In 2026 expect the two-stage format: Day 1 screening (OIR intelligence tests plus Picture Perception and Description), then psychological tests (TAT, WAT, SRT, Self-Description), Group Testing Officer tasks (Group Discussion, Group Planning, Progressive Group Tasks, Command Task), and the Personal Interview. Boards probe consistency across all three assessors (psychologist, GTO, interviewing officer), so manufactured answers collapse. The Personal Interview digs into your background honestly (grades, friendships, leadership gaps) and the GTO tasks test real-time planning and teamwork under constraints. Authenticity, initiative, and coherent leadership win recommendations.
01
Day 1: Screening (OIR tests + Picture Perception & Description Test)
02
Days 2-4: Psychological tests, GTO group tasks, and Personal Interview
03
Day 5: Conference and results
04
Medical examination, then merit list
What to expect in each round
01
Stage 1 (Day 1)
OIR intelligence tests and Picture Perception & Description, with a screen-out.
02
Stage 2 (Days 2-4)
psychological tests (TAT, WAT, SRT), GTO tasks, and the Personal Interview.
03
Conference (Day 5)
board conference and final recommendation.
Government / PSU questions SSB asked
Sourced from 2+ candidate post-mortems. Hit Practice to answer any one with AI voice feedback.
- 01
Hard
Why do you want to join the IAS specifically, and not the IRS or IFS where your optional subject would give you a better edge?
Practice free → - 02
Hard
You're posted as DM in a district where there's communal tension over a religious procession. The SP recommends imposing Section 144. What do you do?
Practice free → - 03
Medium
You're from <home state>. Tell me about a current administrative issue in your home state and what you'd do as collector.
Practice free → - 04
Hard
Critics say AI will eliminate clerical jobs in panchayats and tahsil offices over the next 5 years. As a civil servant, what's your stance?
Practice free → - 05
Hard
Your honest opinion: should India have a uniform civil code? Defend your position.
Practice free → - 06
Hard
Group Discussion topic: 'Should women be inducted into combat roles in the Indian Army?' You have 5 minutes; you're one of 8 candidates.
Practice free → - 07
Hard
GTO Task: Your team has 6 minutes to cross a 12-foot ditch using one wooden plank, one rope, and three drums. The plank is 8 feet. As Indicator, brief the GTO on your plan in 30 seconds.
Practice free → - 08
Hard
Personal Interview: You have 3 friends, your last grade was 68%, you didn't take any sports leadership in college. Why should we recommend you for the Indian Army?
Practice free → - 09
Hard
RBI cut the repo rate by 25 bps last quarter, but credit growth in MSMEs hasn't picked up. As a Grade B officer in DEPR, what's your diagnosis?
Practice free → - 10
Hard
Phase II ESI descriptive paper, 30 min: 'Discuss the trade-offs between financial inclusion and macroprudential stability in the context of India's UPI-led payments boom.' Outline your answer.
Practice free → - 11
Medium
GD topic for IBPS PO: 'Should small-finance banks be allowed to convert into universal banks?' 8-min discussion, you're 1 of 10.
Practice free → - 12
Medium
PI: Why banking, why this bank, why now? You have a B.Tech IT degree, why aren't you sitting for IT placements?
Practice free →