SSC GD Constable 2026 Complete Guide — Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Salary & Physical Standards

SSC GD Constable 2026 — The Largest 10th Pass Defence Job in India

The SSC GD (General Duty) Constable exam is India's single largest recruitment drive for 10th pass candidates wanting to serve in paramilitary and armed police forces. Every cycle recruits 25,000-75,000+ constables across BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NIA, SSF, and Assam Rifles — making it one of the biggest government exams in the world by vacancy count.

If you've passed 10th class and are physically fit, SSC GD is your best shot at a uniformed government career with a starting salary of ₹30,000+/month, free accommodation, medical, canteen, and pension.

SSC GD — Quick Overview

• Conducting Body: Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
• Post: Constable (General Duty) in CAPFs, NIA, SSF, and Assam Rifles
• Forces: BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NIA, SSF, Assam Rifles
• Vacancies: Typically 25,000-75,000+ per cycle
• Qualification: 10th pass (Matriculation) — that's it!
• Age Limit: 18-23 years (relaxation for reserved categories)
• Exam Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)
• Selection: CBT → Physical Efficiency Test (PET) → Physical Standard Test (PST) → Medical → Document Verification

Forces Under SSC GD — Where Will You Serve?

1. BSF (Border Security Force): Guards India's borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. Largest CAPF with 2.5 lakh+ personnel. Postings at international borders — Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya.

2. CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force): India's largest paramilitary force. Handles internal security, anti-Naxal operations, and law & order. Postings across India including J&K, Chhattisgarh, and NE states.

3. CISF (Central Industrial Security Force): Guards airports, metro systems, nuclear installations, ports, and major government buildings. Most urban posting among all CAPFs. Postings at Delhi Metro, Mumbai/Delhi/Bangalore airports, ISRO, BARC.

4. ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police): Guards India-China border along the Himalayas. Postings in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh. Known for extreme altitude postings.

5. SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal): Guards India-Nepal and India-Bhutan borders. Relatively newer force. Postings in UP, Bihar, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam.

6. NIA (National Investigation Agency): India's premier counter-terrorism investigation agency. Limited vacancies but prestigious. Postings at NIA offices across India.

7. Assam Rifles: Oldest paramilitary force (since 1835). Guards India-Myanmar border. Postings exclusively in Northeast India — Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh.

8. SSF (Special Security Force): India's newest force (formed 2023). Provides VIP security. Limited vacancies.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification: Matriculation (10th pass) from a recognized board. No higher qualification needed.

Age Limit: 18-23 years as on the date specified in notification.

Relaxation:

• OBC: +3 years (up to 26)
• SC/ST: +5 years (up to 28)
• Ex-Servicemen: +3 years after deducting military service
• J&K domicile/Ex-CAPFs children: +5 years

Nationality: Indian citizen.

Physical Standards (Male):

Physical Standards (Female):

Check your physical standards: Physical Standards Calculator →

Check age eligibility: Age Eligibility Calculator →

Exam Pattern

Computer Based Test (CBT)

Each question carries 2 marks. Negative marking: 0.5 per wrong answer.

Physical Efficiency Test (PET)

Male:

Female:

For Ladakh region candidates: Timings are relaxed by 30-60 seconds.

Check your PET standards: Physical Standards Calculator →

Physical Standard Test (PST)

Height and chest measurement as per table above. Conducted on the same day as PET.

Medical Examination

Detailed medical by CAPF medical officers. Key checks: visual acuity (6/6 without glasses for BSF/ITBP), hearing, dental, knock knees, flat feet, varicose veins.

Subject-Wise Syllabus

General Intelligence & Reasoning (20 Questions)

Analogy, Classification, Series (Number/Alphabet/Letter), Coding-Decoding, Direction Sense, Blood Relations, Odd One Out, Missing Number, Matrix, Non-Verbal Reasoning (Mirror Image, Water Image, Paper Folding, Embedded Figures, Dice, Cube).

Preparation Tip: Practice 20 questions daily. Focus on Non-Verbal Reasoning — 6-8 questions come from this.

General Knowledge (20 Questions)

Indian History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern), Geography (Physical, Indian, World), Indian Polity (Constitution, Fundamental Rights, DPSP), Economy basics, General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology at 10th level), Current Affairs (last 6 months — Sports, Awards, Books, Appointments, Government Schemes, Defence updates).

Preparation Tip: Lucent's General Knowledge book + monthly current affairs PDF. Focus on Sports (3-4 questions every exam) and Defence-related current affairs.

Elementary Mathematics (20 Questions)

Number System, Simplification (BODMAS), Percentage, Ratio & Proportion, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Average, Mensuration (Area, Volume of basic shapes), Data Interpretation (Bar/Pie/Table).

Preparation Tip: Master Percentage, Ratio, and Average first — these appear in 60% of questions. Practice R.S. Aggarwal Arithmetic.

English/Hindi (20 Questions)

English: Reading Comprehension, Fill in the Blanks, Error Detection, Synonyms/Antonyms, One Word Substitution, Idioms & Phrases, Sentence Correction.

Hindi: पर्यायवाची, विलोम शब्द, मुहावरे, वाक्य शुद्धि, रिक्त स्थान, अनेक शब्दों के लिए एक शब्द, गद्यांश.

Preparation Tip: Choose the language you're more comfortable in. Read 10th class English/Hindi textbook for grammar basics.

SSC GD Salary & Benefits

Pay Level 3: ₹21,700 – ₹69,100 (7th CPC)

Monthly Salary Breakdown:

• Basic Pay: ₹21,700
• DA (55%): ₹11,935
• HRA: ₹3,906 (varies by posting)
• Transport Allowance: ₹1,350
• Ration Allowance: ₹3,000 (if not availing free rations)
• Kit Maintenance: ₹600
• Gross: ~₹42,000-₹45,000/month
• In-hand (after deductions): ~₹35,000-₹38,000/month

Additional Benefits:

• Free uniform (issued by force)
• Free accommodation (barracks/family quarters after marriage)
• Free medical treatment at CAPF hospitals (self + family)
• Free rations (mess facility)
• Canteen (CSD) — discounted consumer goods, electronics, vehicles
• LTC every 4 years
• Children education allowance
• NPS pension (10% employee + 14% employer)
• Group insurance ₹50 lakh
• Leave: 30 days Earned + 20 days Casual + 10 days Restricted

Special Allowances (based on posting):

• Border Area Allowance: ₹1,000-₹6,000/month
• High Altitude Allowance: ₹2,000-₹6,000/month
• Field Area Allowance: ₹2,000-₹6,000/month
• Risk/Hardship Allowance: varies

Calculate your salary: 7th Pay Commission Calculator →

45-Day Preparation Strategy

Days 1-15: Foundation Cover complete syllabus — Reasoning (Analogy, Series, Coding), Math (Percentage, Ratio, P&L), GK (Lucent GK first 200 pages), English/Hindi (Grammar basics). Solve 20 questions per subject daily.

Days 16-30: Practice & Speed 50 mixed questions daily. 1 sectional mock daily. Start current affairs (last 6 months). Focus on speed — you have only 45 seconds per question. Practice Non-Verbal Reasoning patterns.

Days 31-45: Full Mocks + Physical Prep 1 full mock test daily (80 questions, 60 minutes). Analyze every mistake. Revise Lucent GK chapter-wise. Simultaneously start PET preparation — run 2.4 km daily, practice high jump and long jump.

Critical: Don't start physical preparation at the last moment. PET eliminates more candidates than the written exam. Start running from Day 1.

Previous Year Cut-off

Use our Cut-off Marks Calculator to estimate your chances.

Application Fee

• General/OBC/EWS (Male): ₹100
• SC/ST/PwBD/Female/Ex-SM: Free

SSC GD vs Other 10th Pass Exams

Strategy: Apply for ALL THREE. Syllabus overlaps 80%.

Career Growth in CAPFs

• Constable (GD): ₹21,700 (Pay Level 3) — 0-6 years
• Head Constable: ₹25,500 (Pay Level 4) — 6-10 years (through LDCE/seniority)
• ASI (Assistant Sub Inspector): ₹29,200 (Pay Level 5) — 10-15 years
• Sub Inspector: ₹35,400 (Pay Level 6) — through departmental exam
• Inspector: ₹44,900 (Pay Level 7) — senior level

Promotions through departmental exams. Some forces offer accelerated promotion for sports/gallantry medal holders.

Useful Tools for SSC GD

• Physical Standards Calculator — Check height, chest, PET standards
• Age Eligibility Calculator — Check SSC GD age eligibility
• 7th Pay Commission Calculator — Calculate CAPF salary
• Cut-off Marks Calculator — Score estimation
• Photo & Signature Resizer — SSC photo specs (3.5×4.5cm)
• Exam Countdown Timer — Days until your exam

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring Physical Prep: 40% candidates clear written but fail PET. Run daily from Day 1.

2. Not choosing language wisely: English paper is slightly easier than Hindi — but choose what you're comfortable in. Don't switch at the last moment.

3. Guessing too much: With 0.5 negative marking on 2-mark questions, each wrong answer costs 25% of a correct answer. Attempt 65-70 out of 80 with 85% accuracy instead of all 80 with 70% accuracy.

4. Skipping medical preparation: Get your eyes tested. If you need glasses, some forces (BSF, ITBP) require 6/6 vision without correction.

5. Not knowing force preferences: When you fill the form, you select force preferences. Research each force's posting areas and culture before choosing. CISF = most urban, BSF = border, CRPF = most transfers.

Final Thoughts

SSC GD is the golden ticket for 10th pass youth to join India's uniformed services. The salary (₹35K+), benefits (free housing, medical, canteen), pension, and social prestige make it one of the best career options available without a degree.

The competition is fierce — 1+ crore applicants for 25,000-75,000 posts. But with 45 days of focused preparation (written + physical), you can crack it. Start now.

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