SSC GD Constable 2026
Vacancies, Physical Standards & Exam Pattern
Everything a Class 10 pass aspirant needs to know: posts, eligibility, the exam, selection stages, how to apply and how to prepare.
Before you start: The SSC GD 2026 cycle (25,487 posts) is already complete. This guide covers that cycle and the 2027 cycle now opening. Figures marked as 2026 come from the last notification. Always confirm details in the official PDF on ssc.gov.in.
Quick Summary
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Posts | Constable (GD) in BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, SSF; Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles; Sepoy in NCB |
| Qualification | Class 10 (Matriculation) pass |
| Age limit | 18–23 years, with category relaxations |
| Selection stages | CBT, PST/PET, Medical Exam, Document Verification |
| Pay | Pay Level-3 (₹21,700–₹69,100 in the previous notification) |
| Last cycle’s vacancies | 25,487 |
| Application mode | Online only, at ssc.gov.in |
The SSC calendar places the Constable (GD) 2027 notification on 30 September 2026, with applications running to about 31 October 2026 and the computer-based exam between January and March 2027. The previous cycle’s CBT was held in phases from 27 April to 30 May 2026.
Important Dates: What to Do and When
| Event | Expected Date | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Notification release | 30 Sept 2026 | Download the official PDF and read vacancies and physical standards |
| Online registration opens | 30 Sept 2026 | Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) on ssc.gov.in |
| Last date to apply | ~31 Oct 2026 | Submit the form and pay the fee well before the deadline |
| Correction window | Shortly after closing | Fix errors in name, category or photo (a fee may apply) |
| Exam city slip | 8–10 days before exam | Check your centre and date |
| Admit card | 3–4 days before exam | Download, print and carry a valid photo ID |
| CBT | Jan–Mar 2027 | Appear for the exam; follow the exam-week preference process if SSC repeats it |
| PST/PET, Medical, DV | After CBT result | Be physically ready and keep documents organised |
These dates come from SSC’s published calendar and may shift. The 2026 exam, first planned for February, was postponed to April–May, so keep some buffer.
Vacancies: How Many Posts?
The 2027 vacancy count is not confirmed and will appear only in the official notification. Last cycle gives a useful guide.
The 2026 notification announced 25,487 vacancies, with CISF and CRPF holding the largest shares. CISF alone had 14,595 posts. CRPF had 5,490, of which 5,366 were for men and 124 for women.
- Split by force, gender and category. Male and female vacancies are counted separately, and women’s posts are far fewer.
- State/UT-wise allocation. Posting depends on your domicile and the vacancies notified for your state.
- Numbers swing between years. 2026 vacancies were reported to be about half of the year before, so do not plan around last year’s count.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?
Nationality & Education
You must be an Indian citizen with a Class 10 (Matriculation) certificate from a recognised board. Check the notification for the cut-off date by which you must hold it.
Age Limit
The 2026 cycle required an age of 18–23 years as on 1 January 2026. Expect the reference date to move to 1 January 2027. Typical relaxations:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- Ex-servicemen: 3 years after deducting military service
Physical Standard Test (PST)
These are the standards from recent notifications. Confirm the exact figures in the 2027 PDF.
| Category | Male Height | Female Height | Male Chest |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / SC / OBC | 170 cm | 157 cm | 80 cm (+5 cm expansion) |
| ST | 162.5 cm | 150 cm | 76 cm (+5 cm expansion) |
Relaxations apply to certain regions (hill areas, the North East) and communities. Vision and general medical fitness are also checked.
Physical Efficiency Test (PET)
- Men: 5 km run in 24 minutes
- Women: 1.6 km run in 8.5 minutes
Relaxed timings apply for ex-servicemen and candidates from Ladakh.
Exam Pattern: What to Expect
The first stage is a Computer-Based Examination, offered in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages.
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | General Intelligence & Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| B | General Knowledge & General Awareness | 20 | 40 |
| C | Elementary Mathematics | 20 | 40 |
| D | English / Hindi | 20 | 40 |
| Total | 80 | 160 |
- Duration: 60 minutes (extra time for eligible PwD candidates)
- Marking: 2 marks per question
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer in recent exams
- Difficulty: About Class 10 level, but time is tight at under 45 seconds per question
What Each Section Covers
- Reasoning: analogy, coding-decoding, series, blood relations, direction sense, non-verbal reasoning
- GK/GA: current affairs, Indian polity, history, geography, basic science, static GK, sports and awards
- Maths: percentages, ratio, profit and loss, time and work, averages, SI/CI, basic geometry and mensuration
- English/Hindi: grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error spotting, synonyms and antonyms
Selection Process: Step by Step
- Computer-Based Examination (CBE). This generates the merit list. Cut-offs are set by category and gender.
- Physical Standard Test (PST). Officials measure your height and chest.
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET). A timed run. It is qualifying, so missing the timing means elimination.
- Medical Examination. Detailed checks of eyesight, hearing, teeth, bones and skin. SSC revised its medical guidelines during 2026 after a Ministry of Home Affairs clarification, so read the latest rules.
- Document Verification (DV). Your original certificates are checked. Any mismatch can lead to disqualification.
Final merit combines CBT marks with state/UT-wise, category-wise and force-wise vacancies. You will fill in force preferences, so the order you choose matters.
How to Apply for SSC GD Constable
- Register (OTR). Go to ssc.gov.in and create your One-Time Registration with name, date of birth, mobile and email. Save your Registration Number.
- Open the GD notice. Log in, find “Constable (GD) in CAPFs, SSF, Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles Examination, 2027” and click Apply.
- Fill in the form. Enter education, category, domicile state and other details accurately.
- Upload documents. A recent passport-size photo and your signature, in the specified size and format.
- Pay the fee. It was ₹100 in recent cycles. Women, SC, ST and ex-servicemen are generally exempt. Pay by UPI, net banking or card.
- Submit and save. Download the confirmation page and keep a printout.
- Use the correction window if you spot a mistake.
Tip: Apply a week or two before the deadline, because the server slows down at the end. Make sure your name and date of birth match your Class 10 certificate exactly.
Preparation Strategy: How to Crack It
1. Start with the syllabus and past papers
Solve at least the last 3–4 years of papers. They show which topics repeat and how your level compares.
2. Follow a simple daily plan (4–6 hours)
- Maths: 1.5 hours, with a formula sheet and daily practice sets
- Reasoning: 1 hour
- GK/GA: 1 hour, including 20 minutes of current affairs
- English/Hindi: 1 hour
- Mock test or revision: the remaining time
3. Play to your strengths
Reasoning and English/Hindi are usually the highest-scoring sections, so secure them first. Then work on maths speed.
4. Take mocks often
Start with one full-length test a week, then two or three a week in the last month. Spend more time analysing mistakes than taking the test. Practising with negative marking teaches you when to skip a question.
5. Do not neglect fitness
The CBT gets you through the door, but the PST and PET decide whether you get in. Run 4–5 days a week, build up to 5 km (men) or 1.6 km (women), and add strength and stamina work. If your height or chest is borderline, get measured early. Medical rejections are common, so avoid shortcuts.
6. Keep documents ready
Class 10 certificate, category certificate, domicile, photo ID and any NCC or ex-servicemen certificates. Get missing ones made now, not at the DV stage.
7. Stay consistent
Sleep, nutrition and a steady routine beat last-minute cramming. Set weekly targets and review them every Sunday.
— Start Your Preparation at TGE Coaching Today!
[BOOK FREE COUNSELING SESSION] – Let our experts guide you!
