SSC GD Constable (CAPF, SSF, Assam Rifles): eligibility, exam and physical tests

Who can apply

These figures are from the notice for the 2026 examination, published on 1 December 2025. Each year's notice sets its own dates and cut-off date for age, so always read the current one.

• Education: Matriculation (Class 10) pass from a recognised board or university on or before the cut-off date, which was 1 January 2026 in this notice. Candidates who had not passed by that date were told not to apply.
• Age: 18 to 23 years as on 1 January 2026 (born between 2 January 2003 and 1 January 2008). The notice lists extra years for specified categories such as ex-servicemen and reserved categories; read paragraph 5.1 for yours.
• Domicile: vacancies in the forces (except SSF) are set state by state, so you must give your state or UT in the form and show a domicile or permanent resident certificate of that same state at verification. The notice says the state cannot be changed later.
• Women are encouraged to apply and have separate vacancies. 10 per cent of vacancies are set aside for ex-servicemen.

How selection works

The notice lists five stages: a computer-based examination (CBE), a physical standard test (PST), a physical efficiency test (PET), a medical examination and document verification. SSC runs the CBE; the forces run the rest.

• CBE: one paper of 80 questions, 2 marks each, 60 minutes, in four parts of 20 questions: general intelligence and reasoning, general knowledge and general awareness, elementary mathematics, and English or Hindi. The notice says the questions are of Matriculation level. The paper can be taken in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Odia, Punjabi, Malayalam, Assamese, Konkani, Manipuri and Urdu.
• Negative marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer, so do not guess blindly.
• PET: for most candidates, men must run 5 km in 24 minutes and women 1.6 km in 8.5 minutes (different standards apply for Ladakh).
• PST: height standards of 170 cm for men and 157 cm for women, with relaxations for some categories, plus chest measurement for men. The notice lists the relaxations; check them against your certificate.
• Medical and document verification are done by the forces' boards, and your force and state are allotted by merit and the preferences you filled.

Pay, vacancies and fee

• Pay: Pay Level 3, Rs 21,700 to Rs 69,100 in this notice.
• Vacancies: 25,487 tentative vacancies across BSF, CISF, CRPF, SSB, ITBP, Assam Rifles and SSF in this notice. The notice says vacancies are tentative and are updated on the SSC website.
• Fee: Rs 100, paid online. Women, ex-servicemen eligible for reservation and applicants in certain reserved categories are exempt, as listed in the notice. There is a separate paid window for correcting the form.

How to apply officially

• Apply only online through ssc.gov.in. The notice says applications are accepted online only and that admission certificates are not sent by post; dates and admit cards appear only on the SSC and CRPF websites.
• Enter your name, date of birth and parents' names exactly as in the Class 10 certificate.
• Use the free mock test in the Candidate's Corner on the SSC site to practise.
• Check the answer key after the exam. The notice allows representations on the tentative key at Rs 50 per question, but no re-evaluation of scores.

Common mistakes

• Choosing a state in the form different from the state on your domicile certificate. This leads to cancellation.
• Assuming the CBE result is the end. SSC shortlists you for PET and PST, and the forces then do medical and document checks.
• Not checking height and chest standards before applying. The notice says it is the candidate's responsibility to verify eligibility before the exam.
• Believing anyone who promises a seat for money. The final result and force allocation are declared by the Commission on merit.