SSC General Duty (GD) Constable Recruitment Examination — Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Salary & Vacancy 2026
Conducting Body: Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for CAPFs
SSC GD Constable is conducted to recruit constables for India's Central Armed Police Forces — BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB — plus Assam Rifles and the Special Security Force, with 25,000–80,000 vacancies per cycle.
About SSC GD Constable
SSC GD Constable is the largest paramilitary recruitment exam in India. It is conducted on behalf of the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Assam Rifles, and Special Security Force (SSF). Recent cycles have seen 25,000 to 80,000 vacancies per recruitment year.
Recruitment is in three stages: (1) Computer-Based Examination (CBE) — objective test on General Intelligence, GK, Maths, Hindi/English, (2) Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standards Test (PST), (3) Detailed Medical Examination (DME). Selection is on the CBE marks (after normalisation across shifts), provided the candidate clears PET, PST, and DME — all of which are qualifying-only.
After selection, recruits undergo 36–44 weeks of basic training at the respective force's training academy. Posting is in any state across India based on the force's deployment requirements. Initial pay is Pay Level 3 (₹21,700), with risk allowances, ration money, free uniform, and family medical benefits in addition to standard DA/HRA.
SSC GD Constable Eligibility 2026
| Qualification | Matriculation (10th pass) from a recognised board. |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Maximum Age (General) | 23 years (relaxed for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/ESM as per rules) |
| Nationality | Indian citizen. |
SSC GD Constable Salary & Pay Scale 2026
| Pay Level | Level 3 (Pay Matrix) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay (entry) | ₹21,700 (entry) |
| Approx. Gross Salary | ₹35,000 – ₹45,000 per month (with risk, ration, deployment allowances) |
| Application Fee (General) | ₹100 |
| Application Fee (Reserved) | Free for SC/ST/PwBD/ESM/Women |
SSC GD Constable Exam Pattern 2026
| Stage | Mode | Duration | Questions | Marks | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer-Based Examination | Computer-Based | 60 min | 80 | 160 | -0.50 per wrong |
| Physical Efficiency Test (PET) | Field test | 30 min | — | 0 | Qualifying (1.6 km in 6.5 min for men; 800 m in 4 min for women) |
| Physical Standards Test (PST) | Measurement | 0 min | — | 0 | Qualifying (height/chest/weight) |
| Detailed Medical Examination | Medical Board | 0 min | — | 0 | Pass/Fail |
SSC GD Constable Syllabus Highlights
- General Intelligence and Reasoning — Analogies, Series, Coding, Puzzles, Direction Sense
- General Knowledge and General Awareness — History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Sports, Books, Awards
- Elementary Mathematics — Number Systems, Percentages, Ratio, Profit/Loss, Time-Work, Mensuration
- Hindi or English (candidate's choice) — Grammar, Comprehension, Vocabulary
- Current Affairs — last 6 months focus on national and international events, government schemes
SSC GD Constable — Important Points to Remember
- Largest paramilitary recruitment in India — 80,000+ vacancies in recent SSC GD 2024 cycle
- Single CBE for all CAPFs — final force allocation based on rank, preference, and physical/medical standards specific to that force (e.g., CISF prefers taller candidates for VIP security)
- Women candidates: 800m run replaces 1.6km; PST height standard 157 cm (general)
- PET held at SSC's regional centres; medical at the parent force's recruitment depot
- Training duration varies — CRPF 44 weeks, BSF 40 weeks, CISF 36 weeks (varies by year)
SSC GD Constable Vacancy Trend (Recent Years)
SSC GD 2024 was the largest cycle ever — 39,481 vacancies announced (later revised upward to ~80,000+ for combined deployment). SSC GD 2023 had 84,866 vacancies, 2022 had 45,284. Numbers are driven by retirement and CAPF expansion plans.
Frequently Asked Questions — SSC GD Constable 2026
Q1. What is the height requirement for SSC GD?
Male General: 170 cm; Female General: 157 cm. Relaxed for SC/ST and residents of hill states (Garhwal, Kumaon, Sikkim, North-East, Ladakh, J&K) — typically 5 cm relaxation.
Q2. Can I choose which force I get?
You give a preference order during application (BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, AR, SSF). Force allocation is based on your rank, your preference, and the force's specific requirements (e.g., NDA for ITBP requires extra physical fitness).
Q3. Is there written exam in any regional language?
Yes — SSC GD is conducted in 13 languages: Hindi, English, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. Candidates choose their preferred medium during application.
Q4. What happens after I become a CAPF Constable?
After 5+ years, you are eligible for Departmental Promotion to Head Constable. With LDCE/internal departmental exam, you can rise to Sub-Inspector. Long-term career path — Constable → Head Constable → ASI → SI → Inspector — over 20–25 years.
Official Information
For the most current notification, eligibility updates, and application links, always visit the official website: https://ssc.gov.in. ExamResultDekho.com – Sarkari Job Alert is an information portal — we do not conduct any exam or process applications. Always verify deadlines and apply through the conducting body's official portal.
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Related Sarkari Terms
Understand key concepts used in this exam — see our Sarkari Glossary for definitions of cut-off marks, normalisation, EWS, OBC-NCL, Pay Matrix, document verification and more.