The Services Selection Board (SSB) interview is the gateway to joining India’s prestigious defence forces—the Army, Navy, and Air Force. It is not just an exam but a comprehensive personality test that lasts more than 5 days and evaluates a candidate’s Officer Like Qualities (OLQs). In contrast to other competitive exams, the SSB tests your intelligence, leadership, emotional stability, communication, and psychological balance.
In such a rigorous and unconventional selection process, the right guidance is crucial, and this is where quality books come into play. With so many resources available in the market, choosing the right SSB preparation book can be a tough task and choosing the right one can make all the difference.
Here’s a well-researched list of the Top 3 Best SSB Interview Books, ideal for both beginners and serious aspirants, with an in-depth spotlight on “SSB Ranneeti” by Shishir Sir—a rising favourite among defence aspirants.
1. SSB Ranneeti book by Shishir Dixit (Centurion Defence Academy)
Publisher: Centurion Education Pvt. Ltd.
Author: Shishir Dixit (Shishir Sir)
Why It Stands Out: Tactical + Psychological Clarity + Mentor’s Wisdom
“SSB Ranneti” is not merely a book but a strategy guide picked by Shishir Sir, a well-known figure in SSB coaching and founder and chairman of the Centurion Defence Academy. Having spent years training numerous candidates, his counsel is not theoretical but practical and battle-hardened.
What Makes It Unique?
- Psychological Test Mastery: The book provides profound insights into TAT, WAT, SRT, and self-description – the four mainstay of psychological assessment. What’s really useful is the systematic analysis of how to think, process and respond authentically.
- GTO & PI Techniques: Shishir Sir deconstructs complicated exercises such as the group planning exercise, command tasks, enabling students to tackle each with confidence..
- Personal Experience & Case Studies: SSB Ranneti contains authentic case studies of successful candidates guided by Centurion, providing readers with a reference point to compare and rectify their own preparation.
- Mentor’s Voice: The tone is motivational and comes across as direct advice from a mentor aware of the psychology of aspirants, particularly those taking the test for the first time.
- Updated for Modern SSB Trends: The book keeps pace with the latest trends, including a greater focus on decision making in the here and now and emotional intelligence, not addressed in greater depth within older books.
Ideal For:
- Aspirants of NDA, CDS, AFCAT, TES, TGC, and other SSB aspirants
- Freshers and repeaters who seek psychological clarity
- Candidates looking for a holistic 360-degree strategy for SSB
Bonus:
SSB Ranneeti is often suggested as a study companion by the Centurion Defence Academy in their offline and online SSB classes.
2. Let’s Crack SSB Interview by Crack SSB Book (Dr. Cdr. N.K. Natarajan)
Publisher: Jaico Publishing House
Author: Commander N.K. Natarajan (Retd.)
One of the most widely-read books on SSB interviews, this book by Commander N.K. Natarajan is practically a veteran in this space. With over 25 years of experience in the Indian Navy and substantial tenure at the SSB board, his book offers an insider's perspective.
Highlights:
- Complete Overview of the 5-Day Process: From screening to the final conference, every stage is explained in detail with sample questions, formats, and expectations.
- Focused Psychology Section: TAT, WAT, and SRT are tackled with both examples and "what-not-to-do" advice.
- Interview Techniques: Great focus is laid on personal interviews, including HR-type questions, PIQ form analysis, and how to answer questions about failure, personal life, and weaknesses.
- Leadership and OLQ Mapping: The book explains the 15 OLQs and how every task in SSB is designed to evaluate these.
Limitations:
- The book has not been extensively updated for post-pandemic changes or evolving SSB evaluation patterns.
- It tends to be a bit formal in tone and assumes some prior knowledge.
Best For:
- Candidates who want a structured understanding of each stage
- Readers looking for authoritative, defence-oriented insights
3. SSB Interview: The Complete Guide by Arihant Experts
Publisher: Arihant Publications
Why It’s Popular: Comprehensive & Beginner-Friendly
If you’re new to SSB and want a book that covers the entire process without overwhelming you, this is a good place to start.
Key Features:
- Illustrative Diagrams and Flowcharts: For visual learners, this book breaks down tasks like Obstacle Race, Group Planning, and Command Task with illustrations and charts.
- GK and Defence Awareness Section: A helpful bonus, especially useful for the interview and discussion rounds.
- Plenty of Practice Sets: You’ll find sample WAT words, TAT pictures, and SRT situations with tips on how to frame your answers.
- Interview Question Bank: The book features commonly asked questions in the interview along with effective answering strategies.
Drawbacks:
- Doesn’t go deep into psychological reasoning.
- Sometimes lacks the tactical edge and mentorship that other books (like SSB Ranneti) provide.
Ideal For:
- Beginners and first-timers
- Aspirants who want one compact guidebook with everything in it
Final Thoughts: Which Book Should You Choose?
Each of these books serves a different level and type of aspirant:
- If you’re serious about your preparation and want mentorship-like guidance, SSB Ranneti by Shishir Sir is the most strategic and up-to-date choice.
- For a classic, defense officer’s perspective, go with Let’s Crack SSB Interview by Commander Natarajan.
- And if you’re a newbie seeking a simple and structured overview, Arihant’s Complete Guide will be your launch pad.
However, no matter which book you choose, remember that SSB is not about rote answers, but natural personality traits, clear thinking, and leadership under pressure. These books can guide you, but self-awareness, practice, and honest feedback are your real keys to success.
Bonus Tip:
Combine any of these books with mock interviews, group discussions, and daily practice of TAT/WAT/SRT. If possible, enroll in a trusted SSB coaching academy like Centurion Defence Academy to complement your reading with practical sessions.
Jai Hind and all the best for your SSB journey!
Read more:
Personal Interview in SSB: What Officers Expect and How to Impress Them
How to Develop Officer Like Qualities (OLQ) to Crack SSB Interview
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