CRPF Constable Exam Pattern 2026: PET, CBT and Trade Test

The CRPF Constable exam pattern for the 2026 Technical & Tradesmen and Pioneer recruitment has six stages: Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Physical Standard Test (PST), Computer Based Test (CBT), Trade/Skill Test, Document Verification (DV) and Detailed Medical Examination (DME). The Central Reserve Police Force conducts every stage itself, as set out in its notification dated 8 April 2026.

The biggest change from the 2023 cycle is the order. The PET and PST now come first, and only candidates who clear them sit the CBT. This page covers each stage, the marking scheme, the qualifying marks, how the final merit is built, and what the pattern means for how you spend your time. Constable (GD) posts in CRPF follow the separate SSC Constable (GD) pattern, compared briefly near the end.

Table of Contents

CRPF Constable exam pattern at a glance

Stage 1: PET and PST

The PET and PST are conducted with RFID timing and digital measuring equipment. Biometric data is captured at this stage, and it is matched again at later stages.

• PET rules: Candidates who do not finish in time are eliminated, and there is no appeal against the race result.

• PST rules: The general minimum height is 170 cm for men and 157 cm for women. Men need an unexpanded chest of 80 cm with 5 cm expansion. Weight must be proportionate to height and age. Relaxed standards apply to some groups, listed on the CRPF Constable eligibility page.

• Appeal: A candidate declared unfit in height or chest can appeal on the same day to the appellate authority at the centre.

• Ex-servicemen: No PET, but height, chest and weight are recorded at the PST.

Stage 2: Computer Based Test

Every candidate who qualifies the PET and PST is shortlisted for the CBT, and the CBT city is decided after the physical stage.

• Language: English and Hindi only.

• Level: Matriculation (Class 10).

• Calculators: Not allowed, nor any other electronic gadget.

• Sectional timing: The notification sets one 2-hour limit for the whole paper and does not mention separate section timers.

Marking scheme and negative marking

Each question carries 1 mark, and each wrong answer costs 0.25 marks. The notification does not provide for any deduction on unattempted questions. Raw scores are normalised, and the normalised scores decide the merit list and cut-offs. There is no re-evaluation or re-checking of scores.

These are minimums for shortlisting, not cut-offs. Actual cut-offs are set State/UT-wise, trade-wise and category-wise, and in many cases they sit well above the minimum.

What the pattern means for you

• Equal weight: All four parts carry 25 marks, so a weak section cannot be hidden by a strong one for long. Bring each part to a steady level.

• Cost of a wrong guess: Four wrong guesses cancel one correct answer. If you can rule out two options, a guess is usually worth it. A blind guess usually is not.

• Comfortable time: 120 minutes for 100 questions gives about 72 seconds each, so the paper rewards accuracy more than raw speed.

• Fitness first: Because the race now comes first, a candidate strong only on paper can be out before the CBT. Train both together.

Trade Test, DV and medical

Trade/Skill Test

Candidates are shortlisted for the Trade Test from those who qualify the CBT, State/UT-wise and category-wise on CBT merit. The test is practical and carries 50 marks, and you need at least 20 to qualify. Tasks come from your trade, for example driving and parking heavy vehicles for Drivers, or cooking for 100 men for Cooks.

Document Verification

Original certificates are checked, including the Matriculation certificate, Domicile or Permanent Residence Certificate, caste certificate if claimed, driving licence for Drivers, and ITI or experience certificate for Motor Mechanic Vehicle.

Medical examination

The DME follows the uniform medical guidelines for CAPFs. Eyesight standards are stricter for Drivers and Motor Mechanic Vehicle. Candidates declared unfit can request a Review Medical Examination, preferably held on the day after the DME.

Final merit calculation

Final selection is based only on normalised CBT marks, subject to qualifying every other stage. Merit lists are prepared separately for men and women, for each category, and for each State/UT. Pioneer posts use a single all-India merit list.

Worked example: Suppose you attempt 82 questions and get 70 right and 12 wrong. Your raw score is 70 minus 3 (12 x 0.25), which is 67 out of 100. This raw score is then normalised. If two candidates tie, CRPF compares Part A marks first, then Part B marks, then date of birth (older first), and finally names in alphabetical order.

What changed from 2023

Preparing for the PET

• Know your distance: Men in the Driver, Motor Mechanic Vehicle and similar group run 5 km, while Cook, Washerman and similar trades run 1.6 km. Train for your exact group.

• Build up gradually: Start with easy runs three or four times a week and add one timed run a week.

• Train for a margin: Aim to finish well inside the limit in practice, because race-day conditions vary and there is no appeal.

Time management and exam-day strategy

1. First pass, 60 minutes: Answer every question you are confident about across all four parts.

2. Second pass, 40 minutes: Return to questions where you can eliminate options, especially in mathematics.

3. Last 20 minutes: Review marked answers and leave true guesses blank.

On the day of each stage, carry two colour printouts of the admit card, two recent passport-size colour photographs and an original photo ID with your date of birth. Admit cards are released online only, at least a week before each stage.

How the GD route differs

Constable (GD) posts in CRPF are filled through the SSC Constable (GD) exam, not through this recruitment. That exam starts with a computer based exam of 80 questions for 160 marks in 60 minutes, offered in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages, followed by PET and PST. If you apply on both routes, practise each pattern separately.

Older pages may still show the 2023 order with the CBT first, so follow the official 2026 notification on the CRPF recruitment website.