SSB Centres in India : Complete List, Boards, and How Your Centre Is Allotted

SSB interviews run through three kinds of boards. Services Selection Boards test Army entries, Air Force Selection Boards (AFSB) test Air Force entries, and Naval Selection Boards (NSB) test Navy entries. Army entries are tested at one of four Selection Centres. You don’t pick your centre freely. The service assigns it, and your call letter confirms it.

Your roll number is on the written exam result. The relief lasts a few minutes. Then the questions start. Which board will test you? Will it be Bhopal or Bengaluru? And can you ask for a centre closer to home if the allotted city is two days away by train?

Most pages on SSB centres in India stop at a list of cities. This guide goes further. It puts every board and location in one place and walks through the allotment process step by step. It also explains how to request a centre change and gives you reporting and document checklists to use before your call letter arrives.

What Is an SSB Centre and Why It Matters Before Your Call Letter

An SSB centre is the military station where a selection board tests you through OIR, PPDT, Psychology, GTO and the Personal Interview. Each board at a centre selects defence aspirants for specific branches of the armed forces.

SSB centres in India aren’t picked like written exam cities. The service controls the SSB centre allotment process, so understanding it early helps you:

• plan train travel and leave from school or college before the call letter arrives
• notice a wrong board, entry or date on the call letter quickly
• judge whether a centre change request is worth making
• prepare the documents that board expects

The Three Types of Selection Boards: SSB, AFSB, and NSB Explained

India runs three separate selection board systems, one for each service. The difference between SSB, AFSB and NSB lies in which service owns the board and which entries it tests, not in the basic test sequence.

SSB (Services Selection Board): Army

Army SSBs test every defence aspirant heading for an Army commission. That includes NDA and CDS candidates plus technical and NCC routes such as TGC, SSC Tech, TES and NCC Special Entry.

Each Army centre is a Selection Centre that houses several numbered boards. Bhopal, for example, runs 20 SSB, 21 SSB and 22 SSB from Sultania Infantry Lines. Those numbers matter. Your call letter names a specific board, not just a city.

The map has also changed. Selection Centre North moved to Jalandhar in November 2022, so older forum posts naming its previous location are out of date.

AFSB (Air Force Selection Board): Air Force

AFSBs test candidates for flying, ground duty and technical roles in the Indian Air Force. They take defence aspirants from AFCAT, NDA Air Force, CDS Air Force and NCC Air Wing entries.

Here’s what catches many NDA aspirants off guard. If you listed Air Force as a preference, your SSB may run at an AFSB rather than an Army Selection Centre. Flying branch candidates also face the Computerised Pilot Selection System at AFSB, a test that Army boards don’t run. For a fuller side-by-side view of how the two board types approach candidates, this breakdown of AFSB and SSB differences is a useful read.

NSB (Naval Selection Board): Navy

The Indian Navy runs its interviews through Naval Selection Boards. Some Navy boards operate inside Army premises. The Navy’s 33 SSB in Bhopal, for instance, sits inside the Selection Centre Central complex.

That shared space is one reason the terms get mixed up. In everyday talk, “SSB” means any five-day selection interview, whatever the service. But structurally the three are distinct institutions. They have different controlling headquarters, different entry lists and different call letter formats.

So read your call letter carefully. “NSB” or “AFSB” on it tells you exactly which system is testing you.

Complete List of SSB Centres in India by Board and Location

The table below lists SSB centres in India by board type, location and the entries each one tests. Board numbers appear only where published sources confirm them. For the rest, your call letter names the exact board. A second location-wise view is available in this centre-by-centre guide.

Army SSB Centres (Allahabad, Bhopal, Bangalore, Jalandhar)

Army SSB centres sit in Prayagraj, Bhopal, Bengaluru and Jalandhar. Bengaluru runs 17 SSB and 24 SSB from Cubbon Road. Selection Centre North, which moved from Kapurthala, hosts 31 SSB and 32 SSB at its interim location in Jalandhar, Punjab.

Don’t assume every board in a city is the same. Bhopal and Bengaluru appear on both Army and Navy lists, so the board name on your call letter matters more than the city. Prayagraj is still called Allahabad in many older posts. The centre is the same.

Confirm Army board details on joinindianarmy.nic.in before you book tickets.

Air Force AFSB Centres (Dehradun, Mysore, Gandhinagar, Varanasi, Guwahati)

AFSB centres operate from Dehradun, Mysore, Gandhinagar, Varanasi and Guwahati. Each one tests AFCAT and Air Force-preference NDA and CDS candidates.

Location matters for travel planning. Mysore has no major airport of its own. The nearest is Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, about 170 kilometres away. Gandhinagar is easier to reach. Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is roughly 25 to 30 kilometres from the city.

Varanasi hosts only the Air Force board (4 AFSB). An NDA aspirant with Air Force as first choice shouldn’t report to the wrong gate.

Navy NSB Centres (Coimbatore, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Bhopal)

Naval Selection Boards run from Coimbatore (INS Agrani), Visakhapatnam and Kolkata (Diamond Harbour). Navy boards also run inside Army selection centres: 12 SSB in Bengaluru and 33 SSB in Bhopal.

Some of these locations share space with other services. The Navy boards in Bhopal (33 SSB) and Bengaluru (12 SSB) are co-located with Army boards, as covered above. Naval Selection Board Visakhapatnam and INS Agrani, by contrast, sit inside naval establishments. That means a different setting, different staff and different gate procedures.

Co-location doesn’t let you switch boards on arrival. If you need a different city, that takes a formal SSB centre change request. The rules are covered below.

How Your SSB Centre Is Allotted After Clearing the Written Exam

Your centre is assigned by the service, not by UPSC. UPSC publishes the written result. After that, the headquarters of your first-preference service handles registration, batches and board allotment through its own portal.

That split confuses many first-time defence aspirants. “Preference” on the form means a request the service weighs against board capacity and batch dates. It doesn’t mean a booking. Expect to land where a vacancy exists, which may or may not be your first pick from the Army SSB centres list.

Step 1: Check Your Written Exam Result on the Official Portal

Start on the UPSC website, where NDA and CDS written results appear as a PDF of qualified roll numbers. Search it with Ctrl+F. Don’t rely on a screenshot shared in a group chat.

The cut-off shifts every cycle. As a rough guide, NDA candidates who score at least 25% in each paper and have a combined score around 300+ to 350+ out of 900 get called for SSB. Treat that as a pattern, not a promise. Once your roll number appears, note it down along with your registration ID. You’ll need both for the next step.

Step 2: Fill the SSB Preference Form (Window, Deadlines, Fields)

Register on your first-preference service’s portal soon after the result. For Army preference, that’s joinindianarmy.nic.in. Navy and Air Force candidates use their own service portals.

The form usually asks for your UPSC roll number, personal details, contact information and, where offered, a choice of centre or batch date. The registration window is short and changes every cycle. Fill it within 48 hours of the result rather than waiting for the last day, when portals slow down.

Double-check your email ID and mobile number. A typo there means a call letter you’ll never receive.

Step 3: How Services HQ Processes Preferences and Assigns Centres

Services HQ groups registered candidates into batches and spreads them across boards based on available seats. The exact weighting between your choice, board load and batch timing isn’t published, so be wary of anyone claiming a fixed formula.

Here’s what you can count on. Boards run in rotation, and a popular centre fills fast. A Delhi-based aspirant might ask for Jalandhar but get Prayagraj because that week’s Punjab batches are already full. Navy-preference candidates could similarly be routed to INS Agrani Coimbatore or another NSB with an open slot.

You won’t see this stage happen. The first sign of it is your call letter.

Step 4: Call Letter Issued: What It Confirms and What to Verify

The call letter confirms your board number, centre, reporting date and reporting instructions. It’s the only document that settles where you’re going.

Most candidates spend the first 48 hours after receiving their call letter frantically searching for what to do next. Use that time better. Check these points against your records:

• Name, roll number and date of birth match your written exam admit card
• The board type (SSB, AFSB or NSB) matches your service preference
• The entry named is the one you actually applied for
• Reporting date, time and venue are printed clearly

Spot an error? Contact the board immediately using the details on the letter. And don’t trust last year’s timelines. Registration windows and deadlines change every cycle, so confirm current dates on the UPSC website, joinindianarmy.nic.in, or the official Navy and Air Force recruitment portals.

Can You Change Your SSB Centre? Rules, Process, and Limits

Sometimes, but rarely, and never as a right. No board publishes a standard centre change policy. Any change depends on the controlling headquarters accepting a written request backed by a serious reason.

That gap explains why forums are full of conflicting answers. One aspirant says a polite email worked. Another says it was ignored. Both can be true, because each request is judged on its own merits and on seat availability at the other board. Treat your allotted centre as final unless you have a strong, documented reason.

When a Centre Change Is Permitted (Genuine hardship, medical grounds)

A change is only realistic when attending the allotted centre is truly difficult, not just inconvenient. A long train ride doesn’t count. Most SSB centres in India are far from someone’s home, and boards expect you to travel.

Grounds that carry weight usually look like this:

• A documented medical condition that makes long travel unsafe, backed by a doctor’s certificate
• A death or serious illness in the immediate family, with proof
• A clash with a university or board exam on the same dates, with the official datesheet
• Natural disaster, floods or rail disruption affecting your route

“My cousin lives near Bengaluru” won’t move anyone. Attach evidence every time.

How to Submit a Centre Change Request: Where and to Whom

Send it to the authority named on your call letter, using the email, phone or postal address printed there. For Army preference, that is the selection centre or the recruiting directorate listed. Navy and Air Force candidates should write to the NSB or AFSB contact on their own letter, because AFSB centres in India and Naval Selection Boards are controlled separately from Army boards.

Keep the request short. Include your full name, UPSC roll number, entry, allotted board and date, the reason, and scanned proof. Call the listed number a day later to confirm it arrived.

Sample Centre Change Request Email

Subject: Request for change of SSB centre: [Name], Roll No. [XXXX], [Entry]

Respected Sir/Madam,

I have been allotted [Board number, City] for the batch reporting on [date]. Due to [specific reason], I am unable to travel to this centre. I have attached [certificate/document] as proof. I request allotment to [preferred centre] or any batch you find suitable. I will accept the board’s decision.

Yours faithfully,
[Name], [Mobile number], [Email ID]

Deadlines: How Late Is Too Late to Request

No official cut-off is published, so speed is your only safe strategy. Send the request the same day you spot the problem. Batches are planned in advance, and every passing day leaves fewer open seats at other boards.

A request made a few days before reporting will almost always fail unless it’s a real emergency. If your reason only appears at the last minute, such as sudden hospitalisation, contact the board by phone first and follow up in writing. Don’t simply skip reporting and explain later.

What Happens If Your Request Is Rejected

Your original allotment stands, and you’re expected to report as scheduled. A rejection carries no penalty on its own. Boards don’t mark candidates down for asking.

Missing the batch is the real risk. If you don’t report and no alternative was approved, you lose that SSB opportunity for this cycle. For most defence aspirants, travelling to an inconvenient centre beats gambling on a second request. Book tickets for the original date while you wait for a reply, so a refusal doesn’t leave you stranded.

Rescheduling vs. Centre Change: The Difference Matters

A reschedule moves your date at the same board. A centre change moves you to a different board altogether. The two are handled differently, and confusing them weakens your request.

An SSB interview reschedule is the more common and more achievable ask, since the board only has to fit you into a later batch it already runs. A centre change needs a second board to find space. If your problem is timing, such as an exam clash, ask for new dates rather than a new city. Ask for a different centre only when the location itself is the obstacle.

Nearest Railway Stations and Reporting Instructions for Each Centre

Most centres are a short taxi or auto ride from a major railway junction. Reporting times, though, come only from your call letter. No board publishes a single national reporting time, so the table below lists distances where sources confirm them and leaves timing to the document that actually binds you.

Army SSB Centre Reporting Guide

Army centres usually send a pickup point or reception desk at the main railway station, listed in your SSB reporting instructions. Read that line twice. Selection Centre North is the trickiest, because it moved from Kapurthala to Jalandhar, so don’t rely on older posts about Kapurthala. Flyers should note that Amritsar International Airport is about 80 kilometres away.

Bhopal sources disagree on the exact distance, so leave a buffer. Plan to arrive in the city the evening before reporting. A delayed overnight train can’t become your excuse at the gate.

AFSB Centre Reporting Guide

AFSB reporting works much like Army reporting. The details are specific to each board, though. Your call letter names the station, the reception point and the time, and Air Force boards expect you there exactly as written.

Flying branch candidates face extra testing, so arrive rested. Take the earliest train that still lands you a day early. If you’re flying into Ahmedabad for Gandhinagar or Bengaluru for Mysore, build the road transfer into your plan as covered above. Don’t treat an airport arrival as reaching the board.

NSB Centre Reporting Guide

NSBs inside naval establishments, such as INS Agrani, run stricter gate checks than most civilian venues. Carry your call letter in print. The Navy’s 33 SSB in Bhopal is easier because it shares the Selection Centre Central complex, but its gate is still not the Army board’s gate.

Travel reimbursement causes the most confusion here. Rules on rail warrants, e-tickets and refund claims differ by service and entry, and they can change between cycles. Check what your specific call letter says, keep every ticket and receipt, and claim only what it permits.

Documents to Carry for SSB Reporting (Board-Wise Checklist)

Every board checks a common set of originals on arrival. These are the documents to carry:

• Written exam mark sheet or scorecard
• Class 10 and 12 mark sheets
• A valid government-issued photo ID
• Passport-size photographs
• Your NDA or CDS roll number card, as applicable

Board-specific additions come only from your call letter. AFSB and NSB letters may list forms or certificates that an Army Services Selection Board letter doesn’t ask for. Carry photocopies of everything too.

Don’t assume you can show a missing paper later. An unverified document can stop you at the gate or during document checks.

FAQs

What is the difference between SSB, AFSB, and NSB?
SSBs test Army entries, AFSBs test Air Force entries, and NSBs test Navy entries. Each one belongs to its own service.

How is the SSB centre allotted for NDA vs. CDS vs. AFCAT?
NDA and CDS candidates are allotted a board by their first-preference service. AFCAT candidates go to an AFSB.

Can I choose my own SSB centre?
You can state a preference where the form allows it. You can’t book a centre.

What if I miss the SSB preference form deadline?
Contact the service portal helpdesk right away. A missed registration can cost you this cycle.

How do I request a centre change for my SSB interview?
Email the authority named on your call letter and attach proof of your reason, as explained above.

Which SSB centre is closest to Delhi / Mumbai / Chennai?
For Delhi, Jalandhar (Selection Centre North) is the nearest listed Army centre. For Mumbai, 3 AFSB Gandhinagar is the nearest listed Air Force board, and Bhopal is the nearest listed Army and Navy centre. From Chennai, Bengaluru is the nearest listed Army centre.

Is travel reimbursed to the SSB centre?
Rail warrant reimbursement rules vary by entry. Follow your call letter.

What time should I report on Day 1 at the SSB centre?
Report at the time printed on your call letter.