Overview
SSC GD Constable is one of India's largest annual recruitment drives, filling General Duty Constable posts across the Central Armed Police Forces (BSF, CRPF, CISF, SSB, ITBP), the National Investigation Agency, the Secretariat Security Force and Rifleman (GD) posts in the Assam Rifles. With lakhs of applicants competing for a comparatively modest number of seats, both the written exam and physical fitness stages are highly competitive. Selection blends a single computer-based objective test with a Physical Efficiency Test, Physical Standard Test, a detailed medical examination and document verification — meaning fitness training matters just as much as classroom preparation.
What's New in the 2026 Cycle
What changed in the 2026 cycle
- Single-stage CBE (no separate Tier II) — merit is based directly on the one computer-based test, followed by PET/PST.
- PET/PST standards (race timing, height, chest for male candidates) vary by category, gender and the specific recruiting force/state.
- Medical examination standards are strict given the field and combat-support nature of the posts.
- Very high applicant-to-vacancy ratio historically, making sectional accuracy in the CBE especially important.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | 18–23 years (as on the notified cut-off date; standard relaxation for reserved categories & ex-servicemen) |
| Educational Qualification | Passed Class 10 (Matriculation) from a recognised Board |
| Nationality | Indian citizen |
| Application Fee | ₹100 (General/OBC/EWS male candidates). Women and SC/ST/ESM candidates are exempted. |
SSC GD Constable Exam Pattern
The SSC GD Constable selection process runs through cbe + pet/pst + medical + dv. Each stage has its own timing, marking scheme and qualifying rules, detailed below.
Computer-Based Examination (CBE)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 20 | 40 |
| General Knowledge & General Awareness | 20 | 40 |
| Elementary Mathematics | 20 | 40 |
| English/Hindi | 20 | 40 |
Physical Efficiency Test (PET) & Physical Standard Test (PST)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Race (category & gender-specific distance/time) | — | Qualifying |
| Height, Chest (male) & Weight measurement | — | Qualifying |
SSC GD Constable Detailed Subject-Wise Syllabus
Below is the complete topic-wise SSC GD Constable syllabus for every subject tested across all stages, with a short note on what each section actually rewards — use this to build a section-wise study plan rather than relying on generic topic summaries.
General Intelligence & Reasoning
Set at a Class 10 level — focus on accuracy and speed on fundamentals rather than advanced reasoning types.
- Analogies & similarities
- Spatial visualisation
- Arithmetic reasoning
- Figural classification & coding-decoding
- Problem-solving & analysis
- Visual memory, discrimination & observation
- Non-verbal series
General Knowledge & General Awareness
Broad current-affairs and static GK mix — steady daily revision beats cramming given the huge syllabus scope.
- Current affairs — national & international
- India and neighbouring countries
- History, culture & geography of India
- Indian Constitution & polity basics
- Economic scene, general science & everyday observation
Elementary Mathematics
Class 10-level arithmetic and basic algebra — most candidates can master this with consistent practice.
- Number systems, whole numbers & decimals
- Fundamental arithmetical operations
- Percentage, ratio & proportion, averages
- Interest, profit & loss, discount
- Mensuration, time & distance, time & work
- Basic algebra & data interpretation
English / Hindi
Basic comprehension and grammar at a Matriculation level — choose whichever medium you're genuinely more comfortable in.
- Basic grammar & sentence structure
- Vocabulary & spellings
- Comprehension of simple passages
- Fill in the blanks & error detection at a Matriculation level
Selection Process
- Computer-Based Examination (CBE).
- Physical Efficiency Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST).
- Detailed Medical Examination (DME) & Review Medical Examination if applicable.
- Document Verification.
- Final merit list based on CBE marks, subject to clearing PET/PST/DME.
Salary & Job Profile
Constable (GD) posts are placed in Pay Level 3 (₹21,700–₹69,100) of the 7th CPC matrix, along with Dearness Allowance, HRA, Transport Allowance, Ration Money Allowance and other force-specific allowances depending on posting and operational deployment.
Best Books for SSC GD Constable Preparation
- Lucent's General Knowledge
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic — Rajesh Verma (Arihant)
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning — R.S. Aggarwal
- Objective General English (basic level) — S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
Previous Cut-off Trends
Approximate — always verify officially
SSC GD Constable CBE cut-offs vary sharply by state/region-specific vacancy allocation, category and gender, given the very high applicant volume — recent cycles have seen wide swings year to year. Since PET/PST elimination is significant, always check the state-wise and category-wise official cut-off list rather than a single national number.
Preparation Tips
- Start PET training (timed 1.6 km/5 km runs depending on category) at least 3–4 months before the exam — this is where large numbers of candidates get eliminated.
- The CBE syllabus is at a Class 10 level; prioritise accuracy and speed on fundamentals over advanced topics.
- Practise both English and Hindi comprehension if you're flexible on the medium, since some candidates find one noticeably easier.
- Get a basic medical check (height, weight, vision, tattoos policy per force) done early to flag any issues before the DME stage.
Exam Day Guidelines
- Carry your Document Checker and a valid original photo ID — no exceptions are made for missing documentation.
- Start PET training (timed runs) at least 3–4 months in advance; this is where a large share of otherwise-qualified candidates are eliminated.
- Avoid heavy meals or exertion immediately before the PET race; pace yourself according to your practised timing, not the fastest runner near you.
- Carry basic medical documents if you have any pre-existing, declarable conditions, to avoid delays at the medical examination stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Class 10 (Matriculation) pass from a recognised Board is the minimum qualification for all forces covered under SSC GD Constable recruitment.
BSF, CRPF, CISF, SSB, ITBP, the National Investigation Agency, the Secretariat Security Force, and Rifleman (GD) posts in the Assam Rifles.
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in the Computer-Based Examination.
Yes, race timing, height and chest requirements can vary slightly by recruiting force, gender, category and, in some cases, state/region-specific relaxations — always check the specific notification.
No — the CBE comes first and decides who advances to PET/PST; there's no second written stage. Final merit is based on CBE marks, subject to qualifying every later stage.
Related Exams
Back to Syllabus Hub — browse all government exam syllabus pagesSyllabus content on this page is compiled and reviewed against the official Staff Selection Commission notification as of 11 Jul 2026. Exam patterns, vacancies, salary figures and cut-offs are subject to change — always cross-check with the official notification at ssc.gov.in before applying.