Dreaming of a central government uniform job right after Class 10? Then this SSC GD Constable overview is a good place to start. In one page, you'll see what the exam is, who conducts it, which forces recruit through it, how selection works and where each detail is covered on this site.
Take it one step at a time. Lakhs of students take this exam every cycle, and many of them start exactly where you are now.
Key Takeaways: SSC GD Constable Overview
- The exam recruits Constable (General Duty) in the central armed police forces and the Secretariat Security Force (SSF), and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles.
- The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) holds the computer-based exam. The forces run the physical and medical stages.
- You need to have passed Class 10 (matriculation) from a recognised board.
- Selection has four main steps: Computer Based Examination (CBE), PET/PST, medical examination and document verification.
- Your CBE score decides your rank. The physical and medical stages are qualifying.
- Vacancies, dates, fee and pay come in each cycle's official notice, so always check the official notification.
What Is the SSC GD Constable Exam?
The SSC GD Constable exam is a national recruitment exam for Constable (General Duty) posts. General Duty constables do the core work of their force: guarding borders, protecting key installations, keeping order and supporting operations.
Who conducts it
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) runs the exam. It issues the notice, takes the online applications, holds the Computer Based Examination and declares the results. The recruiting forces run the field stages: the Physical Standard Test, the Physical Efficiency Test and the medical examination. In each cycle one force acts as the nodal force for these tests. Reports say the CRPF is doing this job for the 2026 cycle.
Who it suits
This exam is a great fit if you:
- have passed Class 10 and want a permanent central government job
- like fitness, discipline and outdoor work
- want to serve the country in a uniformed force
You don't need to be a graduate. Many candidates take it at 18 or 19, while preparing for other things too.
Where things stand for the 2027 cycle
The 2026 cycle is still running. Its CBE result has been declared, and reports say the physical tests for shortlisted candidates come next.
For the 2027 cycle, SSC's exam calendar gave a month for the notice. Reports say it is running late, and as of late October 2026 no dated notice had been published. For the application window, exam dates and vacancies, check the official notification. We keep all of that updated on our SSC GD Constable 2027 Notification: Dates, Vacancies, Fee page.
SSC publishes every notice, application link and result on its official website:
Check the latest SSC GD notice on ssc.gov.in
Forces and Posts Recruited
This exam fills posts in several forces. Each force has a different job, so it helps to know them before you list your force preferences in the application form.
| Force | Full name | Post filled |
|---|---|---|
| BSF | Border Security Force | Constable (GD) |
| CISF | Central Industrial Security Force | Constable (GD) |
| CRPF | Central Reserve Police Force | Constable (GD) |
| ITBP | Indo-Tibetan Border Police | Constable (GD) |
| SSB | Sashastra Seema Bal | Constable (GD) |
| SSF | Secretariat Security Force | Constable (GD) |
| AR | Assam Rifles | Rifleman (GD) |
Reports of past cycles disagree on a few extra posts. Some list Sepoy in the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). Others say NCB posts were not in the 2026 notice, and some say the 2027 calendar entry also names the NIA. The notice for your cycle has the final list.
A note on vacancies
Vacancy numbers change every cycle. SSC gives them in the notice force-wise, category-wise and state-wise, with separate figures for men and women. That's why we don't quote a figure here. Check the official notification for the current numbers.
Eligibility at a Glance
Here is a short summary. Read the full rules in the notice before you apply.
Education
You must have passed Class 10 (matriculation) from a recognised board by the cut-off date in the notice. Reports also say you need a domicile or PRC certificate for the state or UT you apply from, because vacancies are shared out state-wise.
Age limit and relaxation
Reports of the 2026 notice give an age limit of 18 to 23 years on 1 January 2026. They list these relaxations:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC: 3 years
- Ex-Servicemen: 3 years, after deducting military service from actual age
- Other categories as listed in the notice
The 2027 notice will set a new date for counting age. Use the 2026 rules only as a rough guide until then.
Physical standards in brief
| Standard | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Height (general standard) | 170 cm | 157 cm |
| Chest | 80 cm, with at least 5 cm expansion | Not applicable |
| Race | 5 km in 24 minutes | 1.6 km in 8½ minutes |
These figures come from reports of the 2026 notice. Height is relaxed for Scheduled Tribe candidates, for people from the North-Eastern states and for some hill communities. Candidates from the Ladakh region have separate race standards, and reports don't agree on the exact times, so check the notice.
For every category-wise relaxation, see SSC GD Constable Eligibility: Age, Education, Physical Standards.
Selection Process: The Stages
The selection process runs in a clear order. Here's what happens at each step.
1. Computer Based Examination (CBE)
This is an online objective test held by SSC. It is the only stage that gives you marks for the merit list, so it matters most.
2. Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test
Candidates shortlisted from the CBE go to the PET/PST, run by the forces. In the PET you run against the clock. In the PST your height (and chest, for men) is measured against the standards. Both are pass-or-fail.
3. Detailed Medical Examination and Document Verification
If you clear the PET/PST, you move on to a Detailed Medical Examination (DME). Candidates found unfit can ask for a Review Medical Examination (RME). Officials also check your documents, such as certificates for education, age, category and domicile.
| Stage | What it tests | Qualifying or merit? |
|---|---|---|
| CBE | Reasoning, general awareness, maths and language | Counts for merit |
| PET | Running speed and stamina | Qualifying |
| PST | Height, chest (men) and other body measurements | Qualifying |
| DME/RME | Medical fitness for service | Qualifying |
| Document Verification | Eligibility papers and certificates | Qualifying |
Reports of the notice say SSC prepares the final result and force allocation from your CBE performance and the force preferences in your application. You must also clear the PST, PET, medical and other conditions. In short, a strong CBE score plus a fit body gets you selected.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus in Brief
Reports of the 2026 notice describe the CBE like this:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 80 multiple-choice questions |
| Total marks | 160 (2 marks per question) |
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Negative marking | 0.25 marks per wrong answer |
| Unattempted questions | No penalty |
The four subjects
- General Intelligence and Reasoning: analogies, series, coding-decoding, directions and similar topics
- General Knowledge and General Awareness: static GK, history, geography, polity, science and current affairs
- Elementary Mathematics: number system, percentages, ratio, profit and loss, averages, time and work
- English or Hindi: basic grammar, vocabulary and comprehension
Language options
Reports of the 2026 notice say the CBE is offered in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Being able to take the paper in your mother tongue is a real advantage.
For the topic-wise syllabus and a section-by-section plan, read SSC GD Constable Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Full Guide.
Salary, Training and Career
Pay
The pay level for Constable (GD) is printed in each cycle's notice. Some posts in past cycles had a different pay level from the rest, so check the official notification for the exact pay level and scale.
Allowances
Like other central government employees, constables get allowances on top of basic pay. These include Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance. Depending on where you are posted, you may also get hardship or risk-related allowances, along with medical facilities and other service benefits.
Training
Once selected, you join your force for basic training. It covers physical fitness, weapons handling, drill, field craft and the force's own duties. Training builds your stamina and confidence, and many recruits say it changed them for life.
Promotion path
You start as a Constable. With good service, seniority and departmental exams, you can rise to ranks such as Head Constable and Assistant Sub-Inspector, and beyond. Many constables also keep studying and later take other competitive exams.
How to Apply and What to Do Next
Applying online
You apply only online, on the official SSC website. First register with your basic details. Then fill in the application form, list your force preferences, upload your photo and signature, and pay the fee if it applies to you.
Check the official notification for the fee amount. Reports of the 2026 notice say women, SC and ST candidates, and Ex-Servicemen eligible for reservation, pay no fee. Our notification page has the current dates and fee.
Starter preparation plan for beginners
If you are starting from zero, this simple plan will get you moving:
- Week 1: Know the exam. Read the syllabus and solve one previous-year paper without a timer, just to see where you stand.
- Weeks 2 to 6: Build the basics. Give your daily study hours to all four subjects in turn. Start maths with arithmetic basics and reasoning with the common question types.
- Every day: GK and current affairs. Spend 30 to 45 minutes on static GK and the news. Short daily revision works better than long weekend sessions.
- From week 4: Start running. Begin with a light jog and slowly build up towards the race standard. Don't leave fitness for after the CBE result.
- From week 6: Take mock tests. Attempt full-length timed tests, check every mistake and keep track of wrong answers because of negative marking.
- Last month: Revise and repeat. Go back over your notes, redo the questions you got wrong and take a mock every few days.
Study material that helps
These books are a good place to start for the GK and General Awareness section:
- Static General Knowledge (Facts + PYQ) |UPSC|Railways|Banking|SSC: static GK facts with previous-year questions, so you learn and practise together.
- Objective General Knowledge for All SSC, Railways, and other Competitive Exams: objective GK questions for quick practice in English.
- वस्तुनिष्ट सामान्य ज्ञान (Objective General language) for All SSC, Railways, and other Competitive Exams: objective GK practice for Hindi-medium students.
- Aadhunik Bharat ka Itihas | आधुनिक भारत का इतिहास | For UPSC | JPSC | BPSC | UPPSC | SSC: modern Indian history in Hindi, a topic that often comes up in GK.
For maths and reasoning, use any standard practice book with plenty of solved and unsolved questions. You can browse more titles in our Books for competitive exams section. When you are ready for timed practice, our Online test series helps you build speed and accuracy under exam conditions.
Conclusion: Your SSC GD Constable Overview Recap
That's the SSC GD Constable overview in one place. It's a Class 10-level exam run by SSC that fills Constable (GD) and Rifleman (GD) posts in the central forces. Your CBE score decides your rank, and the PET/PST, medical and document checks are qualifying stages.
Don't wait for the notice to start. Begin with the syllabus, practise every day, keep running and take mock tests often. When the official notification is out, you'll be ready to apply with confidence. You've got this!
FAQs
Who conducts the SSC GD Constable exam?
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts it. SSC issues the notice, takes applications, holds the Computer Based Examination and declares results. The recruiting forces run the physical tests and the medical examination.
What is the minimum qualification for SSC GD Constable?
You need to have passed Class 10 (matriculation) from a recognised board by the cut-off date in the notice. You also have to meet the age limit and the physical standards.
Which forces recruit through the SSC GD Constable exam?
The exam fills Constable (GD) posts in BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB and SSF, and Rifleman (GD) posts in Assam Rifles. Some reports mention other organisations in certain cycles, so check the official notification for the current list.
What are the stages of the SSC GD selection process?
There are four stages: the Computer Based Examination, the Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test, the Detailed Medical Examination, and document verification. Only the CBE counts for merit. The other stages are qualifying.
Is there negative marking in the SSC GD Constable CBE?
Yes. Reports of the 2026 notice say each question carries 2 marks and 0.25 marks are taken off for each wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty, so guess only when you can rule out some options.
Can women apply for SSC GD Constable posts?
Yes. Women can apply, and SSC lists vacancies for men and women separately. Women have their own physical standards, and reports of the 2026 notice say women don't pay the application fee.
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