Overview
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) conducts the Constable (General Duty), or GD, exam to recruit into the Central Armed Police Forces (BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB), the Secretariat Security Force (SSF) and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles, as per a Recruitment Scheme and MoU between the Ministry of Home Affairs and SSC. For the 2026 exam, SSC notified approximately 25,487 tentative vacancies across these forces.
Who can apply
The age limit for the 2026 exam is 18–23 years, reckoned as on 1 January 2026 (candidates born not before 2 January 2003 and not later than 1 January 2008), with standard category-wise relaxations. Candidates must have passed Matriculation (Class 10) or an equivalent examination from a recognised board, as on or before 1 January 2026.
Selection process
Selection runs through a Computer Based Examination (CBE), followed by a Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Efficiency Test (PET) — measuring height, chest and weight, and a timed race respectively — and a Detailed Medical Examination (DME), in that order.
Exam pattern
| Part | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| B | General Knowledge and General Awareness | 20 | 40 |
| C | Elementary Mathematics | 20 | 40 |
| D | English/Hindi | 20 | 40 |
The Computer Based Examination is a single objective, multiple-choice paper of 80 questions for 160 marks, to be completed in 60 minutes, available in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages.
Physical Efficiency Test (race)
| Category | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Male (other than Ladakh region) | 5 km | 24 minutes |
| Male (Ladakh region) | 1.6 km | 7 minutes |
| Female (other than Ladakh region) | 1.6 km | 8.5 minutes |
| Female (Ladakh region) | 800 m | 5 minutes |
Syllabus
The CBE covers general intelligence and reasoning, general knowledge and general awareness, elementary mathematics (up to Class 10 level), and English or Hindi language.
Marking
There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in the Computer Based Examination.
Important dates
For the 2026 exam, online applications were open from 1 December 2025 to 31 December 2025, with online fee payment permitted until 10 January 2026, and a correction window between February and April 2026, per the notice.
Fees
The fee is Rs 100. Ten percent of vacancies are earmarked for Ex-servicemen; suitable fee and age concessions apply to eligible reserved categories as per the notice.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online at ssc.gov.in within the notified window.
After selection
Candidates who clear the CBE cutoff appear for the Physical Standard Test and Physical Efficiency Test, followed by a detailed medical examination and document verification, before final allotment to a force and state/UT.
Preparation tips
Since the CBE has only 80 questions across four equally weighted parts with a relatively light negative-marking penalty of 0.25 per wrong answer, building steady accuracy across all four parts — rather than over-specialising in one — tends to help, given the 60-minute time limit. Candidates should also start PET race training early, since a missed physical qualifying standard cannot be appealed the way PST measurements can.
Which forces recruit through SSC GD?
BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, the Secretariat Security Force (SSF), and Rifleman (GD) in Assam Rifles.
What is the educational qualification for SSC GD Constable?
Matriculation (Class 10) or an equivalent examination passed from a recognised board, as per the 2026 notice.
Is there a physical test in SSC GD, and can I appeal if I fail it?
Yes — a Physical Standard Test (height, chest, weight) and a Physical Efficiency Test (timed race). Per the notice, there is no appeal for the PET race, though candidates who fail PST height/chest standards may appeal on the same day.
Is there negative marking in the SSC GD exam?
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in the Computer Based Examination.