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Last updated: 10 October 2026
SSC GD Constable is the Staff Selection Commission's Class 10 entry route into the central armed police forces, and it is consistently the largest SSC recruitment by vacancy count. The 2027 notification is expected between October and November 2026 under the SSC Annual Exam Calendar. This page covers eligibility, the exam pattern, the physical standards that eliminate most candidates, and salary. Compare it with other SSC exams on the SSC exams hub.
SSC has listed Constable (GD) 2027 in its Annual Exam Calendar with a notification expected in October to November 2026. The application window and exam dates have not been announced yet. Recruitment through SSC GD covers Constable (General Duty) posts in BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB and the Secretariat Security Force, Rifleman (General Duty) in Assam Rifles, and Sepoy in the Narcotics Control Bureau. Check ssc.gov.in for the official notice when it is published.
Candidates must have passed Class 10 (Matriculation) from a recognised board. No higher qualification is required, and there is no preference given for one. This is the lowest educational bar of any SSC recruitment apart from SSC MTS.
The age bracket is 18 to 23 years, the narrowest window of any SSC exam. Upper age limits are relaxed by three years for OBC (non-creamy layer) and five years for SC and ST candidates, with further provisions for ex-servicemen and candidates from specified categories. Because the window is so tight, candidates who miss one cycle often age out, so the notification date matters more here than for any other SSC exam.
The computer-based examination is a 60-minute paper of 80 objective questions carrying 160 marks, set at Class 10 standard. Each correct answer earns 2 marks and each wrong answer carries a penalty of 0.25 marks, which is lighter than the 0.50 penalty used in SSC CGL and CHSL.
The PET is a timed run and is qualifying in nature.
Minimum height requirements vary by category and region.
Selection runs in four stages: the computer-based examination, then the Physical Efficiency Test and Physical Standard Test, then a detailed medical examination, and finally document verification. Only the written exam carries merit marks; the PET, PST and medical stages are qualifying. Candidates are shortlisted for the physical stages in a ratio to the vacancies, so a comfortable written score matters even though the later stages are pass or fail.
Constable (General Duty) is a Pay Level 3 post on the 7th Pay Commission matrix, with a pay scale of Rs 21,700 to Rs 69,100. In-hand pay adds Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance and, depending on the force and posting, ration money and a risk or hardship allowance. Postings in field areas carry additional allowances that can lift take-home pay well above the basic scale.
The SSC Annual Exam Calendar lists Constable (GD) 2027 with a notification expected between October and November 2026. SSC has not confirmed a date, and the application window and exam dates will be announced with the notification at ssc.gov.in.
The age limit is 18 to 23 years, the narrowest bracket among SSC exams. The upper limit is relaxed by three years for OBC (non-creamy layer) candidates and five years for SC and ST candidates. The minimum age of 18 applies to every category.
The computer-based exam has 80 objective questions carrying 160 marks, to be completed in 60 minutes, at Class 10 standard. It is divided into four parts of 20 questions each: General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Knowledge and General Awareness, Elementary Mathematics, and English or Hindi. Each correct answer earns 2 marks and each wrong answer carries a penalty of 0.25 marks.
Male candidates must complete 5 km in 24 minutes and female candidates 1.6 km in 8 minutes 30 seconds. Candidates from the Ladakh region run shorter distances: 1.6 km in 7 minutes for male candidates and 800 m in 5 minutes for female candidates. The PET is qualifying and carries no merit marks.
Constable (General Duty) is a Pay Level 3 post with a pay scale of Rs 21,700 to Rs 69,100 under the 7th Pay Commission. Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and Transport Allowance are added on top, along with ration money and field allowances depending on the force and posting.
Also eligible for Class 10 entry? Compare SSC GD with SSC MTS and the rest on the SSC exams list with eligibility, age limits and pay levels, or read the SSC CGL 2026 guide if you hold a degree.