, tests are conducted to determine its effects on your functionality, and you are cleared.
Q. What happens if I am declared medically unfit?
A. You can appeal for AMB if you are declared unfit. Here, most candidates are cleared. Beyond AMB, you may also appeal for a review at RMB.
