SSC GD Constable 2026 – Complete Guide to Recruitment, Salary & Selection
SSC GD Constable 2026 is one of the largest recruitment drives by the Staff Selection Commission, offering 39,481 vacancies for General Duty Constable posts across paramilitary and central police organisations including CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NIA, SSF, and Rifleman (AR). This complete guide covers all aspects of SSC GD 2026 including eligibility, exam pattern, physical tests, salary, and selection process.
SSC GD Constable 2026 — Quick Overview
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SSC – General Duty Constable |
| Conducting Body | Staff Selection Commission (SSC) |
| Total Vacancies | 39,481 |
| Qualification | Class 10 (Matriculation) |
| Age Limit | 18–23 years |
| Pay Level | Level 3 |
| Basic Pay | ₹21,700 |
| Official Website | ssc.gov.in |
SSC GD Constable 2026 — Organisation-Wise Vacancies
| Organisation | Vacancies (Approx) |
|---|---|
| CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) | ~11,541 |
| BSF (Border Security Force) | ~13,864 |
| CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) | ~7,145 |
| ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) | ~3,017 |
| SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal) | ~2,861 |
| AR (Assam Rifles) | ~615 |
| NIA and SSF | ~438 |
| Total | 39,481 |
SSC GD Constable 2026 Eligibility
Class 10 (Matriculation) from a recognised board. Age 18 to 23 years. Age relaxation: OBC 3 years, SC/ST 5 years. Physical standards are mandatory for this post.
SSC GD Constable 2026 Selection Process
- CBT (Computer Based Test): 80 questions, 160 marks, 60 minutes. Shortlisting for PET/PST.
- PET/PST (Physical Efficiency and Standard Test): Running, height, chest, weight. Qualifying in nature.
- DME (Detailed Medical Examination): Conducted after PET/PST.
- Document Verification: Final stage.
SSC GD Constable 2026 Salary
SSC GD Constable 2026 is at Pay Level 3 with basic pay of Rs 21,700. In-hand salary in a metro city including DA, HRA, and TA is approximately Rs 30,000 to 36,000. Central Police Organisations also provide free accommodation, ration, and uniform allowances which add significant non-cash value.
SSC GD Constable 2026 Cluster — All Guides
- SSC GD Constable Salary 2026
- SSC GD Constable Syllabus 2026
- SSC GD Constable Physical Test 2026
- SSC GD Constable Eligibility 2026
- SSC GD Constable Cutoff 2026
- SSC GD Constable Admit Card 2026
- SSC MTS 2026 — Complete Guide
- SSC Exams 2026 — Master Guide
FAQ — SSC GD Constable 2026
How many vacancies are there in SSC GD Constable 2026?
SSC GD Constable 2026 has 39,481 vacancies across CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, Assam Rifles, NIA, and SSF. BSF has the highest number of vacancies followed by CRPF and CISF.
What is the age limit for SSC GD Constable 2026?
The age limit for SSC GD Constable 2026 is 18 to 23 years. Age relaxation: OBC 3 years (up to 26), SC/ST 5 years (up to 28), Ex-Serviceman as per government norms.
What is the SSC GD Constable 2026 salary?
SSC GD Constable 2026 basic pay is Rs 21,700 at Pay Level 3. In-hand salary in a metro city is approximately Rs 30,000 to 36,000. Paramilitary forces also provide free accommodation, ration, and uniform allowances.
Is Class 10 sufficient for SSC GD Constable 2026?
Yes. SSC GD Constable 2026 requires only Class 10 (Matriculation) pass from a recognised board. No specific stream or percentage is required. This makes SSC GD one of the most accessible central government recruitment exams for Class 10 pass candidates.
Does SSC GD Constable have a physical test?
Yes. SSC GD Constable 2026 has a mandatory Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST) after the CBT. PET includes a running race: male candidates run 5 km in 24 minutes and female candidates run 1.6 km in 8.5 minutes. PST checks height, chest, and weight standards.
SSC GD Constable 2026 — Why It Is One of the Best Jobs for Class 10 Candidates
SSC GD Constable is one of the most popular recruitment exams in India for Class 10 pass candidates. There are several compelling reasons why lakhs of aspirants apply for this exam each year.
First, the salary and benefits are outstanding for an entry-level government job at the matriculation level. The basic pay of Rs 21,700 at Pay Level 3 is higher than SSC MTS (Pay Level 1, Rs 18,000) despite having the same Class 10 qualification requirement. Paramilitary and central police forces also provide free accommodation, ration allowances, uniform allowances, and risk-and-hardship allowances that significantly add to the total compensation package.
Second, the career growth opportunities in paramilitary forces are structured and meritocratic. Constables can be promoted to Head Constable, Assistant Sub Inspector, Sub Inspector, Inspector, and Deputy Superintendent of Police levels through departmental exams and seniority. CRPF, BSF, and CISF have well-established internal promotion systems.
Third, the sense of national service is a major motivation for many SSC GD aspirants. Serving in forces like BSF (border security) and CISF (industrial security) or CRPF (internal security) is associated with prestige, duty, and pride that is distinct from civilian government jobs.
SSC GD Constable 2026 Exam Pattern
| Section | Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Intelligence and Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| 2 | General Knowledge and General Awareness | 20 | 40 |
| 3 | Elementary Mathematics | 20 | 40 |
| 4 | English / Hindi | 20 | 40 |
| Total | 80 | 160 | |
Duration: 60 minutes. Negative marking: 0.50 marks per wrong answer. Each correct answer carries 2 marks. The CBT is followed by PET/PST (Physical Efficiency Test / Physical Standard Test), Detailed Medical Examination (DME), and Document Verification (DV).
How to Prepare for SSC GD Constable 2026
Preparation for SSC GD Constable 2026 requires focusing on both the CBT (written test) and the physical test simultaneously. Most candidates fail at the physical stage because they focus only on the written preparation and ignore the running and physical standards. Here is a 3-month preparation strategy:
- Month 1: Cover basic topics for all 4 CBT sections. For Reasoning and Maths, use NCERT Class 9–10 textbooks. For GK, start reading a monthly current affairs PDF. For English, revise basic grammar rules.
- Month 2: Solve previous year SSC GD question papers (2019–2023). Attempt 3 to 4 full-length mocks per week. Simultaneously, start physical training — run 3 to 4 km daily to build the base for the 5 km race in 24 minutes.
- Month 3: Final revision of all topics. Increase mock test frequency to 1 per day. For physical preparation, attempt the full 5 km race in practice at least twice per week and aim to complete it in under 22 minutes for a comfortable buffer.
SSC GD Constable 2026 Physical Test Overview
The PET/PST is a knockout stage — candidates who fail the physical test are not considered further even if they cleared the CBT with high marks. Key physical standards:
- Male PET: 5 km run to be completed in 24 minutes.
- Female PET: 1.6 km run to be completed in 8 minutes and 30 seconds.
- Height (Male): Minimum 170 cm (160 cm for ST category in certain states).
- Height (Female): Minimum 157 cm (155 cm for ST category).
- Chest (Male): 80 cm unexpanded, 5 cm expansion (minimum 85 cm expanded).
SSC GD Constable 2026 — Organisations and Vacancies
SSC GD 2026 has a total of 39,481 vacancies across seven central paramilitary and central police organisations. This is one of the largest SSC GD recruitments in recent years, making 2026 a golden opportunity for Class 10 pass aspirants aiming for central government paramilitary service.
| Organisation | Vacancies (Approx) | Ministry |
|---|---|---|
| CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) | 13,000+ | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| BSF (Border Security Force) | 9,000+ | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) | 5,000+ | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) | 3,000+ | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal) | 3,000+ | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| NIA (National Investigation Agency) | 100+ | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| SSF (Special Security Force) | 100+ | Government of India |
| Total | 39,481 |
SSC GD Constable 2026 Selection Process — All Stages
The selection process for SSC GD Constable has four stages. All candidates must clear all four stages sequentially — clearing the CBT does not guarantee selection since each subsequent stage is a knockout round.
Stage 1 is the Computer Based Test (CBT). This is a 60-minute, 80-question online exam covering Reasoning, GK, Maths, and English/Hindi. Candidates are shortlisted in a ratio of approximately 10:1 against the number of vacancies in each category. This means if there are 5,000 UR vacancies, approximately 50,000 UR candidates are called for PET/PST after the CBT.
Stage 2 is the Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST). The PET checks running ability (5 km for males, 1.6 km for females). The PST checks height, weight, and chest measurements. Both are conducted on the same day at designated centres. Candidates who are not physically present or who fail the physical norms are eliminated.
Stage 3 is the Detailed Medical Examination (DME). Shortlisted candidates from PET/PST attend a full-day medical at a government hospital. This tests eyesight, chest X-ray, orthopaedic fitness, flat feet, colour blindness, and general health. Candidates found medically unfit can appeal to the Review Medical Board (RMB) within 15 days.
Stage 4 is Document Verification (DV). Candidates must submit original Class 10 certificate, Date of Birth proof, Category certificate (for SC/ST/OBC/EWS), Domicile certificate, and any other documents as specified in the SSC notice. Discrepancies between documents and application data can lead to cancellation of candidature.
What is the salary for SSC GD Constable 2026?
SSC GD Constable salary is Rs 21,700 at Pay Level 3 under the 7th Pay Commission. With Dearness Allowance, HRA, ration allowance, and other paramilitary allowances, the gross salary is approximately Rs 44,000–50,000 per month in metro cities. In-hand take-home is around Rs 30,000–36,000 after deductions.
What is the age limit for SSC GD Constable 2026?
The age limit is 18–23 years for General/UR category. OBC candidates get 3 years relaxation (up to 26 years). SC/ST candidates get 5 years relaxation (up to 28 years). Ex-servicemen get special relaxation as per rules.
How many vacancies are there in SSC GD 2026?
SSC GD 2026 has 39,481 vacancies across organisations including CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NIA, and SSF. This is one of the highest vacancy counts in recent SSC GD cycles, making it an excellent opportunity for 2026 aspirants.
What is the physical test standard for SSC GD 2026?
For SSC GD 2026, male candidates must run 5 km in 24 minutes and have a minimum height of 170 cm with 80 cm unexpanded chest (5 cm expansion required). Female candidates must run 1.6 km in 8.5 minutes with minimum height of 157 cm.
