Staff Selection Commission GD Constable

SSC GD Constable is the recruitment exam run by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for Constable (General Duty) posts in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the Secretariat Security Force (SSF), and for Rifleman (General Duty) in Assam Rifles. A single computer-based exam feeds seven forces, which is why it draws some of the largest applicant numbers of any SSC exam.

This page brings the 2026 cycle together in one place: the notified vacancies, eligibility, pattern, physical tests, salary and a practical preparation plan. Figures come from the official SSC notice for the 2026 examination. Where a detail is reported by secondary sources only, or is still to be announced, we say so. For the latest status, always confirm on the official SSC website.

Table of Contents

SSC GD Constable at a glance

Notification and cycle status

SSC opened online applications for the 2026 examination on 1 December 2025 through its official notice. The notice listed 25,487 tentative vacancies across the seven forces, with a Level 3 pay scale for every post. The correction window and fee deadlines followed in early January 2026.

The notice gave a tentative exam window of February to April 2026, but the computer-based exam was reported as held in phases from 27 April 2026 to 30 May 2026. The CBE result was reported as declared on 12 October 2026, with roughly 1.97 lakh candidates provisionally shortlisted for the physical tests. Dates for the Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test are to be announced; reports name the Central Reserve Police Force as the nodal force for these tests. Confirm every status item on the official SSC website and your registered email, because secondary sources lag behind notices.

Important dates

Tentative dates come from the notification schedule and can change. Track the official notices page on ssc.gov.in and your registered email.

Vacancy details

The notice lists vacancies force-wise and gender-wise. Treat them as tentative, because SSC can revise them through corrigenda. Ten percent of vacancies are earmarked for Ex-Servicemen. SSF posts are filled on an all-India basis, while the other forces fill posts state and UT-wise.

Some third-party pages print a different female figure for CRPF. The figures above add up to the stated totals and match the notice text we reviewed.

Eligibility in brief

Qualification

Candidates must have passed Matriculation or Class 10 from a recognised board on or before 1 January 2026. A result that is only under process does not count.

Age limit

The age limit is 18 to 23 years as on 1 January 2026, which means candidates must be born between 2 January 2003 and 1 January 2008. Upper-age relaxation is available as shown below.

Other conditions

Candidates must be Indian citizens. For state and UT-wise vacancies, a domicile or PRC certificate for the chosen state or UT is needed. Physical and medical standards apply.

Application fee and how to apply

The fee was Rs. 100, payable online. Women, SC, ST and eligible Ex-Servicemen candidates were exempt. Correction charges applied for resubmission, so check every field before the first submit.

1. Register: Create or log in to your account on the official SSC portal.

2. Fill the form: Enter personal and educational details, state or UT of domicile, and exam city choices.

3. Choose forces: Enter preferences for all seven forces. They cannot be changed after submission.

4. Upload documents: Add your photograph and signature as specified in the notice.

5. Pay and submit: Pay the fee online if applicable and keep a copy of the confirmation.

Common reasons for rejection include a mismatch between name or date of birth and the Class 10 certificate, a missing domicile certificate for the chosen state, and photographs that do not meet the specification.

Exam pattern

The written stage is a single computer-based exam of 80 multiple-choice questions for 160 marks in 60 minutes. Each question carries 2 marks, and 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer.

The paper is offered in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages. Older pages may still show previous patterns, so follow the official notice.

Syllabus summary

The notice names the four parts but does not publish a long topic-wise list, so the topics below are working guidance based on the notice and on the type of questions asked.

Selection process

Selection runs in stages, and the written exam only decides who moves to the physical round.

1. Computer-based exam: 160 marks. Minimum qualifying marks are 30% for UR, 25% for OBC and EWS, and 20% for other categories. Scores are normalised across phases.

2. PET and PST: Qualifying only, with no marks added. About eight times the number of vacancies are called, in merit order.

3. Medical examination and document verification: Held for a smaller group, about twice the number of vacancies, according to the notice.

4. Final merit list: Based on CBE marks, with force allocation by merit and the preferences you filled in.

NCC certificate holders receive bonus marks on the normalised score: 5% of maximum marks for the C certificate, 3% for B and 2% for A. The bonus must be claimed in the form and is verified later. Ex-Servicemen are not eligible for it.

Physical standards and tests

The physical tests are qualifying, but many candidates are dropped here, so train early.

Relaxations in height and chest apply to some groups, such as Scheduled Tribes and residents of specified regions. Weight is assessed under the medical standards in the notice. Ex-Servicemen are exempt from the PET and PST but must meet the medical standards.

Salary and career growth

All posts are placed in Pay Level 3 of the Pay Matrix, with a range of Rs. 21,700 to Rs. 69,100. Actual take-home depends on the force, posting location and allowances, so any in-hand figure you see online is an estimate and not an official number.

Constables can grow through departmental promotions and limited departmental exams for higher ranks. The rules differ by force, so check the recruitment rules of the force you are allotted.

How to prepare for SSC GD Constable

Treat preparation as two tracks running together: the CBE for merit, and fitness for the PET.

• Start with scoring parts: Reasoning, Mathematics and Hindi or English are practice-friendly. Aim for steady accuracy before speed.

• Build a general awareness habit: Read static topics in short notes and add current affairs for 30 minutes a day.

• Guess carefully: A wrong answer costs 0.25 marks against 2 for a right one, so attempt questions where you can eliminate at least one option.

• Train for the race early: Build running distance gradually, and do not leave fitness to the weeks after the result.

• Revise from an error log: Note why each mistake happened and revisit it weekly.

Cut-off reference

SSC sets the CBE cut-off separately by force group, state or UT and category, so there is no single national number. Last cycle's figures are a benchmark only. Aim for a clear margin above them rather than a bare pass.