In the SSB personal interview, the candidate’s daily routine and lifestyle are not asked directly, but they are asked with the aim of assessing the candidate’s personality. From the Interviewing Officer’s perspective, the candidate’s routine reveals much more than the direct questions asked in the interview. The questions related to the candidate’s routine help the Interviewing Officer assess the candidate’s personality, as the routine followed by the candidate reveals whether the candidate is consistent, responsible, and possesses the qualities of an officer.

Reasons why the Interviewing Officer focuses on the candidate’s routine

The Interviewing Officer focuses on the candidate’s routine with the aim of assessing the following:

• The candidate’s utilization of time 
• The candidate’s responsibility level 
• The candidate’s discipline level 
• The candidate’s ability to handle different aspects of life 

The routine-based questions help the Interviewing Officer assess the candidate’s personality, as the questions asked are based on reality. The candidate cannot provide false information, as the routine-based questions require the candidate to provide detailed information related to the routine followed by the candidate. Thus, the routine-based questions help the Interviewing Officer assess the candidate’s personality, which is the most accurate form of assessment.

What aspects of the candidate’s lifestyle are assessed

While the candidate is asked questions related to the routine, the Interviewing Officer does not just want to know the routine followed by the candidate. The Interviewing Officer wants to know the underlying factors related to the routine, which help assess the candidate’s personality. The underlying factors related to the routine include:

• The level of discipline followed by the candidate 
• The level of involvement in productive activities 
• The level of involvement in sports and outdoor activities 
• The level of involvement in social activities 
• The level of responsibility shown by the candidate in the context of the home, college, or office environment 

For example, the candidate’s active involvement in sports, academics, and responsibility shown by the candidate in the context of the home, college, or office environment reveals the level of discipline, responsibility, and the overall lifestyle of the candidate.

Link between routine and officer-like qualities

Daily routine is directly related to the presence of Officer Like Qualities (OLQs).

Through the pattern of their lifestyle, the following aspects can be identified:

Responsibility – the ability to perform tasks on a regular basis without any supervision
Initiative – the ability to take up activities beyond the minimum requirements
Discipline – regularity in the pattern of activities
Social adaptability – the ability to interact with others in routine life
Effective intelligence – the ability to use time effectively

These aspects are not identified through the statements made, but through the regularity with which they occur in the routine of the candidate.

How inconsistency is made visible

Most often, the candidates who try to present an ideal routine face difficulty during cross-questioning.

For example:

If the candidate claims discipline in the routine, they will not be able to justify the same
If the candidate claims the involvement of many activities, they will not be able to provide the details of the same
If the candidate gives evasive and ambiguous answers when questioned in detail, they will not be able to justify the same

The IO will ask detailed questions related to the routine, such as:

How much time is spent on the activities?
How often the activities are performed?
What problems were faced during the activities?
What improvements were made?

Inconsistency will become visible at this stage.

Importance of a balanced lifestyle

Assessors do not expect a disciplined routine, but they expect a balanced lifestyle. The following aspects should be present in the routine:

Effective use of time
Physical activities
Mental activities (studies, reading, awareness)
Social activities
Responsibility in routine life

Simple routines, when followed consistently, create a good impression if they involve discipline and purpose.

Common mistakes made by the candidate during the interview

Most often, the following mistakes occur during the interview:

Unrealistic routine
Lack of physical activities
Lack of clarity related to the utilization of time
Lack of responsibility in routine life

These patterns show a lack of initiative, improper management of time, and lack of exposure to practical responsibilities of life.

How to improve your routine for SSB

It is important that the candidate does not attempt to “create” a routine for the SSB interview. Instead, he must cultivate “habits” that reflect his personality as an officer. This may involve:

Maintaining a regular daily routine
Engaging in physical fitness/sports
Assuming responsibility in daily life
Participating in groups/teams
Staying updated with latest news and happenings

Over time, these will reflect in the SSB interview as well as in the personality of the candidate.

How assessors look at your routine

From the point of view of the assessor/interviewing officer, the daily routine presented by the candidate answers three important questions:

Are you disciplined in your approach towards life?
Do you assume responsibility in daily life?
Do you have a consistent personality?

A well-structured but realistic daily routine with genuine examples will give the IO the confidence that the candidate possesses reliable and trainable qualities. A disciplined and structured lifestyle is not created in a day. However, it becomes a strong foundation to crack the SSB process with the right mentoring and guidance provided through SSB with ISV.