SSC GD Constable 2026: Complete Guide to General Duty Constable Recruitment

SSC GD Constable is a national-level recruitment exam conducted for Constable posts in various paramilitary forces and security organizations of India. It is open to 10th-pass candidates and offers opportunities to serve in forces such as BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, and Assam Rifles.

SSC GD Constable 2026 — Quick Overview

Detail	Information
Exam Name	SSC GD Constable Recruitment 2026
Conducted By	Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
Forces Covered	BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, SSF, Assam Rifles (AR), NCB
Minimum Qualification	Class 10 (Matriculation) from a recognised Board
Age Limit	18 to 23 years (General) with category relaxations
Total Vacancies (2026)	25,487 posts
Application Fee	Rs. 100 (General/OBC) | Exempted for Female/SC/ST/ESM
Selection Stages	CBT → PET & PST → Medical Examination → Document Verification
Final Merit Based On	CBT marks only
Starting Pay Level	Level 3 — Basic Pay Rs. 21,700
In-Hand Salary	Rs. 23,527 – Rs. 37,000/month (with allowances)
Official Website	ssc.gov.in

What is SSC GD Constable? Understanding the Recruitment

SSC GD (General Duty) Constable recruitment is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission to fill Constable positions across India’s Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Assam Rifles, and the Narcotics Control Bureau. It is one of the largest paramilitary recruitments in India and attracts candidates who want a uniformed, field-based government career.

Unlike SSC’s clerical and data entry exams, SSC GD is a physically demanding role. You will be posted in the field — whether on a border, at an airport, guarding a power plant, or conducting internal security operations. The job is active, meaningful, and comes with a strong sense of purpose.

Forces You Can Join Through SSC GD 2026

SSC GD recruits for 8 different forces. Here is what each one does:

Force	Full Form	Primary Role
BSF	Border Security Force	Guarding India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh
CISF	Central Industrial Security Force	Securing airports, nuclear plants, heritage sites, and PSUs
CRPF	Central Reserve Police Force	Internal security, counter-insurgency, election duties
ITBP	Indo-Tibetan Border Police	Guarding the Himalayan border with China
SSB	Sashastra Seema Bal	Guarding borders with Nepal and Bhutan
SSF	Special Security Force	Security of Supreme Court of India
AR	Assam Rifles (Rifleman GD)	Guarding Indo-Myanmar border, counter-insurgency in NE India
NCB	Narcotics Control Bureau (Sepoy)	Counter-narcotics operations across India

Candidates can indicate force preferences during the application and document verification stages. Final force allocation depends on merit rank, vacancies per force, and candidate preferences.

Job Profile — What Does a GD Constable Do?

The role of a GD Constable is active, outdoor, and deeply impactful. Here is what daily life looks like across different postings:

Core Responsibilities

• Patrolling and guarding national borders — detecting and preventing illegal crossings
• Guarding vital government installations — airports, nuclear plants, metro systems, heritage sites (CISF)
• Maintaining law and order during elections, communal situations, and civil unrest (CRPF)
• Counter-insurgency and anti-terrorism operations in designated areas
• Disaster relief and rescue operations during floods, earthquakes, and natural calamities
• VIP security escort duties
• Anti-narcotics operations and intelligence gathering (NCB)

Nature of the Role

• Field-based, physically demanding, and outdoor — not a desk job
• Rotational shift duties including nights, weekends, and national holidays
• Postings across India — often in border areas, remote regions, or sensitive zones
• Residential accommodation (barracks) provided at most postings
• Camaraderie, discipline, and a strong sense of unit pride

Eligibility Criteria — Who Can Apply?

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have passed Class 10 (Matriculation) from a recognised Board or University. No higher educational qualification is required. This makes SSC GD one of the most accessible government exams for young candidates.

Age Limit

• Minimum Age: 18 years
• Maximum Age: 23 years (General category as on January 1, 2026)
• Date of birth range: Born between January 2, 2003 and January 1, 2008
• OBC (NCL): Up to 26 years (3 years relaxation)
• SC / ST: Up to 28 years (5 years relaxation)
• Ex-Servicemen: 3 years after deduction of military service period

Nationality

Candidate must be a citizen of India. Vacancies are state and UT-wise — candidates must submit a domicile certificate or Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) from their home state or UT.

Application Fee

• General and OBC candidates: Rs. 100
• Female, SC, ST, and Ex-Servicemen (ESM): Exempted
• Payment: Online only — Credit Card, Debit Card, UPI

Selection Process — 4 Stages Explained

SSC GD selection is thorough — it tests your mind, body, and medical fitness. There are 4 stages and no interview.

1. Stage 1: Computer Based Test (CBT) — Written exam, determines shortlisting
2. Stage 2: Physical Efficiency Test (PET) & Physical Standard Test (PST) — Running test + height and chest measurement
3. Stage 3: Detailed Medical Examination (DME) — Full medical fitness check
4. Stage 4: Document Verification (DV) — Eligibility confirmation

Final merit is based entirely on CBT marks. PET, PST, and Medical are qualifying stages — you must clear all of them, but they do not add marks to your rank. Your written exam score determines everything.

Exam Pattern — Stage by Stage Breakdown

Stage 1: Computer Based Test (CBT)

The CBT is an 80-question, 160-mark exam completed in 60 minutes. All questions are objective type (MCQ). The paper is at Class 10 level and available in Hindi, English, and regional languages.

Section	Subject	Questions	Marks
Section 1	General Intelligence & Reasoning	20	40
Section 2	General Knowledge & General Awareness	20	40
Section 3	Elementary Mathematics	20	40
Section 4	English / Hindi Language	20	40
	Total	80	160

• Each question carries 2 marks
• Negative marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer
• No sectional time restrictions — move freely between sections
• CBT marks are used to shortlist candidates for PET/PST
• Normalization applied if exam held in multiple shifts

Stage 2: Physical Efficiency Test (PET)

The PET tests basic physical fitness through a running test. It is qualifying — no marks awarded.

Test	Male Candidates	Female Candidates
5 km Run	Within 24 minutes	—
1.6 km Run	—	Within 8.5 minutes

• PET is conducted at designated venues after CBT shortlisting
• Candidates who fail the run are eliminated from the process
• No second chance — you must clear the run in the first attempt

Stage 2: Physical Standard Test (PST) — Height & Chest

Category	Height (Male)	Height (Female)	Chest (Male)
General / OBC / SC	170 cm	157 cm	80 cm (expanded: 85 cm)
ST / Hill Region Candidates	162.5 cm	150 cm	76 cm (expanded: 81 cm)

• Weight: BMI range of 18–25 assessed during Medical Examination
• Chest measurement applies to male candidates only
• Documents like domicile certificate required at PST stage

Stage 3: Detailed Medical Examination (DME)

• Vision: 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other without glasses
• No colour blindness — ability to distinguish red, green, and yellow
• No flat foot, knock knee, or other conditions affecting field duties
• Candidate must be physically fit for armed paramilitary duties
• Conducted by Railway/Force Medical Officers at designated centres

Salary & Pay Scale — What You Will Earn

Component	Details
Pay Level	Level 3 (7th Pay Commission)
Basic Pay	Rs. 21,700/month
Dearness Allowance (DA)	~50% of Basic Pay
House Rent Allowance (HRA)	Based on posting location
Ration Allowance	For CAPFs — additional food allowance
Estimated In-Hand Salary	Rs. 23,527 – Rs. 37,000/month
After Promotions (Head Constable)	Level 4 — Rs. 25,500 Basic Pay

Additional Allowances & Perks

• Dearness Allowance (DA): 50% of Basic Pay — revised twice a year
• House Rent Allowance (HRA): Varies by posting location
• Ration Allowance: Food subsidy provided to CAPF personnel
• Risk and Hardship Allowance: Extra pay for border and conflict zone postings
• Free accommodation in force barracks at most postings
• Free medical facilities for self and dependants at force hospitals
• CGHS membership for urban postings
• NPS pension, LTC, and other government benefits
• Canteen facilities, uniform allowance, and children’s education allowance

Career Growth & Promotions

SSC GD offers a clear, merit-based promotion ladder within the force. Promotions are based on seniority, departmental exams, and performance.

• Constable (GD) → Head Constable: After qualifying departmental exam (typically 5–8 years of service)
• Head Constable → Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI): Through promotion exam and seniority
• ASI → Sub-Inspector (SI): Further promotion through departmental competitive exam
• Exceptional candidates can rise to Inspector level through continuous service and exams
• Each promotion brings a new pay level, higher salary, and increased command responsibility

How to Apply — Step by Step

• Visit ssc.gov.in and complete One-Time Registration (OTR) if you are a new user
• Login and find the SSC GD Constable 2026 application link
• Fill the detailed form — personal details, domicile state, force preference, and educational qualification
• Upload photograph and signature as per SSC specifications
• Pay the application fee online
• Review every detail carefully before submission — edits are not allowed after final submit
• Download and print the application confirmation page

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SSC GD only for male candidates?

No. SSC GD recruits both male and female candidates. Female candidates have different PET standards (1.6 km run in 8.5 minutes) and different height requirements (157 cm for General/OBC/SC, 150 cm for ST). Application fee is also exempted for all female candidates.

Can I choose which force I join?

You can indicate force preferences during application and document verification. However, final force allocation is based on your CBT rank, available vacancies in each force, and your stated preferences. Higher-ranked candidates get more flexibility in force choice.

What happens if I fail PET but clear CBT?

You are eliminated from that cycle. PET is a mandatory qualifying stage — there is no second attempt in the same recruitment cycle. Your CBT score does not carry over. You will need to reapply in the next SSC GD recruitment.

Is there an age limit for applying multiple times?

You can apply every year as long as you meet the age limit for your category. General candidates can apply until age 23, OBC until 26, and SC/ST until 28. Once you cross the upper age limit, you become ineligible.

Disclaimer

This document is an unofficial educational resource created for exam aspirants. All information should be verified on the official recruitment website before applying. Vacancy numbers, age limits, and eligibility criteria are subject to change with each notification.

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