SSB Interview Centres in India Complete Location-Wise Guide (2026)
When a student clears the NDA written exam and receives the SSB call letter, one of the very first things they look at is the location. Which city? Which centre? How far is it? How do I get there?
These are the right questions to ask. And at Alpha NDA Academy, we have guided hundreds of students through this exact moment. The call letter arrives, the city name is there, and the student needs to understand what that city means, what the centre is like, and how to plan the travel.
This blog is a complete, location-wise guide to all SSB interview centres in India. We have covered the Indian Army Selection Centres, the Air Force Selection Boards, and the Naval Selection Boards with their locations, boards they host, and practical travel guidance for candidates from across the country.
Read this carefully. By the end, you will know exactly which centres exist, what happens at each one, and the one most important thing to remember about your SSB centre.
Understanding the SSB Centre Allocation System
Before we go location-wise, you need to understand one foundational fact about SSB centres.
You do not get to choose your SSB centre.
This is one of the most common misunderstandings among first-time candidates. Many students ask us at Alpha NDA Academy: “Sir, can we request a specific city?” The answer is no. The SSB centre is allocated to you by the board based on your entry type, the zone you applied from, and administrative availability at the time.
Once you clear the NDA written exam or any other eligible exam such as CDS, TES, or AFCAT, the relevant directorate allocates a specific SSB centre. Your call letter will clearly mention the centre name, the reporting date, the reporting time, and the specific board number you are assigned to.
Your only job at that point is to confirm the details, plan your travel, and report on time.
This is why knowing all the centres matters so that when a city name appears on your call letter, you are not confused about where it is, how to reach it, and what to expect.
Why Multiple SSB Centres Exist Across India
Every year, lakhs of candidates clear written exams and become eligible for SSB interviews. If there were only one centre in the entire country, the waiting time for every candidate would stretch to years.
To manage this volume efficiently, the Ministry of Defence has established multiple Selection Centres and Selection Boards across India. Each centre operates continuously throughout the year, calling batches of candidates at regular intervals.
The key point here is this: every SSB centre across India follows the exact same selection process and the exact same assessment standards. Whether you are called to Prayagraj, Bengaluru, Bhopal, or Dehradun, the five days are structured identically. The Officer Like Qualities (OLQs) being assessed are the same. The psychologists, GTO officers, and interviewing officers are trained under the same guidelines.
Your centre does not give you an advantage or disadvantage. Your preparation does.
For a complete understanding of what those five days look like: SSB Interview 5 Day Process Explained
Indian Army SSB Centres Location-Wise Breakdown
The Indian Army has the largest network of SSB centres in the country. The Army organises its selection through four main Selection Centres, each of which hosts multiple individual SSB boards. Here is each one in detail.
Selection Centre East (SCE) Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
Address: Cariappa Road, Cantonment, Civil Lines, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh 211001
SSB Boards Hosted: 11 SSB, 14 SSB, 18 SSB, 19 SSB, 34 SSB
Selection Centre East in Prayagraj is the oldest and largest Army SSB centre in India. It was established in 1957 and has the highest candidate throughput of any Army selection centre in the country.
For decades, Prayagraj has been the centre where the majority of NDA, CDS, TES, and TGC candidates from North India appear for their SSB interviews. With five boards operating simultaneously, this centre can assess the highest number of candidates at one time.
The centre has a reputation among aspirants for its disciplined environment and well-organised assessment schedule. Some students call it the most intense centre simply because of the sheer volume of serious candidates it receives.
How to reach Prayagraj: Prayagraj Junction (also known as Allahabad Junction) is one of the major railway junctions in North India. It is directly connected by train to Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and virtually every major city in the country. By air, Civil Airport Prayagraj operates direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The SSB centre provides pick-up service from the railway station on the morning of reporting.
States most commonly allocated to SCE: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Delhi, and nearby regions.
Selection Centre Central (SCC) Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Address: Sultania Infantry Lines, Navri Road, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
SSB Boards Hosted: 20 SSB, 21 SSB, 22 SSB (and 33 SSB which handles Naval entries)
Selection Centre Central in Bhopal was established in the 1970s to share the candidate load with the older Prayagraj centre and also absorbed boards that had previously operated from Jabalpur. Today it is one of the most active centres in the country.
Bhopal has a reputation among SSB aspirants for being extremely well-organised. The campus is known for its green environment and modern facilities. Candidates from Central India, Western Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat are frequently allocated to this centre.
An important and often missed detail: 33 SSB operates within the Bhopal campus specifically for Naval entry candidates. So if you have applied for a Navy entry and your call letter says Bhopal, you are appearing for a Naval board based out of the Army’s Bhopal campus.
How to reach Bhopal: Bhopal Junction is a major railway station well-connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Indore, Jabalpur, and most of Central India. Raja Bhoj Airport in Bhopal operates regular flights from major metro cities. The centre is located at Sultania Infantry Lines which is roughly 8 to 10 kilometres from the main railway station.
States most commonly allocated to SCC: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, parts of Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
Selection Centre South (SCS) Bengaluru, Karnataka
Address: Cubbon Road, FM Cariappa Colony, Sivanchetti Gardens, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560042
SSB Boards Hosted: 17 SSB, 24 SSB (and 12 SSB which handles Naval entries)
Selection Centre South in Bengaluru holds a special place in Indian defence history. The first SSB interview of independent India was conducted at this very centre in 1949. That makes it the oldest Selection Centre in terms of post-independence history.
Today it is considered one of the most modern and well-equipped Army SSB centres, located in a prime cantonment area near the heart of Bengaluru. The city’s excellent connectivity and pleasant climate make the travel experience more comfortable for candidates compared to some other cities.
The Bengaluru centre also hosts 12 SSB specifically for Naval entry candidates, similar to the arrangement at Bhopal. Candidates appearing for Navy entries who are allocated to Bengaluru will be assessed by the Naval board operating within this campus.
How to reach Bengaluru: Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru is one of the busiest airports in India with direct flights from almost every state. Bengaluru City Junction (also known as Bengaluru Central) and Yeshwantpur Junction are the two major railway stations with wide national connectivity. The SSB campus on Cubbon Road is accessible from both.
States most commonly allocated to SCS: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Goa, and parts of Maharashtra.
Selection Centre North (SCN) Jalandhar, Punjab
Address: Professor Colony, Kapurthala, Punjab 144602 (Now operating from Jalandhar)
SSB Boards Hosted: 31 SSB, 32 SSB
Selection Centre North is the most recently shifted Army SSB centre in India. It was originally established at Kapurthala in Punjab and has since been operating from Jalandhar following its official relocation in November 2022.
Very important for candidates: If your call letter mentions Jalandhar or Kapurthala as your SSB centre, you must verify your exact reporting location from the call letter itself or through the official helpline. Do not assume the old Kapurthala address is current. The centre is now operational from Jalandhar, not Kapurthala.
This centre primarily serves candidates from the northern and northwestern regions of India, covering states that were earlier underserved due to distance from Prayagraj or Bhopal.
How to reach Jalandhar: Jalandhar City and Jalandhar Cantt are the two railway stations in the city, both well-connected to Delhi, Amritsar, and other North Indian cities. The nearest major airport is Amritsar International Airport, approximately 80 kilometres away. Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and other major cities.
States most commonly allocated to SCN: Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and parts of Rajasthan.
Indian Air Force Selection Boards Location-Wise Breakdown
The Indian Air Force does not use the Army’s SSB structure. Instead, it has its own dedicated selection boards called Air Force Selection Boards (AFSB). There are five AFSBs across India, each covering specific regions.
Candidates clearing NDA Air Force entry, AFCAT, or CDS Air Force entry are assigned to one of these five boards. Flying branch candidates additionally appear for the Computerised Pilot Selection System (CPSS) test at these centres.
1 AFSB Dehradun, Uttarakhand
1 AFSB Dehradun is the oldest Air Force Selection Board in India. Its origins go back to 1943, when an Experimental Selection Board was first established at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun during the Second World War. This makes it the oldest defence selection board of any kind in India.
Today it is a fully modern and well-equipped AFSB handling NDA Air Force, AFCAT, and CDS Air Force candidates from Northern and Central India.
How to reach Dehradun: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Dehradun Railway Station (now Dehradun Junction) connects the city to Delhi, Varanasi, Kolkata, and other major cities. The city is also well-connected by road from Delhi, roughly 300 kilometres away.
2 AFSB Mysuru, Karnataka
2 AFSB is located in Mysuru, Karnataka. It serves candidates from the Southern region of India. Mysuru is a well-connected and pleasant city, and the AFSB campus here is known for its organised assessment environment.
How to reach Mysuru: Mysuru Railway Station (also known as Mysuru Junction) has direct trains from Bengaluru, Chennai, and other South Indian cities. The nearest major airport is Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, approximately 170 kilometres away.
3 AFSB Gandhinagar, Gujarat
3 AFSB is located in Gandhinagar, the state capital of Gujarat. This board serves candidates from Western India including Gujarat, Rajasthan, and nearby states.
How to reach Gandhinagar: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad is the nearest major airport, roughly 20 kilometres from Gandhinagar. Gandhinagar Capital Railway Station connects the city to the broader rail network, and Ahmedabad Junction is a major hub nearby.
4 AFSB Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
4 AFSB is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It serves candidates from the Eastern and Northern regions of India and handles a significant portion of NDA Air Force and AFCAT entries.
How to reach Varanasi: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. Varanasi Junction (Varanasi Cantt) is a major railway hub with trains connecting to most of India.
5 AFSB Guwahati, Assam
5 AFSB Guwahati serves the entire Northeastern region of India, bringing officer selection much closer to candidates from states like Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Important update: 5 AFSB Guwahati has recently shifted to a new address. The current address is: Near Krishna Mandir, Agshia Village, Palasbari Road, Guwahati, Assam 781128. Candidates allocated to Guwahati must always confirm the reporting location from their official call letter since older addresses floating online may be outdated.
How to reach Guwahati: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport is a major northeastern airport with direct flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and other cities. Guwahati Railway Station connects the city to Delhi, Kolkata, and the rest of the country.
Indian Navy Selection Boards Location-Wise Breakdown
The Indian Navy operates its own selection boards, called Naval Selection Boards (NSB). These boards assess candidates for various Navy entries including NDA Navy, CDS Navy, INET, the 10 plus 2 B.Tech entry, and NCC Naval Wing entries.
Some Naval boards operate independently in Naval campuses, while others operate within existing Army Selection Centres.
NSB Visakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh
Address: 9-IRSD Area, Next to Material Organisation, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530008
NSB Visakhapatnam is one of the most important Naval selection boards in India, situated close to the Eastern Naval Command headquarters. It primarily handles CDS Navy, NDA Navy, and other Naval officer entries routed through Eastern India.
The centre’s location in a coastal naval city gives it a distinctive environment that is appropriate for assessing future naval officers.
How to reach Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam Airport (also called Vizag Airport) has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru. Visakhapatnam Railway Station is a major junction connected to most of India.
NSB Coimbatore (INS Agrani) Tamil Nadu
Address: Naval Selection Board, INS Agrani, Red Fields, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641018
NSB Coimbatore operates within the campus of INS Agrani, a significant naval leadership training establishment. This board primarily handles the 10 plus 2 B.Tech entry and other Naval entries from Southern India.
The INS Agrani campus maintains a disciplined and structured environment well-suited to the naval assessment process.
How to reach Coimbatore: Coimbatore International Airport has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru. Coimbatore Junction is a major South Indian railway hub connected to Chennai, Bengaluru, Ernakulam, and other major cities.
NSB Goa (INS Hansa) Goa
Address: INS Hansa, Dabolim, Goa 403801
NSB Goa operates within the campus of INS Hansa, the Indian Navy’s main airbase in Goa. This centre handles Naval officer entries and gives candidates an environment closely connected to actual naval operations.
How to reach Goa: Goa International Airport (Dabolim Airport) at Vasco da Gama is the nearest airport, very close to INS Hansa. Vasco da Gama Railway Station connects Goa to the broader national rail network.
NSB Diamond Harbour Near Kolkata, West Bengal
NSB Diamond Harbour is one of the newest Naval selection boards in India, inaugurated in 2019. It is the first full-fledged NSB in the Eastern region, located at Diamond Harbour near Kolkata rather than in Kolkata city itself.
Important travel note: Many candidates receiving an NSB allocation near Kolkata assume they need to go to Kolkata city. Diamond Harbour is approximately 60 kilometres from Kolkata city centre. Always plan travel accordingly based on the exact address in your call letter.
How to reach Diamond Harbour: The nearest major railway hub is Kolkata (Howrah and Sealdah stations). From there, local trains run to Diamond Harbour Station on the Sealdah South line.
Naval Boards Within Army Selection Centres
It is worth noting that not all Naval candidates go to independent NSB campuses. Two Naval boards operate within existing Army Selection Centre campuses:
33 SSB in Bhopal operates within Selection Centre Central and handles Naval entries assigned to Central India candidates.
12 SSB in Bengaluru operates within Selection Centre South and handles Naval entries from Southern India candidates.
If your Navy call letter mentions Bhopal or Bengaluru, your reporting is to the Army Selection Centre campus at that city, but you will be assessed by the Naval board operating there.
How to Decode Your SSB Call Letter
When your call letter arrives, here is exactly what to look for to understand your centre:
Step 1: Look for the city name. This tells you where you need to travel.
Step 2: Look for the Selection Centre name or AFSB or NSB number. This tells you which organisation is conducting your interview.
Step 3: Look for the board number (for example 11 SSB or 4 AFSB). This is your specific board within that centre.
Step 4: Look for the reporting date, reporting time, and reporting address. Some call letters now include the exact gate address or nearest railway station information.
Step 5: Look for the pick-up service information. Most Army SSB centres provide a pick-up vehicle from the nearest railway station on the morning of reporting. The call letter will mention the pick-up timing and location.
If anything in your call letter is unclear, contact the centre directly using the telephone number mentioned on the official letter. Do not rely on information from unofficial sources or previous candidates when it comes to your specific reporting details.
For a complete list of documents you must carry to your SSB centre: Documents Required for SSB Interview 2026
Practical Travel Guide Planning Your Journey to the SSB Centre
Here is how we advise our students at Alpha NDA Academy to plan their travel to any SSB centre.
Arrive one day before your reporting date. This is not optional advice. It is a strong recommendation based on experience. Train delays, flight cancellations, and road travel unpredictability are real. If you are travelling on the day of reporting and something goes wrong, you miss your entire SSB. Arriving the previous evening eliminates this risk entirely.
Book train tickets as soon as your call letter arrives. SSB reporting dates are given with limited lead time. Popular trains to cities like Prayagraj, Bengaluru, and Bhopal get booked quickly. Book the moment you have your date.
Carry printed copies of your travel tickets along with your SSB call letter and identity documents. Do not rely only on a mobile phone for ticket verification.
Know the nearest railway station to the centre and the pick-up timing. Army SSB centres provide morning pick-up from the designated station. Reach that station in time for the pick-up vehicle. If you miss the pick-up, you will need to arrange your own transport to reach the centre.
Keep the centre telephone number saved. If you are delayed or unsure about anything on travel day, calling the centre is always the right first step.
For understanding how much time you typically have between your written exam result and your SSB reporting: How Much Time Is Given for SSB After Written Exam
Common Myths About SSB Centres Cleared
Over the years, we have heard many myths from students about SSB centres. It is important to address these clearly.
Myth 1: Some centres are easier to get recommended from.
This is completely false. Every SSB centre, every board, and every assessor across India follows the same Manpower Selection System. The Officer Like Qualities being assessed are standardised. Selection rates across centres are comparable. If you have heard that a specific city or board is easier, forget it. That rumour has no basis in fact.
Myth 2: Being allocated a far-away centre is bad luck.
It is not. The centre does not determine your recommendation. Your personality and preparation do. Some of the most successful candidates at Alpha NDA Academy have been recommended from centres far from their home states.
Myth 3: You should try to change your centre to a more familiar city.
Centre change requests are generally not entertained for most entries. Even in the rare case where it is possible, it wastes time and energy that is far better spent on preparation. Accept your allocated centre and focus on what you control.
Myth 4: The centre you go to determines which service arm you join.
Completely incorrect. The Army, Navy, and Air Force each run their own boards. Your service arm is determined by which exam and entry you applied for, not by the city of your SSB.
For a deeper understanding of why candidates fail at SSB regardless of the centre: Why Most Candidates Fail in SSB Interview
Quick Reference: All SSB Centres at a Glance
Here is a clean summary of all SSB centres in India as of 2026.
Indian Army Selection Centres:
Selection Centre East (Prayagraj, UP) hosts 11, 14, 18, 19 and 34 SSB. Serves North, East, and Central-North India.
Selection Centre Central (Bhopal, MP) hosts 20, 21, 22 SSB and 33 SSB (Naval). Serves Central India and parts of Western India.
Selection Centre South (Bengaluru, Karnataka) hosts 17, 24 SSB and 12 SSB (Naval). Serves South India and parts of the West.
Selection Centre North (Jalandhar, Punjab) hosts 31 and 32 SSB. Serves Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J and K.
Indian Air Force Air Force Selection Boards (AFSB):
1 AFSB Dehradun serves Northern and Central India. Oldest AFSB, established in 1943.
2 AFSB Mysuru serves South India.
3 AFSB Gandhinagar serves Western India.
4 AFSB Varanasi serves North-East Central India.
5 AFSB Guwahati serves the entire Northeastern region.
Indian Navy Naval Selection Boards (NSB):
NSB Visakhapatnam serves East Coast and Eastern Naval Command region.
NSB Coimbatore (INS Agrani) serves South India, especially for B.Tech entries.
NSB Goa (INS Hansa) serves West Coast candidates and specific Naval entries.
NSB Diamond Harbour (near Kolkata) serves Eastern India, inaugurated in 2019.
33 SSB (Bhopal) and 12 SSB (Bengaluru) handle Naval entries within existing Army campuses.
What Matters More Than Which Centre You Get
We want to say this clearly, because we see students at Alpha NDA Academy sometimes get anxious about their allocated centre.
The SSB is a personality assessment. It assesses you not your city, not your journey, not your centre number. The board does not know or care where you came from. They care about who you are across those five days.
A student who is well-prepared, self-aware, genuine in their responses, confident in group tasks, composed in the psychology tests, and articulate in the personal interview will perform well at any centre in any city.
A student who is not prepared will struggle equally at every centre.
The centre is just the address. The recommendation comes from the person.
For preparation guidance before you report to any SSB centre: SSB Interview Preparation Plan in 30 Days
For what to expect on Day 1 when you arrive: SSB Screening Test and PPDT Explained
How Alpha NDA Academy Prepares Students for SSB at Any Centre
At Alpha NDA Academy, we prepare students for SSB the way it should be prepared comprehensively, practically, and without shortcuts.
Our SSB preparation covers every stage that candidates face regardless of which centre they are allocated to: the OIR and PPDT on Day 1, the psychology tests on Day 2, the GTO tasks on Days 2 and 3, the personal interview on Day 4, and the conference on Day 5.
We run structured mock SSB sessions where students experience group tasks, group discussions, psychology test practice, and mock personal interviews in a realistic setting. This means that when our students walk into their allocated centre whether it is Prayagraj, Bhopal, Bengaluru, or Guwahati they have already done it before in a structured environment.
We also handle the practical side that most coaching centres ignore: how to read your call letter, how to plan travel, what documents to carry, how to prepare the PIQ form, and how to settle into the SSB environment on Day 1 without anxiety.
FAQs About SSB Interview Centres in India
Q1. How many SSB centres are there in India in 2026?
There are four main Indian Army Selection Centres in Prayagraj, Bhopal, Bengaluru, and Jalandhar. The Air Force has five AFSBs in Dehradun, Mysuru, Gandhinagar, Varanasi, and Guwahati. The Navy has four key NSBs in Visakhapatnam, Coimbatore, Goa, and Diamond Harbour near Kolkata, plus Naval boards within the Army centres at Bhopal and Bengaluru.
Q2. Can I choose my SSB centre?
No. The SSB centre is allocated by the respective directorate based on your entry type, zone, and board availability. You cannot request a specific centre for most entries.
Q3. How do I find out which SSB centre I have been allocated to?
Your SSB call letter will clearly mention your allocated centre, board number, reporting date, and reporting address. This is the only official source you should rely on.
Q4. Is the SSB process different at different centres?
No. Every SSB centre across India follows the same five-day selection process and the same assessment standards. The Officer Like Qualities being evaluated are identical everywhere.
Q5. Do all Army SSB centres give a pick-up from the railway station?
Yes, most Army SSB centres provide an official pick-up vehicle from the designated nearest railway station on the morning of reporting. The specific pick-up time and station will be mentioned in your call letter or joining instructions.
Q6. What is the difference between an SSB and an AFSB?
SSB stands for Services Selection Board and primarily refers to Army selection boards. AFSB stands for Air Force Selection Board and is specifically for Air Force officer entries. Both follow a similar five-day process but have service-specific elements in their assessment.
Q7. If I am allocated to an NSB inside an Army centre, is the process different?
The basic five-day structure remains the same, but Naval boards may include elements more specific to Navy officer requirements. Your call letter will mention whether you are appearing for an Army or Naval board.
Q8. Has the Kapurthala SSB centre been moved?
Yes. Selection Centre North officially shifted from Kapurthala to Jalandhar in November 2022. Candidates allocated to 31 SSB or 32 SSB must now report to Jalandhar. Always verify the exact address from your call letter.
Q9. What is the reporting time at SSB centres?
Reporting times vary by centre and batch. Your call letter will specify the exact reporting time. Most centres have candidates report in the morning. Arriving the previous evening is strongly recommended to avoid any travel delays.
Q10. Does the SSB centre location affect my chance of getting recommended?
No. Selection rates across centres follow similar patterns. Your recommendation depends entirely on your personality, Officer Like Qualities, and performance during the five-day process not on which city you report to.
Final Thought: Every Gate Leads to the Same Uniform
Whether your SSB call letter says Prayagraj, Bhopal, Bengaluru, Jalandhar, Dehradun, Varanasi, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Coimbatore, or Goa the gate you walk through on Day 1 leads to the same destination.
The Indian Armed Forces. The uniform. The commission.
The centre is just the starting address of a five-day journey that decides whether you have what it takes to wear that uniform. Every centre is fair. Every board is professional. Every assessment is objective.
Your job is to walk through that gate ready mentally, emotionally, physically, and practically.
