How To Fill PIQ Form In SSB: The SSB Interview is considered a crucial step in the recruitment process for candidates. Candidates seeking entry in the Indian Armed Forces are required to appear in the Services Selection Board (SSB) interview round. It tests the thinking and analytical abilities of students who are interested in joining the Indian Army. PIQ does not seem like a formality to just fill out the form and submit to the interview panel. The details provided in the PIQ give a glimpse of the candidate's personality to the interview conducting authority.
The PIQ Form is known as the Personal Information Questionnaire. It is a document filled out by the candidates before the beginning of the SSB Interview round. Students who are all set to appear in the SSB round should fill out all the details in the PIQ form correctly. It provides a glimpse of the candidate’s personality and mindset to the SSB interview conducting authority. The PIQ Form covers information such as personal details of candidates, family details, hobbies, background, and educational qualifications.
The PIQ Form gives the interviewer an idea of the personality of the candidates. All the details should be filled in the PIQ form correctly. Here are some of the key aspects regarding the PIQ form compiled in the table format given below.
Section |
Details |
Name and Contact Information |
Full Name: [Enter here] Phone: [Enter] Email: [Enter] |
Date of Birth and Age |
DOB: [e.g., 15 July 2000] Age: [e.g., 25 years] |
Educational Background |
• Class 10 – [XYZ School], [Year], [e.g., 88%] • Class 12 – [ABC School], [Year], [e.g., 90% in Mathematics] • Graduation – [University Name], [Year], [CGPA/%] • Certifications – [e.g., Cybersecurity course from XYZ Institute, 2023] |
Family Details |
• Father: [Name], [Profession] – e.g., Retired Army Officer • Mother: [Name], [Profession] – e.g., School Teacher • Siblings (if any): [Names + Occupation] |
Interests and Hobbies |
• Reading: Reading autobiographies of war heroes like Captain Vikram Batra for inspiration • Fitness: Running, trekking for physical readiness • Writing: Journaling to reflect on leadership and values |
Leadership Experience & Achievements |
Example 1: • Situation: Led a school project during the pandemic • Task: Organise remote collaboration • Action: Coordinated 5 members via Zoom, delegated work • Result: Won first prize at the interschool science competition Example 2: • Situation: College fest volunteer leader • Task: Managed logistics for 200+ attendees • Action: Formed team, assigned shifts, handled emergencies • Result: Event was successful, received faculty appreciation for management |
Students should prioritise filling out the PIQ form correctly before appearing in the SSB interview round. It covers the education, personal information, and hobbies of any candidate to appear in the SSB round with the mindset to join the Indian Army.
Foundation of Discussion In SSB Interview: The Personal Information Questionnaire (PIQ) provides detailed insights into any candidate to the interview conducting authority. A well-completed questionnaire can help the panel to get an idea of the candidate’s personality.
Provides Detailed Information: Students should provide all the detailed and correct information at the time of filling out the PIQ form. This is the important part at the beginning of the SSB Interview round. Students should be attentive in completing the form-filling related formalities.
Discuss Achievements: Be responsive in sharing the achievements-related information in the PIQ form. The Interview Panel wants to know the interests and hobbies of any candidates who will appear in the SSB interview round.
Self-Awareness Reflection: PIQ is considered a self-awareness reflection of any candidate who shows the willingness to participate in the SSB interview round after qualifying the written test. Don’t consider PIQ as just a simple form covering the details only for formality purposes.
Filling Out The PIQ Form is much more than performing the administrative task. Candidates should give accurate information in the form before appearing in the SSB Interview round. It gives an idea to the interview panel regarding the personality and capability of the candidate keen to join the Indian Army. Invest the time smartly in filling out the details in the SSB form correctly. It can create a long-lasting impression in the minds of the interview panellists. Apply the right mindset to add the answers in the form correctly, showing the achievements to the panel.
The candidate should keep in mind the Do’s and Don’ts to fill out the PIQ Form. All the pointers are compiled in a tabular format, helpful for the candidate to complete the form-filling process smoothly.
Do's |
Don'ts |
Remember exactly what you wrote in the PIQ; the IO may ask questions based on it. |
Don’t give inconsistent answers compared to your PIQ during the interview. |
Leave the OIR column (top right) blank—it's for official use only. |
Don’t fill the OIR column yourself. |
In Column 4, fill in the population as per the latest census (approximate). |
Don’t skip population data or write vague/old numbers. |
In Column 4c, write ‘Yes’ if your place is a district headquarters. |
Don’t leave it blank or write ‘No’ without verifying. |
Write your name in capital letters only. |
Don’t capitalise all answers—only your name needs to be in uppercase. |
In Column 10, include local-level participation in games/sports. |
Don’t leave this blank even if you haven’t played at higher levels. |
In Column 11, mention only hobbies/interests, not games. |
Don’t confuse hobbies with sports or mix them. |
Understand the difference between interest (initial) and hobby (active pursuit). |
Don’t claim a hobby you don’t actively follow—it can be questioned. |
Be prepared for 99% of questions to come from your PIQ responses. |
Don’t assume you won’t be questioned in-depth on your form. |
Accurately fill previous SSB interview details in Column 14. |
Don’t forget or misreport previous attempts or SSB data. |
Write ‘Not Applicable’ where needed instead of leaving blanks. |
Don’t leave any answers blank. |
Provide precise and honest information across all columns. |
Don’t provide fake or exaggerated details. |
Maintain clean and legible handwriting. |
Don’t use poor handwriting, scribble, or overwrite. |
Use Indian Army/Navy/Air Force under service choices in Column 12b. |
Don’t write just "Army" or "Navy". |
Support your answers with examples and real-life experiences. |
Don’t write vague or abstract claims without evidence. |
Reflect responsibility and officer-like qualities through your hobbies and activities. |
Don’t list non-productive or casual activities just to fill space. |
Keep your entries brief and to the point. |
Don’t write extra lines or try to impress through lengthy paragraphs. |
Show clarity, maturity, and consistency in your PIQ. |
Don’t self-praise or write in a boastful tone—it can backfire. |