{"id":3791,"date":"2026-11-06T10:01:22","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T10:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nddacademy.com\/blogs\/?p=3791"},"modified":"2026-11-08T02:52:36","modified_gmt":"2026-11-08T02:52:36","slug":"ssb-stage-1-screening-oir-ppdt-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nddacademy.com\/blogs\/ssb-stage-1-screening-oir-ppdt-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"SSB Stage 1 Screening in 2026: OIR, PP&#038;DT and What Is Really Changing"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"3791\" class=\"elementor elementor-3791\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8b64aad elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"8b64aad\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a6bdf62\" data-id=\"a6bdf62\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a8d529 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8a8d529\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">SSB Stage 1 Screening in 2026: OIR, PP&amp;DT and What Is Really Changing<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37acd39 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"37acd39\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-526b3ca e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"526b3ca\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e95705 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7e95705\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/nddacademy.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/ssb-group-discussion-seated.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3838\" alt=\"Candidates seated in a circle for a group discussion at a Services Selection Board\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nddacademy.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/ssb-group-discussion-seated.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nddacademy.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/ssb-group-discussion-seated-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Candidates in a group discussion at a Services Selection Board. Photo: Indian Navy, via Wikimedia Commons, GODL-India.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f0ee93 e-con-full nd-keyfacts e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0f0ee93\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38f0f52 elementor-position-inline-start nd-fact elementor-view-default elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"38f0f52\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-brain\" viewBox=\"0 0 576 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M208 0c-29.9 0-54.7 20.5-61.8 48.2-.8 0-1.4-.2-2.2-.2-35.3 0-64 28.7-64 64 0 4.8.6 9.5 1.7 14C52.5 138 32 166.6 32 200c0 12.6 3.2 24.3 8.3 34.9C16.3 248.7 0 274.3 0 304c0 33.3 20.4 61.9 49.4 73.9-.9 4.6-1.4 9.3-1.4 14.1 0 39.8 32.2 72 72 72 4.1 0 8.1-.5 12-1.2 9.6 28.5 36.2 49.2 68 49.2 39.8 0 72-32.2 72-72V64c0-35.3-28.7-64-64-64zm368 304c0-29.7-16.3-55.3-40.3-69.1 5.2-10.6 8.3-22.3 8.3-34.9 0-33.4-20.5-62-49.7-74 1-4.5 1.7-9.2 1.7-14 0-35.3-28.7-64-64-64-.8 0-1.5.2-2.2.2C422.7 20.5 397.9 0 368 0c-35.3 0-64 28.6-64 64v376c0 39.8 32.2 72 72 72 31.8 0 58.4-20.7 68-49.2 3.9.7 7.9 1.2 12 1.2 39.8 0 72-32.2 72-72 0-4.8-.5-9.5-1.4-14.1 29-12 49.4-40.6 49.4-73.9z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStage I\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOIR tests + PP&amp;DT\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3219ee5 elementor-position-inline-start nd-fact elementor-view-default elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"3219ee5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-balance-scale\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M256 336h-.02c0-16.18 1.34-8.73-85.05-181.51-17.65-35.29-68.19-35.36-85.87 0C-2.06 328.75.02 320.33.02 336H0c0 44.18 57.31 80 128 80s128-35.82 128-80zM128 176l72 144H56l72-144zm511.98 160c0-16.18 1.34-8.73-85.05-181.51-17.65-35.29-68.19-35.36-85.87 0-87.12 174.26-85.04 165.84-85.04 181.51H384c0 44.18 57.31 80 128 80s128-35.82 128-80h-.02zM440 320l72-144 72 144H440zm88 128H352V153.25c23.51-10.29 41.16-31.48 46.39-57.25H528c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16V48c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16H383.64C369.04 12.68 346.09 0 320 0s-49.04 12.68-63.64 32H112c-8.84 0-16 7.16-16 16v32c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h129.61c5.23 25.76 22.87 46.96 46.39 57.25V448H112c-8.84 0-16 7.16-16 16v32c0 8.84 7.16 16 16 16h416c8.84 0 16-7.16 16-16v-32c0-8.84-7.16-16-16-16z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShortlisting\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCombination of OIR and PP&amp;DT\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a29b0d1 elementor-position-inline-start nd-fact elementor-view-default elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"a29b0d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-calendar-alt\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M0 464c0 26.5 21.5 48 48 48h352c26.5 0 48-21.5 48-48V192H0v272zm320-196c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h40c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v40c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-40c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-40zm0 128c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h40c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v40c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-40c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-40zM192 268c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h40c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v40c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-40c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-40zm0 128c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h40c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v40c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12h-40c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-40zM64 268c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h40c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v40c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H76c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-40zm0 128c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h40c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v40c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12H76c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-40zM400 64h-48V16c0-8.8-7.2-16-16-16h-32c-8.8 0-16 7.2-16 16v48H160V16c0-8.8-7.2-16-16-16h-32c-8.8 0-16 7.2-16 16v48H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v48h448v-48c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNDA II \/ CDS II 2026 SSBs\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLikely Dec 2026 to Jan 2027\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee54554 elementor-position-inline-start nd-fact elementor-view-default elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"ee54554\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-laptop\" viewBox=\"0 0 640 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M624 416H381.54c-.74 19.81-14.71 32-32.74 32H288c-18.69 0-33.02-17.47-32.77-32H16c-8.8 0-16 7.2-16 16v16c0 35.2 28.8 64 64 64h512c35.2 0 64-28.8 64-64v-16c0-8.8-7.2-16-16-16zM576 48c0-26.4-21.6-48-48-48H112C85.6 0 64 21.6 64 48v336h512V48zm-64 272H128V64h384v256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCSSS \/ OPAM\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNot officially notified (6 Nov 2026)\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-850a581 elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"850a581\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;No headings were found on this page.&quot;,&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;,&quot;h3&quot;,&quot;h4&quot;,&quot;h5&quot;,&quot;h6&quot;],&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;numbers&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tTable of Contents\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__850a581\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__850a581\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__850a581\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M500 975V858C696 858 858 696 858 500S696 142 500 142 142 304 142 500H25C25 237 238 25 500 25S975 237 975 500 763 975 500 975Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47b6793 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"47b6793\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If your roll number appeared in the NDA 2 or CDS 2 2026 written result last month, you already know the feeling. First the rush, then the phone calls home, and then, a few days later, a quieter thought that sits in your stomach: <em>what if I get screened out on Day 1?<\/em><\/p><p>It is a fair fear. At the Services Selection Board, everything you have worked for so far gets you through the gate, and then one morning of tests decides whether you stay for the next four days. This guide explains exactly what that morning involves, what the official documents say, and what is still only rumour. That last part matters this year, because a lot of aspirants have been told that Stage 1 has &#8220;already changed&#8221;. As of 6 November 2026, we could not find any official notice that says so.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11a0009 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"11a0009\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Where Things Stand in November 2026<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b48fe1f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b48fe1f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Here is what the official documents say right now, with dates:<\/p><ul><li><strong>NDA &amp; NA (II) 2026:<\/strong> UPSC declared the written result on 9 October 2026 (exam held on 13 September 2026). Qualified candidates go to the SSB for the 158th NDA course and the 120th INAC, both commencing 1 July 2027.<\/li><li><strong>CDS (II) 2026:<\/strong> UPSC declared the written result on 19 October 2026. According to the press note, 8,956 candidates qualified for the SSB interview for courses at IMA, INA, AFA and OTA starting in 2027.<\/li><li><strong>When the SSBs happen:<\/strong> the UPSC notification for NDA (II) 2026 (dated 20 May 2026) says the SSB interviews are likely to be held from December 2026 to January 2027, or as suitable to the Recruiting Directorate.<\/li><li><strong>Registration:<\/strong> the NDA result press note asks candidates to register on <a href=\"https:\/\/joinindianarmy.nic.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">joinindianarmy.nic.in<\/a> within two weeks of the result. Selection centres and dates are then sent to the registered e-mail ID.<\/li><\/ul><p>If you have not registered yet, do that before you read another word of this article. If you are unsure what comes after the result, our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/nddacademy.com\/blogs\/nda-2-2026-result-what-should-you-do-after-your-name-appears\/\">what to do after your name appears in the NDA 2 2026 result<\/a> walks through it step by step.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b6e033 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1b6e033\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What the Official Notification Says About Stage 1<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-719b149 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"719b149\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The clearest official description of the SSB is printed in the UPSC notification itself, in the section titled &#8220;Intelligence and Personality Test&#8221;. In the NDA (II) 2026 notification it says:<\/p><ul><li>The SSB is a <strong>two-stage<\/strong> process. Only candidates who clear Stage I are allowed to appear for Stage II.<\/li><li><strong>Stage I<\/strong> comprises the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and the Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&amp;DT).<\/li><li>Candidates are shortlisted on a <strong>combination<\/strong> of their performance in the OIR test and the PP&amp;DT.<\/li><li><strong>Stage II<\/strong> covers the Interview, Group Testing Officer tasks, Psychology tests and the Conference, conducted over four days.<\/li><li>The SSB carries <strong>900 marks<\/strong>, the same as the written exam.<\/li><\/ul><div class=\"nd-callout nd-note\"><p>Read that third point again, because it changes how you should think about Day 1. The shortlist is a combination of both tests. Your OIR paper alone does not decide your fate, and neither does your PP&amp;DT story alone. You are being looked at as one person across the whole morning.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32e6057 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"32e6057\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/nddacademy.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/ssb-group-task-plank.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3839\" alt=\"Candidates working through an outdoor group task at a Services Selection Board\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nddacademy.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/ssb-group-task-plank.jpg 600w, https:\/\/nddacademy.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/ssb-group-task-plank-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">An outdoor group task at a Services Selection Board. Photo: Indian Navy, via Wikimedia Commons, GODL-India.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b50e7f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b50e7f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The OIR Test: What It Is Actually Checking<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50f44b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"50f44b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>OIR stands for Officer Intelligence Rating. As the name suggests, it is a reasoning test, not a general knowledge test. It is not trying to find out how much you have memorised. It is trying to find out how quickly and cleanly your mind works under a clock.<\/p><p>The official documents do not publish the question format, so the following comes from how candidates and coaching institutes have consistently described the test over the years. Treat it as a guide, not an official specification:<\/p><ul><li>It is usually described as two short test booklets, one with mostly <strong>verbal reasoning<\/strong> and one with mostly <strong>non-verbal (figure) reasoning<\/strong>.<\/li><li>Verbal questions typically include series, coding-decoding, analogies, odd one out, blood relations, direction sense and simple arithmetic reasoning.<\/li><li>Non-verbal questions typically include figure series, mirror and water images, embedded figures, pattern completion and odd figure out.<\/li><li>The difficulty of individual questions is modest. The pressure comes from the number of questions and the time.<\/li><\/ul><div style=\"overflow-x:auto;\"><table><thead><tr><th scope=\"col\">Question type<\/th><th scope=\"col\">What trips people up<\/th><th scope=\"col\">What to practise<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Number and letter series<\/td><td>Spending two minutes on one stubborn question<\/td><td>Skip after 30 seconds, come back if time remains<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Coding-decoding<\/td><td>Rushing and misreading the code<\/td><td>Write the pattern down once, then apply it<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Figure series<\/td><td>Tracking too many changes at once<\/td><td>Follow one element at a time: shape, then rotation, then count<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mirror and water images<\/td><td>Mixing up left-right and top-bottom<\/td><td>Ten minutes of daily drill until it is automatic<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Odd one out<\/td><td>Overthinking a simple difference<\/td><td>Trust the first clear rule you find<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47b6305 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"47b6305\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The PP&amp;DT in One Paragraph<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f38b2d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3f38b2d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Right after the OIR, you will be shown a hazy picture for a very short time, asked to write a story about it, and then narrate that story and discuss it with your group. We have written a full practice guide with <a href=\"https:\/\/nddacademy.com\/blogs\/10-ppdt-pictures-for-ssb-interview\/\">10 PPDT pictures for the SSB interview<\/a>, so we will not repeat it here. One thing worth saying, though: in the PP&amp;DT discussion, the board is not looking for the loudest voice in the room. It is looking for the person who listens, adds something useful, and helps the group reach a sensible common story. Calm and clear beats loud and fast, every single time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be661a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"be661a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The CSSS and OPAM Question: What Is Confirmed and What Is Not<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e196f65 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e196f65\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Since April 2026, several defence news sites and coaching blogs have reported that the Indian Army plans to replace the current Stage 1 with a computer-based screening. The names you will see are <strong>CSSS<\/strong> (Computerised Stage-1 Selection System) and <strong>OPAM<\/strong> (Objective Personality Assessment Measure). Some of these reports say the change was announced through a video on the Join Indian Army YouTube channel, and that the target is the end of 2026.<\/p><p>Here is what we could and could not confirm as of 6 November 2026:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Not found:<\/strong> any notice on joinindianarmy.nic.in, any PIB release, or any UPSC notification saying that OIR and PP&amp;DT have been replaced. We could not verify the YouTube video ourselves.<\/li><li><strong>Still official:<\/strong> the UPSC NDA (II) 2026 notification, the one that governs the SSBs starting this December, still describes Stage I as OIR plus PP&amp;DT.<\/li><li><strong>Unconfirmed details:<\/strong> the question counts that circulate online (around 70 cognitive questions and around 120 personality questions), the timings, and whether the change will apply to the Navy and Air Force boards as well. These come from coaching sites, not from any official document we could find.<\/li><li><strong>Reported, not official:<\/strong> one article from August 2026 says the new system was not yet in use and advises candidates with upcoming SSB dates to prepare for OIR and PP&amp;DT.<\/li><\/ul><div class=\"nd-callout \"><p>Our honest advice: prepare for the Stage 1 that is officially described today, which is OIR plus PP&amp;DT. Read your call-up letter and any instructions from your selection centre carefully, and check joinindianarmy.nic.in before you travel. If the format does change, the qualities being tested will not change: clear thinking under time pressure and an honest, steady personality. Nothing you practise for the OIR is wasted.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-704429d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"704429d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A Simple Four-Week OIR Practice Plan<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3557ff3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3557ff3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If your SSB date falls in December or January, you have roughly four to eight weeks. That is enough time if you are consistent. Here is a plan that fits around school, college or a job:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Week 1, find your baseline:<\/strong> take one full-length timed OIR practice set. Do not worry about the score. Note which question types ate your time.<\/li><li><strong>Week 2, fix the weak types:<\/strong> spend 30 to 40 minutes a day on your two weakest types only. Short, focused sets work better than long, tired ones.<\/li><li><strong>Week 3, speed:<\/strong> do timed mixed sets every day. Practise the skip-and-return habit until it feels natural.<\/li><li><strong>Week 4, simulate the morning:<\/strong> two or three times this week, sit an OIR set and then immediately write a PP&amp;DT story and narrate it aloud. Stage 1 is one long morning, and your brain needs to learn to switch from puzzles to stories without a break.<\/li><\/ul><p>Alongside this, sleep properly and eat a real breakfast. It sounds like something your mother would say, but tired candidates make silly mistakes in reasoning tests, and a reasoning test is built to catch silly mistakes. If you need help with fitness before the SSB as well, our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/nddacademy.com\/blogs\/how-to-improve-running-time-and-physical-fitness\/\">improving your running time and physical fitness<\/a> is a good place to start.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e22c68 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2e22c68\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What to Carry on Reporting Day<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0b397d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e0b397d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Follow the instructions in your own call-up letter first, because these can differ by selection centre and entry. From the UPSC documents, these points are clear:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Original certificates of age and educational qualification<\/strong> must be submitted at the SSB, not sent to UPSC (NDA result press note, 9 October 2026).<\/li><li><strong>NDA candidates<\/strong> who clear Stage II must submit the originals with one photocopy each: the Matriculation certificate (for date of birth) and the 10+2 certificate (NDA II 2026 notification).<\/li><li><strong>CDS candidates<\/strong> have separate instructions in their press note about where originals for age, education and NCC (C) certificates go, depending on first choice of service.<\/li><\/ul><p>Keep a folder with photocopies and passport-size photographs as well. It is a small thing, but walking in organised helps you feel organised.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c8caae elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3c8caae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Mistakes We See Before Screening<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6f14e3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a6f14e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Practising only the PP&amp;DT<\/strong> because it feels more &#8220;SSB-like&#8221;, and ignoring the OIR. The shortlist uses both.<\/li><li><strong>Learning a fixed PP&amp;DT story<\/strong> to fit any picture. Assessors have seen every memorised story there is.<\/li><li><strong>Chasing the CSSS rumour<\/strong> and buying mock tests for a format that is not yet officially notified, while neglecting the format that is.<\/li><li><strong>Treating screening as a failure verdict.<\/strong> Many good candidates are screened out on Day 1, and many later become officers on a second or third attempt. No official screen-out rate is published, so ignore anyone who quotes exact percentages with great confidence.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f0f55d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4f0f55d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How NDDA Helps With SSB Preparation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f70c05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0f70c05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>At Noval Doon Defence Academy in Dehradun, SSB preparation sits alongside our written exam coaching. If you would like structured practice for the OIR, PP&amp;DT, psychology tests and GTO tasks, take a look at our <a href=\"https:\/\/nddacademy.com\/best-ssb-coaching-in-dehradun\">SSB coaching in Dehradun<\/a> page or <a href=\"https:\/\/nddacademy.com\/contact-us\">contact us<\/a> to ask about the next batch. If you are still building your basics, our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/nddacademy.com\/blogs\/basic-officer-like-qualities-olqs\/\">Officer Like Qualities (OLQs)<\/a> explains what the board is looking for across all five days.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37a4747 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"37a4747\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dbe9202 elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"dbe9202\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2301\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2301\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What is Stage 1 of the SSB interview?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2301\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2301\"><p>According to the UPSC NDA (II) 2026 notification, Stage I comprises the Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) tests and the Picture Perception and Description Test (PP&#038;DT). Only candidates who clear Stage I continue to Stage II.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2302\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2302\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Is the OIR test alone enough to clear screening?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2302\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2302\"><p>No. The notification says candidates are shortlisted on a combination of OIR and PP&#038;DT performance.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2303\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2303\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Has the OIR test been replaced by CSSS and OPAM?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2303\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2303\"><p>As of 6 November 2026, no official notice confirming this was found. The UPSC NDA (II) 2026 notification still describes Stage I as OIR plus PP&#038;DT. Check joinindianarmy.nic.in and your call-up letter for any update.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-2304\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-2304\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">When will the NDA 2 2026 SSB interviews be held?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-2304\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-2304\"><p>The UPSC notification says they are likely to be held from December 2026 to January 2027, or as suitable to the Recruiting Directorate.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7edd70 e-con-full nd-cta e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f7edd70\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4fcea6a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4fcea6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Getting ready for your SSB?<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb82c08 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"eb82c08\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Practise the OIR, PP&#038;DT, psychology tests, GTO and interview with SSB preparation at Noval Doon Defence Academy, Dehradun.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-136bd41 e-con-full nd-cta-buttons e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"136bd41\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a6c968 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"8a6c968\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"tel:+918884444890\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Call +91 88844 44890<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e839fd nd-btn-ghost elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"2e839fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/nddacademy.com\/best-ssb-coaching-in-dehradun\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">View SSB coaching<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79a5f75 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"79a5f75\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sources<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0feeb9 nd-sources elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a0feeb9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>All facts in this article were checked on 6 November 2026.<\/p><ul><li>UPSC, <a href=\"https:\/\/upsc.gov.in\/sites\/default\/files\/Notif-NDA-II-2026-Engl-200526.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NDA &amp; NA (II) Examination 2026 notification<\/a>, dated 20 May 2026: Intelligence and Personality Test section, scheme of examination, likely SSB months.<\/li><li>UPSC, <a href=\"https:\/\/upsc.gov.in\/sites\/default\/files\/WR-NDA-NA-II-2026-Engl-13102026.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NDA &amp; NA (II) 2026 written result press note<\/a>, dated 9 October 2026.<\/li><li>UPSC, <a href=\"https:\/\/upsc.gov.in\/sites\/default\/files\/WR-NameList-CDSE-II-2026-Engl-261026.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CDS (II) 2026 written result press note<\/a>, dated 19 October 2026.<\/li><li>Reports on CSSS and OPAM: secondary sources only (defence news and coaching websites, April to August 2026). Not confirmed by any official notice we could find.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e77fdf2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e77fdf2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7420a5b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7420a5b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Reach Us<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6cd1d5f elementor-button-align-stretch elementor-widget elementor-widget-form\" data-id=\"6cd1d5f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;step_next_label&quot;:&quot;Next&quot;,&quot;step_previous_label&quot;:&quot;Previous&quot;,&quot;button_width&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;step_type&quot;:&quot;number_text&quot;,&quot;step_icon_shape&quot;:&quot;circle&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"form.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<form class=\"elementor-form\" method=\"post\" name=\"Reach Us\" aria-label=\"Reach Us\">\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"post_id\" value=\"3791\"\/>\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"form_id\" value=\"6cd1d5f\"\/>\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"referer_title\" value=\"SSB Stage 1 Screening 2026: OIR, PP&amp;DT and CSSS Update\" \/>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"queried_id\" value=\"3791\"\/>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-form-fields-wrapper elementor-labels-above\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-text elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-name elementor-col-100 elementor-field-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-name\" class=\"elementor-field-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tName\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input size=\"1\" type=\"text\" name=\"form_fields[name]\" id=\"form-field-name\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-sm  elementor-field-textual\" placeholder=\"Name\" required=\"required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-tel elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-email elementor-col-100 elementor-field-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-email\" class=\"elementor-field-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhone No.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input size=\"1\" type=\"tel\" name=\"form_fields[email]\" id=\"form-field-email\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-sm  elementor-field-textual\" placeholder=\"Phone No.\" required=\"required\" pattern=\"[0-9()#&amp;+*-=.]+\" title=\"Only numbers and phone characters (#, -, *, etc) are accepted.\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-select elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_98295df elementor-col-100\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-field_98295df\" class=\"elementor-field-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSelect Course\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field elementor-select-wrapper remove-before \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"select-caret-down-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-caret-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 571.4 571.4\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M571 393Q571 407 561 418L311 668Q300 679 286 679T261 668L11 418Q0 407 0 393T11 368 36 357H536Q550 357 561 368T571 393Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<select name=\"form_fields[field_98295df]\" id=\"form-field-field_98295df\" class=\"elementor-field-textual elementor-size-sm\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option value=\"NDA Foundation\">NDA Foundation<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option value=\"CDSE \">CDSE <\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option value=\"AFCAT\">AFCAT<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option value=\"SSB Coaching\">SSB Coaching<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<option value=\"NDA\">NDA<\/option>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/select>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-type-submit elementor-col-100 e-form__buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"elementor-button elementor-size-sm\" type=\"submit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Send<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What the official UPSC documents say about SSB Stage 1 (OIR and PP&#038;DT) for the Dec 2026 to Jan 2027 SSBs, and what is still unconfirmed about CSSS and OPAM.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3838,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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