SSC GD Constable Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Full Guide

Want to wear the uniform of a Central Armed Police Force? The first step is knowing exactly what you'll be tested on. This guide covers the SSC GD Constable syllabus and exam pattern: how the computer-based exam is set up, what to study in each subject, how the physical tests work and how to plan your preparation.

It's a Class 10-level exam, so with a clear plan and regular practice you have a real chance. Let's go through it one step at a time.

Key Takeaways

• The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) runs the exam to recruit Constable (GD) in the CAPFs and SSF, and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles.
• Selection has four stages: CBE, then PET/PST, then the medical examination and document verification.
• The CBE has 80 objective questions worth 160 marks, and you get 60 minutes.
• All four sections carry equal weight: 20 questions and 40 marks each.
• Wrong answers cost you marks, so careful attempts beat blind guessing.
• PET/PST is qualifying only. Your CBE score decides the merit list.

SSC GD Constable Exam at a Glance

The SSC GD Constable exam is one of India's biggest recruitment drives for 10th-pass candidates. The Staff Selection Commission conducts it to fill Constable (General Duty) posts in BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB and SSF, and Rifleman (GD) posts in Assam Rifles. Some recent cycles have also included Sepoy posts in the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

Stages of Selection

1. Computer-Based Examination (CBE): an objective test in four subjects
2. Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST): a race plus height and chest measurements
3. Detailed Medical Examination (DME): a check of your medical fitness
4. Document Verification (DV): your certificates and eligibility are checked

Where the Next Cycle Stands

Reports based on SSC's exam calendar expected the next GD Constable notification in autumn 2026, with the CBE in early 2027. We could not confirm the release, the application dates or the vacancy count from an official source. Check the official notification on the SSC website for the latest dates, and don't trust any "apply" link that doesn't come from SSC itself.

Check the official notification on the SSC website

SSC GD Constable Exam Pattern for the CBE

The CBE is the only written stage, so this is the part of the SSC GD Constable exam pattern you'll spend most of your time on. The latest notification sets it out like this:

Duration, Question Type and Languages

• Duration: 60 minutes for the whole paper (no separate time limit for each section)
• Question type: objective multiple-choice questions, 2 marks each
• Languages: English, Hindi and 13 regional languages: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu

With 80 questions in 60 minutes, you have about 45 seconds per question. Speed matters as much as knowledge.

Negative Marking

The exam has negative marking. Reports of the latest notice say 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer. Unanswered questions lose nothing. Check the exact rule in the official notification before your exam.

Here's what that means in practice: one wrong answer costs only a small part of a correct answer's 2 marks. A smart guess, where you've ruled out two options, is often worth taking. A blind guess usually isn't.

Normalisation of Scores

The CBE runs in many shifts over several days. Some shifts may turn out slightly harder than others, so SSC normalises the scores. Your merit rank uses your normalised score, not your raw marks. The notification also gives bonus marks to eligible NCC certificate holders. Check the official notice for the amounts.

General Intelligence and Reasoning Syllabus

This section tests how quickly and logically you think. Most questions have no theory behind them, which makes it a favourite with many aspirants.

Topics to Cover

• Analogies, similarities and differences
• Number series and non-verbal (figure) series
• Coding-decoding
• Classification (odd one out), including figural classification
• Venn diagrams
• Spatial visualisation and spatial orientation
• Visual memory, observation and discrimination
• Relationship concepts and arithmetical reasoning
• Embedded figures, word building, critical thinking and similar questions

Quick-Scoring Topics

Analogies, classification, series and coding-decoding come up again and again in GD papers. Once you know the common patterns, they take seconds to solve. Figure-based questions such as mirror images, embedded figures and paper folding also pay off well, because practice makes them much faster.

Preparation Tips

• Solve a short set of mixed reasoning questions every day.
• Keep a list of the series patterns you've seen: squares, cubes, alternating differences and so on.
• Try figure questions without pen and paper first, to build visual speed.
• Aim to finish this section well inside your time budget so you save minutes for maths.

General Knowledge and General Awareness Syllabus

This section checks what you know about India and the world around you. It's the hardest section to predict, but steady revision brings steady marks.

Static GK

• History: ancient, medieval and modern India, especially the freedom struggle
• Geography: physical, Indian and world geography, rivers, soils, national parks
• Polity: the Indian Constitution, Fundamental Rights and Duties, the Parliament, the President and other key offices
• Economy: basic concepts, the budget, banking and the economic scene of India
• Culture: festivals, dances, monuments, art forms
• Science: everyday physics, chemistry and biology at Class 10 level

Current Events and Sports

Questions also cover recent national and international events, government schemes, awards, appointments and sports. Sports gets a lot of attention: tournaments, venues, trophies and winners. Spend 15–20 minutes a day on Daily current affairs and keep it up all the way to exam day.

High-Weight Areas to Prioritise

In GD papers, Indian history (especially modern India), polity and general science are steady sources of questions. Sports and current events are close behind. Cover these first, then fill gaps in geography, economy and culture.

Elementary Mathematics Syllabus

The maths in this exam is at Class 10 level. It feels tough only if you're slow at calculations. Build speed and this section becomes a strong scorer.

Topics to Cover

• Number system, whole numbers, decimals and fractions, and how numbers relate to each other
• Basic arithmetic operations and simplification
• Percentages
• Ratio and proportion
• Averages
• Profit, loss and discount
• Simple and compound interest
• Time and work
• Time and distance
• Mensuration (area, perimeter, volume)

Chapters That Carry the Most Questions

Percentages, ratio and proportion, profit and loss and averages tend to show up most often, and they're linked to each other. Master percentages and the other three get much easier. Number system, simplification and mensuration are the next group to secure.

Calculation Speed Tips

• Learn squares up to 30, cubes up to 20 and fraction–percentage conversions (for example, 1/8 = 12.5%).
• Use options to eliminate answers instead of solving every step in full.
• Do a timed set of 20 maths questions daily and track how long you take.
• Write down a formula sheet for mensuration and interest and revise it weekly.

English or Hindi Language Syllabus

This is the section where you get a choice, and that can work in your favour.

Choosing Between English and Hindi

Part D tests either English or Hindi. Choose the language you're more comfortable with. Many Hindi-medium candidates find Hindi easier to score in, while English-medium students often stick with English. Practise in your chosen language from day one.

Topics to Cover

• Reading comprehension (short passages)
• Vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, idioms and phrases
• Grammar basics: tenses, articles, prepositions, subject–verb agreement
• Error spotting
• Fill in the blanks and sentence improvement
• Spelling correction

Where Marks Are Easiest to Gain

Vocabulary and fill-in-the-blank questions take the least time. Learn a few new words and idioms every day and these become sure marks. Error spotting gets easier once you've revised the core grammar rules. Comprehension passages are short at this level, so read the questions first, then the passage.

PET and PST After the CBE

Candidates who qualify in the CBE are called for the physical tests. CAPF authorities conduct this stage at their own centres.

Physical Standards and Race Requirements

Relaxations for Categories and Regions

The notification relaxes height and chest standards for some groups. These include Scheduled Tribe candidates of the North Eastern States, candidates from hill regions such as Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Dogras and Marathas, and candidates from Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The exact figures for each group are in the official notice, so check your category there. Carry the certificates you need to claim a relaxation, because checks happen on the spot.

Qualifying Nature of PET/PST

PET and PST are qualifying only: you either pass or fail, and no marks are added to your merit. Still, many candidates who clear the CBE drop out here, so start running practice early, ideally months before the CBE result.

Weightage Summary and Preparation Strategy

All four sections are worth the same 40 marks, but they don't take the same effort. Here's how they compare:

A Study Plan Built Around the Syllabus

Weeks 1–4: Build the base. Cover the basic maths chapters, reasoning question types and grammar rules. Start static GK with a reliable book.

Weeks 5–8: Strengthen and revise. Move to mixed practice sets. Add current affairs every day and revise GK notes every week.

Weeks 9 onwards: Practise like the exam. Take full-length mocks, review your mistakes and keep up your running practice.

For GK, start with our own titles:

• Static General Knowledge (Facts + PYQ) |UPSC|Railways|Banking|SSC: static GK facts with previous-year questions, good for history, polity and geography.
• Objective General Knowledge for All SSC, Railways, and other Competitive Exams: MCQ-based GK practice in the style of SSC papers.
• वस्तुनिष्ट सामान्य ज्ञान (Objective General language) for All SSC, Railways, and other Competitive Exams: objective GK practice for Hindi-medium aspirants.
• Aadhunik Bharat ka Itihas | आधुनिक भारत का इतिहास | For UPSC | JPSC | BPSC | UPPSC | SSC: modern Indian history in Hindi, a high-yield area in GK.

For maths, reasoning and language, use any standard Class 10-level practice book and solve previous-year GD papers. You can browse more titles in our Books for competitive exams section.

Mock Practice and Timing

Full-length mocks are where your preparation comes together. Take one or two a week at first, then increase as the exam gets closer. Try this order: reasoning and language first (fast marks), then GK, then maths. Change it if your mock results suggest a better order for you. After each mock, spend more time reviewing than you spent attempting. Our Online test series follows the 80-question, 60-minute format so you can build real exam speed.

Conclusion: Your SSC GD Constable Syllabus and Exam Pattern Checklist

The SSC GD Constable syllabus and exam pattern is simple once you break it down: four equal sections, 80 questions, 160 marks and 60 minutes, followed by qualifying physical tests. Get quick marks in reasoning and language, build speed in maths, revise GK every day and start running early. Keep checking ssc.gov.in for the official notification, and take it one day at a time. You can do this!

FAQs

How many questions and marks are there in the SSC GD Constable CBE?

The CBE has 80 objective multiple-choice questions worth 160 marks in total. There are four sections (Reasoning, General Knowledge, Elementary Mathematics, and English or Hindi), each with 20 questions and 40 marks. You get 60 minutes for the whole paper.

Is there negative marking in the SSC GD exam?

Yes. Reports of the latest notice say 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer, and unanswered questions lose nothing. Check the exact rule in the official notification on ssc.gov.in, and avoid blind guessing.

Can I take the language section in Hindi instead of English?

Yes. Part D tests either English or Hindi, so you can pick the one you're stronger in. Separately, the rest of the paper is offered in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages.

Which section carries the most weight in SSC GD?

All four sections carry equal weight: 20 questions and 40 marks each. In terms of scoring potential, many candidates find reasoning and the language section quickest to score in, while maths needs calculation speed and GK needs regular revision.

Is the PET/PST counted in the final merit?

No. PET and PST are qualifying only, so you just have to pass them. The merit list is based on your normalised CBE score, plus NCC bonus marks if you're eligible.

Has the SSC GD exam pattern changed recently?

The CBE structure has stayed the same in recent cycles: 80 questions, 160 marks and 60 minutes across four equal sections. Reports say the 2026 cycle added an exam-week preference step, where candidates chose their preferred exam week through their SSC login. Always confirm the pattern in the newest official notification.

What educational qualification do I need for SSC GD Constable?

You need to have passed Class 10 (matriculation) or an equivalent exam from a recognised board. Check the age limit, cut-off dates and relaxations in the official notification.